Half an hour later, Uchiha Kei left "New Konoha" and immediately shifted to another mental network world.
Yes, Uchiha Kei could create many of these mental network realms. As long as his spiritual strength could bear the burden, he could generate countless separate dimensions.
These worlds varied in size—some were vast, like the one shared by many others, which was essentially a standard large-scale world. Its spatial size could be expanded endlessly if needed. If he wanted, he could even make it larger than the entire shinobi world, though that would be unnecessary.
Smaller ones included the exclusive realm he built for the Nine-Tails—roughly four times the size of the Forest of Death. Big enough for the Nine-Tails to frolic, but not needlessly huge.
This time, Uchiha Kei entered a small, self-contained world. It wasn't connected to the large one because the person using it had a special status that needed to remain hidden for now.
His name—Sasori. A rogue ninja from Sunagakure.
That's right. After much time and effort, Sasori had finally arrived in Konoha. Despite taking a roundabout route, he arrived a full week earlier than the unreliable Jiraiya, showcasing his dedication and resolve.
Of course, Sasori had disguised himself before entering Konoha. Though not quite on White Zetsu's level, as a master puppeteer, he could easily blend in by masquerading as someone else. After his entry, Uchiha Kei quickly detected him and discreetly arranged for him to work under an alias in the Konoha Gaming Association.
Conveniently, Konoha was undergoing expansion and hiring, attracting an influx of workers and merchants. This transformation was gradually shifting Konoha from a military stronghold into a commercial hub.
Some had started noticing the problem, though they couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong. Since the change had just begun, no one outside had reacted yet. For now, Konoha's development continued unimpeded.
When the foundation was strong enough, a superpower combining economy, industry, and military might would emerge—a force disruptive enough to upend traditional structures. By that time, Konoha would face more than rival villages; it would face the entire old order, starting with the daimyō of the Land of Fire.
When that day came, Konoha could very well find itself the enemy of the world.
But then again, could those old forces even stand against Konoha—the avatar of a new system?
Despite all the so-called ninja tech, the shinobi world—even by Boruto's era—was still essentially a feudal, agrarian society.
Luckily, that future was still far off. The Third Great Ninja War had yet to break out. Until it ended, traditional powers wouldn't target Konoha, and the village would enter a phase of rapid growth.
Think back to America during WWII. Konoha now had the potential to become the "America" of the Third Great Ninja War.
Once ninja abilities were redirected into industrial productivity, things that normally required massive infrastructure could be completed in small workshops.
Ninjas, biologically superior to Earth humans, had bodies at least twice as strong. As long as they were well-fed, they could maintain high-efficiency labor for twelve hours a day.
More importantly, in this environment, as long as workers were fed, no one cared about wages—and there were no unions.
It was the ultimate exploitation system.
Currently, all industries under the Uchiha and the Gaming Association provided food and lodging to workers, with twelve-hour shifts. Some factories operated in two shifts, ensuring 24-hour production.
By Earth standards, especially in overtime-ridden East Asia, this would be condemned. But in this pit of a shinobi world, it was elite treatment. Even Chūnin and Genin in Konoha envied it. Some were ready to quit ninja life and screw bolts in a factory.
In a world as dystopian as the most cursed of Terra universes, this was high-end treatment. Kei, honestly, felt a pang of guilt. The fact that someone like him—who'd be lynched on Earth—was now called a "benevolent lord" was a hellish joke.
Anyway, back to the main topic—after arriving in the private world he prepared for Sasori, Kei quickly found him in the grand library.
Just like Orochimaru, Sasori had been captivated by the endless knowledge stored within.
Except Sasori was drawn to physics, mathematics, mechanics, and engineering—pouring himself into study like a machine.
Now he was a learning engine, cramming knowledge 24/7.
To Kei, Sasori's allegiance was a pleasant surprise. Originally, convincing him had been an experiment—it wouldn't have affected the main plan if it failed.
But now that Sasori had joined, Kei intended to make him his top-tier engineer. With his puppet skills, Sasori alone could become a one-man engineering army and ignite a tech revolution in the shinobi world.
So Kei invested. The small world, the library, even the cover story in the real world—all part of that investment.
Sasori, for his part, was full of gratitude and admiration. He saw Kei as a new guiding light in his life. For someone like Sasori, Kei—who opened his eyes to greater things—was someone worth devoting his life to.
Just like how he once followed the Akatsuki and Pain. In the original series, Sasori seemed cold and obsessed with eternal art, but he never betrayed the Akatsuki and fought to his last breath.
Even when facing his grandmother, the only family he had left, he fought to the end. Whether he held back due to sentiment is another matter.
Point is, Sasori was pure—a seeker of knowledge. Unlike Orochimaru, he was loyal once committed. Once someone earned his respect, he would follow them to the end—even if it meant fighting family.
Of course, Kei had no intention of sending this valuable asset to the battlefield. He knew better. Scientists were irreplaceable. As someone from modern China, he fully understood that.
To Kei, Sasori—a genius of ninja engineering—was worth more than all the Jonin in the Land of Lightning.
Sending someone like him to the front lines? Only a monster would do that.
So Sasori's role was to stay in the rear. Even if the enemy showed up at their doorstep, Sasori would be the first to be evacuated and protected.
After all, once he finished his studies, being able to mass-produce a hundred battle puppets a day was more valuable than going to war with ten thousand of them.
It was a perfect match—Kei investing, Sasori devoting himself. A classic two-way bond.
When they met, the mood was warm—even passionate. Sasori said he was happy and satisfied, and he desperately wanted to repay Kei.
He didn't know how to repay him, so he vowed to obey any order—even assassinating the Third Kazekage if asked.
Good grief. That poor guy's death flag was flashing bright. Sasori was already in Konoha and still couldn't let it go.
Shaking his head, Kei said, "No need for that. Someone like you—a knowledge-seeker—belongs nowhere near the battlefield. I want you to improve your skills and become a true master engineer—the creator of the ultimate puppets."
He paused. "Also, I do have a task for you. You've studied a lot. You know the larger the weapon, the harder it is to build."
"So I want you to build a large battle puppet. One that can be piloted. The cockpit doesn't need to be precise or user-friendly—just make sure a top-tier pilot can operate it at full power."
"Since this is a mental world, materials can be simulated. Use this space to experiment. Don't worry about failure or cost. Just keep trying."
"Think of it as a test of how your puppet knowledge blends with what you've learned from this world's science."
Hearing that, Sasori smiled. His eyes gleamed: "Of course, Lord Kei. Leave it to me! I will create a massive puppet that will shake the entire shinobi world!"
Kei, a bit worried Sasori might go overboard, added, "You don't need to go all-out on the first try. Start with a prototype. Solve the basic problems first, then optimize."
Sasori paused, then nodded thoughtfully. "I see... that's why technology advances in generations, like the books from that world say."
"Indeed. Chasing perfection leads to obsession and dead ends. 'Perfection' often means no more room to grow. That's the enemy of progress."
"I used to pursue the perfect puppet. That was naive. Foolish."
By the end, Sasori was clearly moved. He must have read some philosophical texts lately.
After that, Kei left—already imagining himself piloting a massive puppet, using his newly acquired piloting skills.
In a world of ninja tech and superhuman powers, Kei believed Sasori could really build him a Gundam. And when that day came, he'd say to the shinobi—and even the Ōtsutsuki—
"ORE WA GUNDAM!"
Just thinking about it gave him chills of excitement.
Of course, that was all in his imagination. Even for Sasori, this would take time.
All Kei could do now was wait—and hope.
Meanwhile, the other villages were starting to notice Konoha's strange changes. Would this push the war forward... or delay it?
———
"Konoha's development lately... I just don't get it..."
In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage frowned deeply.
Beside him, A, the future Fourth Raikage, grumbled hotly:
"Old man, it doesn't matter whether we get it or not. The Third Great Ninja War is coming. Konoha focusing inward instead of preparing for war is just plain dumb."
"A shinobi village needs to act like one. Word is they're even taking fewer missions—and we're the ones getting that business now."
"If you ask me, let them keep this up. When they lose their mission share, they'll suffer. And by then, their strength will be weakened. Kumogakure will finally get revenge for losing the first two wars! I believe we'll win this time!"
"All that wealth and infrastructure they're building? Ours soon!"
A grinned, eyes full of battle lust. A true war maniac.
The Third Raikage frowned but shook his head. "A, you're being reckless. This isn't that simple. Konoha *looks* weaker—but who knows the truth?"
"Don't forget—just the genjutsu-based games they developed are already making a difference. Think about that Fruit Ninja game you play. Hasn't it helped you improve?"
A froze. Then frowned. Then slowly nodded.
"Yeah... if I'm improving, their ninja definitely are too. And they're not limited like us. They have the full versions of those games."
"So you're saying... they're cutting mission load to secretly train their forces?"