"Sir."
"What is it, 18?"
"Sunagakure has decided to purchase the medical machines. However, due to the price, they can only afford two."
Hyuga Mirai shook his head.
"Three hundred million per unit, and they think that's expensive? At this point, Sunagakure might as well declare independence from the Land of Wind. The daimyo's funding for them is less than a quarter of what Konoha gets. One of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, reduced to this… Pathetic."
The medical machines were designed to completely replace low- and mid-level medical-nin. As long as one mastered the Yang Release chakra transformation, they could store healing energy directly into the machine, eliminating even the need for medical talismans.
To put it bluntly, these machines could dismantle Konoha's entire medical system. One of Konoha's biggest wartime advantages would be gone overnight.
With just three of these machines running 24/7, they could replace the workload of nine full medical teams, eliminating the need for thirty-six medical-nin.
There was no need to study complex medical knowledge, learn about human anatomy, or even memorize intricate treatment procedures. As long as one could use Yang Release, the machine would handle everything else.
"18, keep an eye on the price of medical talismans," Mirai instructed. "Now that the medical machine is in circulation, those talismans are practically equivalent to a person's lifeline. I guarantee the black market will soon be flooded with transactions."
"Understood, sir."
"We can expand to other nations as well," Mirai continued. "Leave Konoha for last. Instead, start with the Land of Fire's daimyo. I recall he's been requesting permanent medical-nin in the capital, but Konoha always refuses, doesn't it?"
"Yes, sir. The Third Hokage declined the request, citing 'excessive workload' and the 'overburdened state of Konoha Hospital.'"
Mirai scoffed.
"What a weak excuse. Clearly, Konoha doesn't care much for the daimyo's demands. They won't even spare a few medical-nin for him?"
It wasn't surprising, really. Tensions between Konoha and the daimyo had been escalating for some time. If not for the constant threat of rival villages eyeing the Land of Fire, their relationship would have already fallen apart.
Meanwhile, the Keikou Trade Association had expanded beyond just selling medical machines—they had also formed close ties with the Uchiha clan.
Currently, three elite Uchiha squads were working under Keikou's command, primarily assigned to escort missions.
The association's sudden rise in power had turned them into a major target for competing merchants. In the underground bounty network, Keikou executives now had prices on their heads, with Keikou Sanboku's bounty alone reaching twenty million ryo—comparable to a high-ranking jonin.
Mirai had trained a few capable subordinates, but they were preoccupied with other missions. So, he left Keikou's protection to the Uchiha—it was both a strategic move to strengthen ties and a guaranteed security measure.
A Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan was already among the elite of the jonin class.
---
The Hyakusa Trade Association had stabilized, leading to a steady supply of medicinal herbs.
This allowed Edo Tensei Hashirama to shift his focus toward accelerated plant growth, including fruit-bearing trees.
Basic food supplies—such as grains and fruits—were crucial for dominating the Wind Country market.
No locally grown produce could match the genetically optimized crops that Mirai had developed.
As for Sunagakure, any shinobi who took escort missions from the Keikou Trade Association soon became its strongest supporters. Even Sunagakure's elite families couldn't ignore the steady flow of gifts arriving at their doorsteps.
Then there was the medical machine and the supply channels.
Mirai had no direct interest in controlling Sunagakure's internal policies—but if he did?
A single word from the Keikou Trade Association could force Rasa to hold an emergency council meeting.
That was the power of capital.
Once Sunagakure became dependent, there was no breaking free.
All other trade associations capable of supplying the village had already been crushed by Keikou's expansion.
If Rasa turned against them now, he would be cut off from critical resources—and the village elders would turn on him.
If things got serious, he could even be removed as Kazekage.
Meanwhile, the association had also strengthened ties with the Ninja Cat Clan.
The Ninja Cats purchased metal ores—most of which went into forging weapons for the Uchiha.
The rest?
Sold back to Keikou.
With the Uchiha's explosive tags, the Keikou Trade Association had cemented its position in the black-market arms trade.
Now, Keikou's influence stretched across the southern Land of Fire, Wind Country, River Country, Rain Country, and Bird Country.
Beyond the Uzumaki Trade Association and the **Hyakusa Trade Association, Kaikan was now the largest independent force in the economic sphere.
Even Konoha's ANBU couldn't trace its connection to Mirai—all thanks to 18's careful manipulation of the Keikou family's aristocratic lineage.
---
"Mirai-sama! Mirai-sama!"
Ayaka Uzumaki's voice rang out excitedly.
Mirai, who had been meditating in Sage Mode, raised an eyebrow.
Ever since Ayaka started training to control the Nine-Tails' chakra, she had been almost completely silent.
"It's been over a year since I last heard her voice."
Stepping out of the Great Tenseigan Hall, Mirai spotted Ayaka beaming with confidence.
The sunlight highlighted her crimson hair, making her look even more radiant.
Without thinking, Mirai patted the top of her head, smiling.
"Judging by that grin, I take it you've finally mastered the Nine-Tails' chakra?"
Ayaka's smile widened.
"Watch closely, Mirai-sama!"
She clasped her hands together.
A surge of immense chakra erupted from her body—but instead of bursting outward, it condensed around her form.
A golden aura enveloped her completely, burning like a living flame.
Intricate tomoe markings and symbols began to appear across her body.
Mirai nodded approvingly.
"Nine-Tails Mode, huh? Not bad, Ayaka."
She grinned sheepishly, scratching her head.
"Hehe, all thanks to you, Mirai-sama~"
Then, her expression turned serious.
"Mirai-sama, now that I've come this far… how strong do you think I am?"
Mirai chuckled.
"Ayaka, chakra alone doesn't define strength. You still need to fully master your new state."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You seem… unconvinced."
Ayaka quickly lowered her head.
"I… I wouldn't say that," she muttered.
Liar.
Mirai sighed.
"Alright then. How about this?"
He rolled his shoulders and stretched his wrists.
"I'll be your opponent. I won't use my Tenseigan or Sage Mode. If you can defeat me, I'll grant you one request—anything you want."
Ayaka's head snapped up, her golden eyes shining.
"Really!?"
"Really."
"Any request?"
"As long as it's something I can grant."
Hyuga Mirai chuckled. She was underestimating him.
Even though he hadn't practiced Taijutsu for over a year, his physical conditioning had never stopped improving—his gravity seal was currently quadrupled, and the permanent enhancements from Sage Chakra had made his body far stronger.
They headed into the desert outside Roran, far enough that their battle wouldn't disturb the city.
Haku, upon learning of the fight, decided to tag along. He was eager to witness Mirai's full strength—a way to measure his own progress.
During the walk, Mirai lifted the Weighted Rock Seal from his body.
"Alright, let's begin. Show me how much you've improved—"
Boom!
Before Mirai could even finish speaking, Ayaka vanished.
In the blink of an eye, she had crossed dozens of meters, appearing right in front of him.
Her speed was nearly twice as fast as before.
"Not bad. A good offense should always be unpredictable."
Mirai's Byakugan activated, the veins around his temples bulging as he analyzed every movement with razor-sharp precision.
His reflexes weren't lacking either. In an instant, he raised his hand to block—bone plating sprouting from his forearm like an organic shield.
Boom!
Their fists collided, sending a massive shockwave across the desert, kicking up a swirling storm of sand.
Crack!
Ayaka's fingers flexed. In an instant, her grip tightened around Mirai's wrist.
"You're not getting away, Mirai-sama!"
From behind her, golden Adamantine Chains erupted, racing toward Mirai's limbs to bind him.
Click! Click!
Before the chains could tighten, Mirai's body erupted with bone spikes—layering into a skeletal armor that completely blocked the chains.
Bones?! Shikotsumyaku?!
The thought barely crossed Ayaka's mind before she felt sharp bone spines sprouting against her palm, forcing her to release her grip.
"No need to be so shocked," Mirai remarked, casually stepping back. "The Kaguya Clan and I share the same ancestors. Their Kekkei Genkai is mine to use as well."
Before Ayaka could fully process his words—
Whoosh!
Mirai vanished.
In the next heartbeat, he was right behind her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
If not for my Nine-Tails enhanced perception, I wouldn't have even sensed that speed…!
Clatter!
Her Adamantine Chains lashed out instinctively, twisting like living serpents toward Mirai.
But he was faster.
With a single Gentle Fist strike, Mirai deflected the chains—his sheer strength and speed overpowering them completely.
Even the sealing power embedded within the chains had no effect—his bone plating absorbed it effortlessly.
Sensing imminent danger, Ayaka teleported away with the Body Flicker Technique.
But the moment her feet touched the ground—
Whoosh!
Mirai was already behind her again.
The Byakugan lacked the predictive ability of the Sharingan, but Mirai's refined visual prowess rivaled that of a three-tomoe Sharingan—if not surpassing it entirely.
His Gentle Fist was precise and devastating, making it impossible for Ayaka to remain stationary in combat.
She had no choice.
Flicker!
Again, she teleported.
And again.
And again.
After six or seven consecutive evasions, Ayaka suddenly froze mid-movement.
Something was wrong.
Mirai… wasn't behind her.
Her body reacted instinctively, and her Adamantine Chains coiled defensively behind her—a pattern she had developed after sensing danger from behind so many times.
But this time—
Mirai was in front of her.
"Gentle Fist: Sixteen Palms!"
Mirai's hands blurred into motion, striking faster than the eye could follow—sealing several major chakra points on Ayaka's body.
Two fingers extended.
With a gentle tap on her forehead, he smirked.
"You lost, Ayaka."
(End of Chapter)
=========================================================
DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE
SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS
PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).