Akemi stood up gracefully, bowed slightly to everyone, and began her report. Although she was the Hokage's daughter, Akemi was very low-key in the Research Department. Apart from her well-known identity, she could easily be mistaken for someone of commoner origin. For the Research Department, which had a strong commoner vibe, she was naturally very welcome.
Akemi was also very good at getting along with others. Her gentle and generous nature was well-liked by everyone, and she had excellent interpersonal relationships in the Research Department. Coupled with her outstanding appearance and background, she also had a large number of admirers.
Since joining the Research Department, Akemi had studied and worked very diligently, quickly gaining everyone's recognition, not because of her identity, but because of her ability. Her supervising teachers in the Research Department were the Second Hokage Tobirama and Orochimaru. Due to age, she was primarily mentored by Orochimaru. With these two research masters, her skill naturally advanced by leaps and bounds.
When Fumori masaki proposed research into flying combat ninja tools, Akemi, as one of the rare natural Wind Release chakra users, joined this research group. Under the leadership of team leader Orochimaru, she conducted research. Perhaps because Akemi had been very curious about the fantasy stories written by Fumori masaki since childhood, after entering the Ninja Academy, she mainly focused on scientific research. While not completely defenseless, she was essentially a pure scientific ninja.
Akemi was not a genius like Orochimaru, who could balance scientific research with his own training. Although her strength had improved under Orochimaru's guidance, meeting the standards for frontline combat, her ability to protect herself was still insufficient, with a considerable gap compared to Orochimaru. Therefore, she was ultimately not selected for the combat unit.
During her time in Konoha Village, Akemi continued her research on flying combat ninja tools. After the appearance of the Exploding Tag Cannon, her understanding of new ninja tools deepened, and the concept of flying combat ninja tools gradually emerged. However, many problems still arose during the research. Due to the popularization of flying combat ninja tools, they certainly couldn't rely entirely on the user's ability; at least, the tools themselves had to bear a part of the function.
"Regarding the form of flying combat ninja tools, the team already has a preliminary plan, but to use Wind Release chakra for flight, the parameters of each component still need to be calculated and tested multiple times," Akemi said. "We previously had some data, but based on the team's discussion, we decided to recalculate."
"Why?" Fumori masaki asked.
"Because Team Leader Orochimaru mentioned a brand new method of use in his report on the Lightning Burst Tag. Previously, for talisman creation, it was generally believed that Lightning and Fire Release were the most suitable, while other natures always encountered usage problems during the creation process," Akemi replied.
Perhaps due to the differences in chakra nature properties, while Water, Earth, and Wind Release could also be sealed into talismans, they did not easily exhibit the same effects as Exploding Tags or Lightning Burst Tags. After release, various problems always arose; either the cost of input was higher, or the power was insufficient.
However, after Orochimaru witnessed the uniqueness of the Lightning Burst Tag, many ideas immediately popped into his mind. The other three chakra natures, if used as standalone talismans, might indeed be less effective. However, if incorporated into flying combat ninja tools, they might have excellent effects.
This point was discussed in Orochimaru's extended theories on Lightning Release projectile weapons based on the Lightning Burst Tag. Of course, this was currently only a draft, but it was enough for the team members to re-discuss.
Previous flying combat ninja tools were mainly conceived from their structure, aiming to reduce the user's reliance on Wind Release and minimize chakra consumption, so that even those with shallow Wind Release training could use them. But if Orochimaru's idea was proven, it might replace the user's Wind Release, using sealed Wind Release talismans in a way similar to Lightning Burst Tags.
Then, even non-Wind Release users could fly.
If this method were truly adopted, all previous research on flying combat ninja tools would have to be overturned, as it would require a complete redesign of the flying combat ninja tool's structure. Although this would render all previous efforts futile, considering the applicability of such flying combat ninja tools, everyone in the team felt it was worth a try.
Hearing this, Fumori masaki pondered for a moment. The initial plan for flying combat ninja tools might have been easier to implement, but the newly proposed design was more to his liking. It better aligned with his vision for new ninja tools, and most importantly, it lowered the requirements for the user.
If it were the former, the reliance on Wind Release ninjas would still be relatively high, and natural Wind Release chakra users were a minority in Konoha Village. Even if this situation could be alleviated by training a second nature, the design still leaned towards reducing the utilization of Wind Release chakra.
The latter, however, could completely eliminate the use of Wind Release chakra. If a Wind Release ninja used it, it would naturally be like adding wings to a tiger, making them even stronger. Even if one was not a Wind Release ninja, they could achieve the same effect as the former, which would clearly make the establishment of an aerial combat unit smoother.
"Alright, proceed with your latest discussed plan." After a brief consideration, Fumori masaki nodded in agreement, allowing them to discard all previous research results and begin the new research.
Akemi let out a sigh of relief. In fact, she had been a little worried that her father wouldn't agree. Although the prospects looked better, there were also corresponding risks, and it would waste the previous experimental funds. It was impossible to easily accept such a result. Fortunately, her father still agreed.
"Everyone, I am very satisfied with your efforts so far, and I hope you can continue to maintain it in the future," Fumori masaki concluded. "For the future needs of maintaining order, our village must master the most advanced technology to ensure absolute influence. Only by establishing an absolute technological advantage can we make other countries hesitant and dare not easily start wars again. Otherwise, other countries will challenge the village's position again and again to make themselves the leaders of the ninja world. Once those aggressive countries reach that position, it will be a nightmare for the entire ninja world."
"I believe that our Konoha Village is best suited to bear the hope of protecting peace in the ninja world. This is not just my opinion, but a fact witnessed by the entire ninja world," Fumori masaki looked at everyone. "From the First Hokage onwards, Konoha Village has been committed to maintaining peace, respecting the status of every country, and taking protective measures for smaller countries. This will continue in the future, while other countries may not be able to do the same as us."
Everyone in the conference room looked at Fumori masaki. They deeply agreed with his words. As Fumori masaki said, this was a fact that every discerning person could see. Konoha Village's policies towards other countries basically adopted a win-win approach. While it certainly protected Konoha Village's strong position, it was undeniable that it also benefited other countries. Small countries like the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers would all admit to having received benefits; otherwise, why would they follow closely behind Konoha Village?
"And how Konoha Village can maintain its advantage in the future era is not only the responsibility of the frontline combat ninjas, but also your responsibility, standing in the rear," Fumori masaki said earnestly.
The people in the conference room applauded. In the past ninja world, they were no different from abandoned soldiers, at most weakening the enemy's stamina on the battlefield to buy time and opportunities for their own strong ones. Now, they could use their abilities in other ways and truly play an important role in the ninja village, which undoubtedly made them feel confident and responsible.
After the meeting, everyone left the room to summarize the results of the meeting and provide a basis for the upcoming tasks. Fumori masaki was not in a hurry to leave, but walked with his daughter Akemi, exchanging family whispers. Akemi said, "I was really worried, Father. What if you had refused to research the new plan?"
"Then I certainly didn't disappoint you, did I?" Fumori masaki said with a smile, looking at his daughter beside him.
By the standards of this era, Akemi was already a grown girl. In the Warring States period, she would have been old enough to marry and have children. Fumori masaki himself had married Rimi around the same age. Unlike the cool and reserved Asuna, Akemi was a gentle and easygoing girl with an outstanding appearance that gave people a warm feeling. He had also heard about Akemi's popularity in the Research Department and basically felt that Akemi would live a good life in the future.
As a ninja, Akemi couldn't be called powerful, but in the new era, Akemi's way of life might become the way of life for others. He thought this was very good, certainly better than the past. Ninja families in the past truly repeated the cycle of life and death, and separation.
For example, Hashirama's family, only Hashirama and Tobirama remained. This was common in the Warring States period. The Uchiha Madara family, who were unlucky, were left with only him. Because Madara had no descendants in his lifetime, his father's lineage could be said to have ended, and even more tragically, the entire clan was gone. This was common throughout the Warring States period.
"Mm." Akemi nodded upon hearing Fumori masaki's words.
"Speaking of which, I'm actually a bit surprised that you all unanimously overturned the previous research. I thought there would be a reformist faction and a faction that wanted to maintain the status quo," Fumori masaki said.
"Because it was Team Leader Orochimaru's suggestion! He has very high prestige in our team, and he's someone even Uncle Tobirama admires. Since it was his suggestion, no one in the team would object, and his suggestion is indeed feasible. Anyway, we're about to start applied research on the Lightning Burst Tag, and we think this can be fully utilized in it," Akemi said.
Orochimaru's application principle for the Lightning Burst Tag extended to the use of Wind Release talismans in flying combat ninja tools. In some areas, their principles were common, and this common principle was part of the threshold. As long as it could be crossed, it would be beneficial for what followed.
"Don't blindly believe in authority," Fumori masaki paused, saying, "Even Orochimaru will definitely make mistakes, and if you completely follow him, there will be problems."
"I know, we should respect authority, but we also need to have our own thoughts, don't we?" Akemi winked at her father. "I've always kept your words in mind, Father."
"That means my education was pretty effective, then. I used to worry from time to time that I might lead you astray," Fumori masaki said.
"How could Asuna and I be so easily led astray? Father has always created a good learning environment for us, and we both know that," Akemi replied with a smile.
"By the way, what kind of person do you think Orochimaru is?" Fumori masaki glanced at Akemi and asked.
"Hmm? Team Leader Orochimaru, well…" Akemi thought for a moment and said, "He's smart, strong, serious, and also a little cute!"
"Cute?" Fumori masaki almost thought he misheard. His impression of Orochimaru was mainly from his previous life. Although Orochimaru in this timeline seemed a bit better under guidance, impressions weren't that easy to change.
"You don't know, do you, Father? Don't let Team Leader Orochimaru's appearance fool you, sometimes he really is a little cute," Akemi seemed to recall something and couldn't help but chuckle.
Fumori masaki couldn't help but feel a little curious and asked, but Akemi shook her head, refusing to say. He thought that his daughter had grown up and had her own little secrets, which made him feel a bit melancholic as a father.
Moreover, it seemed that Akemi's relationship with Orochimaru was a bit unusual. He heard that Akemi had given Orochimaru a protective charm before he went to war. Although others had also given him charms, Fumori masaki always felt there was something fishy about it.
As mentioned earlier, one's impression of a person is not so easily reversed, especially with a guy like Orochimaru. Obsessed, he had done many terrifying things that made people tremble with fear. Although he did indeed promote the development of many ninjutsu, such as the Orochimaru-style Body Replacement Technique, which even the Mangekyo Sharingan couldn't see through and could perfectly simulate the human meridians, allowing one to evade even a fatal blow; the Soft Physique Modification, which made taijutsu almost ineffective; or elevating the precision of the Impure World Reincarnation to an incredible degree—
Fumori masaki acknowledged the power within these. Kabuto, a commoner, through cruel self-modification, became so powerful that, when utilizing terrain, even Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke were suppressed. If not for Kabuto losing himself and the technique of Izanami taking effect, the Impure World Reincarnation army might not have been annihilated.
But no matter what, all of this was built on cruel human experimentation. Fumori masaki's own morality could not accept this, even if he understood the many conveniences it could bring. He still felt that this was an evil path; just look at Orochimaru and Kabuto, who were neither human nor ghost. For Orochimaru in the original timeline, no matter what contributions he made or what great achievements he accomplished, he would not approve of Orochimaru's actions.
Similarly, if Orochimaru in this timeline could uphold the spirit of a righteous scientist, then Fumori masaki felt that as long as his daughter liked him, it wouldn't be a big deal. But if Orochimaru went down the same path as in the original timeline, he would not show mercy. He hadn't forgotten the girl Anko, who had loved Orochimaru in the original timeline, but was cruelly hurt by him.