Waiting for a cloned body would take a long time. Though Mirai was eager to test it as soon as possible, all he could do was patiently await Orochimaru's progress.
After leaving Orochimaru's lab, Mirai didn't return to the Hokage's office. Instead, he headed straight back to his estate.
As soon as he arrived, he was greeted by four familiar figures—Uzuki Yugao, Mitarashi Anko, Guren, and Uchiha Mikoto—all rushing toward him.
Seeing them, a faint smile appeared on Mirai's face.
"Mirai-sama, do you have time tonight?" Uzuki Yugao asked first as they reached him.
Mirai chuckled. "Why? What's the occasion?"
Yugao explained, "We want to treat you to some yakiniku."
Mirai thought for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, I happen to be free tonight."
"But what's the sudden occasion? Why the invite?"
At this, Mitarashi Anko scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? Because you're such a shameless playboy!"
Mirai raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Sure, he wouldn't deny being a bit of a flirt. But what did that have to do with them treating him to a meal?
Anko seemed ready to say more, but Izumi tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to drop it. Guren quickly chimed in, "Then it's settled. We'll see you tonight!"
After finalizing the time and place, the four of them hurried off, leaving Mirai watching their retreating backs with growing curiosity.
What exactly were they planning?
...
That evening.
At the yakiniku restaurant.
Mirai arrived at the private room and found the four of them already grilling meat.
Smiling, he greeted, "Am I late?"
Anko snorted. "Playboy-senpai, do you even know the meaning of being on time?"
Cheeky as always.
Mirai was long used to Anko's tsundere nature.
He made a mental note—one day, he'd make her kneel and beg for mercy.
With that amusing thought, he took his seat and beckoned to Anko.
"Anko, serve me some meat."
She shot him an annoyed look. "No way."
Mirai narrowed his eyes slightly. "Anko, have you forgotten your place? As one of my Imperial Guards, your main duty is to take care of my daily needs."
He smirked. "Besides, the meat you grill always tastes the best."
Anko's lips twitched upward despite herself. Picking up a piece of grilled meat, she placed it gently into his mouth.
"I'm just fulfilling my duty, playboy-senpai. Don't get any ideas."
Mirai playfully replied, "Don't worry, I don't think of you that way."
"Hmph!" Anko huffed, tossing her chopsticks down and crossing her arms in annoyance. "Fine! Feed yourself then!"
Watching her sulk, Mirai chuckled inwardly.
Teasing this tsundere brat was always amusing.
Just then, the door slid open, and Inuzuka Hana stepped in, holding two large jars of sake.
Seeing her, Yugao grinned. "Mirai-sama, you don't mind one more person joining us, right?"
Mirai glanced at Hana and noticed the slight awkwardness in her expression. Then, his gaze flicked to the sake in her arms.
In that instant, he understood everything.
Ah, so this was their plan.
They wanted to get him drunk and take advantage of the situation.
Heh, they could've just said so from the start!
Did they really think he needed so much effort to fall into their trap? A feast delivered to his doorstep was not something he'd refuse.
Still, since they had gone through the trouble of setting this up, he might as well play along.
And so, under the coordinated efforts of the four, Mirai soon found himself "drunk."
Just as he expected, after "passing out," they carried him back to his room—leaving only Inuzuka Hana behind to "take care of him."
At first, Mirai had intended to simply enjoy the experience of being taken care of.
But watching Hana fumble clumsily, he quickly lost patience.
At this rate, they might not get anywhere all night.
Before she could react, Mirai suddenly pulled her into his embrace.
"You're quite something, Hana."
Hana gasped, eyes wide. "Mirai-sama, y-you're not drunk?!"
Mirai chuckled. "Did you really think a bit of sake could make me lose my senses? You underestimate me."
"Then why did you—"
Seeing her confused expression, Mirai smirked. "You all went through the trouble of setting up such an old-fashioned scheme. How could I not play along?"
His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, "Tell Yugao and the others not to worry. I'll make sure to find each of them in due time."
Hana's brain short-circuited.
At that moment, she was like a puppet, completely at his mercy.
...
One week later.
Inuzuka Hana had moved into Mirai's estate.
The once wild and untamed woman now had her hair tied up in a neat bun.
What amused Mirai the most, however, was that ever since that night, Yugao, Anko, and Guren had all been avoiding him like the plague.
They were hiding.
Mirai considered going to find them himself.
After all, this game of cat and mouse was quite entertaining.
The longer they hid, the more satisfying it would be when he finally caught them.
As Mirai was lost in thought, Tsunade suddenly pushed open the door and walked in.
"Mirai, today is the opening ceremony for the Ninja Academy. Are you going to give a speech?"
Mirai waved a hand dismissively. "Not interested."
Tsunade didn't seem surprised and simply nodded. "Yeah, I figured."
"In that case, I'll be heading there with Mikoto and Kushina."
Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Mikoto and Kushina? What are they doing at the Academy?"
Tsunade sighed. "Obviously, they're taking Sasuke and Naruto to their entrance ceremony."
"Oh?" Mirai stroked his chin, a faint smile appearing on his face.
So the next generation was finally entering the Academy.
Not just the usual Twelve. With his influence, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Fuu, Karin, and others were all in Konoha as well.
With all of them gathered in one place, things were bound to get interesting.
With that thought, Mirai stood up.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Changed your mind?"
Mirai grinned. "As the Emperor of the Shinobi World, who better to give the new generation their first lesson in life?"
"I'll do the speech."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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