"Lord Pakura, please follow me."
Miyamoto Ichirō's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
On the way to the Ryūgakure main building, Pakura couldn't help but observe her surroundings.
The village's scale was larger than she had initially imagined; a rough estimate suggested there were nearly a thousand resident ninja.
This already exceeded the scale of many smaller hidden villages.
Miyamoto Ichirō seemed to notice her observation and offered a simple introduction as they walked.
"The village was established just over a year ago. Currently, there are nine hundred and eighty-seven registered ninja. Over seventy percent are rogue ninja recruited from outside and defectors from minor nations. After screening and initial training, the remaining nearly thirty percent are orphans and youths we have taken in and raised ourselves."
"Unfortunately, raising our own takes time. Currently, the core members capable of standing on their own are still too few."
As he spoke, two figures emerged from the exit of the training ground ahead.
One was a white-haired boy with a cold expression, carrying a bone sword on his back. He moved with a natural, combative rhythm.
The other was a delicate-looking boy with black hair, his smile gentle but his presence solid.
Seeing Miyamoto Ichirō, the two bowed respectfully.
"Ichirō-sama."
"Mm, training is finished?"
Miyamoto Ichirō showed a hint of warmth. "Kimimaro, Haku, this is our new addition, Senior Pakura."
Kimimaro and Haku looked towards Pakura, their gazes carrying assessment but maintaining basic courtesy.
Pakura, however, felt a slight shock in her heart.
She was battle-hardened and possessed keen eyesight.
That white-haired boy called Kimimaro had condensed chakra and a robust physique; his strength definitely reached the chunin level or even higher!
And that boy called Haku had chakra of a pure, icy cold nature. Although he seemed gentle, his foundation was solid; he had at least the combat ability of a chunin.
The key point was, how old did they look?
Six years old?
Eight years old?
"You're both well." Pakura suppressed her surprise and nodded in response.
After a brief, polite exchange, Kimimaro and Haku departed, seemingly for other studies.
Pakura watched their retreating figures and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Your village truly... is brimming with talented people. To possess such strength at such a young age, their future is limitless."
Miyamoto Ichirō's face showed a hint of pride.
"They were the first children to join the village. They possess extraordinary talent and are also the most diligent. They are the pillars of the village's future."
Pakura fell silent.
She thought of Sunagakure, of the young ninja there who struggled to survive amidst resource scarcity and internal strife among the higher-ups.
In contrast, although Ryūgakure was newly established, it possessed a vibrant, upwardly mobile spirit.
That brat, Seiryū, from back then hadn't just become terrifyingly powerful; his vision and planning were also quite remarkable.
It was a pity she couldn't see him in person this time.
Pakura thought to herself.
...
Ascension Island, Underground Laboratory.
"Master, you're back~"
Tagitsuhime's eyes lit up, and she tried to move closer to sniff the air again, but was stopped by Sora's look, making her retreat sheepishly.
Sora handed a sealed test tube to Kabuto, who was standing by.
"This is Pakura's cell sample."
"Her Shakuton bloodline limit is highly compatible with the Fire Nature. I need you to use it as a base to clone a Fire Release clone."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and took the test tube.
"Understood, Sora-nii."
Sora nodded.
"As for the clone's codename..."
He thought for a moment. "Let's call it 'Vermilion Bird'."
A glint of understanding flashed in Kabuto's eyes.
"Seiryū, Byakko, Suzaku... It seems Sora-nii plans to assemble all Four Symbols?"
"You could say that."
Sora didn't deny it.
He did indeed have such an idea and had long prepared corresponding codenames, which were:
Yang Release Main Body: Seiryū (Azure Dragon)
Wind Release clone: Byakko (White Tiger)
Fire Release clone: Suzaku (Vermilion Bird)
Water Release clone: Genbu (Black Tortoise)
Lightning Release clone: Kirin
Earth Release clone: Ōryū (Responding Dragon)
Yin Release clone: Yūei (Glimmering Firefly)
"How long will the cloning take?" Sora asked.
"Basic cultivation will take about three months to reach the implantation standard, but for complete optimization, adaptation to Shakuton, and even higher-level Fire Release development, it might take over six months," Kabuto estimated.
"The timing works out; I need to synchronize the Yin Release clone anyway."
Sora made the decision. "Begin immediately. You'll lead the efforts here in the lab. If you need anything, contact Tagitsuhime directly or get in touch with Ryūgakure."
"Okay."
Kabuto replied, carefully storing Pakura's cell sample and beginning preparations.
Having arranged matters concerning the Suzaku clone, Sora was about to leave when the White Snake Sage appeared via reverse summoning.
"Master, there's an unusual development from the direction of Konoha."
"Speak," Sora halted.
"Vague information relayed by the snake network planted within the Land of Fire indicates extreme tension within Konoha Village recently. The higher-ups are holding frequent, secret meetings. More notably, Jiraiya, who was originally traveling outside, is rushing back to Konoha at full speed. Furthermore..."
The White Snake Sage paused. "Even Tsunade-hime, who suffers from hemophobia and left Konoha years ago, seems to have received some kind of urgent message and is moving towards Konoha with her entourage."
Upon hearing this, Sora's gaze contracted.
Jiraiya was one thing, but Tsunade was also being recalled?
This had never happened in the original story.
He quickly cross-referenced the timeline. Namikaze Minato had been dead for over half a year; the impact of the Nine-Tails incident was gradually settling.
The Uchiha clan had been relocated to the village's edge, and the conflict was intensifying day by day.
This point in time...
'In the original, the Uchiha clan massacre happened when Sasuke was about seven, meaning Naruto was about seven. Right now, Naruto has just been born; the timing doesn't match...'
'It seems Uchiha Madara using Susanoo to save Kitsuchi, combined with the appearance of two pairs of Mangekyō on the night of the Nine-Tails, has accelerated this matter!'
Sora quickly understood in his mind.
However, he soon shook his head.
He had no desire to meddle excessively in the mess between Konoha and the Uchiha.
The only Uchiha worth his attention were Uchiha Takumi and Ryōta. But Takumi possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, was considerably strong, and had a calm enough mind.
Ryōta should also be safe under his brother's protection.
As long as they didn't actively involve themselves in a death trap, they should be able to protect themselves.
As for the other Uchiha, only the future second son, Sasuke, interested him, because the Rinnegan required the Ashura chakra residing in Sasuke.
"Understood."
Sora instructed the White Snake Sage. "Continue monitoring, but there's no need to delve too deep. As long as Konoha's affairs don't directly affect Ryūgakure or our people, we can ignore them for now."
"However, there is one thing I need you to personally attend to: keep a close watch on Uchiha Sasuke. Don't let him die."
"Understood."
The White Snake Sage acknowledged, then vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Sora wasted no further time; he had another matter to attend to.
He walked out of the underground laboratory, arrived at the shore of Ascension Island, fully unfolded his sensory abilities, and quickly locked onto a direction.
The Land of Grass.
According to the intelligence network of the snake forces under the White Snake Sage, as early as nearly half a year ago—around the time he began integrating the Eternal Mangekyō—the target had already been found: Uzumaki Karin and her mother.
This mother and daughter, possessing the excellent physique of the Uzumaki clan and the Mind's Eye of Kagura ability, were hiding in some small town in the Land of Grass, depending on each other for survival, living a difficult life.
Furthermore, due to their special chakra and hair color, they frequently faced covetousness and danger.
Sora had been busy integrating the Eternal Mangekyō at the time, so Ryūchi Cave, following his orders, hadn't acted immediately, merely secretly protecting the two.
Now that Pakura was settled and the Suzaku clone cultivation had begun, the time was right.