During these two and a half years, Shindai not only made the combat system of Kannazuki much more intelligent but also successfully developed a brain-machine interface. This helmet is exactly that interface. When worn, it allows direct control of Kannazuki purely through thoughts, capable of handling all sorts of unexpected situations.
The development of this brain-machine interface wouldn't have been possible without the indispensable help from Orochimaru and Kabuto.
Because when it comes to human anatomy, Orochimaru is an expert.
When the brain is active, it emits unique electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, which are used to regulate and control the brain's cognitive and motor functions.
After Shindai shared his concept of the brain-machine interface with Orochimaru, the latter straightforwardly told him it was definitely achievable.
As long as high-quality EEG signals could be directly collected successfully by instruments, the development of the brain-machine interface would become reality.
Kabuto had followed Orochimaru in research for many years and had become quite a capable researcher himself. Thus, Shindai invited Kabuto to assist, and together they successfully completed the brain-machine interface.
Recently, however, Orochimaru became obsessed with something.
That something was an item left behind by Setsuna Uchiha during the Chunin Exams.
Setsuna Uchiha's left arm had been severed by Minato Namikaze back then.
Setsuna's left arm was actually composed of White Zetsu tissue, so Orochimaru easily detected Hashirama cells within it and began studying this detached limb.
Tsunade's fear of blood had already been cured.
As to how exactly she recovered? Nobody knows.
However, Shindai heard some rumors—that Jiraiya and Naruto, who had been traveling outside the Land of Fire, were spotted somewhere within Fire Country. Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately left Konoha in haste with Sakura and Shizune.
By the time Tsunade and her team returned, her fear of blood had mysteriously disappeared.
If this rumor was true, the situation wasn't hard to guess.
Jiraiya must've gotten severely punished, and at that time, Shindai happily celebrated by drinking several cups of sake.
Nowadays, Sunagakure has almost become Konoha's junior partner.
Ever since their failed invasion on Konoha, Baki frequently sent ninjas to visit Konoha, desperately trying to mend relations.
After teasing them a few times, Minato finally signed a new alliance treaty with Baki, reestablishing communication and initiating trade between them.
Baki voluntarily sold his goods to Konoha at low prices mainly because only Konoha could handle the massive volume of mineral resources Sunagakure produced; after all, the Land of Earth on the other side also possessed rich mineral resources, making selling there not practical.
There was one more thing worth noting.
After Sunagakure fully paid off its war compensation debt to Konoha, Rasa suddenly disappeared—nobody knew where he went.
Upon learning this news, Shindai maliciously wondered whether Rasa had perhaps also been killed by that perverted Sasori and turned into a human puppet!
In the Rice Country, Danzo was operating.
Danzo had established a small ninja village called Root. Due to its well-hidden nature, not many people were aware of its existence.
Danzo was now lying low, capturing test subjects, recruiting ninjas and researchers, and conducting experiments within Root's territory.
Inside Root, there were many grotesque-looking individuals; these were failed products of experiments. However, their abilities were indeed superior to average—they made excellent frontline soldiers.
The research materials used for these experiments had been leaked by former Root scientists who had remained behind in Konoha's Scientific Research Division.
However, those former Root researchers were currently struggling themselves—they couldn't access core technological documents, so most of the intelligence they provided to Danzo was severely incomplete. Therefore, Danzo's subordinates still needed to conduct independent research.
Still, among those recruited by Danzo, there were a few with some actual talent who had made minor breakthroughs.
Danzo's current strategy was simple: build up strength quietly, and wait until he grew powerful enough before making his move.
Inside the Akatsuki hideout—
All members of Akatsuki rarely gathered together like this, but now they were holding a meeting.
Deva Path scanned the assembled members with icy indifference before speaking, "The first phase of our plan has been completed. The second phase has already begun. So far, we have captured two Jinchuriki. From now on, phase two officially commences in earnest—we will simultaneously capture all remaining Jinchuriki!"
Deva Path began assigning missions.
"Sasori, Deidara—you two will head to Sunagakure to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki!
Hidan, Kakuzu, Tobi, Zetsu—you four are heading to Kumogakure to capture both the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki!
As for Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi, he recently appeared in the Land of Birds. Kisame, you will go there with Konan, and Asura Path will accompany your team.
The Three-Tails currently has no host. Our investigation indicates it lies at the bottom of a lake in the Land of Water. I will personally go there to capture the Three-Tails, and during that time, I have also targeted the location of the Six-Tails Jinchuriki. After capturing Three-Tails, we will proceed to seize Six-Tails!
Everyone is to act simultaneously and keep contact. As soon as anyone completes their capture, I will use the Projection Technique to seal the respective Jinchuriki. Understood?"
Kakuzu interjected with a crucial question: "There are nine tailed beasts total—what about the Nine-Tails?"
Deva Path answered calmly, "The Nine-Tails must be sealed last. Otherwise, if balance is disrupted too early, the Demonic Statue could collapse entirely. Also, attempting to steal the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki from Konoha with only two or three operatives is nearly impossible. Thus, after capturing the other eight beasts, we will all launch a united attack on Konoha to retrieve the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
The entire Akatsuki organization began mobilizing, spreading across the ninja world to hunt down the Tailed Beasts and their hosts.
...
"I've truly missed this place! Nothing's changed at all! Everyone! I, Naruto Uzumaki, am back!"
Naruto had finally returned after being away for two and a half years!
Jiraiya looked at the familiar Konoha, feeling quite cheerful.
" Naruto! "
Sakura came running from a distance, obviously thrilled that Naruto was back.
Naruto leapt down from a power pole and stood before Sakura, grinning as he said, " It's been a while, Sakura. "
Sakura looked at him in surprise. " You've grown a full head taller than me. "
Naruto suddenly realized he now had to look down a bit to meet Sakura's eyes. " Really? "
Sakura gave Naruto's shoulder a playful punch. " Without even trying, you've gotten way stronger too. "
Chuckling softly, Naruto asked, " Where's Sasuke? Where is he? "
Sakura quirked her lips slightly. As expected, she already knew—asking about Sasuke would be the first thing he did when he came back.
Because Sasuke himself was exactly like that!
At first, when Naruto hadn't been gone for too long, every time Sakura went to find Sasuke one and a half years ago, his first question was always, " Has Naruto come back yet? "
It nearly drove Sakura crazy. Why was it always " Naruto this " and " Naruto that "? Couldn't he ever notice her?
If Naruto were not a guy, Sakura might have already given up.
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