Chapter 396: The New Era
Ninja World Year 61.
Four years ago, Cloud City underwent another massive expansion. It evolved from a "triple-layer cake" into a four-tiered metropolis.
As the absolute center of the ninja world, no matter how much the city grew, it was never enough. Property values remained perpetually sky-high.
During the "Glorious Decade," thanks to the stabilization of the people's hearts and the total elimination of systemic hunger through Agricultural Ninjutsu, the ninja world experienced a massive baby boom. The shinobi cultivated by the Federation had reached a critical mass, their presence felt in every facet of society.
While non-ninja still made up the majority of the population, shinobi could be seen in every industry. In the words of the Consul, a "Chakra Civilization" was the ultimate goal; for now, they were in the primary stage: a "Shinobi Civilization."
Of course, the term "ninja" had long since shed its old labels of "mercenary for hire" or "assassin." It had become a broader identity for "Chakra User."
Above Cloud City, four titanic Floating Fortress Islands of the kilometer-class hovered in the sky. To avoid blocking the sunlight, they were stationed at a distance from the main urban districts.
In the sky, rainbow lights from the Heavenly Transfer Technique zipped back and forth toward the horizon. Some citizens even zipped through the air wearing "Auxiliary Single-Pilot Flight Units," looking as if they were flying under their own power.
On the ground, skyscrapers rose from the earth. Dozens of stories high, they stood like giant building blocks fitted into every available space. Chakra-powered cars, motorcycles, and skateboards dominated the roads, weaving through a sea of bustling pedestrians.
Top Floor of the Cloud Spire, Administrative Headquarters.
Consul Yotsuki Dana took off his glasses and massaged the bridge of his nose.
Dana was 34 years old this year. However, as a favorite of Natural Energy, age was merely a number; his appearance seemed permanently fixed in his mid-twenties.
To accommodate the feelings of those around him who were aging naturally, he had grown a short, meticulously trimmed beard and wore a pair of plain-lens glasses. The look made him appear steady, wise, and in line with the expectations of an adult leader.
He wore the custom white-and-gold robes of the Consul, looking every bit the enlightened sovereign.
Today, his height had reached a staggering 2.6 meters (approx. 8'6"). His growth rate had slowed significantly compared to previous years, but he still added a fraction to his height every year. Physically, he had already moved beyond the standard human category. Fortunately, given the many miracles associated with him, his height was just another divine attribute in the eyes of his people.
The sturdiest chair in the Federation groaned under the weight of his massive body, which was even more formidable than his height suggested.
"Once I finish this overtime, I'll go grab a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen... I'll bring Arashi along."
Of course, he would use the Transformation Jutsu. The higher one sat, the further one drifted from the common people—that was unavoidable. Fortunately, the ninja world had a way to reconcile that contradiction.
Tink! Tink! Tink!
Someone tapped on the office window.
A tall, lithe girl wearing an exoskeleton flight unit was hovering outside, a bright smile on her face that was impossible to forget.
Without turning his head, Dana waved a hand. Under his magnetic control, the window slid open.
The girl flew in and sat directly on Dana's oversized desk.
"Papa! I'm here to visit you!"
Dana gave a wry smile. "You make it sound like I'm being held captive. No classes today?"
The girl was, of course, his eldest daughter, Yotsuki Mao.
"This afternoon was Combat Training," Mao said, swinging her legs. "It leaves a bad impression if I keep beating the teachers black and blue, so I took a leave of absence."
Dana didn't know what to say. He could hardly tell her to go back and keep punching her instructors. Mao had already entered the Advanced Ninja School, but even that facility seemed unable to restrain her.
"What about your brothers and sister?"
Mao counted on her fingers. "Keiji is at the research institute, trailing behind Uncle Tobirama; I haven't seen him in days. Kimimaro is locked in the Gravity Chamber as usual. And Karin is busy with her Genin internship..."
Dana sighed. Not a single one of his children was "normal."
His eldest son, Yotsuki Keiji, was a research fanatic. His number one idol was the Master of Forbidden Jutsu, Tobirama Senju, followed by Old Man Yoshitoki and Minetarou. He spent more time with the scientists than with his own father.
His second son, Yotsuki Kimimaro, followed Dana's own path. He was a training maniac who had insisted on entering the Gravity Chamber at age ten. In terms of combat talent, he was the strongest among the siblings.
His second daughter, Yotsuki Karin, was a complete prankster—the "Little Demon" of the Academy. If it weren't for Dana's status, he'd probably be summoned to the principal's office every other day.
Then there was Mao, his eldest. Perhaps because she was the first, Dana had spent the most time with her. She was the most obedient and always clung to her father.
Daughters really are the father's little "weighted vest," Dana thought, using a localized version of an old saying.
Of course, he had heard rumors that Mao had a "hidden side" that no one saw, but he dismissed them as baseless gossip.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Such a sweet, caring daughter could never have a dark side!
Mao's arrival was a welcome break in his busy day. He sometimes suspected she came specifically to cheer him up when his stress was high.
Mao stayed for a while before leaving to visit other offices in the Spire. She was incredibly familiar with the building; between her grandfather, her uncle, and various family friends, it would take her an hour just to say hello to everyone.
"Consul-sama, the 'Heavenly Palace' Project has requested an inspection for tomorrow. The prototype of the Flying Thunder God Engine is ready."
"I understand."
Finally, a result.
That Night, Ichiraku Ramen.
Teuchi had been running his shop in the Cloud for over a decade. The rising star of the ramen world had aged into a seasoned uncle.
With the growth of Cloud City, Ichiraku had made a fortune. As a legendary establishment, business was booming. They had even expanded recently, moving into a larger storefront in the same district.
However, it was still just a ramen shop. It couldn't be as high-end as the "Rain Inari" owned by Kayo and Konan's families, which had become the top luxury restaurant in the city with branches all over the continent.
Whenever they had a break, Dana and Arashi still enjoyed coming here for a bowl of ramen. Here, they weren't the Consul and the Fourth Raikage, but just two brothers chatting after a long day.
Both were under the Transformation Jutsu.
"So, you're almost forty, right?" Dana teased. "Is it true that not even a god could pressure you into marrying?"
At 39, Yotsuki Arashi was squarely in middle age and still single. He was fulfilling his mother's prophecy of dying alone.
"Maybe the Sage of Six Paths could nudge me, hahaha!" Arashi laughed.
Dana was "sitting" in the air just above his stool. I actually could call the Sage of Six Paths, he thought. The question is, would you actually listen to him? If yes, I'm willing to try!
It was a recurring topic. Arashi was now like a dead pig that didn't fear boiling water.
"What's your schedule for tomorrow?" Arashi asked.
"New results from 'Heavenly Palace.' I'm visiting Tobirama tomorrow morning. In the afternoon, the Gravity Chamber for some relaxation."
Arashi became interested. Every time "Heavenly Palace" yielded a result, it was something impressive. The Floating Fortress Islands and the single-pilot units were both incredible.
"I'll join you. I don't have much on my plate tomorrow."
"No problem. We'll take the Heavenly Transfer; it won't take long."
The next day, Dana, the Grand General (Third Raikage), and Arashi arrived at the research base.
The three of them appearing together nearly gave the welcoming staff a heart attack. Dana had declined a formal escort or guards, opting for a low-profile trip.
He had visited several times over the years, though less frequently of late. As the research went deeper, breakthroughs became harder to achieve. In the beginning, they could have several breakthroughs a year; now, it took years for a single leap.
Dana understood. The earlier rapid progress was built on a millennium of accumulated ninja world knowledge. Beyond that point, they were entering entirely uncharted territory.
The testing base had expanded several times over the decade, now resembling a small town. A group of researchers was clustered around a 20-meter-long aircraft.
Tobirama was surprised to see so many heavyweights arrive at once.
The Third Raikage landed and barked, "Where's my grandson? I heard Keiji hasn't left this place in two weeks!"
Now in his sixties, the Third Raikage's frame remained powerful, though age was showing on his face. His biggest hobby these days was spoiling his grandchildren.
"Keiji went to the Land of Wind yesterday," Tobirama explained. "That's our other observation point. He didn't know you were coming."
The Raikage looked disappointed. "Fine. That boy has a mind of his own. I'll catch him later. Is this the finished product?"
Everyone looked at the aircraft.
"This is the 'Flying Thunder God Mark I,'" Tobirama said. "To be precise, the breakthrough is the engine inside. By integrating the Flying Thunder God formula with the hull, we can achieve short-range spatial warping."
The Third Raikage was puzzled. "If it's spatial teleportation, how can it be called 'short-range'?"
"In the context of the aircraft's intended use, it is short-range," Tobirama replied. "On the ground, it could jump across most of the ninja continent in an instant."
Arashi frowned. "That's not short at all."
Dana explained from the side, "In outer space, that distance is nothing. It wouldn't even get you to the Moon easily."