Chapter 351: Is This the Ninja World?
"Not the Super Light-Weight Rock Technique... but the Super Weighted Boulder Technique?"
In the Cloud Spire, Dana looked at the bound prisoner, feeling a bit confused.
Minato nodded. "Yes. The intel seems to have been slightly off. This person was indeed personally taught by Onoki, but he lacked the aptitude for the Super Light-Weight Rock Technique. So, Onoki taught him the Super Weighted Boulder Technique instead."
Minato placed a scroll in front of Dana.
"Nagato has already interrogated him once using Genjutsu on the spot and verified it's genuine. However, it might not be complete. You can interrogate him again later to cross-reference."
Genjutsu interrogation had its pros and cons. When the enemy was in an illusion, the information provided might have minor deviations. For general intel, it didn't matter much, but for something as precise as a ninjutsu cultivation method, "good enough" wasn't acceptable. It had to be accurate. Multiple interrogations using different methods were needed for verification.
Dana sighed, pushing aside a pile of scratch paper on his desk, and took the scroll.
Minato's sharp eyes caught a piece of paper with the words "Airship Concept 11" written on it.
He didn't know what it meant.
But judging by Dana's reaction, it seemed useless now.
Dana opened the scroll, scanned it, and said, "Well... it's still good stuff... forget it. Minato, thank you for your hard work. The mission is complete; you can return to Konoha first."
Minato scratched his head awkwardly.
Dana rolled his eyes. "Fine, I get it. You're going to see Kushina again."
Minato smiled. "Congratulations on becoming a father, Dana-sama."
Dana suddenly asked, "What about you? When do you plan to become a father?"
"It's still early for us... Ahahaha!"
"Calculating the time... yeah, it is still early."
After Minato left, Dana stared blankly at the drawings beside him.
They weren't exactly blueprints, just sketches he made out of excitement, imagining various uses for the Super Light-Weight Rock Technique he thought he was getting.
"Super Light-Weight Rock Technique" wasn't just about making people fly; it could change the weight of objects. Don't ask how; just accept that chakra is awesome!
In the original timeline, Onoki used this jutsu to lift the Island Turtle with one hand and catch Madara's meteor with two hands. It was truly shocking.
Both objects were exaggeratedly huge, especially the Island Turtle, which was the size of a small town.
This kind of anti-gravity ninjutsu had too many uses. Dana had even drawn concept art for a helicarrier and was working on a floating city.
Now, all drawn in vain.
"Fate played a joke on me..."
However, "Super Weighted Boulder Technique" and "Super Light-Weight Rock Technique" were obviously a corresponding pair of jutsu. Maybe he could glean the secrets of the other jutsu from this one.
Moreover, the Super Weighted Boulder Technique had its own value. The gravity chamber he envisioned earlier seemed possible now.
He wasn't saying he'd become a Super Saiyan and blow up planets with one punch—that would be too ridiculous.
But if the research succeeded, could he spend some time working toward the goal of punching Otsutsuki one by one?
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
Before long, Tobirama Senju appeared in Dana's office.
"You called for me?"
"I obtained a jutsu through Genjutsu interrogation. I hope Tobirama-senpai can help verify if there are any flaws."
Tobirama took the scroll and understood immediately.
"Mū's jutsu..."
As an old rival of the Second Tsuchikage Mū, Tobirama was no stranger to him. They had faced off many times on the battlefield.
At the same time, even as a master of forbidden jutsu, Tobirama highly acknowledged Mū's ability to develop ninjutsu—Kekkei Tota: Particle Style, Super Light-Weight Rock, Super Weighted Boulder, Dustless Bewildering Cover, Fission Technique...
However, in that era, ninja concepts were different. Only the core members of the Kage's lineage had the chance to learn those powerful jutsu.
This led to situations where a jutsu developed 20 years ago might be mastered by only one person in the village, or even lost entirely.
But now, with Iwagakure in imminent danger, Onoki stopped hiding secrets and tried to cultivate as many elites as possible, which gave the Cloud-Thunder Federation a chance to snatch them. One could say they complemented each other.
"By the way, Tobirama-senpai, I think you need a research base. Your talents need to be passed down in the future. conducting research as an individual isn't appropriate in the long run."
Tobirama's existence was special. The Federation needed his talent, but he hadn't integrated properly.
He was, after all, a dead man—dead for nearly thirty years.
Having a research institute centered around him would make the cooperation more stable and integrate him logically into the Federation system.
Tobirama was a perceptive person. He understood Dana's intent to some extent and didn't refuse.
"According to the current naming convention, the research base centered around you will be named 'Federation Fourth Research Institute,' focusing on the development and research of ninjutsu. Funding is ready; you can participate personally in site selection and planning."
First Research Institute: Biology and Medicine.
Second Research Institute: Heavenly Transfer.
Third Research Institute: Structure, Materials, Industry.
Fourth Research Institute: Ninjutsu Development, Analysis, and Improvement.
The Cloud-Thunder Federation's research system was becoming more complete, boasting geniuses like Yoshitoki, Tobirama Senju, and Minetarou.
"Oh right, regarding the development of the gravity chamber... before the Fourth Research Institute is built, you can seek cooperation with Minetarou. The research work can be conducted in the Third Research Institute for now."
Tobirama said indifferently, "Understood. By the way, spring plowing is in half a month. Don't forget about it."
"Don't worry, arrangements are being made."
"How is Dan feeling? Any discomfort?"
It had been a week since he woke up. With the support of the First Research Institute's advanced equipment, Dan Kato's physical condition was improving steadily. He could walk normally, no longer looking like a skeleton with sunken cheeks.
However, his memory damage showed no change.
He was vague about events before his coma. He knew he was a Konoha ninja and his identity was Dan Kato, but he couldn't recall other specific memories, including his childhood.
The only thing was that he trusted Tsunade, his girlfriend, immensely. He obeyed her words and cooperated fully with various treatments and examinations.
As for the aggression he showed when first waking up, it never appeared again.
After Dan recovered a bit, Tsunade applied to Yoshitoki, hoping to take him out for a walk. theoretically, Tsunade was no longer a prisoner, but given Dan's issues, they waited several days before receiving permission to move around Cloud City.
Of course, someone would be watching them the entire time.
The Cloud Spire also wanted to see if this Dan Kato, who seemed normal inside the institute, would show any changes after leaving.
"You haven't fully recovered yet; you need more sunlight."
Ignoring the surveillance ninja behind them, Tsunade supported Dan.
As someone who was still a prisoner a week ago, Tsunade hadn't left the research institute for years. She was completely in the dark about outside events; some common knowledge had only been told to her recently by Tobirama.
Things like New Konoha, Cloud-Thunder Federation, Cloud City.
She was also very curious about Kumogakure, now renamed Cloud City.
When they walked out of the institute and stood on the cliff, seeing the magnificent city in the distance, both Tsunade and Dan froze.
A magical double-layered city, massive in scale, with the Cloud Spire piercing the sky and buildings lined up row upon row.
Occasionally, streaks of rainbow light flew in, landing inside Cloud City.
In Dana's words, Cloud City looked more and more like a cultivation sect from the fantasy dramas of his past life.
Tsunade muttered in a daze, "You're kidding... This is the Cloud Village?"
The Cloud ninja monitoring them scoffed but couldn't hide the proud expression on his face.
He had reason to be proud. The rise of the Cloud was like a myth in the ninja world.
Anyone seeing Cloud City for the first time couldn't help but marvel at it.
And on Dan Kato's face, for the first time since waking up, an expression of shock appeared.
His mouth fell open, revealing disbelief, and he murmured:
"This is... the Ninja World...?"