Chapter 418: Kara Organization
Deep within a hidden realm masked by powerful barrier ninjutsu, a colossal laboratory structure loomed.
Inside massive incubation pods, glowing liquid swirled through transparent conduits, suspending the floating silhouettes of countless young children within the fluid.
Outside the main incubation chamber, numerous personnel were hard at work in the monitoring control room.
An elderly man with white hair and orange-tinted glasses stood watching the sight, his eyes fixed on the streaming data across the monitor screens.
"Lord Amado, among these test subjects, two embryos show an exceptionally high degree of compatibility with our baseline metrics. However, current progress hasn't quite reached the target threshold—there are likely additional reactions that will require more time to manifest," a researcher in a white lab coat reported to the old man.
The researcher manipulated the console to project the diagnostic data into the air, presenting the step-by-step readouts.
"Understood. Maintain continuous monitoring. We cannot afford to disappoint Lord Jigen," Amado said, his expression carrying the keen, sharp intellect of a master scientist.
He pulled a cigarette—from the premier brand in the Shinobi World—from his pocket and lit it. As wisps of smoke drifted up into the laboratory air, no one present dared to raise a complaint. Within this facility, Amado was the only individual who enjoyed Lord Jigen's absolute trust.
"Has anything major occurred in the Shinobi World recently?" Amado asked casually.
The Shinobi World had been evolving at a dizzying pace over recent years, with technological breakthroughs emerging constantly. Amado paid particularly close attention to advancements in the technological sector; staying informed allowed him to refine his own research and brought him closer to perfectly resurrecting his daughter.
What he failed to realize, however, was that while many techniques capable of true resurrection existed in the world, he lacked access to the relevant intelligence—otherwise, he never would have placed his faith in Jigen to begin with.
The white-coated researcher answered, "The tech corporations we keep tabs on haven't published any new major research breakthroughs recently. However, there is indeed a massive event taking place in the Shinobi World right now: the hero of the realm, Three-Star Honor Ninja Tobitake Tonbo, is hosting a joint wedding for both his son and daughter. The scale of the event is unprecedented—even grander than Naruto Uzumaki's wedding."
As the primary liaison between the laboratory, the organization, and the outside world, he was well-versed in these current affairs.
"Furthermore, Lord Boro has already established the Otsutsuki Faith across the weaker regions untouched by the Shinobi Alliance to secure resources and prepare for future developments. His efforts have already yielded tangible results."
Hearing this, Amado paused briefly, his cigarette hovering near his lips.
"Tobitake Tonbo, hm? He is a troublesome individual. If Lord Jigen wishes to complete the vessel's karma reincarnation, cultivate the Divine Tree, and harvest the Chakra Fruit, this man represents an obstacle that cannot be ignored."
Only by consuming the Chakra Fruit Jigen spoke of could they realize their respective desires. Yet to achieve that, three key individuals and the Five Great Shinobi Villages stood as immovable barriers in their path. With Kara's current strength, engaging them in direct confrontation was completely out of the question.
Perhaps once their Scientific Shinobi Tools advanced further, they could leverage that synthetic power to stand against the Five Great Villages.
"How is the Scientific Shinobi Tool research progressing across the other experimental bases?" Amado inquired.
As for Boro, Amado wasn't in the least bit surprised that he had achieved results.
The researcher reported, "At present, our organization has successfully infiltrated the elder councils across the Five Great Nations. Most national research laboratories now harbor our operatives as well. The progress reports coming in are exceedingly promising—we may very well develop Scientific Shinobi Tools viable for the Vessel in the near future."
Though Kara had only begun expanding a few years ago, Amado's brilliant intellect paired with Lord Jigen's power had allowed them to covertly penetrate the core laboratories of multiple major nations, including those belonging to the Five Great Villages.
Their ultimate objective was to exploit the resource pools of every nation to engineer superior Scientific Shinobi Tools, eventually consolidating those breakthroughs within Kara to harness the peak of synthetic power. This was the strategic approach mapped out by Lord Jigen and Amado; since they were not yet equipped to fight the Five Great Nations head-on, they had to rely on these unconventional methods.
"Very good. Proceed with caution. Do not let the Shinobi Alliance catch wind of our operations, or all our meticulous preparations will crumble in an instant," Amado instructed.
"Understood, my Lord."
The white-coated researcher bowed and withdrew from the room, leaving Amado alone with his thoughts.
A wedding, is it? If his own daughter were still alive, she would probably be marrying some handsome young man right about now.
A heavy ring of smoke exhaled from his lips into the quiet room.
I hope that bastard Jigen doesn't disappoint me. If he fails to fulfill my wish... he shouldn't blame me for what comes next.
...
Under the soft flurry of cherry blossoms and the bursting colors of fireworks above.
A couple—one man with a pineapple-style ponytail and one woman with blonde twin buns—walked side-by-side, each holding the hand of a two-year-old boy who rocked the exact same pineapple hair.
"I say, Mom, Dad... I'm already two years old. I'm not a little baby anymore, so you don't need to hold my hands! I can walk by myself," Shikadai Nara sighed deeply.
Catching sight of a shogi board set up on a nearby table with an unfinished match displayed on it, he felt a sudden urge to go over and play a few moves.
The estate of this legendary shinobi was ridiculously huge. What was even more impressive were the various recreational setups lined along the pathways—facilities clearly put together specifically for kids to enjoy as they walked through. Every so often, he could even spot attendants tidying up the grounds and wiping down surfaces.
Shikadai couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that someone's personal residence could be as vast as the Nara Clan's entire deer forest. On top of that, there were countless marvels scattered about that even adults would find captivating.
"What are you talking about? This is called maternal love, and I refuse to let you go!" Temari said fiercely, throwing a threatening glance toward Shikamaru to keep him from speaking up.
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Maternal love? Since when was love expressed like this? You just want to show off your kid in front of everyone we know.
Still, walking through a wedding venue as a family holding hands was a genuinely cozy feeling. Besides, due to his demanding workload over the past few years, he hadn't seen many of his old friends in a long time.
"Isn't Grandpa coming? I thought he basically watched Captain Tonbo grow up," Shikadai asked.
"He, Senior Choza, and Senior Inoichi arrived way before us. They're helping out behind the scenes and managing parts of the venue," Shikamaru explained.
He couldn't help but envy his father—already fully retired, spending his days drinking tea and playing shogi, only popping out to lend a hand at a junior's wedding once in a while. It looked so relaxed and comfortable. When would he ever get to live a life like that?
Thinking of Naruto's goofy, hyperactive nature, Shikamaru could only let out a heavy sigh. Looks like I've still got a long way to go...
"Hey Dad, what was your and Mom's wedding like?" Shikadai asked curiously.
"It was romantic, of course! Absolutely grander than Senior Tonbo's," Temari declared confidently.
She was, after all, the princess of Sunagakure, and marrying into the Nara family meant joining two prominent clans together. Tobitake Tonbo had come from humble, civilian origins; despite holding the glorious title of an honored hero, his roots were still civilian, which could hardly compete with the deep heritage of established clans.
Shikadai looked around. "Really? But this place is way bigger than our house. Just comparing the venue alone, ours couldn't possibly match up, right?"
Thwack!
Before he could finish his sentence, a palm slapped the back of his head.
"Show some respect! You don't make comparisons like that, understand?" Temari scolded—though, deep down, she knew her son was entirely right. Still, she couldn't let the comment slide without a light smack.
Standing off to the side, Shikamaru didn't dare say a single word.
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