Konohagakure.
Uchiha Mirai walked alone through a dense forest.
A winding path stretched into the depths of the woods, with venomous snakes and wild beasts lurking in the undergrowth on either side, their presence hidden from view.
From time to time, masked shinobi flashed past. Upon seeing Mirai, each one would stop, bow respectfully, and only after receiving his permission would they use the Body Flicker Technique to resume their tasks.
Under this tight security, Mirai walked for about ten minutes before arriving at a seemingly unremarkable, pitch-black cave entrance.
"Mirai-sama!"
A young boy with long white hair and two red markings on his forehead quickly approached.
Mirai reached out and ruffled the boy's hair with a smile. "Kimimaro, how have you been lately?"
Kimimaro, momentarily taken aback by the concern, quickly lowered his head in gratitude.
"Thank you for your concern. I've been doing well."
It seemed that his Kekkei Genkai disease hadn't flared up recently.
Mirai gave a small nod, following behind Kimimaro as they made their way into the experimental base. Casually, he asked,
"Kimimaro, have you found the meaning of your life?"
Hearing this, Kimimaro hesitated for a moment before scratching his head somewhat bashfully.
"I finally understand your teachings."
"As long as one is alive, life has meaning. There's no need to search for it."
"Back then, when Lord Orochimaru told me I was no longer needed as his vessel, I felt like my world had collapsed."
"But as time passed, I realized that even standing guard in the laboratory is a purpose in itself."
"Like a blade of grass on the roadside, if I can, even inadvertently, serve to highlight the greatness of someone like you, then I consider myself fortunate."
After speaking, Kimimaro seemed slightly embarrassed and scratched his head again.
"Mirai-sama, that's my recent realization. I hope you don't mind."
Mirai shook his head with a small chuckle. "That's the right mindset. Life moves forward. Things that once felt like the end of the world often seem insignificant in hindsight."
As they chatted, a sturdy young man with short orange hair came running over excitedly.
"Mirai-sama! It's been so long since I last saw you!"
Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Jugo, you seem quite happy."
Jugo nodded vigorously. "Ever since you brought me here, not only can I help Lord Orochimaru with his research, but I also no longer have to worry about losing control and harming others."
"Compared to before, I no longer resent my own body, nor do I try to run away from it."
"All of this is thanks to you. I've wanted to thank you for a long time but never had the chance."
Jugo spoke quickly and earnestly, but Uchiha Mirai simply waved his hand dismissively.
"No need to dwell on it. I got what I wanted too."
Jugo responded in a quieter voice, "Regardless, I will always be grateful to you. Even if it costs me my life, I wouldn't hesitate."
Kimimaro cleared his throat lightly. "Jugo, let's not take up too much of Mirai-sama's time."
Jugo snapped out of his emotional state and chuckled sheepishly.
"I'll be off then."
Once Jugo left, Kimimaro continued leading Mirai deeper into the experimental base.
The entire facility was built underground, yet it was unexpectedly spacious and well-lit. Unlike the usual damp and gloomy atmosphere of caves, the laboratory was clean and neatly maintained.
After walking for about ten more minutes, Kimimaro stopped in front of a laboratory door.
"Mirai-sama, Orochimaru-sama should still be inside performing a procedure. Shall I inform him of your arrival?"
Mirai shook his head. "No need. You can go ahead with your tasks."
"Understood."
Kimimaro respectfully took two steps back before turning and leaving.
Moments later, Orochimaru emerged from the lab, accompanied by a bespectacled young man.
Seeing Mirai, Orochimaru's face showed a rare hint of delight. "Mirai-kun, when did you arrive?"
"Just now. I saw you were busy, so I didn't disturb you," Mirai replied casually.
Orochimaru flicked out his tongue in excitement. "Mirai-kun, I've been meaning to thank you. You've done me a great favor."
Without waiting for a response, Orochimaru continued enthusiastically, "Natural Spiritual Energy Cultivation Method…"
"Mirai-kun, you truly are a genius. You actually created a technique that allows most people to cultivate and enhance their mental energy."
Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Orochimaru, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Orochimaru's tone remained slow and elegant. "Mirai-kun, I've developed a secret technique called Living Corpse Reincarnation, which allows me to achieve immortality by seizing new bodies."
"However, after taking over someone else's body and soul, my own soul weakens and becomes fragmented."
"But ever since I started practicing your Natural Spiritual Energy Cultivation Method, my soul has begun to slowly recover."
Hearing this, Mirai nodded in understanding.
Mental energy was closely tied to the soul. Strengthening one's mental energy while also reinforcing the soul wasn't surprising at all.
"Besides…" Orochimaru shifted his gaze to the young man beside him. "Mirai-kun, you really did find me an excellent assistant."
Taking the opportunity, Kabuto bowed. "Mirai-sama."
Mirai studied Kabuto for a moment before asking calmly, "Kabuto, how is the orphanage doing?"
At the mention of the orphanage, Kabuto's eyes softened with gratitude. "Everything is going well. Director Nonō has been managing it meticulously."
"Thanks to your generosity, many of the children have received proper training and are now able to earn a living outside."
"We've been pooling our earnings and handing them over to Director Nonō. The orphanage is now financially self-sufficient."
Mirai nodded approvingly. "That's good. If any problems arise, have Nonō contact me."
Kabuto quickly responded, "Yes."
Looking at Kabuto—who was far more well-adjusted than in the original timeline—Uchiha Mirai found himself amused.
Perhaps, in this world, he was the true "Dream Weaver of the Shinobi World."
After a bit more casual conversation, Orochimaru's expression turned serious. "Mirai-kun, is there something specific you came for this time?"
Mirai nodded. "Orochimaru, I left Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan in your hands for quite some time now."
"How's the research going?"
Orochimaru's playful smirk faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"The cloning process for the Mangekyō Sharingan has been perfected. I've successfully replicated nearly a hundred pairs of Fugaku's eyes."
"However, the transplantation process hasn't been going smoothly."
"Just like with Hashirama's cells, the Mangekyō Sharingan's power is too overwhelming, and the rejection rate is far higher than that of ordinary eye transplants."
"Aside from those with Uchiha blood, large-scale transplantation of the Mangekyō Sharingan might be impossible…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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