"When it comes to planting trees, we could request Lieutenant General Aramaki from Army Headquarters. He's a Mori-Mori no Mi user, a Nature-type ability. This sort of task would be trivial for him."
The senior researcher proposed the suggestion calmly.
With just a few uses of the Mori-Mori no Mi's awakened abilities,
He could probably create vast forests in no time.
"In that case, I shall proceed to sign a contract with the Dragon Vein now."
Director Isaac turned around and prepared to sit down in meditation again.
"Please wait."
A cold voice interrupted him.
Everyone turned to see that it was the black-clad man who had spoken.
"The person who signs the contract with the Dragon Vein must be approved by the top decision-makers of the World Government. We ask that Director Isaac and your disciple return with us to the Titan World for now and await their decision."
"But why is that even necessary?"
Damien asked loudly, puzzled. "The Dragon Vein is a geopulse force—and only someone like Teacher, a Stigmata Alchemist, can fully utilize it!"
"Think about it—what would a Stigmata Alchemist be capable of, with the entire planet's geopulse energy at his disposal?"
It would be almost like wielding an inexhaustible Philosopher's Stone.
So long as the Dragon Vein had energy, he could reshape the entire continent at will.
He could even, say, transform the entire Shinobi Continent into solid gold or diamond...
The black-clad man gave Damien a cold glance.
"Which is precisely why higher authorization is required."
"…Fine."
Director Isaac could only suppress the temptation in his heart and agree.
What temptation?
To sign the contract with the Dragon Vein right then and there.
And then use the full power of the Shinobi World to stand against the World Government.
Not to go to war—but simply to force them to compromise and accept the new reality.
But the moment he thought about what such a decision might cost—the loss of his homeland, and of everyone at the Academy—reason swiftly quelled his impulse.
"This way, please."
But just as the black-clad man was about to escort Director Isaac and the visibly angry Damien back to the Titan World—
A series of deafening explosions suddenly erupted from above.
Moments later, sharp, blaring sirens began to echo through the air.
"An enemy attack?"
The senior researcher looked up in shock at the ceiling, which was now intermittently flashing with yellow light.
"There's no need to panic. General Akainu is stationed above. Director Isaac, please—"
The black-clad man calmly extended a hand toward the Dimensional Gate.
In his view, the matter of the Dragon Vein contract was of far greater importance.
...
Teigu World — Noah's Ark.
"Flying puppets that can fire purple light bullets..."
The report on the air raid against Rōran in the Shinobi World had just come in.
Classified as a major incident, it was immediately transmitted to Imu via the Super Star Den-Den Mushi network.
After watching the entire high-definition holographic projection, Imu instantly recognized them—these were Ōtsutsuki puppets from the Moon.
Although the color of the light bullets was a bit off.
As far as Imu remembered, these Ōtsutsuki puppets were superior to the ones used in Rōran.
Because they could achieve wireless control and energy transmission between the Shinobi World and the Moon, with zero delay.
They could even understand spoken human commands, acting both as surveillance tools for the Ōtsutsuki Clan and as weapons of mass destruction.
"It seems the branch family of Ōtsutsuki Hamura's descendants on the Moon has managed to create an incomplete Tenseigan."
Imu gazed thoughtfully at the paused holographic image of the puppet.
The reason he called it incomplete—
Was because a true Tenseigan wouldn't emerge until Ōtsutsuki Toneri, upon coming of age, absorbed the Byakugan from all remaining clan members—including his own father—into a single whole.
Only then would the eye shift from purple to golden, gaining the power to manipulate gravity and pull the Moon off its orbit.
Which explained why these puppets were firing purple projectiles—
Their power likely fell short of the golden light bullets seen in the 'original work'.
As for Ōtsutsuki Toneri himself—born without eyes, more ruthless than even a future Uchiha Itachi, and possessing a rare ancestral chakra phenomenon that marked him as a pureblood Ōtsutsuki—he shouldn't have been born yet.
"Well, in that case, it actually saves me a lot of trouble."
Imu murmured to himself.
If the opponent on the Moon had been Toneri with both the Tenseigan and the completed Tenseigan—
Then the World Government would've needed him to step in personally.
Even though Toneri was defeated by Naruto,
That kind of 'movie protagonist victory' didn't carry much real weight.
Wielding Tenseigan Chakra Mode, Truth-Seeking Orbs, and the full Tenseigan, Toneri could absolutely be considered a 'Six Paths-level' fighter.
Even if these powers were temporary, they weren't something Naruto could easily match—
But since the enemy had already made a move, that clearly signaled hostility toward the World Government—
Which meant it was time for him to consider how best to deal with them.
"Hm."
Sitting in his broad, high-backed chair, Imu pondered for a moment.
Then he recorded everything he knew about the Moon and the Ōtsutsuki Clan of the Shinobi World into the holographic network database.
Then there was the issue of the passage between the Shinobi World and the Moon—
He had no idea where it was located.
The 'movie version' never gave a specific location either. He'd have to search for it later.
Imu then turned to the Star Den-Den Mushi on the table and ordered, "Transmit this information to the Five Elders. Also instruct him to notify the Air Force Headquarters: Lieutenant General Enel is to lead an aerial squadron and occupy the Moon of the Shinobi World. Capture as many of the Ōtsutsuki as possible—alive, if you can."
Imu opened a second report marked CRITICAL.
"Form a contract with the Dragon Vein to restore the environment of the Land of Wind."
Immediately, a detailed account compiled by Cipher Pol appeared before him on the holographic projection.
"Indeed, quite thorough. Something like the Dragon Vein should never be entrusted to outsiders—no matter the cost in utility efficiency."
After reading the evaluations and suggestions from Cipher Pol Headquarters, Imu nodded in satisfaction.
Stigma Alchemists and the Dragon Vein truly were a perfect match—together, their power could be combined to overwhelming effect.
But from the World Government's standpoint, it wasn't the best arrangement.
Because both the individual and the Dragon Vein's primary control rights had to remain firmly in the hands of the World Government.
Only on that basis could Director Isaac be allowed restricted use of the Dragon Vein's energy.
"So… do I need to go to the Shinobi World in person?"
Imu hesitated for a moment.
Of course, he wanted to see the Shinobi World with his own eyes.
After all, it was a realm with no fewer transmigrators than the Starfish World.
"There's no rush to form a contract with the Dragon Vein either… I could wait until the war ends."
"Forget it. I had been thinking about meeting Esdeath... and maybe that Tsunade-hime—the one that nine out of ten 'Naruto transmigrators' seem to collect."
Imu sighed and chose to restrain his desire to vacation in the Shinobi World.
There'd be time enough for that once the world was fully conquered.
As for Tsunade—he had already been informed a few days ago.
Esdeath had forwarded Tsunade's hemophobia symptoms to the Holy Bureau in Mary Geoise,
Requesting that they bring in psychological experts and doctors to treat her.
Naturally, the Holy Bureau had no objections.
But Imu had the sense that conventional treatment wouldn't help Tsunade much.
So if Tsunade were to be cured, Imu believed it would require unconventional methods.
"Well, let those psychologists try first. After all, they're psychologists from the Starfish World. Maybe they really do have something exceptional to offer."
As for whether or not to bring Tsunade into his harem, Imu was somewhat hesitant.
While Tsunade's personal strength and skills weren't anything remarkable in the current World Government,
Her status, on the other hand, held substantial value.
She was the princess of the Senju Clan, granddaughter of both Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito, and grandniece of Senju Tobirama.
Imu understood very well that there was no fundamental life-or-death conflict between the World Government and the ninja villages of the Shinobi World—or even the Ōtsutsuki on the Moon.
After all, the true enemy of all parties was the original Ōtsutsuki civilization itself.
The current conflict was essentially a struggle over who would hold the reins of authority in the battles to come.
If the Shinobi World managed to win—
If they forced the World Government into a corner—
Then there would inevitably be compromises to be made at the negotiating table.
Of course, the odds of that happening were practically nonexistent.
Still—
If Tsunade were to become the empress of the World Government, it might serve to placate the Shinobi World.
Especially figures like Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama—they would likely settle down and willingly become part of the World Government.
As for the fact that they were already dead—that wasn't much of an issue.
Reviving someone in other worlds might be extremely difficult.
But in the Shinobi World? Not exactly easy, but certainly not impossible.
The real problem was Tsunade herself would almost certainly refuse.
Her lingering attachment to Katō Dan made her shut herself off from all new romantic relationships.
Even Jiraiya had spent half a lifetime willingly stuck as her 'backup option'.
Naturally—
None of that mattered to Imu.
After all, he'd never had any real interest in romantic relationships with women.
But taking someone by force? That was just boring.
She had to, at least on some level, willingly give herself to him.
Whatever the reason behind that willingness.
However—
That was only if he were actually interested in her.
Unfortunately, right now, he didn't feel much of anything for her.
He had just acquired Esdeath—not even he would be so fickle as to move on this quickly.
Meanwhile—
Zephyr called Kaido, who was stationed on a satellite on the other side of Starfish World.
"Enel?"
Kaido lounged casually in the office of his space carrier, glancing lazily at the Den-Den Mushi on his desk. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him stretched an endless view of the starry universe.
"That brat's out on patrol."
"Whatever he's doing, notify him immediately: he is to lead an aerial squadron to the Shinobi World, occupy its Moon, and capture the Ōtsutsuki there—alive!"
Zephyr's booming voice and tone were mimicked with uncanny accuracy by the Den-Den Mushi.
"The Shinobi World, huh? Can't I go instead?"
Kaido asked with interest.
Sitting on the sofa opposite him, King was instantly speechless.
"The High Command just issued an order not long ago! Two Air Force Generals must remain stationed in Starfish orbit. Don't tell me you've already forgotten!"
"Ugh—fine, fine~"
Kaido waved his hand in resignation.
He understood well enough that protecting the Starfish homeland was the greater priority.
Over the years, Kaido had gotten used to following orders and executing them as an Air Force General.
Although his habits still carried a strong pirate flair—that was something he couldn't quite shake.
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