Sand Ninja Village.
Faraday Industrial Factory.
No.
It had been renamed Faraday Industrial Park.
After Mufasa became Kazekage, he took control of the village's finances and launched drastic reforms—expanding the park, initiating large-scale construction projects, and transforming the village from the ground up. Everyone in Sand Ninja Village was mobilized, dedicating themselves to its reconstruction.
If Rasa were to be reincarnated now, he would hardly recognize the village before him.
Today, Mufasa wasn't overseeing village renovations or inspecting the ninja factory. Instead, he was accompanied by his advisor, Orochimaru, to check on the sandworm mineral extraction project.
Half a month ago, Orochimaru had failed to capture Tsunade, and Sasuke was still too young to be of use. So, rather than wasting time, he had taken the initiative to seek out Mufasa.
It just so happened that Mufasa had been looking for him, too.
His arrival was convenient.
And now, Sand Ninja Village had a mysterious new scientific advisor.
Orochimaru blended in seamlessly. Dressed like a typical Sand ninja, he wore a white cloth wrapped around his head, a mask covering half his face, and the same close-fitting outfit as the villagers—practical attire against the relentless desert sand.
The first thing he did upon meeting Mufasa was complain about the mechanical arm he had been given.
"Your so-called advanced prosthetic is of poor quality."
Mufasa raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with it?"
Orochimaru's right-hand man, Kabuto, wordlessly presented the arm. The part where flesh met metal was already corroded, rust creeping along the edges.
"That's impossible," Mufasa frowned. "It's made of stainless steel."
Orochimaru's voice was cold. "It can't withstand the effects of chakra decay."
Mufasa examined the prosthetic. The damaged sections looked like rotted wood—fragile and crumbling to the touch.
A fusion of flesh and machine... One of the greatest hurdles of mechanical ascension was the issue of the chakra.
Mufasa contemplated for a moment before speaking. "We need to study the essence of the chakra itself. If we can harness its power, perhaps we can create machines infused with chakra energy. That might solve this problem."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with intrigue. "A fascinating idea. I'll take note of it."
Then, his tone shifted. "Now, what exactly are the three tasks you wanted me to handle, Kazekage-sama?"
Mufasa led Orochimaru and Kabuto to the sandworm nest.
The place had changed drastically.
Originally, there had been four breeding pits.
Now, there were ten.
Mufasa had reorganized over 4,000 Sand ninja.
Two thousand experienced shinobi were divided into two elite divisions of the ninja army. Each was split further into sub-teams, with the smallest unit consisting of twenty ninja—a far larger squad size than in most villages.
The remaining 2,000 were designated as jounin and industrial workers.
The ninja army rotated between patrol duty, village defense, caravan escort, and sandworm capture missions.
With an entire army backing the effort, the efficiency of sandworm hunting had skyrocketed. In just under two weeks, they had captured six.
And the breeding grounds were still expanding.
Orochimaru and Kabuto stood at the edge of the nest, taking in the sight before them. Electrical poles and power grids loomed overhead like a mechanical forest.
Then, they caught sight of the sandworms.
Their expressions twisted with curiosity.
"Kazekage-sama," Orochimaru mused, "Sandworms don't seem particularly useful."
Mufasa smirked. "On the contrary. They are the key to Sand Ninja Village's future prosperity."
He then demonstrated his method for extracting high-density metals from sandworm carcasses.
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Hah... I must admit, I didn't expect such ingenuity from you, Kazekage-sama."
Mufasa nodded. "But we've hit a roadblock."
He raised two fingers. "First problem—control."
Sandworms weren't docile cattle, and they certainly weren't going to sit still for harvesting. Once the tranquilizing agents wore off, they would rampage. This posed a significant safety risk.
"Second problem—recovery speed."
Mufasa's goal wasn't just local trade.
He was laying the foundation for a massive industrial empire, one that could reshape the entire Land of Wind. Vehicles, weapons, machinery—all of it would require vast amounts of materials.
"The sandworms directly impact my plans. The first task I'm giving you—turn them into livestock. Train them to be docile and regenerative. Can you do it?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "I spent my life researching the human body. Now you want me to study giant worms?"
Then, he licked his lips. "But flesh is flesh. Give me a lab, and I'll find a solution."
Mufasa grinned. "That's what I like to hear."
Orochimaru tilted his head. "And the other two tasks?"
"One thing at a time. Handle this first, and then we'll talk about the rest."
Then, Mufasa casually asked, "Have you ever considered relocating your base to Sand Ninja Village?"
Orochimaru's slitted eyes narrowed. A wicked smile crept across his lips.
"I study all forms of forbidden knowledge. Are you sure you can accept that, Kazekage-sama?"
Mufasa met his gaze, unwavering. "Taboos change with time."
"Once, the heliocentric model was blasphemy. Later, cloning was deemed unnatural. In an era where reanimation jutsu was permitted, now even human experimentation is frowned upon."
His voice was calm, but firm. "Tell me, Orochimaru... is that progress or regression?"
Orochimaru let out a quiet chuckle before bowing his head slightly.
"Kazekage-sama... you are truly wise."
...
It was not easy to relocate a base that had been meticulously built over many years.
Sand Ninja Village was bustling with activity.
Orochimaru and Kabuto had established a small research facility within Faraday Industrial Park. With Mufasa's backing, Orochimaru could finally conduct his experiments openly, no longer confined to secrecy.
On the surface, the facility appeared as a three-story research institute with a courtyard. However, beneath it lay a hidden laboratory spanning six underground floors—The Sandworm Research and Cultivation Center.
Today, Mufasa arrived to inspect its progress, accompanied by Orochimaru. The two of them made their way to the edge of a sandworm nest.
Kabuto stood at the nest's perimeter, issuing commands through a series of hand signs. The massive sandworms responded immediately, shifting their massive bodies forward and backward as instructed.
Kabuto formed another seal. "Come here."
A sandworm slithered closer, obeying without resistance.
From above the nest, a large pipe descended. At its end was a massive needle, three meters in diameter, made of reinforced steel.
A team of specialized ninja carefully inserted the needle into one of the sandworm's exposed blood vessels. Slowly, the machine began extracting its rich metallic blood, sending it through the pipes into a massive storage pool within the industrial park.
With Orochimaru's expertise in biotechnology, Sand Ninja Village had perfected blood pool storage—an innovation that kept sandworm blood fresh and ready for use. The supply system was fully automated, ensuring a seamless flow of resources from raw extraction to production.
The process continued for an hour. Once the extraction was complete, the ninja removed the needle and applied a special ointment to seal the wound.
Under Kabuto's direction, the sandworm slithered toward the feeding zone, where livestock blood rained down from an overhead system. The creatures devoured their meal eagerly. The entire operation ran flawlessly—like a well-oiled machine.
These once-uncontrollable beasts now behaved like domesticated cattle.
Mufasa observed the process with admiration. "Orochimaru, how did you manage this?"
Orochimaru smirked. "It's all thanks to the control seal I implanted in their brains. A simple task, really."
To him, controlling mindless sandworms was trivial compared to his past experiments with human souls and bodies.
"Anyone trained in the hand signs we developed can manipulate them," Orochimaru added.
But then, his expression turned thoughtful. "However, keeping sandworms in captivity isn't the most efficient approach."
Mufasa raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Sandworms need to constantly ingest sand to replenish the metal elements in their blood. When confined, they're only fed livestock blood, which lacks the necessary nutrients."
He gestured toward a data chart Kabuto held up. "Our research shows that captive sandworms lose efficiency over time. The quality of their blood diminishes, making them less valuable."
Mufasa crossed his arms. "So what's the solution?"
Orochimaru's smirk returned. "We should let them roam."
"Roam?" Mufasa repeated.
"Yes. Controlled grazing. We release the sandworms into designated desert zones, allowing them to feed naturally. Then, when it's time for extraction, we summon them back."
Mufasa mulled it over. The idea had potential, but the risk was considerable. Sandworm blood was an invaluable resource—on par with steel and oil in terms of strategic importance.
"Fine," he finally said. "We'll establish designated grazing zones. Think of it like a controlled pasture system."
Orochimaru nodded approvingly. "A wise choice. I also have another idea regarding sandworm capture."
Mufasa gestured for him to continue. "Go on."
"Our current capture methods are too slow. Finding sandworms in the vast desert is inefficient."
"And your solution?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. "We use sandworms to catch sandworms."
Mufasa's interest piqued. "Explain."
"I'll modify the strongest sandworms, turning them into trackers. Under human command, they'll locate and subdue others of their kind."
Orochimaru's enthusiasm was evident. The prospect of manipulating living creatures always excited him.
Sandworms were solitary hermaphrodites that rarely interacted. But if Orochimaru succeeded in creating hunting variants, the efficiency of their operations would skyrocket.
Mufasa laughed. "Go ahead, but be careful. These creatures are my wealth. I can't afford to lose them all."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, Kazekage-sama. I'll be cautious. In fact, I plan to take it a step further—accelerating their breeding cycle. If we succeed, we might even achieve artificial breeding."
Mufasa's smirk widened. Science was indeed the key to Sand Ninja Village's future. And with Orochimaru's twisted genius at his disposal, that future looked more promising than ever.
Mufasa furrowed his brow slightly. "What happens if the curse seal goes out of control?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Orochimaru, ever confident, gave a reassuring smile. "My lord, there's no need to worry. We've implanted a death curse seal in the sandworm's brain. If it ever goes out of control, a simple command will cause its brain to explode instantly."
Despite the assurance, Mufasa still felt uneasy. The number of sandworms would only grow over time, and if something ever went wrong, he needed a contingency plan.
"Let's go check out the perimeter," he said. "The new defense equipment and materials should be ready."
As Mufasa and Orochimaru walked through the vast park, they took in the sight of the newly developed infrastructure. What had once been a hundred-acre facility had now expanded tenfold, turning into a thriving industrial hub. The road they walked on was wide enough for multiple vehicles to pass at once, lined with various factories—oil refineries, power plants, ironworks, and even specialized ninja tool factories.
Construction ninjas worked tirelessly, using Earth Release jutsu to erect new buildings and pave roads. The progress was impressive, a testament to the efficiency of Sand Ninja Village's workforce. Mufasa no longer needed to handle such tasks himself; his job was to oversee the bigger picture.
Vehicles powered by chakra-enhanced technology moved swiftly along the roads, most of them transporting goods from metalworks and factories. Initially, Mufasa had planned to focus on producing ninja tools, but he realized that building a stable economy came first. So instead, the factories produced civilian goods—kitchenware, farming tools, and weapons for everyday use.
The strategy had paid off. Sand Ninja Village quickly established itself as a major supplier in the Land of Wind. Their products, cheaper and of higher quality than those available elsewhere, flooded the markets. The village's economy flourished, and profits soared.
According to Temari's latest report, profits had already reached 1.7 million ryō. By the end of the month, they were projected to hit three million. In less than a month, Mufasa had transformed Sand Ninja Village from a struggling community into a growing industrial powerhouse.
Orochimaru observed the passing vehicles with an intrigued expression, his tongue flicking out habitually. "This... is a miracle," he murmured. "Who would've thought Sand Ninja Village could change so drastically?"
Mufasa grinned. "This is the power of science and industry."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "My lord, all of this pales in comparison to the power of tailed beasts. Technology is impressive, but ninjutsu reigns supreme."
Mufasa wasn't deterred. "You underestimate the potential of science, Orochimaru. Tailed beasts are powerful, yes, but I believe that one day, we can create something even stronger."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That is an interesting thought."
As they reached the southeast corner of the park, a massive pile of ten-ton steel ingots awaited them. A team of workers stood at attention, ready for the next phase of construction.
The lead worker stepped forward and bowed. "My lord, the materials are already prepared."
"Good. Have everyone step back."
Orochimaru watched Mufasa with keen interest. He had always been fascinated by Mufasa's unique ability to create structures and machines with a mere touch—an ability Orochimaru had never seen before.
Mufasa leaped onto the pile of steel ingots and placed his hands on the metal. Blue chakra pulsed from his palms, crackling like lightning. The steel glowed as it broke down and reassembled, molding into a new shape according to the schematics in Mufasa's mind.
After half an hour, a towering structure stood before them.
A Prism Tower.
It was an advanced defense system, standing one meter high, with a mirrored surface that reflected the sunlight in a dazzling display. Three identical towers had already been constructed at other key points around the park's perimeter. Once activated, the towers would link together, forming a powerful energy grid capable of tracking and eliminating threats with pinpoint accuracy.
Mufasa stepped back, satisfied. "The rest is up to you," he said, signaling the workers to proceed.
The lead worker nodded and hurried to lay cables, preparing to activate the tower.
Orochimaru gazed up at the structure, his expression one of pure fascination. The tower's sleek, metallic sheen was unlike anything found in traditional ninja villages. It was a masterpiece of technological innovation.
"Magnificent," Orochimaru whispered. "My lord, when will you teach me this incredible technique?"
Mufasa smirked. This wasn't something he could simply teach—it was part of his system, an ability unique to him. But he wasn't about to admit that.
"Orochimaru, as long as you continue working hard, you'll gain this power one day."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "That would be wonderful!"
Mufasa chuckled. If nothing else, he had successfully piqued Orochimaru's interest. The fusion of ninjutsu and technology was just beginning, and the future held endless possibilities.
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Word count: 2414
Please, give this story a review, guys! Just say good translation or something and I'll be content! 10 review = Bonus chap.
BTW, I posted a new translation. "With a System in the Wizarding World". It's an HP fanfic. Read it for those interested.