Chapter 329: First Time in the Cloud
Three streaks of rainbow light landed, and three figures emerged from the delivery pods.
Might Guy exclaimed excitedly, "Oh my god! This is too amazing! Has it even been two minutes?! Are we really in Kumogakure? The other side of the ninja world?"
Kakashi looked around. They seemed to be inside a massive hollow building with an open roof, allowing a clear view of the sky. Around them, over a hundred people were busily working.
Clearly, the Cloud's Heavenly Transfer base was much larger than Konoha's.
What was most shocking was that the entire massive structure was primarily made of metal.
A strong sense of advanced technology hit them.
As soon as they stepped out of the pods, someone came over to inquire.
"People from Konoha, right? Don't linger on the landing platform! And why didn't you retract the delivery pods? Never mind! Leave quickly."
The staff member stepped forward and pulled the sealing lever himself. The three pods turned into scrolls in his hands one by one.
"I know it might be your first time using Heavenly Transfer, but didn't the base in Konoha give you the operation manual?"
All three felt ashamed. They were too excited about their first ride and basically didn't listen to what the staff over there said.
Guy said nervously, "It's over! We embarrassed Konoha! They'll think we're country bumpkins!"
Obito secretly nudged Guy. "Don't show it! The more embarrassed you feel, the less you should show it!"
As the staff member said, soon more delivery pods landed. Kakashi thought it would be their follow-up companions from Konoha, but several strangers wearing black cloaks with red clouds stepped out.
These people knew the drill. They retracted the pods upon landing and handed them to the staff.
The three were confused. Where did the others go? What should we do?
"Hey! Why are you three still here?!"
After a while, the staff member saw the three young ninjas still standing there like geese and came over to ask again.
Kakashi tried to act calm. "We are waiting for our companions behind us, about 20 people."
The staff member sighed. "You guys really didn't listen to anything... Sigh... This is Heavenly Transfer Base No. 3. There are 9 landing platforms. Even pods taking off from the same location won't necessarily land on the same platform. You need to leave here first and follow the signs to 'Arrivals.' You'll see your companions there."
The three hurriedly left in embarrassment.
Following the signs, as they walked further, they indeed saw people who had landed elsewhere gathering together. Some knew their way around, while others were curious about everything, just like them.
Kakashi guessed these were all guests attending the Cloud-Thunder Federation establishment ceremony.
Along the way, they met the Uchiha clan members. Fugaku Uchiha kept a straight face, trying not to show any shock to avoid tarnishing the Uchiha name.
Although since getting into the pod, his internal monologue had been a continuous string of "Holy crap!"
The Uchiha members behind him wore similar expressions of "As long as I keep a straight face, no one will know I'm shocked." At this point, even seeing the Sage of Six Paths probably wouldn't make them show a trace of surprise.
However, the sharp-eyed Kakashi noticed one person was holding it in so hard their eyes were turning red.
Fugaku gritted his teeth and squeezed out a sentence: "Let's go. The others should be here too."
Thus, amidst the excited crowd of guests, a group of Konoha people with bitter, solemn faces stood out.
Before long, they saw the equally solemn Hyuga clan and a thoughtful Tobirama Senju at "Arrivals."
Tobirama was carefully sensing the Heavenly Transfer Technique just now, having formed several conjectures and directions of interest.
"A fascinating jutsu. Suddenly want to research it deeply!"
Seeing everyone had arrived, Tobirama said, "Since everyone is here, let's go out."
Fugaku asked, "Where is the Inspec... Consul-sama?"
"That guy used body transmission. He stopped mid-air and said someone would meet us outside."
Exiting the Heavenly Transfer base, someone immediately came forward to welcome them, relieving the Konoha group.
To be honest, although Konoha's current situation was awkward, the group included the Hokage and Elders—important figures. The feeling of no one welcoming them wasn't pleasant.
So the welcoming party was outside...
Sure enough, a dozen Cloud personnel were waiting outside. Dressed in uniform green, they looked imposing, indicating a high-spec reception, which made the Konoha people feel better.
A ninja wearing an eyepatch stepped forward. "Hokage-dono, forgive us for not welcoming you sooner. Due to the large number of arrivals recently, the Heavenly Transfer base issued new regulations forbidding greeters from entering. So we can only wait outside. Young Master Dana has made arrangements. I will take you to your accommodations first."
Minato Namikaze noted the detail. Calling Yotsuki Dana "Young Master" instead of "Lord" or "Sama" implied a very close relationship, not just an ordinary receptionist.
"May I ask your name?"
"I am Dodai. By the way, is Consul Guard Squad Two here?"
The three brats at the back of the team popped their heads out curiously.
"You won't be going with us. You need to report directly to the Special Strategy Division for registration. Accommodation will be arranged by them uniformly."
Outside the Heavenly Transfer base, Dana finally returned to Kumogakure after more than a month.
Looking down from the sky, the "Big Circle, Small Circle" layout he planned years ago was exceptionally orderly. After years of development, the "Big Circle" of New Kumogakure was fully constructed. Unlike before, when many places were empty, it now had complete commercial, residential, park, school, and hospital facilities.
The scale of Kumogakure now rivaled the capitals of the Land of Lightning or Land of Fire; calling it a "village" seemed inappropriate.
The Construction Ninja with their super-high infrastructure capabilities deserved much credit.
More rarely, this was a city where ninja were supreme, representing the most advanced productivity and strongest power in the ninja world—the future of the future.
Occasionally, rainbow lights flew in from the horizon. The establishment of the Cloud-Thunder Federation was a major event. From the Land of Fire to the Land of Hot Water, to the Land of Lightning itself, the Cloud invited numerous VIPs to observe the ceremony, allowing them to skip the arduous journey and take the Heavenly Transfer directly to the Cloud.
On one hand, the Heavenly Transfer network now covered most major cities. On the other, it was a display of power.
"After the Federation is formally established, the population will increase significantly again. Maybe I should consider developing a 'Bigger Circle'..."
Since the Cloud was in the mountains with sufficient altitude, expanding downward layer by layer like a multi-tiered cake—getting larger as it went down—would look pleasing.
Conservatively estimating, building five tiers wouldn't be a problem.
Seeing the Konoha group being picked up below, Dana flew toward the Raikage Building.
The figure in the sky attracted the attention of some passersby.
"What is that?! Was someone flying in the sky just now?"
Someone nearby said, "You must be from the Land of Fire. Truly ignorant. That is our Prince Thunder, a figure like the Thunder God."
A ninja whispered, "It's clearly our Elder Dana..."
Inside the Raikage Building, people were coming and going. Ignoring everyone's surprised gazes, Dana flew directly into the Raikage's office.
There was no other way; too many people knew him. If he stopped to greet everyone, he wouldn't get anything done all day.
Entering the office, he saw Yotsuki Arashi huddled behind the desk, looking miserable.
It was funny; this desk and seat were the ones Dana used before. The size shouldn't make Arashi feel cramped.
But every time he saw him, Dana had the illusion that this guy was a hostage being forced to do hard labor at gunpoint.
"Arashi! I'm back. How have you been?"
Seeing Dana, Arashi straightened up, his bones cracking as he stretched.
"Dana! You're finally back! How are things in Konoha?"
Dana and Arashi hugged briefly. Since the Joint Chunin Exams, they hadn't seen each other. During the Three-and-a-Half-Day War, Arashi led troops on the Western Front while Dana was on the Southern Front, and later Dana stayed in Konoha for a long time.
"Pretty much done. Where's the Old Man?"
"The Old Man went to Yoshitoki-senpai's place. Seems there's a major breakthrough."
Dana was interested. He believed that anything requiring the Old Man to go personally must be an important result, especially coming from Yoshitoki.
However, considering he had a lot on his plate, he suppressed his curiosity for now.
"Good thing you're back. My pressure can be lighter now."
Dana laughed. "Soon. After the establishment ceremony, you won't have so much pressure."
Thinking of the Cloud-Thunder Federation's future plans, Arashi felt relieved too.
"It's been torture. I haven't been home for half a month."
Dana: "...That is truly miserable..."
"It's not entirely due to work. Mom is pushing me to go on blind dates again at home... Just for this ceremony, nobles and ninja clans from the entire Federation—or rather, half the ninja world—have sent people. There are many noble daughters, ninja clan daughters... and even Daimyo daughters."
As the eldest son of the Third Raikage, Arashi was naturally a top-tier bachelor in the ninja world. Now that the Cloud was soaring, countless people wanted to marry their daughters to him to tie themselves to the Yotsuki ship.
It was only because the Konoha clans had just integrated and hadn't figured out the market yet; otherwise, they would likely make a move too.
Dana teased, "With so many people, maybe you'll get lucky and meet the right one? Speaking of which, what kind do you actually like?"
Arashi stroked his chin uncertainly. "I don't know either. I just feel marriage is troublesome. Better to just... hmm, pretend I didn't say anything."
Dana: "I feel like you were about to say something dangerous. Forget it, I'm heading back first."
Arashi said urgently, "I thought you were here to help me with some work. Leaving already?"
Dana waved his hand. "Overtime is impossible. I refuse to sit in an office as soon as I get back."
Remembering something, Arashi suddenly smiled slyly and said sinisterly, "I advise you to reconsider. As far as I know, Daimyo Natsu has been staying in our clan grounds for three days. Mother drags her around every day. Plus, Kayo is holding tea parties. Oh right, your maid Maki is there too. I guess they all really hope you go back early..."
Dana, having already taken a step out, paused.
"Suddenly, I feel I've been a bit out of touch with the village's situation recently. I'll stay to understand the current status of the village."
Thus, while many were entangled in romance...
Two young men... were planning the future of the Cloud Village.
Um... definitely... not because he was afraid of walking into a slaughterhouse (Shuraba).