NARUTO: Ninja World Scientific Revolution

During their meal, the group of young ninjas, still in their teenage years, discussed recent events and shared their experiences, using the opportunity to bond with each other. Since they were all assigned to different task forces, each had their own stories to tell about the missions they'd been on. Sharing amusing encounters was a way to bring everyone closer. 

In front of so many new people, Hyuga Mirai didn't want to reveal his appetite, so he limited himself to just four pieces of meat. This was an "AA" style dinner, meaning everyone paid for themselves. If Mirai ate too much, it would be a bit embarrassing. However, as he ate, he also overheard some useful information from the others.

The team led by Ino Shika Cho, including his squadmate Akimichi Fuu, had already received orders to head to the borders. This was likely why they were taking the time to enjoy a meal together. 

"It looks like the war is about to start," Hyuga Mirai thought to himself. "There are still too few channels for information. If it were Orochimaru, he'd have no problem getting news from outside the village." 

Orochimaru had become more obsessed with his experiments, and as a result, was likely the least inclined to go to war—he didn't want his research interrupted. 

Mirai, however, had his own ways of assessing information. The rising prices of medical supplies, coupled with a noticeable decrease in the amount being supplied to him, were signals that something was amiss. Orochimaru, ever eager to broaden his research, had recently been pushed forward in his studies by Mirai. Orochimaru had now become disillusioned with the war, finding it a waste of time unless it directly contributed to his research. 

"If I didn't regularly intercept information, my research materials would have run out by now," Mirai reflected silently.

After the meal, everyone seemed satisfied and prepared to leave. Mirai, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kiyo Hyuga, all from the same squad, decided to depart together. As the team leader, Mirai had a few words to say to the others.

"Kurenai?" Sarutobi Asuma, who had been hoping to speak with Kurenai Yuhi, was about to call out when she immediately followed Mirai out of the restaurant.

Beside him, someone casually chewing on a toothpick, patted Asuma's shoulder and said with a shake of his head, "Asuma, next time you should be quicker. You'll never catch up to Mirai."

"Annoying," Asuma muttered under his breath, fist clenched in determination. "Next time, I'll definitely ask her out!" He glanced at Kurenai's retreating figure before turning away.

After leaving the restaurant, the three of them made their way to a training ground.

"You've probably noticed that the atmosphere in the village is tense," Mirai said to the two girls. "War is definitely approaching." 

"In fact, the deputy director of Konoha Hospital has already mentioned to me more than once that it won't be long before I'm sent to the frontlines. I'm just not sure whether it will be as a medical ninja or as part of a task force," Mirai continued, his eyes briefly meeting Kiyo Hyuga's. The reason he might be sent to the frontlines had a lot to do with her. 

Kiyo, being from the Hyuga Clan's main family, was unlikely to be sent to the battlefield easily. If she stayed out of the war, it was very likely that Mirai's squad would be disbanded.

"I'll ask grandfather when I return," Kiyo said quietly. In the past, missions were less frequent due to the global situation, but a full-scale war was different. Even for a jōnin, death could come at any moment. And if Kiyo were to die, the Hyuga clan's Byakugan would be lost as well. It was possible that her family would force her to stay behind for her own protection.

Kurenai sighed. "What a shame. If the three of us went to the battlefield together, we'd definitely achieve great things."

Mirai, hearing her, immediately warned, "This isn't something to take lightly, Kurenai. Even with medical ninja tools, you can't be reckless."

"I know, Mirai-kun," Kurenai smiled, nodding. "If I'm still on your team, I'll follow the orders of the captain."

Kiyo Hyuga, hearing their exchange, felt an uncomfortable sensation in her heart. Secretly, she made up her mind to persuade her grandfather to let her go to the frontlines. She would use the reason of bringing honor to the Hyuga Clan.

The trio then parted ways. Since his breakthrough in studying the Caged Bird seal, Mirai had spent less time at home and often rested at Konoha Hospital before diving back into his research.

Upon returning to the hospital, Mirai wandered around but noticed that many familiar faces were missing. They had likely been assigned to tasks at the borders. The hospital seemed more chaotic than usual, as many people were juggling multiple duties. Even with medical ninjas on hand, it seemed like everyone was overwhelmed.

Realizing that the situation was too hectic, Mirai quickly left, worried about being seen and pressed into labor. 

Back at his lab, ten shadow clones were still working tirelessly on the experiment. Mirai glanced at them, noting that progress was being made effectively, though the lab was packed with clones, making it difficult for him to squeeze in. 

With a brief look, he left the lab again. 

"Let's do some training," Mirai decided, heading toward a forest he often used as his training ground. After improving his strength, he had moved his training area further from the village. 

At his current level, Mirai felt confident that he could survive on the battlefield, as long as he didn't attract the attention of high-profile enemy ninjas. His Gentle Fist technique remained his most skilled taijutsu, and now he could smoothly perform techniques like the Eight Trigrams—128 Palms, the Rotation, and the Air Palm. His Byakugan, nourished by Yang Release chakra, now allowed him to see up to six kilometers away. 

In terms of the standard for Konoha's jōnin, Mirai was nearly there—only lacking in mission experience and personal history. For the Forbidden Jutsu, the Eight Gates technique, Mirai planned to only train in the first three gates, as they were the safest to use. Once he fully understood the Eight Gates' effects on the body, he might consider advancing.

The first three gates only led to fatigue as their side effect, without causing permanent harm. Even with forty kilograms of extra weight, Mirai's speed now far exceeded that of a regular chunin, especially when using his Body Flicker technique, which he kept honing.

After several hours of taijutsu training, Mirai paused, breathing slightly heavier, before taking a break.

Back in his lab, the shadow clones were gradually dispersing. The final clone would clean up and seal the research findings before disappearing.

Mirai closed his eyes, reviewing the memories transmitted by the shadow clones. "Progress is good. Thirteen gene fusions completed in a single day. Looks like I'll have the antidote to the Caged Bird seal ready in less than ten days."

"Tonight, I'll try training in the Spirit Transformation Technique," he muttered to himself. 

(End of Chapter)