A week passed in the blink of an eye. The wounds of war still lingered, but Konoha was gradually coming back to life.
Though no one dared to graffiti the Hokage's head, the streets were bustling with people eating ramen, selling three-colored dumplings, and kids fighting and causing a ruckus, creating a lively scene.
The best-selling newspaper "Konoha Daily" added to the vibrancy.
Especially after starting the serialization of the "Sword Art Online" novel. Its imaginative setting, unheard-of virtual reality game, and elements like knights, elves, and dual-wielding swords opened a new world for Konoha's residents.
The unprecedented novelty stimulated their senses.
Today, it was even more explosive.
Because an illustration of the main character was updated.
Asuna had the potential to become the first virtual goddess.
After all, Asuna was a well-known model in certain unreachable sites in the previous life.
Her charm was undeniable.
Haruki saw the long queue outside the bookstore, as if he could see gold nuggets with wings falling into his bowl.
An entertainment desert, filled with gold.
He thought for a moment and decided not to disturb the very busy Omoki, instead heading to the research institute.
The research institute was now divided into seven teams according to his specifications.
This included the newly established network research team a few days ago.
Composed of personnel drawn from the original science research team, all were computer experts.
Some were ninjas, but most were civilians.
After some explanations from Haruki, he barely clarified the concept of a network.
Despite many unclear points, the head of the network research team, Motohashi Ju, was amazed.
She could foresee the unique impact and reform that such a chakra-free way of connecting people would bring.
"Lord Haruki."
Noticing Haruki's arrival, Motohashi Ju, holding two wires, turned her head. Her pretty face was streaked black and white like a little cat.
"What happened?" Haruki asked in surprise.
"I was connecting circuits earlier. There might have been a poor connection, causing a fire. It's a minor issue; I'm used to it."
Motohashi Ju nonchalantly wiped her face, turning from a little cat into a coal miner.
Haruki pointed at her face.
"Huh?"
Motohashi Ju instinctively checked her body, spinning around, making her white lab coat flutter.
"Is there a problem? My clothes aren't damaged. Even if they were, it's fine; I have another one underneath. I wear it all the time except when sleeping."
"..."
Although Haruki was used to her carelessness, he still felt a bit of a headache.
"No, your face."
Haruki condensed a water mirror using chakra.
"Oh, this? It's fine. I'll just get dirty again after washing."
Motohashi Ju glanced at it and waved her hand, looking indifferent.
Haruki couldn't help but doubt.
Are you really conducting network research?
People might think you're an electrician.
"Are you here to check on the progress?"
Motohashi Ju became more serious when discussing work.
"Sort of."
Haruki was actually bored and thought of the network, so he came by.
Of course, he hoped for some progress.
But such a complex matter as the network wouldn't show results in just a week.
"We connected all the computers in the research building using communication lines as instructed, forming a simple local area network, but it might take some time to succeed."
Just as he thought.
Motohashi Ju confirmed his guess.
"Take your time, no rush. You continue your work, I'll go find Orochimaru."
Haruki didn't urge her.
Motohashi Ju's eyes lit up at the mention of Orochimaru.
He was her idol.
Haruki had heard that when the Oshima Trading Company found her in the Fire Country's metropolis, she initially refused, but upon learning she could work with Orochimaru, she left her home to come here.
Yet, she had barely seen Orochimaru.
It could be said that before knowing Orochimaru, his appearance and the feats of the Three Sannin were quite popular among girls.
Moreover, his own charm wasn't lacking.
In the original work, he founded the Hidden Sound Village and had many followers, not just because of his strength.
"I'm so envious, Lord Haruki. You can see Lord Orochimaru anytime."
"You can too." Haruki encouraged her, "We're all colleagues; don't be shy."
"I tried, but he refused to see me," Motohashi Ju gritted her teeth, "He said not to bother him with trivial matters."
Tsk.
Serves him right to be single.
Haruki couldn't help but shake his head but said nothing more.
Maybe he indeed didn't need it.
After all, even his child was a humanoid.
---
Orochimaru's laboratory.
Upon entering, the atmosphere turned cold.
Haruki looked at the naked person soaking in a transparent cylinder and was somewhat shocked.
He looked exactly like Orochimaru.
Undoubtedly a clone.
"Have you succeeded?"
Haruki rarely showed excitement. If the cloning technology was perfected, another of his plans could be initiated.
"No."
Unfortunately, Orochimaru's answer dampened his enthusiasm.
"This body is merely a shell, useless. It's far from my perfect vessel."
Haruki wasn't too disappointed.
Compared to before, this was a significant improvement.
With Orochimaru's brilliant mind, it wouldn't take long for him to bring surprises and reduce his financial burden.
"Need my help?"
"How can you help?" Orochimaru asked without hesitation.
"..."
Haruki was silent.
Indeed, he couldn't.
Orochimaru snorted. If not for Haruki funding him, he wouldn't bother chatting with this half-baked guy.
"Anything else?"
He was practically sending him away.
Haruki's mouth twitched.
Don't you get it?
The sponsor is the boss!
"If the Hyuga clan helps, would it be faster?"
"Byakugan?" Orochimaru looked at him with surprise, then pondered, "Byakugan could save me some effort, but are you sure those people won't expose us?"
"They won't."
Haruki squinted, "I have my ways. How many people do you need?"
"Give me ten."
"Okay."
Haruki agreed.
Orochimaru was somewhat surprised.
Although he knew Haruki had reached an agreement with the Hyuga clan using the Caged Bird Seal, human experiments severely violated village regulations. Those who always supported the Hokage's faction could tolerate it?
Did he use some kind of charm?
Haruki didn't know Orochimaru's thoughts. After saying goodbye, he went to the Hyuga clan.
As a noble family, the Hyuga residence always reminded him of the grand historical dramas of Japan he had seen in his previous life.
After being announced, Haruki was able to meet Hyuga Kazushi.
"Please."
Hyuga Kazushi personally poured tea and handed it to him.
"Hyuga clan leader, there's no need to be so polite."
Haruki smiled, took the teacup, and sipped. He couldn't tell the quality.
He could differentiate between Pepsi and Coke, though.
"What brings you here today, Lord Haruki?"
Hyuga Kazushi remained courteous.
Haruki didn't insist, setting down the teacup and smiling, "Hyuga clan leader, have you heard of the Tenseigan?"