After the Land of Lightning gradually stabilized, the Federation's administration, construction, education, and security forces all became busy, but this no longer concerned Hyuga Mirai. Over the past two years, the widespread adoption of computers had allowed more than 70% of Federation officials to use them for office work. The construction of nuclear fusion power plants and networks further accelerated computer adoption, making Unit 18 increasingly powerful.
With Unit 18's calculations and assistance, Federation officials could save half their energy, allowing them to devote more effort to their duties.
The only unsettled nation left was the Land of Earth. Many Federation ninjas knew this was their last chance to prove themselves, so they petitioned Leader Pakura to launch a campaign to reclaim the Land of Earth. This would unify the ninja world while also earning them battle merits.
Leader Pakura now received numerous petitions daily, and even Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha came to Hyuga Mirai to gather intelligence. Both wanted to prove themselves on the battlefield.
One day, Hyuga Mirai finalized the last adjustments to the node coordinates for the time-space traversal machine in the lab and assigned Unit 18 to monitor it, instructing it to notify him immediately of any changes.
The machine required a large space, so Mirai placed it in Roran.
After leaving the lab, Mirai went to check on Tsunade. He was having some difficulty reading Otsutsuki Isshiki's memories, but initial results at Tsunade's end were promising. Her electromagnetic abilities could gradually assist in reading information from entities like Isshiki, which are similar to electronic life forms. So, Mirai entrusted this task to Tsunade.
When Mirai arrived, Tsunade was fully focused on decoding the secrets within Isshiki, so he left a note, promising to bring her breakfast. He didn't send a message via the ring terminal because Tsunade hadn't fully adapted to using it; sometimes leaving a sealed scroll was more effective.
Returning home late, Mirai found that Kiyo Hyuga and Kurenai Yuhi had likely already gone to bed. Recently, Kurenai had been secretly playing games at night when she couldn't sleep, but after being caught a few times by Kiyo, she was scolded severely—even Mirai hadn't escaped that.
Kiyo now valued the children highly, and according to ninja customs, they were considered part of the Hyuga family. Their children would inherit the Byakugan. With Mirai's bloodline, the children Kiyo and Kurenai carried were undoubtedly among the most talented in the ninja world. Since Ayaka Uzumaki had little say and Kurenai just wanted to relax while Mirai was busy with experiments, Kiyo took on the role of caretaker, responsible for the Hyuga children.
The house lights were still on, with only Ayaka in the living room. Seeing Mirai, she happily stood and said, "Lord Mirai, I'll heat up your dinner. It's grilled eel. If the texture isn't to your liking, I can make a fresh portion."
"No need, Ayaka. Leave it for now."
Seeing Ayaka's outfit, Mirai guessed her intentions: a qipao slit almost to the waist, revealing long legs in white socks with each step. He also noticed her lips were brightly red, likely coated with edible scented lip balm.
Compared to Kiyo and Kurenai, Ayaka's figure was fuller, making her embrace particularly comfortable. She was also very cooperative, striving to meet any of Mirai's requests.
"Lord Mirai… you haven't eaten yet~"
Ayaka, held in Mirai's arms, seemed even more eager for what was to come.
The next morning, Kiyo and Kurenai emerged from their rooms. Having rested well, neither lingered in bed, and if Kurenai tried, Kiyo would nudge her awake. Pregnant women needed proper nutrition, often beyond three meals a day.
Seeing Mirai busy at the table without Ayaka, both realized what had happened the night before. Kiyo lightly kicked Mirai and whispered, "Next time, take it easy with Ayaka."
Then, as Kiyo fetched breakfast, Kurenai tugged at Mirai's sleeve with a flirtatious look, clearly expressing her intentions without words.
Mirai shook his head decisively. With Kiyo's concern for the children, he would surely be scolded afterward, and Kurenai's enthusiasm worried him about her pregnancy. Such matters would wait until after the children were born.
Kurenai, still displeased, gave Mirai a playful kick but didn't give up. Mirai had left Ayaka a breakfast portion in case she slept in, allowing her to eat lunch directly. After eating, he went straight to the lab in Roran.
Delegating Federation affairs to Pakura and Unit 18 reassured him, and with his clone, Mirai's main focus was perfecting the time-space traversal machine.
Adjusting it required constant modifications. Traversing such a distant past was challenging, especially since this trip wasn't to a parallel timeline but to his own period. He had to plan carefully to avoid affecting the present. From Otsutsuki Isshiki's reactions, it seemed he had encountered Mirai a thousand years ago.
Mirai adjusted the energy frequencies and magnetic fields, referenced records from the previous parallel-space traversal, and used the Ten-Tails' power for energy conversion, finally pinpointing a node over a thousand years in the past.
"Unit 18, prepare for a test, starting from 500 years back, incrementing by centuries."
Fearing that time travel could destabilize his ninjutsu clones, Mirai created a physical clone using Yin-Yang Release and Shikotsumyaku before starting the trials.
The first trial succeeded. The second trial also succeeded, with the clone returning with a fruit.
Subsequent trials were equally successful. One clone returned with an arrow, having crossed where two nations were at war.
All data matched the calculations. After these trials, Mirai was confident.
"This is a success. Next, I'll notify Orochimaru before the traversal and brief Kiyo and Ayaka."
Mirai sent the messages via terminal. Orochimaru would likely want to witness it. Scorpion, still on the moon, knew but showed little interest.
Mirai checked other progress; while not urgent, some matters required attention. For example, the space ship had undergone multiple redesigns, and many areas remained unverified.
"I'm back. Orochimaru? You came fast."
Upon entering, Mirai saw Orochimaru peeling a mandarin for him. Hinata Hyuga was also peeling one beside him.
Also present were Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha, bringing liveliness to Mirai's home.
"You're here too?"
Kushina raised her arms and replied, "I want to go too."
"No, time-space traversal involves temporal theory. If you harbor ill intentions, it could have disastrous effects."
Time-space fractures or new parallel timelines could appear. Even if Kushina pledged full obedience, Mirai had to be cautious. Time travel wasn't a simple sightseeing trip; creating another universe would spawn another version of Mirai.
Disappointed, Kushina realized it wasn't negotiable and slumped; she had more promises left unsaid, losing hope for time travel.
Mikoto Uchiha was also slightly disappointed but understood the gravity of the situation.
"Mirai-kun, is the time-space traversal machine ready?"
Mirai nodded, then asked Hinata, "Almost. Orochimaru, should Hinata come with you?"
Orochimaru smiled, "She wants to, but it depends on your plan, Mirai-kun."
"Then next time. This trip, better safe than sorry."
Hinata stepped forward slightly, bowing, and said, "Lord Mirai, please allow me to accompany you. I won't alter the past, only converse with those who haven't yet vanished."
Mirai replied firmly, "Time-space traversal is dangerous. Out of all of you, I only trust Orochimaru. Hinata, you may come, but stay close. Any danger, I'll eliminate it immediately."
Hinata nodded solemnly, "Understood, thank you, Lord Mirai."
Orochimaru and Hinata declined dinner, preferring quiet.
Kiyo and the others were briefed on time-space traversal. Kurenai, interested, was swiftly discouraged by a gentle fist from Kiyo. Mirai had no intention of bringing Kurenai along regardless.
"Aren't time-space traversals dangerous?" Ayaka asked, curious after seeing Kushina's concern.
"Of course. The past can't be changed. For example, if Kushina and I returned to the night of the Nine-Tails incident and saved the past versions of Kushina and Minato, have we changed the past? No. We've split one timeline into two branches."
Mirai demonstrated using chakra to simulate river flows.
"These branches are parallel universes. Each has a Kushina and a Naruto. If a collapse forces them to merge, could you eliminate the other Kushina? Completely, leaving nothing? Even a fragment?"
Kushina gasped, weakly asking, "Must it be this way?"
"For any altered node, existing things can only be fewer, not more. Otherwise, the timeline auto-corrects, or the node collapses. Even if you hesitate, that world's Kushina would act for her Naruto."
Mirai himself could face another version of himself. If that world's Mirai developed a massive super-field, even Six Paths Mode wouldn't help.
Time travel sounds simple, but each step is critical. Any action altering the future risks splitting the timeline. Upon traveling back, Mirai and Orochimaru only collected lost or destroyed Yin-Yang Master records, avoiding impacting the past.
"Is it really this dangerous?"
Kushina, intimidated, abandoned any thought of participating.
"So, ordinary people can't join," Mirai concluded decisively.
As evening fell, Kushina and Mikoto rested. Kurenai reluctantly returned to her room.
Later, Kurenai sneaked into Mirai's room.
Seeing Tsunade appear in Roran, Mirai stroked his chin, "You're coming too, Tsunade?"
"Why the fuss? I've decoded part of Isshiki's life information. Who could guide you better?" Tsunade said proudly. She had checked the ring terminal just in time, avoiding missing the traversal.
"With my guidance, you won't make grave mistakes. I'm here to correct errors," she added.
Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, "Never thought I'd hear that from Tsunade. Rare indeed."
"Indeed," Mirai nodded. Tsunade, usually reluctant, had confidently taken command.
Tsunade clenched her fist in mock frustration at Mirai and Orochimaru. Mirai briefed her on the traversal's dangers and had Unit 18 prepare protective gear.
No matter how long they stayed a thousand years ago, they'd return in ten seconds—like a 'spiritual time chamber.'
The four travelers: Hyuga Mirai, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hinata Hyuga.
On the traversal platform, after Unit 18 calibrated all energy and settings, the green light for traversal lit up.
The machine activated, a dazzling white light filled the room, and the four vanished.
A thousand years ago, the land was in constant war. Near harvest season, several nations could perish in a single day.
Only the rulers and warrior leaders were eliminated. Guards and civilians often surrendered; invaders would integrate the guards into their forces, while civilians produced food or other valuables.
In an era with scarce iron, it was common to travel dozens of miles without seeing a village.
"If not for Yin-Yang Master records, it's hard to believe gods existed in such a time."
Orochimaru, using his snakes, observed a farming village.
"Primitive power is truly terrifying. According to Fukasaku, Yin-Yang Masters of this era even intimidated him," Tsunade remarked.
Mirai was still scouting the era and surroundings. Hinata sat meditating. Only Orochimaru was actively gathering information via snakes.
"Perhaps Fukasaku was weak at this time. Otherwise, he'd be captured," Orochimaru said, smiling. His powerful life-force techniques fascinated him.
"Information gathering is mostly complete. Good news and bad: the transmission time we are in is late-stage, over ten years off from the ideal time."
Mirai shook his head; the trial had no errors, and the number of people or energy wasn't the issue. He would need to study this further later.
Orochimaru asked, "And the good news, Mirai-kun?"
"The war is not unified. What we seek still exists; we just need to act quickly."
Mirai recalled the miniature reconnaissance drones after nearly a day of scouting, having mapped the nearby area.
"Orochimaru, your plan?"
"Likely, to ask the locals about the gods," he replied.
"I'll give you some drones. Gather as much intel as possible; communicate via terminal if needed."
Mirai assigned Orochimaru 300 drones.
"I'll move ahead," Orochimaru said, transforming into a tattered samurai and walking off.
Tsunade smirked, "He really prepared thoroughly."
"Let's go. Many past confusions suddenly make sense today."
Mirai compared the maps of the present and a thousand years later. Despite terrain changes, some matches existed.
"I'll check Ryūchi Cave first. Hinata, Tsunade, if needed, my clone can accompany you."
Tsunade didn't require accompaniment, but Hinata had to stay with him.
(End of Chapter)
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