Konoha Year 83.
Three years had passed since the development of artificial Six Paths-level powerhouses.
During those three years, aside from the Third Raikage, three more Six Paths-level powerhouses had emerged in the shinobi world.
The first was the chief director of the Artificial Six Paths Plan: Orochimaru.
He had pledged himself to Yuzuru long ago. The shinobi world's development to its current state would not have been possible without Orochimaru's painstaking efforts.
Naturally, Yuzuru would not mistreat such a meritorious contributor.
Besides, Orochimaru was already under the control of Kotoamatsukami. There was no possibility of him ever betraying Yuzuru.
And the truth was exactly as expected.
After advancing to the Six Paths level, Orochimaru had merely taken a moment to experience that realm of power before throwing himself back into scientific research with all his focus.
The only difference from before was that Orochimaru no longer needed sleep to restore his energy.
He had become like a precision instrument, remaining in the laboratory day and night without rest.
Under Orochimaru's leadership, the other researchers had also become increasingly diligent.
Yuzuru nearly laughed aloud at the sight.
With such a fanatical research team, how could the shinobi world possibly fail to prosper?
As for the other two, Yuzuru had chosen Sasuke and Naruto.
His original plan had been to give the opportunity to Itachi and Obito, but both of them had chosen to yield it.
Since Sasuke and Naruto had always wanted to prove themselves as well, Yuzuru sealed Ten-Tails clones within their bodies.
As the shinobi world's strength continued to rise, Yuzuru's own power also grew steadily.
The Uchiha Clan's population was now increasing by roughly twenty thousand people every year.
To Yuzuru, who possessed the Void Realm, every one of them was a strategic asset.
Moreover, in less than twenty years, once these newborns grew old enough to marry and have children, the Uchiha Clan's annual population growth would undergo another explosive increase.
"It seems it is time to consider space exploration."
Yuzuru slowly opened his eyes and muttered to himself.
Although the shinobi world's current scale and resources were enough to sustain its population, the growth rate under peaceful and prosperous conditions was simply too terrifying.
Without planning ahead, enormous hidden dangers would inevitably emerge in the future.
Experimental Base.
With a single step, Yuzuru appeared before Sasori and Deidara.
The two, who had been studying blueprints and arguing with one another, jumped in surprise before hurriedly bowing.
"Greetings, Lord Yuzuru."
Yuzuru waved a hand. "Has there been any new progress in your research recently?"
Deidara and Sasori exchanged a glance. Then Sasori replied, "The research is progressing smoothly. We have already constructed a massive warship."
Deidara added, "We also installed large-scale missiles on it. With full firepower, its destructive capabilities far surpass those of a Super-Kage-class powerhouse!"
Finally, the two spoke in unison.
"This is a work of art recognized by both of us."
Yuzuru's eyes lit up with interest.
"Where is this warship?"
"Inside the base."
Following Deidara and Sasori, the three soon arrived at an underground platform.
A warship roughly a thousand meters long stood silently before them.
The moment Yuzuru saw its dreamlike design, he was briefly dazed.
"This... Has it been test-flown?"
"Of course."
Sasori smiled and nodded.
"We have conducted more than a dozen test flights. There have not been any problems."
"In addition to the main vessel, there are also dozens of escort ships."
"To be blunt, if this fleet had existed back when the shinobi world's nations had yet to unite, none of them could have withstood even a single volley from it."
Seeing the pride in Sasori's voice, Yuzuru asked curiously, "How did you solve the energy problem?"
Deidara answered, "We developed a Nuclear Reactor Propulsion System. It is enough to support long-term space travel for the fleet."
"There is also a backup Chakra Propulsion System that can power the warships through chakra."
"However, there is one issue..."
Yuzuru immediately asked, "What is it?"
Sasori's expression turned serious.
"Space is vast and desolate. No matter how many resources we bring, there will always come a day when they run out."
"If we cannot achieve spatial jumps, the warships will struggle to truly carry out an endless exploration plan."
Yuzuru chuckled.
"You do not need to worry about that. I have my own solution."
Any member of the Uchiha Clan could freely enter and leave Hyperdistance Space.
As long as several Uchiha clan members were assigned to each warship, there would be no need to worry about supplies.
"That is wonderful."
After hearing Yuzuru's assurance, Sasori and Deidara became extremely excited.
With the final supply issue solved, the fleet they had built could theoretically achieve true space travel.
Looking at the excited pair, Yuzuru spoke slowly.
"You two can begin preparing and training warship personnel now."
"It may not be long before the space exploration plan officially begins."
Sasori and Deidara nodded together.
However, Sasori asked with some concern, "Lord Yuzuru, do you have any recommendations regarding the selection of warship personnel?"
"After all, the construction costs are enormous, and the distances they will travel through space are impossible to estimate. If the personnel aboard rebel, then..."
The human heart was difficult to predict.
Once those warships slipped out of control in the boundless cosmos, the shinobi world would have little way of reaching them.
Hearing Sasori's concern, Yuzuru smiled indifferently.
"You do not need to worry about that either. Just proceed boldly."
All he needed to do was leave a spatial mark from Hyperdistance Space on every warship.
Then, through Hyperdistance Space, he could arrive aboard any of them whenever he wished.
Escaping from his grasp was nothing more than a dream.
At that, Sasori and Deidara no longer had any reservations.
Seeing that Yuzuru had nothing else to instruct them on, the two hurried away.
After they left, a faint smile appeared on Yuzuru's lips.
In this extraordinary world, power truly was a wonderful thing.
Without so many abilities, his plans might not have been realized even after several more decades.
"It is now Konoha Year 83. By my calculations, the events of Boruto should be about to begin as well."
"Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki, Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki, Urashiki Ōtsutsuki..."
"I really wonder what expressions those three will make once they arrive in the shinobi world."
"Ha ha ha ha..."