"Finally back, No. 18."
"No temporal deviation occurred, Sir. Everything is normal. Congratulations on a fruitful time-space journey."
Hearing No. 18's voice, Hyuga Mirai finally exhaled in relief. If a temporal deviation had caused changes imperceptible even to No. 18, then upon returning from time travel, No. 18 would connect to his terminal, instantly comparing the data.
Since No. 18 said all was fine, it meant this trip caused no issues.
Still, it had been a risky endeavor. Next time, he would only act as an observer—nothing like this time.
"Mirai-sama, here are the findings from before I returned."
Hyuga Hinata handed over a spatial capsule to Hyuga Mirai. Inside were the most valued Onmyoji legacies—the very foundation of Mount Myoboku's rise.
"Have No. 18 record it, then you can take it back. If you don't know how to operate it, let Orochimaru show you."
With that, Hyuga Mirai tossed the spatial capsule to Orochimaru. Beyond this, his terminal recorded numerous Onmyoji and shrine maiden legacies. Once organized, these would enrich the Federal Library's collection.
Mirai valued this highly. Besides Federal Schools, he prioritized the Federal Library—a ten-story building, currently the largest in the federation. The first two floors were accessible to any citizen with an ID card. The third and fourth floors were restricted to students of the Federal Schools, containing processed documents and archival records, excluding classified files.
The fifth and sixth floors were reserved for Chunin to Jonin-level ninja, storing scrolls of Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and records from the shinobi wars.
Floors seven and eight were accessible only to Mirai's associates and Pakura, housing forbidden techniques, advanced Onmyoji arts, and millennia of historical data. Pakura, however, had never visited due to official duties.
The ninth and tenth floors were yet to be equipped, but Mirai planned to place Onmyoji techniques there, alongside his own research, reserving the topmost level for exceptional talent as a reward.
The library had many vacancies, requiring effort to fully occupy.
After completing the time-space travel, Hyuga Mirai returned Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Hyuga Hinata from Roran to the Federation. Though the temporal jump took only ten seconds, they had spent over ten days in the ancient past.
Orochimaru had barely rested; his curiosity about the Onmyoji techniques meant he would need downtime before studying them.
Tsunade didn't feel overly fatigued—she planned to visit an izakaya before resting properly.
Mirai first placed the God Tree sapling in the lab for No. 18 to analyze. With data on each stage of the God Tree, he hoped to develop methods for cultivating it using stellar energy.
"No. 18, analyze the characteristics of each stage of the God Tree and make comparisons."
He also brought out the incompletely grown Ten-Tails he had raised from Otsutsuki Isshiki. Luckily, he had not fed it to the Gedo Statue.
Using the Rinnegan's illusionary power, he fully controlled the Ten-Tails and placed it in the Roran lab for comparative research. With prior experimental data, he expected a breakthrough this time.
The gains from returning to the ancient past included the God Tree sapling, intelligence on the gods within the Pure Land, and organization of Onmyoji techniques. The latter he left for No. 18; the former, from what Tsunade learned from the ancient deities, revealed that the Pure Land was constructed to sustain the existence of gods.
Learning this, Hyuga Mirai could only admire the first Onmyoji who built the Pure Land—their approach was akin to the Otsutsuki Clan, though executed with subtler methods.
They used techniques to create the Pure Land space, absorbing the spirits of the deceased as sustenance to maintain it. Powerful Onmyoji could preserve their spirits through techniques even after death, entering the Pure Land to continue existence as "gods."
Every person possessed life energy; as the body faded, the spirit became their final energy. Without Onmyoji techniques, the spirit dissipated after death, absorbed into the Pure Land.
The Pure Land could absorb the dissipating energy, returning it to powerful Onmyoji—the ancient "gods." Its existence relied on natural energy. Once the deities sensed that the emergence of a God Tree significantly drained the planet's natural energy, they had no choice but to act against Otsutsuki Kaguya.
They did not anticipate that Otsutsuki Kaguya's strength was too great. After a major battle, not only did they fail to eliminate her and the God Tree, but their own descendants suffered heavy casualties, transformed into White Zetsu by the God Tree.
Absorbing large amounts of natural energy, the God Tree gradually developed the ability to explore Yin-Yang energy. The Rinnegan's innate techniques and the realm of Hell had connections to this Pure Land.
Other Otsutsuki lacked these abilities; their Byakugan leaned toward offensive power.
Otsutsuki Hagoromo may have discovered the Pure Land, entering it after death to observe the shinobi world for millennia.
Many strong ninja could maintain their spirits in the Pure Land decades after death, owing to their strength in life.
"Now it seems the Pure Land is like a breeding ground for spirits—only the strongest can survive longer, such as Otsutsuki Hagoromo."
Mirai organized the known information and drew further conjectures:
"The infinite chakra of Edo Tensei is not truly infinite; their supply derives from the Pure Land. Ordinary Edo Tensei may be limited, but specialized Edo Tensei can connect to the Pure Land. Over millennia, it has become the largest energy reservoir on this planet."
According to Hagoromo, the Pure Land allowed observation of everything worldwide. Its properties were likely fully understood only by the Onmyoji who created it. It could absorb spirits across the planet. Given the immense span of time, even Onmyoji from a thousand years ago did not know when the Pure Land appeared.
Mirai considered a temporal return to the past but was wary of potential anomalies beyond a thousand years ago.
"Such a vast energy reservoir cannot remain under Hagoromo's control. Within a year, I'll open the Pure Land and seize it."
Mirai resolved to wait a year for the Federation to stabilize and God Tree research to progress. He could also create additional Rinnegan.
Kiyo, Kurenai, and Ayaka, though given genetically optimized lifespans of over a millennium after marriage, had not shown significant strength growth. Mirai needed to research how to enhance their combat abilities.
After delegating tasks to No. 18, the afternoon approached. Mirai returned home via Yomi Birasaka.
Only Kurenai was home, likely asleep after secretly gaming the previous night. Ayaka accompanied Kiyo to the commercial capital, expected back by evening.
Mirai, unable to idle, analyzed numerous individuals' power templates to enhance their abilities scientifically. Priority fell to Kiyo, Kurenai, and Ayaka, followed by the obedient White Zetsu, Naruto, and Sasuke. They required further training, especially to temper impulsiveness.
Next were Kushina, Mikoto, and Pakura. Though not ambitious, they had strong foundations. Pakura, enthusiastic about strength, had a weak Fire Release base but was manageable.
Other Federation talents included Kabuto, Kakashi, Might Guy, and Uchiha clan members. Beyond them, he left the rest—including rival factions Orochimaru and Sasori—largely autonomous, occasionally offering advice.
"The Kurama clan's sensory control resembles biofield principles, but data is scarce. No. 18 should produce wristbands for bloodline ninja to constantly collect data."
Mirai recorded the idea and instructed No. 18 to implement it. Data volume directly enhanced its predictive capability.
Click!
The door opened. Mirai turned to see Kurenai peeking in, then entering smiling.
"Seeing chocolate treats on the table, I guessed you were back, Mirai. Kiyo's health diet is unbearable; you need to manage her."
Kurenai complained while naturally settling on Mirai's lap.
Fresh from a shower, she smelled sweet with a hint of chocolate; some remained on her lips.
"I tried, Kurenai. Kiyo always agrees when indulging, but reverts afterward," Mirai said helplessly. She promised in the moment but denied later, like a fickle girl.
Kurenai was the household mascot; Mirai was the external one.
He stroked her belly, hoping for a girl. He avoided checking medical reports or using Byakugan, wanting the final reveal to be a surprise.
Pouting like a little woman, Kurenai tugged his collar, complaining, "But I'm tired of those health meals."
"I'll take you out. A new Haikawa restaurant just opened, specializing in grilled eel. The chef placed second in last year's Gourmet competition."
Mirai stroked her hair. Under his influence, the Federation's capital had become a gourmet hub; residents were extremely happy, with fewer cooking at home. Many shops in commercial cities thrived financially.
He added, "Keep it from Kiyo."
"Of course. But, Mirai-kun, it's still early."
Kurenai, freshly showered, had slightly flushed skin, resembling a beautiful serpent. She wrapped her arm around his neck, pressing close.
"Careful, Kurenai… mmph…"
Hyuga Mirai was cut off by her chocolate-laden lips.
Though weaker than Ayaka, Kurenai's desire was highest, constantly clinging to him. Hesitant only briefly, the silk fabric covering her diminished.
Three hours later, after another comfortable shower, Kurenai led Mirai toward Haikawa. Today was doubly joyful: indulgence and grilled eel with sake.
Next, she planned to feign illness and convince Kiyo to shop in the commercial capital, feeling briefly guilty afterward to ease her conscience—just enough, six minutes, she decided.
She happily linked arms with Hyuga Mirai, anticipating the outing.
(End of Chapter)
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