To the Front Line

Early the next morning, Vice-Director Kimura was summoned to the Hokage Tower.

The ninjas who had long sensed the coming war all noticed that something was unusual. Hyuga Mirai had learned the news from the Hyuuga Main House a day in advance, so he was not surprised. He had also prepared fairly thoroughly in terms of supplies.

Shuriken, kunai, Exploding Tags, and the like—he had consciously prepared enough to fill two Sealing Scrolls long ago. He was also well stocked on medical supplies, antidotes, and other necessities.

All that remained was to wait for the arrangements from above.

They might be setting out within the next day or two. Hyuga Mirai stopped his research and thoroughly cleaned up the Laboratory at Konoha Hospital. After recording and clearing the data from every piece of equipment, he restored everything to how it had originally been according to his memories.

Even if someone investigated the place afterward, they would find only traces that the various devices had been used, nothing else.

"System!"

Hyuga Mirai summoned the system, and a transparent panel appeared before him.

Scientific Template System

Host: Hyuga Mirai

Extraction Function: 1. Ginos

2. Available (Loading 100%)

Shuttle Function: Not unlocked (Loading 23.5%)

"The second extraction opportunity is already available, but now isn't a good time."

The Extraction Function had finished loading a few days ago. At the time, Hyuga Mirai had been documenting the fusion process of his own Gene Sequence, so he could not spare an entire day to load and absorb the knowledge of another Scientist Template.

As for now, he was about to head to the battlefield. Vice-Director Kimura might summon them as soon as she returned.

And even if Hyuga Mirai got lucky and loaded an exceptionally powerful Scientist Template, it would not be much help for his upcoming deployment to the front line.

Hyuga Mirai lacked both materials and time. Even the right to use a Laboratory had to be exchanged for mission merits. In that regard, he could not compare to Orochimaru at all.

If Hyuga Mirai had Orochimaru's conditions, forget researching Hashirama Cells—he would even want to create some powerful Monster Summons.

Not long afterward, Vice-Director Kimura returned to Konoha Hospital. The moment she came back, she summoned all the Medical Jonin along with Hyuga Mirai.

Although Hyuga Mirai was still only a Chunin, his Medical Ninjutsu was exceptionally refined. Even Kimura did not dare claim that she was better than Hyuga Mirai in Medical Ninjutsu.

The only thing they could claim to surpass Hyuga Mirai in was Chakra reserves. Even that was only because Hyuga Mirai had deliberately concealed his abilities; otherwise, he could have become a Medical Jonin at eleven.

"Nothing I'm about to say is to leave this room."

Kimura gave the warning with a grave expression. Only after sweeping her gaze around the room did she continue.

"The pressure at the borders is immense. There are currently two locations with large numbers of wounded. There isn't enough time to escort them back to the village, so Medical-nin are needed at the front line to treat them."

As she spoke, Vice-Director Kimura took out a map and pointed to it.

"According to Hokage-sama, Iwagakure has sent three hundred Iwa-nin into the Grass Country. Sunagakure has selected the Fourth Kazekage and subsequently deployed nearly a thousand ninjas to the border."

Signs of war had appeared in two places at once, and both opponents were among the Five Great Nations. Other than Hyuga Mirai, every ninja in the room showed a slight change in expression.

Even though Konoha had abundant talent and many powerful fighters, facing attacks from two Ninja Villages of the Five Great Nations at once would lead to grievous losses.

"I've decided to send twenty Medical-nin to Kikyo Castle and ten Medical-nin to Iba Village. Once you arrive, the Frontline Commander will assign your duties."

Kimura then began selecting personnel. There were more Puppet Masters among the Suna-nin, and nearly every Puppet Master was skilled with poison, so more Medical-nin were being sent to Kikyo Castle.

This time, Sunagakure was almost certainly determined to strike Konoha. Fortunately, Konoha had stockpiled a great deal of Supplies well in advance, and these were being dispatched to the front line together with the Medical-nin and Support Unit.

Hyuga Mirai was assigned to Kikyo Castle. His research into Cell Genes had made him especially skilled at developing antidotes.

After assigning the front-line personnel, Kimura had everyone in the room go inform the others. Hyuga Mirai also left to make preparations.

After returning home, Hyuga Mirai had not even finished brewing his tea when he sensed the Reverse Summoning Technique calling him.

It was a signal, a method Orochimaru and Hyuga Mirai used to communicate proactively.

"Summoning Technique."

Hyuga Mirai casually made a small cut, then rapidly formed hand seals and pressed his hand to the ground.

A moment later, Bang!, and a White Snake appeared before him.

After appearing, the White Snake spat a scroll from her stomach, then dismissed the Summoning Technique on her own.

"He wants me to go to his Laboratory?"

The scroll did not contain much information. Perhaps Orochimaru had too much to say for a single scroll to convey.

Hyuga Mirai considered it, then destroyed the scroll and left home, heading toward Orochimaru's Laboratory.

With the current power of his Byakugan, no one in all of Konoha could follow or monitor him. After incorporating the Gene Sequence of Hashirama Cells, once Hyuga Mirai focused his mind, he could even sense the casual glances of others.

After weaving through numerous turns and changing into another appearance, Hyuga Mirai finally arrived at Orochimaru's Laboratory.

Having come here several times, Hyuga Mirai was already thoroughly familiar with the Barrier Technique around the place.

This time, after he touched the Barrier, Orochimaru did not come out to receive him. Hyuga Mirai waited briefly before walking inside himself.

Orochimaru's Assistant named Shin isn't here again.

After checking with his Byakugan, Hyuga Mirai headed straight to the Laboratory where Orochimaru was staying.

"Orochimaru-sama, you called me here because—oh, is that the newest type of incubator? Orochimaru-sama, you already got your hands on it?"

The moment he entered, Hyuga Mirai spotted the enormous cultivation machine standing a full three meters tall. It was filled with cell culture fluid and currently operating. Inside the transparent glass tank was an embryo, slowly developing under the machine's effects.

"Mirai-kun, you received orders to go to the front line as well, didn't you?"

Although Orochimaru's expression was calm, Hyuga Mirai sensed a trace of displeasure from him.

What researchers hated most was being interrupted halfway through their work, especially when Orochimaru had just discovered a whole new field. He was conducting a Cloning Experiment, and judging by the embryo's shape, it had basically taken form. Given enough time, it would grow into a healthy Clone Body.

Given Orochimaru's perverse research interests, that embryo was most likely his own clone. Though it was also possible that it was a clone of Hashirama Senju.

"I received the order at noon. I'm to follow the Support Unit to Kikyo Mountain, then await the Frontline Commander's arrangements."

Orochimaru paused when he heard Kikyo Mountain, then chuckled.

"Looks like Mirai-kun will have to follow my arrangements then. Would you like me to look after you?"

Votes!