At this moment, the entire ninja world—from Kumo to Konoha and every other village—was abuzz with discussions and speculations about the massive mirage in the sky. While most people struggled to understand the phenomenon, only a few truly grasped what had happened. Among them were Hinata, who had a unique connection to Tenseigan, the Akatsuki organization with limited authority over virtual space, and the Hidden Cloud Village, whose research had recently developed a powerful radio telescope.
Although others made bold guesses, no one could fathom that the virtual space would ever transform into a tangible reality. However, as the Red Queen digested the powers of the Book-Book fruit, the mirage stabilized. Now, as everyone reconnected, they noticed a new option had appeared: entering the virtual space in their real, physical bodies.
To reinforce this new reality, Shin had placed the Gedo Statue, the core of the divine tree, at the heart of this newly formed realm. This change eliminated the need for an Infinite Tsukuyomi to sustain the illusion, freeing up vast reserves of chakra. With the Red Queen's chakra management, Shin estimated that the divine tree would bear fruit in just a few years.
Shortly after, the Red Queen reported that although the tree would produce a chakra fruit, its potency would depend on how long it was allowed to mature. If they aimed for peak power, it would require an additional four or five years. A few years felt insignificant to Shin, merely brief pauses in his adventures.
With time to spare, Shin decided to reconnect with his acquaintance in the world. First, he visited Mei Terumi. Due to his frequent time-jumping, his sporadic appearances had given him a reputation with her as a somewhat unreliable partner, one who showed up just once or twice a year. Despite this, Mei, ever the strong, career-focused woman, managed to remain content with her life and role in the Kirigakure. After spending time together, she playfully shoved him away, reminding him to avoid overstaying his welcome.
"According to Mei, I'm lucky I'm endowed with the sage body," he mused as he left, a smile tugging at his lips.
Shin's next stop was the Ninja World Research Institute, a collaborative project helmed by the likes of Sasori, Orochimaru, and the revived soul of the Second Hokage. The facility served as a hub for advancing knowledge beyond conventional ninjutsu, delving into the roots of chakra, bloodline connections, and the soul itself. Though Shin contributed his fruit abilities to enhance their experiments, he quickly realized that the level of research had surpassed even his own. These researchers were breaking new ground, particularly with Orochimaru leading the way.
Afterward, he visited Konoha to check on Hinata's progress. He found her sitting outside, her Byakugan shimmering with the light of her steadily advancing Tenseigan. Her progress was remarkable; she was almost reaching the final stages.
"Hinata, it looks like you're only a year or two away from fully evolving to Tenseigan," he said, a note of pride in his voice as he rested his hand on her head.
Hinata's cheeks tinged pink. "Do you think it could help the Red Queen?" she asked, eager to contribute to his mission.
"Definitely. Once you're ready, you'll be able to act as a secondary support for the Red Queen, setting up a localized network. It would relieve some of the strain on her systems."
Hinata's face lit up with determination. "I'll work as hard as I can!"
Shin then took a leisurely walk around Konoha, marveling at how rapidly the village had developed. The traditional sights were nearly unrecognizable; even the Academy students now trained directly within the virtual space, where learning was faster and more efficient than ever. With fewer mission demands, the village had transformed into a blend of research center, school, and standing military. Ninja villages were evolving into institutions focused on development rather than warfare. The days of constant conflict seemed distant.
After his tour, Shin returned to the newly realized book world, still intrigued by its potential. This space, born from merging the virtual world with the Book-Book fruit's powers, had reached a level of complexity beyond its original design. Now fully realized, the Book-Book fruit allowed the Red Queen to manifest creatures directly into the real world as projections, reminiscent of the shadow clone jutsu.
While these entities could mirror her abilities or even draw from Shin's imagination, there were limitations. Summoning stronger creations consumed vast amounts of chakra, and without a steady energy source, their power capped close to the summoner's own strength. Nevertheless, this allowed for nearly endless customization of forms and abilities, creating an extraordinary arsenal.
With this versatile and evolving world, Shin knew he held an advantage few could challenge. The Book World, a realm of seemingly endless potential, would become both a sanctuary and a tool for future battles, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
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BONUS CHAPTER: 25 Powerstones achieved
For each power stones milestone—25, 50, 100, 150, and beyond—I will release a bonus chapter.
If you would like to gain early access, you can join me at www.patre on.com/bookbattalion