After the greetings—hugs and handshakes—Kaji made his way to the Hokage's office to present his idea.
After hours of detailed explanation, Hiruzen let out a slow, impressed exhale. This could grow into something massive if properly managed.
To ensure its success, he summoned the Nara and Akimichi specialists—masters of logistics and treasury—to oversee the organizational framework. Once everything was in order, the Hokage would make a public announcement to the entire village.
Another key detail was the venue: a closed auditorium equipped with televisions broadcasting the proceedings of the main assembly hall. The initial structure didn't need adjustments—it was already flawless.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Hokage's office, its golden light filtering through the window and catching the swirls of pipe smoke that lingered in the air. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his aged yet sharp eyes scanning a scroll before him. Opposite him stood Kaji, his posture relaxed but his expression serious—a man who had seen war but still carried the fire of progress in his gaze.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, setting the scroll down. "This 'Dawn of Konoha' event… it's bold, Kaji. Unprecedented, even."
Kaji smirked. "Isn't that what Konoha was built on? Breaking traditions to forge new ones?"
Hiruzen chuckled, tapping his pipe against the desk. "True enough. But explain it to me again—this isn't just another exhibition, is it?"
Kaji shook his head. "No, Hokage-sama. It's a system. Registered groups—whether clans, civilian think tanks, or even genin squads—submit their ideas for new jutsu, tools, or strategies. The masters of Konoha—our elite jōnin, researchers, and fuinjutsu specialists—will then bring those ideas to life."
Hiruzen leaned forward, intrigued. "And the creators? What do they gain?"
Kaji gestured with one hand. "Glory. Recognition. Substantial rewards—financial, political, even access to restricted archives. But most importantly, their names will be etched into Konoha's history as the minds behind its advancements."
Hiruzen hummed thoughtfully. "And the techniques themselves?"
Kaji nodded. "They belong to the village. But the credit? That stays with the creators. We're not just stockpiling jutsu—we're fostering loyalty. Imagine a civilian-born genius who dreams up a new sealing method. Before, they'd have no path to contribute. Now? They'll be celebrated."
Hiruzen also saw this as an opportunity to further promote the Will of Fire.
Kaji left to lunch.
----------------
Few hours later, Kaji was deep in conversation with Orochimaru, who led him on a tour of the laboratory complex.
This lab was Hiruzen's reward to his former student—a recognition of Orochimaru's wartime contributions and, in the shadows, a concession for stepping aside in the Hokage succession. In exchange, Orochimaru was granted lifelong directorship of this department.
Kaji: "So, you abandoned the First Hokage's cellular research for organ regeneration and instead focused on stem cells from subpar subjects. Through trial and error, you eventually cracked the replication process?"
Orochimaru smirked. "Little brother, relying on Hashirama's cells for self-enhancement is amateurish. The real breakthrough lies in bloodline manipulation. If all goes well, next month, I'll produce the first lab rat capable of Water Release—a synthetic Kekkei Genkai."
"Once confirmed, human trials will begin. The reports so far are promising."
Kaji nodded. "Any progress on the anti-Genjutsu device? Relying solely on me isn't sustainable."
Orochimaru handed him a stack of documents.
Kaji skimmed the pages, murmuring. "So the missing component is a cerebral simulator—something that mimics brain function physically. But wouldn't that make the device too bulky?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "At the theoretical stage, yes. But we must walk before we run. Refinement for portability comes later."
Kaji grinned. "Fair point, big brother. By the way—since you rarely leave this place—I brought you something." He handed over the blueprints for Konoha's Dawn, the grand event.
Orochimaru's expression shifted rapidly as he read—amusement, intrigue, then quiet awe.
Orochimaru: "Kaji… what you've created here will reshape the world." He exhaled, a rare flicker of admiration in his eyes.
Kaji: "This is just the beginning. One of the goals is to let the public witness jutsu creation firsthand. If successful, the Ninjutsu Research Division could see an influx of talent next year. I hope you'll mentor them well."
Orochimaru's smile turned sly. "Oh, I'll enjoy the results. Though I suspect some clans—the Senju and Uchiha, perhaps—won't share our enthusiasm."
Kaji laughed. "Let them hesitate. They can either join the feast or watch the others devour the strawberry cake."
Orochimaru's fingers drummed against a vial of glowing serum. "War accelerated our research, but peace… ah, peace lets us refine. No more hiding in caves, dissecting prisoners in the dark."
Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Now you have budgets and approvals. How… civilized."
Orochimaru's laugh was silk over steel. "Don't mistake legality for restraint. With state backing, the scale is limitless. Imagine—cloning, elemental recombination, even… immortality."
Kaji met his gaze. "Just ensure the Hokage never suspects your 'pet projects.'"
Orochimaru waved a dismissive hand. "Hiruzen prefers plausible deniability. As long as the village benefits, he'll turn a blind eye."
The air hummed with energy, the sterile glow of laboratory lights reflecting off glass tubes filled with swirling chakra-infused liquids. Orochimaru stood before a massive, pulsating core—a sphere of condensed energy, etched with ancient seals and modern circuitry. Kaji entered, his footsteps silent against the polished floor, his sharp eyes locking onto the device.
Kaji: "So, it's ready."
Orochimaru didn't turn, his voice smooth and amused. "Oh, it's been ready, little brother. The question was never 'if'—only 'when.'"
Kaji stepped forward, arms crossed. "And the Hokage?"
Orochimaru smirked. "Hiruzen suspects, but he doesn't truly understand. Then again, does he ever?"
Kaji snorted. "Fair. But we're past secrecy. Konoha needs this—now."
Orochimaru finally turned, golden eyes gleaming. "Activating the Nexus will rewrite the rules. Chakra, as we know it, will become… obsolete. The core will attune every living being in Konoha to magic instead—a purer, more malleable energy."
Kaji: "And the transition?"
Orochimaru: "A week of intense training. Headaches, fatigue, maybe a few… amusing mishaps as people adjust. But nothing fatal."
Kaji raised an eyebrow. "'Amusing mishaps'?"
Orochimaru waved a hand dismissively. "A civilian might accidentally turn their tea into steam. A genin could levitate for a second before face-planting. Harmless."
Kaji: "And the chakra engines?"
Orochimaru: "Repurposed. They'll serve as structural reinforcement—barriers for key buildings, emergency shields. A relic of the old world, guarding the new."
Kaji exhaled, pacing. "The clans won't like this. The Hyūga, the Uchiha—their bloodlines are tied to chakra."
Orochimaru's smirk widened. "Oh, they'll adapt. Or they'll be left behind. Magic doesn't discriminate—it only rewards creativity."
Kaji: "And if they rebel?"
Orochimaru: "Let them. The Nexus's influence grows stronger the more it's used. Resistance will only make them weaker."
Kaji studied the core. "You've thought of everything."
Orochimaru chuckled. "I always do."
Kaji: "Activate it. Tonight."
Orochimaru tilted his head. "No grand announcement? No gradual phase-in?"
Kaji: "The longer we wait, the more time our enemies have to interfere. Better to let Konoha wake up to a new reality."
Orochimaru's grin was razor-sharp. "How delightfully ruthless."
As he pressed a hand to the core, the seals ignited, a wave of iridescent energy bursting outward—invisible, inexorable. Somewhere in the village, a child's laughter sparked a tiny flame in their palm. A seasoned jōnin stumbled as their chakra flickered, then surged anew.
The Nexus was live.
Konoha would never be the same.