Naruto Uzumaki returned to Amegakure with the Dragon Vein after completing the journey to seek the dragon.
Upon his return, he immediately excavated a trench in the southern district of Amegakure, mimicking the terrain of the Dragon Vein.
When the Chibaku Tensei was undone, the Dragon Vein descended and fit perfectly into the trench, leaving only the shrine, the source of the Dragon Vein, standing above ground.
With the Dragon Vein successfully relocated, the only step left was to unseal it.
But before that, Naruto had one more important matter to attend to.
"Orochimaru, how's the preparation coming along?"
"It's all ready, Naruto-kun. Follow me."
Naruto, along with Sasori, followed Orochimaru deep into the underground laboratory of Amegakure.
"Naruto-kun, behold!" Orochimaru unveiled a massive cylindrical cultivation tank.
Inside the tank was a colossal brain!
Naruto's gaze deepened. "So, this is the finished product?"
The giant brain before him was the command center Sasori had envisioned to control the Dragon Vein. However, as it involved life sciences, it was beyond Sasori's expertise and fell under Orochimaru's domain.
Using Naruto's cerebral cortex and advanced creation techniques surpassing cloning technology, Orochimaru had crafted this artificial substitute brain.
Two intersecting neural lines extended from the substitute brain, connecting to a smaller cultivation tank housing a massive eyeball!
Explaining the origin and purpose of the eyeball, Orochimaru said, "It was created from Naruto-kun's original eyes. Connected to the substitute brain, you can use Kotoamatsukami to imprint commands onto it!"
"I see. Very thorough planning,"Naruto remarked.
Sizzle!Naruto stepped closer to the eyeball, his eyes transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
*"Substitute brain, I have infused you with my knowledge and experience. Use them as your operational foundation!
Additionally, I am granting you three directives:
First, as the command center of the Dragon Vein, you must restrain its chakra to prevent it from going berserk.
Second, channel the Dragon Vein's chakra as the source of my Asura Path.
Third, regardless of any future commands, your highest priority is to protect Amegakure!"*
Blub-blub-blub!
The cultivation tank bubbled as the substitute brain's oxygen consumption increased.
Sizzle!
Naruto's eyes transformed again, shifting from the three-tomoe Sharingan to black pupils.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Issuing three commands at once—impressive."
Naruto replied, "With both eyes activating Kotoamatsukami simultaneously, I can issue one extra command."
"I see,"Orochimaru nodded, enlightened.
"Transfer the substitute brain to the shrine. It's time to unseal the Dragon Vein!"
Swish!Naruto swung his cloak and turned to leave.
"Understood,"Orochimaru responded respectfully.
Half an hour later, the cultivation tank housing the substitute brain was relocated to the shrine and mounted on the base of the Dragon Vein's seal.
"Dragon Vein Seal: Release!"
As the seal was lifted, the purple Dragon Vein chakra surged forth. The cultivation liquid in the tank turned purple as it absorbed the Dragon Vein's chakra.
Sizzle-sizzle-sizzle!
Black rods of the Six Paths Technique emerged from the substitute brain's cortex. These rods synchronized the Dragon Vein's chakra with the Rinnegan, transmitting it in characteristic wavelengths to be received by the mechanical puppets of the Asura Path.
With the task complete, Naruto exited the shrine and sealed its entrance with a sealing technique.
"Finally, I can work without constraints,"Sasori remarked.
"The Dragon Vein's chakra is inexhaustible,"Orochimaru added. "Its potential applications could be even broader in the future."
Konan commented, "Our Amegakure now has another critical site that must not be destroyed."
Naruto retrieved three scrolls and handed them to Sasori, Orochimaru, and Konan.
The three looked puzzled. "What are these?"
"Keys to the shrine,"Naruto explained. "All three are required to unlock the shrine's seal."
"In addition…"
Asura Path!
Click!
Naruto assembled a remote control from components in his hand and handed it to Konan.
"With this remote, you can synchronize with the substitute brain to control the Dragon Vein's chakra. If I'm ever away from Amegakure and an overwhelming enemy attacks, you can use it. Konan-nee, I'll leave it in your care."
"I understand,"Konan said, solemnly accepting the remote.
At this moment, Kakuzu approached. "Leader, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but do you know how much it costs to maintain that artificial brain annually? The cultivation liquid alone isn't cheap; it needs to be replaced monthly. Annually, you're looking at 300 million ryō—equivalent to ten Earth Daimyōs' heads!"
Naruto scratched his head. "Uh, how much money does our village have left in the treasury?"
Kakuzu replied gravely, "Less than 100 million ryō."
Naruto was shocked. "That poor? Didn't we have 180 million ryō before?"
Kakuzu explained, "Eighty million was allocated for Monk Chūgaku's Rain Temple construction budget. Did you forget? I even consulted you about it!"
Naruto slapped his forehead. "I completely forgot about that!"
Kakuzu sighed. "You need to pay more attention. You're the village leader, after all!"
Late at night, in the seventh floor of Amegakure's tower, Naruto lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Knock-knock-knock!
A knock came at the door.
Naruto turned on his bedside lamp and asked, "Konan-nee?"
"If you can't sleep, how about a walk outside?"Konan gently invited from the other side.
Naruto and Konan strolled together in the rain.
"Are you worried about managing the village?"Konan asked thoughtfully.
"Yes,"Naruto admitted honestly. "The workload has been increasing lately. When I was Hokage, I had to use shadow clones to split the tasks. Over time, it nearly broke my body. This time, I don't want to do that again."
Konan nodded. "Indeed. In the long run, rather than handling these complex administrative matters, you should focus entirely on enhancing your strength. Talented administrators are plentiful, but those who can shoulder the future are rare."
Naruto smiled. "You're so insightful, Konan-nee. I was thinking of stepping down as village leader and finding someone capable to handle Amegakure's governance. Do you have any recommendations?"
Konan smiled faintly. "I do. Let me take you to meet her."
In the sacred land of Shikkotsu Forest.
"Slug, I am Uchiha Madara. I have come to seek the wisdom of the immortals. Grant me the power of Sage Techniques!"
The Slug Sage, with its drooping eyes, coldly glanced at the figure below.
Madara, bare-chested, his beloved's face prominently displayed on his heart, raised two fingers and declared, "Did you not hear me? Slug, grant me the power of Sage Techniques!!"
Splash!
The response to Madara was a sea of acid descending from the sky!
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