Lost in thought, Kurogane Ren completed the final modifications to the sealing technique. On the surface, his part seemed the simplest, but it was like repairing a precision machine—fixing it was easy, finding the flaw was the hardest part. At this stage, aside from him, only Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki could likely complete it with ease.
Looking at the Great Barrier slowly enveloping all of Konoha, Kurogane Ren knew that from now on, he no longer needed to deliberately leave the barrier just to use the Summoning Technique. Whenever he had free time, he could head straight to his experimental base, or even leave shadow clones there to continue his work.
Or perhaps… he could simply summon his shadow clones over?
That was feasible too. Naruto Uzumaki had once used a scroll to summon a shadow clone from Mount Myoboku that was gathering natural energy back to Konoha. With slight adjustments to the formula, it could definitely be replicated.
For now, though, he wasn't in a rush to return to the experimental base.
The meteorite chakra had already been fully cultivated. Just as he had expected, although his body retained some of the meteorite's residual activity, its impact on him was minimal—perhaps only becoming noticeable when his physical condition declined in old age.
As for the experiment of using the Chimera Technique to fuse a third body, it was ongoing… but the progress was slow. The records left behind by Hiruko were only half complete, and the rest required his own exploration. It would likely take a long time.
In terms of ninjutsu, he had managed to produce a half-finished version of Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, similar to Naruto's early attempt—meaning it still wasn't practically usable.
Thinking through his situation, Kurogane Ren concluded that researching the third Chimera fusion body wasn't urgent. Even if he completed it now, he didn't yet have a suitable vessel prepared.
After all, having already fused two bodies, he had essentially eliminated most of his weaknesses. The next fusion needed to provide something beyond immediate combat strength. The only exception might be the Shikotsumyaku, but without a solution to its bloodline disease, he had no intention of touching it.
It would be better to first complete the composite sealing technique that could assist in awakening the Sharingan.
If he could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, even if it couldn't be used freely, it would still serve as a powerful trump card. Even reaching the three-tomoe stage would be acceptable.
With that, his priorities were clear.
Next: complete the composite sealing technique and wait for news from the crows regarding Haku and Jūgo.
Glancing around the lab, Kurogane Ren decided not to continue using village funds for research for now. He needed to submit the report on the Great Barrier's completion—and also hand over the sealing scroll given by Danzo.
…
"Good work, senpai," Minato said with a smile. He had already sensed the changes in the barrier surrounding Konoha.
Then his gaze shifted to the scroll in Kurogane Ren's hand. "And this is…?"
"Something Danzo Shimura gave me. Said it was a reward for proposing the barrier modification," Kurogane Ren replied casually.
"I see…" Minato's smile gradually faded. Frowning slightly, he opened the scroll. He had already been informed by the ANBU about Danzo meeting Kurogane Ren.
After a quick glance at the contents, a look of surprise appeared on his face as he looked back at him.
"He gave you… this?" Minato sounded almost incredulous.
Kurogane Ren shrugged helplessly, confirming it.
"…He really underestimated you," Minato said with a wry smile. Giving such rudimentary sealing techniques to Kurogane Ren was like tossing a few coins to a millionaire.
"Tell me about it," Kurogane Ren said lightly.
Minato chuckled, then added, "If he gives you more sealing techniques in the future, just accept them."
"Understood." Kurogane Ren nodded. What mattered was making his stance clear. The techniques themselves were irrelevant—Danzo didn't possess anything he truly needed.
After Kurogane Ren left, Minato let out a quiet sigh.
A trace of worry appeared in his eyes. Most of the people left behind by the Third Hokage were still useful, but Danzo…
He was truly troublesome.
Minato wanted to deal with him, yet hesitated due to his status. Out of respect for the older generation, he couldn't act too recklessly.
It was a headache.
Still, judging from past records, Danzo had at least shown some restraint since Minato took office… which was a small relief.
But even so—troublesome.
…
Days passed.
Kurogane Ren's composite sealing technique gradually approached its final stage. During the process, he ultimately abandoned the idea of extracting memories independently.
That ability truly deserved its reputation as a secret technique of the Yamanaka clan and the unique power of the Human Path. Extracting memories alone proved too difficult.
Instead, he chose to merge memory extraction with genjutsu.
By directly inputting memories himself, the difficulty dropped significantly.
Of course, this also reduced its versatility. Memory extraction alone had immense utility beyond just awakening the Sharingan.
Unfortunately, developing that functionality would likely require learning the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques—something that was clearly impossible.
Fortunately, memory extraction wasn't essential for him.
At that moment, Kurogane Ren sensed a fluctuation of chakra within his body. One of the crows was attempting a reverse summoning.
Had they found Haku… or Jūgo?
He nodded to himself. Calculating the time, it had indeed been a long while since he last took on a mission.
If he suddenly went to accept one now, Minato would probably find it surprising—perhaps even be pleased. After all, someone constantly locked away in a lab was a bit unsettling.
It wasn't that Kurogane Ren enjoyed staying in the lab all the time. He simply had a clear understanding of his path. Whether he liked something or not didn't matter—if it was necessary, he would do it.
Glancing at his research, he determined it wasn't urgent. As long as it was completed before Orochimaru defected, it would be fine.
And so, under the shocked gazes of the sealing team, Kurogane Ren left the lab—for once, not working overtime.
"Did the sun rise from the west today?" one of them muttered.
"…I think it did," another replied blankly. "Otherwise, how could I be dreaming that the team leader actually left early…"
Unaware of how much his normal working hours had shocked his subordinates, Kurogane Ren returned home and reviewed the information he had received. A look of surprise appeared on his face.
It wasn't the crows searching for Haku and Jūgo that had contacted him.
It was the ordinary subordinates he had recruited.
They had successfully located a village matching his criteria. Moreover, by observing the movements of a wandering merchant group—who called themselves drifters and roamed year-round—they had discovered certain patterns.
"Gelel Mine…?"
TO READ 100+ CHAPTERS IN ADVANCE,HEAD OVER TO MY PATREON
patreon.com/Pureverse1