Land of Snow

Although Sakura Haruno accepted the mission to the Kumogakure Ninja, that was more than half a month later.

Before this, the accompanying ninja and Tsunade needed to make some preparations: basic etiquette training, political rhetoric, and surprise negotiations, etc.

They even prepared contingency plans and drills for situations such as being ambushed or the Kumogakure Ninja suddenly turning against them.

However, the latter is not very meaningful—if the Kumogakure Ninja truly harbors malicious intentions, no matter how the accompanying ninjas resist, they will not be a match for the Kumogakure Ninja who are well-prepared.

Their only chance of survival was to get to Sakura Haruno's side as quickly as possible, or hide and wait for Sakura's help.

From this perspective, the Konoha delegation seemed to have the air of a suicide squad.

Of course, the danger of this mission isn't actually that high. At least according to Tsunade and the others' analysis, the Raikage wouldn't be so insane as to kill an envoy. Although that man may seem rough, reckless, and muscle-bound, a man who can hold the position of Kage of a village, how simple could he possibly be?

Tsunade believed he wouldn't do something so foolish.

With a formidable enemy at hand, resorting to such clumsy tricks as infighting is suicidal. Tsunade doesn't believe the Raikage is that magnanimous.

In short, these trivial matters will not waste Sakura Haruno's time.

She still has plenty of time to complete Kakashi's training and develop her own Ninjutsu.

The following morning, Sasuke, having completed his second examination of Sai, began his vacation and joined the Konoha Mangekyō group in their training.

Sasuke Mangekyō abilities were gradually unearthed during this period of training.

The first ability discovered is a basic one, which can greatly enhance the power and control of his Lightning Release.

The basic form of Lightning Release is unprecedented in Uchiha history, because almost all the powerful members of the Uchiha Clan who can awaken the Mangekyō are masters of Fire Style. Sasuke's path as a ninja using Lightning Release is unheard of.

Therefore, Sasuke solemnly named this move "Takemikazuchi".

In ancient mythology, this is another name for the god of thunder.

Then Sakura Haruno teased him directly, "You even named a passive skill... Sasuke, are you overflowing with your pretentiousness again?"

Then she received a pair of Byakugan from Sasuke.

The second ability is an advanced version of the Mangekyō Secret Technique of the Chidori Demon Body. With the power of the Mangekyō, Sasuke can simultaneously perform high-level Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation on a massive amount of Chakra, forming Lightning Release Armor that is an improvement over the Chidori Demon Body Mode, greatly enhancing Sasuke's attack power, speed, and defense.

In this form, Sasuke's Taijutsu power is not only greatly enhanced. He becomes more adept at using Lightning Release Ninjutsu, including significantly reducing the lengthy preparation time of the Lightning Release - Super Electromagnetic Cannon.

It is extremely practical, but also consumes a great deal of resources.

This Secret Technique can be considered the second stage of Lightning Release: Chidori Demon Body Mode, but given Sasuke's personality, he naturally gave it another imposing name—

Takemikazuchi-no-Kami.

Legend has it that the Takemikazuchi-no-Kami was the son of Izanagi.

Unfortunately, although its name borrows from a deity in mythology, making it resounding and powerful, it is still only the second stage of the Chidori Demon Body Mode. While its Lightning Release Armor has become even stronger...

The soft, adorable cat ears on its head are equally eye-catching.

Sakura Haruno didn't pay much attention to the development status of this technique.

While Sasuke training this Secret Technique, the girl had already fulfilled her promise to Kakashi, left Konoha, and gone to the Land of Snow.

Let's rewind a few minutes, to before Sakura Haruno herself arrived.

The Land of Snow.

Thanks to the extensive use of geothermal energy, the country has greatly improved its climate from one of perpetual snowfall, and the core agricultural areas have even gradually developed into regions with distinct seasons.

This has enabled this once impoverished country to gradually become wealthy.

Of course, Team 7, especially Sakura Haruno, made many contributions to this transformation.

In particular, Sakura Haruno's "Daimyo Built on Branch Units" campaign, which involved using numerous Ice Clones to relay messages, handle administrative tasks, and connect the highest and lowest levels of administrative units, created a pseudo-utopia that relied on ninjas...

Two years ago, Kazahana Koyuki relied on film roles and other means to supplement the finances of the Land of Snow.

Now that the Land of Snow is gradually recovering, there are many things to do, and she no longer has time to go out and make movies. She is already exhausted just from handling government affairs.

Even so, upon learning of Sakura Haruno's (split) arrival, Yuki was still pleasantly surprised and Earth Flow out to personally greet the two girls.

The last time Sakura Haruno visited the Land of Snow was around this time last year.

Having not seen each other for a year, the two had countless topics to discuss, but the first thing they talked about was the purpose of Sakura Haruno's trip.

"As per your request, I've already ordered engineers and workers to build a portion of the machines over the past two years. You can go and inspect them in a bit!" Xue nodded.

The Land of Snow originally had its own industrial base. When Kazahana Sōsetsu was in power, the Land of Snow was able to produce geothermal generators on its own—of course, the level of industry here is not the same as that of Sakura Haruno in her previous life.

Strictly speaking, this kind of industry that relies on Chakra cheating is very superficial, like a rootless duckweed, and can at best be considered a pseudo-industry.

The total population of the Land of Snow is less than that of a slightly larger prefecture-level city in the previous world, and its industrial population is even smaller. The only reason it can support such an industrial chain is because this world possesses magical Chakra, which can easily solve all kinds of problems.

Kazahana Sōsetsu selected and trained a group of workers who had mastered Chakra.

Because of Chakra, the workers' abilities expanded almost without limit, enabling them to accomplish many miracles.

After the coup d'état by Kazahana Dōtō, most of these workers were converted into Snow Ninja, doing violent jobs; later, with the downfall of Dotō Kazahana, they were released after being identified, and most of them returned to their old professions.

Kazahana Koyuki hired these people and commissioned them to build more geothermal generators that could cover the Land of Snow.

After the mission was completed, Sakura Haruno strongly urged Kazahana Koyuki to keep the group behind.

The people of the Land of Snow are impoverished. A relentless, militaristic approach to developing the Snow Ninja village, like the Kazahana Dōtō, and waves, offers no future. None of the Five Great Nations would allow a sixth great nation to rise from their side. Instead, developing industry would be a better option; the other ninja villages wouldn't care, considering it merely a trivial, harmless exercise.

Now, Sakura Haruno's suggestions are gradually taking effect; for example, the geothermal generators developed and widely used in the Land of Snow have made electricity more affordable throughout the country, and the power equipment industry has also seen great development.

Most importantly, with their help, some of Sakura Haruno's Ninjutsu ideas were also realized.

Deep inland in the Land of Snow.

In a remote and sparsely populated area, there was an industrial zone.

"What are all these things, Sakura?"

Hinata walked along a road lined with strange-looking machines and cylindrical steel cylinders. The tall, dense steel forest was filled with a constant cacophony of noise, making her feel incredibly irritated and oppressed. She ran a few steps, emerged from the mechanical forest, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "What do you mean?"

Centrifuge.

Sakura Haruno (in two parts) stood to the side, wearing a white lab coat and transparent goggles, writing something down with a pen while speaking calmly.

She paused, thought for a moment, then pulled Hinata to a higher position, circled her hand to encompass the entire area of machinery, and said, "This whole area is..."

Then it pointed to a warehouse in the far distance, completely covered up.

"Do not approach that place without my assistance."

She said seriously.

That's a graphite reactor.

[Second Update]

[My wrist was very sore while writing this chapter, making it difficult to type. I could only write a quick chapter and post it.]

[I've arranged to go to the movies... I'll try to get home early to update, at least write one chapter, and keep updating.]