Hearing Mirai's suggestion, Orochimaru looked puzzled.
"So, we're going to find that child?"
While Jūgo was indeed unique, it didn't seem enough to warrant Mirai's personal attention.
Meeting Orochimaru's confused gaze, Mirai didn't explain. Instead, he said calmly, "Bring Kimimaro along. We're going together."
"Very well."
Orochimaru nodded. Under the envious stares of Guren, Kidomaru, and others, he led Kimimaro and Uchiha Mirai outside.
Standing at the mouth of the cave, Mirai stopped.
"Hold on tight."
The moment his words fell, a fully-formed Susanoo, towering hundreds of meters high, materialized out of thin air.
Whoosh!
The Susanoo unfurled its massive wings, generating a gale that swept across the ground. In an instant, it soared into the sky, carrying Mirai, Orochimaru, and Kimimaro with it.
From high above, Orochimaru's gaze was glued to the rapidly receding scenery below. His golden eyes burned with curiosity.
"Mirai-kun, so this is the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan. It's truly enviable!"
Mirai replied coolly, "In the future, the Mangekyō Sharingan won't be such a rarity. I happen to have a spare pair—you can borrow them for your research."
After Uchiha Fugaku's death, Mirai had kept the man's Mangekyō Sharingan as a trophy.
Since Orochimaru was interested, he didn't mind handing it over. After all, as their plans progressed, cloning the Mangekyō Sharingan would no longer be an issue.
Hearing this, Orochimaru's lips curled into a pleased smile.
"Then I must thank you in advance, Mirai-kun."
Their conversation didn't catch Kimimaro's attention. His mind was in a state of complete numbness.
Back in Kirigakure, his exceptional talent had led his clan to treat him as nothing more than a killing machine, confining him to a dungeon.
Kimimaro had come to hate his own abilities.
Then, Orochimaru appeared.
The man's overwhelming power left an indelible mark on Kimimaro's soul and gave him purpose.
He no longer resented his abilities. Instead, he took pride in them.
He vowed to become Orochimaru-sama's perfect vessel, offering the strongest body and Kekkei Genkai possible.
But now, that belief was utterly shattered.
Standing before this ninja called Uchiha Mirai, Kimimaro felt as insignificant as an ant. The strength he once prided himself on was utterly meaningless.
What was the purpose of his existence?
"Kimimaro, as long as you're alive, you have value."
"Don't deny yourself—and don't let others define your worth either."
"Life doesn't always need a clear purpose. Simply being alive is already a blessing."
The voice snapped Kimimaro out of his thoughts. Those unique eyes seemed to pierce straight into his soul.
Was this… meant to comfort him?
It was so different from Orochimaru-sama's style.
Orochimaru cast a curious glance at Mirai.
"Mirai-kun, I didn't expect you to have such a gentle side."
"Unfortunately," Mirai replied, his tone flat, "most people won't understand these truths until they've experienced life for themselves."
He said no more, urging Susanoo to pick up speed.
...
Land of Rivers
In the dense mountain forest, a blond-haired boy walked alone along a narrow path.
His expression was calm, his demeanor gentle. Two small birds perched on his shoulder, chirping softly.
Suddenly, the birds fluttered into the air, their urgent chirping breaking the tranquility.
The boy frowned, looking toward the dense forest ahead.
"You'd better stay away from me. I don't want to hurt you."
As his words fell, three figures emerged from the shadows.
"So, this is Jūgo?"
"What incredibly pure natural energy."
Mirai spoke softly.
With his Uzumaki Body, he was highly attuned to natural energy. He could clearly sense the vast and untainted natural energy flowing through the boy before him.
Moreover, the boy's body was constantly absorbing more.
"Do you want a different life?" Mirai asked directly, confirming Jūgo's identity.
Jūgo's eyes narrowed in caution.
"Who are you?"
Mirai answered calmly, "The one who can keep you in check when you lose control."
Jūgo's eyes widened.
"Are you serious?"
Due to his body's unique constitution, absorbing too much natural energy made him uncontrollably violent, consumed by murderous impulses.
The villagers feared him, calling him a "time bomb."
To avoid hurting anyone, Jūgo had secluded himself deep in the mountains.
Despite the company of animals, he often felt tormented.
If this man could truly suppress his episodes, then perhaps he could live without fear of harming others.
Sensing Jūgo's hesitation, Mirai took a step closer.
"If you don't believe me, you're welcome to test it."
Jūgo hesitated, then warned, "Be careful. Others have tried to control me in my berserk state, but they all died horribly…"
Mirai smirked.
"Don't compare me to them."
"Standing before you is… Mirai."
Jūgo stared at Mirai's confident expression, momentarily dazed.
"Mirai…"
He stopped suppressing the natural energy within him. His body underwent a dramatic transformation.
His once-gentle face contorted into something monstrous. Pale skin turned rock-like, and several vents emitting blue flames sprouted from his back.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement.
This is it!
Storing natural energy within the body and releasing it at will…
A flood of experimental ideas filled Orochimaru's mind. He could hardly wait to return to his lab.
"Ha…ha…ha… I'll kill you!"
Jūgo's manic laughter echoed through the forest, his aura growing more terrifying by the second.
In a flash, he lunged at Mirai, his back venting bursts of energy.
Bang!
A dull thud silenced his laughter.
Mirai had casually delivered a single hand chop, rendering the ferocious Jūgo unconscious.
"To laugh like that in the presence of an Uchiha… you've got a lot to learn."
[ Ding! Congratulations, host. Successfully plundered reward: +1 Physique! ]
Not acquiring Jūgo's unique constitution didn't bother Mirai.
He had plenty of time. One day, he'd claim the rewards he sought.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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