Mufasa was certain of two things.
First, virtual reality technology was proving to be incredibly effective.
Second, the quality of the script was just as important as the technology itself.
A flawed, unrealistic story could never evoke genuine emotions.
It was like watching a movie or reading a novel—you could feel for the characters, but in the end, you weren't them.
Writing a novel or screenplay was a grueling process.
When inspiration struck, it flowed like a river. When it didn't, it felt like trying to squeeze water from a stone.
No matter. The experiment had been a success. Sasuke and his brother had awakened their Mangekyō Sharingan, but for now, they wouldn't be using them.
Mufasa turned to Sasuke. "Go and experience your new power."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment before responding, "I won't tell anyone about what happened today."
Mufasa nodded in approval. Sasuke removed his helmet and stood up, lingering for a moment before speaking again.
"My lord, did everything I saw… really happen?"
Mufasa didn't confirm or deny it.
Instead, he told Sasuke the chaos story of Butterfly Effect.
"Do you understand?" Mufasa asked.
Sasuke frowned, mulling over the meaning. "I get it…
The deeper meaning behind those words intrigued him.
He could even see how they might be applied to ninjutsu.
"Thank you, my lord."
With that, Sasuke turned and left.
Mufasa took a moment to rest before placing his helmet back on.
Altair needed nourishment.
The system activated.
Static crackled. Electromagnetic signals surged. Brainwave enhancement engaged.
Whoosh.
Mufasa felt like he was drifting through a vast, starry universe. Countless images and voices filled his mind.
It was like standing in the middle of a bustling crowd—some faces were clear, others blurred, some voices loud, others faint.
It reminded him of how Professor X used Cerebro to locate mutants across the world.
But Mufasa had a different purpose.
The metal ninja tools he sold weren't just weapons. They were receivers and transmitters for his electromagnetic signals.
Through his brainwave enhancement machine, he could amplify his reach, connecting to every person who had purchased one of his ninja tools.
That was his real secret.
If his mental strength reached a high enough level, he might even be able to cast genjutsu remotely.
A version of Infinite Tsukuyomi through electromagnetic waves.
But Mufasa wasn't a madman.
There was no fun in ruling a world of mindless drones.
For now, he was using this connection to feed Altair.
The enrichment of the human mental energy was her sustenance.
The range of his surveillance varied.
The closer someone was, or the more ninja tools they possessed, the clearer the connection.
Naturally, the most detailed readings came from Sunagakure itself—after all, the entire village was filled with his tools.
Mufasa casually browsed through the signals until something caught his attention.
What was Orochimaru doing with Karin?
And why did he look so… sketchy?
Mufasa zoomed in, adjusting the audio clarity.
Orochimaru's voice came through crystal clear.
"Karin, have you spoken to Sasuke?"
Karin, normally bold and outspoken, blushed at the direct question.
She quickly shook her head.
Orochimaru sighed, looking genuinely disappointed.
Then, like an overbearing uncle eager for grandchildren, he started giving her unsolicited advice.
"Oh, you need to act quickly. If you need any… assistance, Uncle Orochimaru has medicine for that."
Karin shrieked and bolted from the room.
Orochimaru tilted his head, confused. "What's she so embarrassed about? If Sasuke liked me, I'd—"
Mufasa immediately cut the feed.
He didn't need to hear the rest.
Shaking his head, he pulled out a small notebook and scribbled something down.
Note to self: If I clone a bunch of Sasukes, which one would Karin choose? More importantly, which one would Itachi recognize as his real brother? Could I accidentally cause a civil war in my own village?
Chuckling at the thought, he moved on to another signal.
His attention landed on Kurotsuchi.
She had just finished her duties and was soaring through the air, a huge grin on her face.
A small drone-like ninja tool—a modified version of the Bamboo Dragonfly—kept her aloft.
It was an interesting sensation.
Mufasa could feel her emotions through the signal.
Girls really did love the feeling of flying.
Suddenly, two words in the swirling sea of voices caught his attention.
"Ryūmyaku."
"Mukade."
His eyes narrowed as he traced the source of the conversation.
Sure enough, it was coming from Yamato's room.
Inside, Yamato, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura were gathered around a table, examining several scrolls.
A ninja chakra blade rested beside them.
Tsunade had assigned them a mission.
Kakashi spoke first. "According to intelligence, the target—one known as Mukade—is after the ruins of Rōran in the Demon Desert. That's where we sealed the Dragon Vein years ago."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Ryūmyaku? What's that?"
"A source of immense chakra," Kakashi explained. "We can't let it fall into enemy hands. Since we're already in Sunagakure, Lady Tsunade wants us to handle it."
Naruto, Sakura, and Yamato nodded in unison.
"Alright," Kakashi continued, "let's assign roles. Yamato."
"Here."
"Naruto."
"Present!"
"Sakura."
"Ready."
"The three of you will track and eliminate Mukade using the chakra blade."
Yamato blinked. "And you, senpai?"
Kakashi leaned back and tapped the table. "Well, we're operating in Suna's territory. If anything goes wrong, someone has to negotiate with the Sand."
Naruto tilted his head. "And that someone is… you?"
Kakashi nodded, completely serious. "Obviously. Who else is qualified for such an important role?"
Yamato stared at him, deadpan.
o_o …
You're technically not wrong, but…
He sighed. "Understood, senpai."
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that Kakashi had just assigned himself the easiest job.
Mufasa smirked as he listened in.
This mission might be worth watching.