Discoveries in the Sea Country

Besides the Sage Mode that synthesized Sage Chakra, Natural Energy could also truly elevate one's life level and extend one's lifespan.

It was simply unknown whether those Animal Sages had held something back, or whether humans could not truly cultivate the sage arts of other species. In any case, ninjas could at most cultivate Sage Mode; no one had ever been able to use Natural Energy to extend their lifespan and become a true sage.

Vegapunk had long since thoroughly understood the secrets of Sage Mode. With the Quantum Chip in his brain, his Chakra control had reached the cellular, even nanoscale level. Mixing Natural Energy into Sage Chakra was no difficult task, and with his technological prowess, helping others master Sage Mode would not be difficult either.

But a power like Sage Mode could only be used in this world. Once one left this environment and had no Natural Energy to draw upon, Sage Mode was practically useless.

Only Natural Energy's effect of truly elevating one's life level and extending one's vitality was what Vegapunk genuinely sought. Yet after numerous experiments, all he had obtained were these flesh-and-blood creatures that resembled cancer cells.

"Forget it. It seems the secrets of sages cannot be uncovered through research alone. I need more data and experiments. Perhaps only an institution on the level of the Five Great Shinobi Villages can provide me with more information and inspiration regarding Chakra."

After destroying the test subject on the experimental table, Vegapunk began seriously considering his next plan.

At this point in time, the Nine-Tails Rampage had only just occurred, and the Water Country's Bloody Mist Policy was at its peak. Before long, the persecution of Kekkei Genkai Ninja would trigger a massive rebellion in Kirigakure. It was the perfect time for Vegapunk to intervene.

Moreover, the current Mizukage was under Obito Uchiha's control. With his decrees in disarray, the already lax external defense system had fallen into utter chaos.

After all, the Water Country stood isolated overseas and had never experienced an enemy attacking its shores. It had never possessed much concept of external defense. Otherwise, even with a Mizukage controlled by Obito Uchiha at the helm, the Great Purge likely could not have been stirred up.

"Decided. I'll start with the Sea Country! I'll probe the current state of the Water Country and Kirigakure bit by bit, then take Kirigakure completely within a year!"

After putting his plan into motion, Vegapunk discovered that Kirigakure's chaos was perhaps even worse than he had imagined.

The ninjas he had sent to the Sea Country brought back news: Kirigakure ninjas had become exceedingly rare there, while all sorts of disorganized ninja groups had flourished. Some of those groups even seemed to have the backing of other major shinobi villages.

No matter what, Kirigakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, so the other villages still kept an eye on it. Not to mention that overseas island nations were excellent places for conducting forbidden experiments and the like.

While Kirigakure was unable to reach the Sea Country due to its own internal chaos, and the Sea Country itself lacked any powerful ninja organizations, it was only natural for other major shinobi villages to secretly infiltrate it.

Having discovered that his opponent was outwardly strong but inwardly weak, Vegapunk did not hesitate. He likewise had the ninjas under his command begin infiltrating the Sea Country.

Before long, however, those ninjas delivered intelligence that caught his interest. It even drew Vegapunk, who had been cooped up in the Laboratory all day, out of the Laboratory to take action for the first time in a long while.

Across the boundless sea, an iron warship cut through the waves, racing at tremendous speed toward Strange Island in the Sea Country.

At the bow stood Vegapunk in the form of a Blond Boy, letting the sea breeze wash over him. Standing beside him was Boa Hancock.

All along, Hancock had served as Vegapunk's personal guard, protecting him at close hand. Nico Robin was his experimental assistant and also handled the miscellaneous matters that arose after they established their organization.

Although after changing bodies and using various scientific methods to unlock part of this body's potential, Vegapunk's own combat strength could absolutely be considered among the best in the entire Ninja World, the Ninja World's overall combat level was still rather limited at present.

Hancock nonetheless used protecting Vegapunk's safety as her reason to never leave his side, and she had never carried out any other missions. Vegapunk did not particularly mind this.

Before the Ninja World entered its later stages, the ninjas under his command were already sufficient. For the time being, he did not need Hancock to make a move.

"Lord Vegapunk, is the person you're going to meet this time very important? This is the first time I've seen you take such an interest in someone!"

Beneath the azure sky, Hancock's long hair fluttered in the wind as she pressed herself close to Vegapunk's side, asking with a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"He is indeed quite important. Or rather, his standing in this world is somewhat similar to my standing in the Pirate World."

Vegapunk glanced at Hancock with mild amusement and explained.

"Similar to your standing in the Pirate World? Is he also a genius Scientist whose talent can compare with yours?"

Hancock looked somewhat shocked. In the Pirate World, Vegapunk was known as a Scientist five hundred years ahead of his time, but that was merely a small portion of the research results Vegapunk had revealed.

If all of his achievements were published, then his title might become the god of technology, a thousand years ahead of his time!

"Without counting the boost from the Brain-Brain Fruit, the gap between him and me is actually not that great," Vegapunk said bluntly.

At this point, there was no need to further introduce the person Vegapunk was going to meet. In the entire Ninja World, the only one at the forefront of technology whose talent could barely compare to Vegapunk's was Orochimaru.

Yes, Vegapunk's Subordinates had discovered traces of Orochimaru on Strange Island in the Sea Country. Or rather, after Orochimaru discovered one of Vegapunk's ninjas, he had become interested and deliberately let that ninja go, sending a message to Vegapunk.

After all, among the modified ninjas under Vegapunk's command, even the strongest only possessed the combat power of Elite Jonin. They were still far from a Kage-level powerhouse like Orochimaru.

There were only four official ninja ranks in the Ninja World: Jonin, Special Jonin, Chunin, and Genin. Normally, the greatest gap in combat power existed among Jonin.

Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju were Jonin; the fifty Iwagakure Minnows whom Minato Namikaze had instantly killed during the Kannabi Bridge Battle were also Jonin. As for the difference in strength between them, there was no need to mention it.

For this reason, ninjas from various countries had privately and tacitly divided Jonin into several levels. Those who had made names for themselves and possessed combat strength clearly surpassing ordinary Jonin were called Elite Jonin. Ninjas capable of contending with a village's Kage or a fully matured Jinchuriki were called Kage-level Ninja.

Though it seemed to be merely a difference in titles, in terms of actual combat power, it took at least three Elite Jonin to go head-to-head with a Kage Level powerhouse.