The Uchiha incident had blown up significantly, and it was unlikely there would be a next time… Konoha had lost its patience, and so had the Uchiha. Therefore, the next confrontation would likely result in either the complete annihilation of the Uchiha or the disappearance of Konoha itself.
However, Habara's attention wasn't currently focused on this major event, as he had more important matters to attend to. His scientific spirit was starting to resemble Orochimaru's.
Ten days after the incident had calmed down, on the roof of the "Little Earth Tower," Habara was erecting a 50-meter-tall metal pole. At the top of this pole was a 10-meter-diameter, dull black, metallic "dandelion puffball." This metal object, completely incongruous with Konoha's overall architectural style, naturally drew frequent stares and curious glances from passersby, but no one knew what it was for.
They simply assumed it was some sort of postmodern visual art, although placing such a thing beneath the Hokage Monument was a real eyesore.
Undoubtedly, this was a large antenna, and Habara was about to conduct a small experiment.
Below this special antenna was a custom-made energy signal generator, about one meter square. Daigo was sitting beside this machine. The signal generator, working in conjunction with the antenna, would allow Daigo's chakra to be transmitted over long distances. Simultaneously, utilizing Daigo's own sensory abilities, it could also achieve real-time information gathering and feedback… In other words, this wasn't just a crude radio station; it possessed a two-way link capable of information exchange.
Meanwhile, in a forest not far from Konoha, Kakashi looked up at the sun. He realized it was almost time and muttered to himself, "It's time."
Then, he reached into his pocket and took out a thumb-wide, elongated, black object that resembled a large tie clip. He attached this device to the strap of his forehead protector.
Having made these preparations, Kakashi tapped the metal piece attached near his ear and tentatively spoke, "Hello, hello, can you hear me? Hello?"
If Habara could have heard Kakashi's opening line directly, he would have been moved to tears. This could even be considered a tearful moment for the era… Ahem, ever heard of a PHS phone? (Personal Handy-phone System, a type of early mobile phone technology popular in Japan)
As Kakashi's voice fell, the special structure hidden within the metal piece began to vibrate… Creating a puppet capable of speech wasn't particularly difficult, and a similar sound-producing structure was concealed within this metal piece.
"Hello, Kakashi-jounin. This is Daigo."
A voice actually reached Kakashi's ears. Although Kakashi had been briefed on the experiment beforehand, hearing Daigo's voice at this moment still stunned him momentarily.
It actually worked! The chakra signal had been transmitted… Chakra was a high-intensity carrier of spirit and energy; loading it with certain information was no problem at all. So, this really could be used like a PHS phone.
The special device attached to Kakashi's forehead protector strap contained a pre-sealed amount of Daigo's chakra. This chakra served to guide and receive the signal from Daigo's main body… In other words, the "broadcast" from the crude radio station was a directional broadcast, using an encrypted communication link.
"Cough, let's begin the first test."
Regardless of his inner thoughts, Kakashi maintained a calm demeanor.
"Okay, test starting."
Daigo's voice came again.
After only a second or two, she continued, "Target located, bearing 15 degrees, distance 800 meters. One person concealed."
"What's your sensory range?" Kakashi took out a notepad and, as previously arranged, began to record some key data.
In any case, Kakashi hadn't blurted out "Holy crap!" yet.
"The signal is good here. My sensory range is about 10 kilometers."
"10 kilometers," Kakashi recorded the number.
To be honest, this sensory ability was far inferior to that of a skilled sensory ninja, but skilled sensory ninja were extremely rare. Kakashi seemed to understand the significance of this current test.
"He's starting to move. The speed is not fast, but the direction is directly towards us… He'll enter visual range in about 3 minutes."
The first function was working perfectly. Kakashi nodded and said, "Good. Now for the second test."
"I'm going to access your visual system," Daigo reminded him.
"No problem," Kakashi nodded.
For a chakra life form similar to a Tailed Beast, borrowing the visual system of its "host" wasn't difficult. For example, the Nine-Tails had been clearly watching Naruto's experiences his entire life.
And when the opposing "enemy" entered Kakashi's field of vision, it also meant that Daigo saw him. She immediately said:
"The enemy's identity is Konoha Genin, Tenzo. He possesses the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai and can use Earth Release, Water Release, and Wood Release ninjutsu. He is proficient in medium-range, long-range, and ultra-long-range attacks, as well as large-scale attacks. His abilities are well-suited to counter Jinchuriki. Comprehensive combat power assessment: 320 points. Recommendation: Attack aggressively. The enemy's taijutsu is not outstanding, and his resistance to genjutsu is weak. The optimal strategy is to engage in close-range combat."
This, this…
Kakashi was completely stunned. He felt like he had to say "Holy crap!" now.
"Um, Daigo… Can I ask a question? What's my combat power assessment?"
"Kakashi-jounin, your standard combat power assessment is 750 points."
"Standard combat power?"
That meant there was a non-standard component. Kakashi's mind quickly turned, and he understood that this score didn't include his Sharingan, or even his Mangekyo Sharingan… At least, it didn't include the Mangekyo Sharingan, which he couldn't yet control proficiently.
In other words, his combat power was more than twice that of the "enemy" Tenzo. He was in a position of overwhelming strength, which is why Daigo recommended he attack aggressively.
If Daigo had a massive database to support her, then…then this kind of real-time information support could change the outcome of a battle… Kakashi was very intelligent, with exceptional battle IQ, so he could understand the role Daigo could play.
He took a deep breath, barely managing to regain his composure.
"The second test also seems to be working. Now for the final test – the Chakra Support Combat Mode."
Kakashi thought to himself, Bring it on. I'm not afraid of anything anymore.
However, this time, Daigo didn't respond immediately. It wasn't until about five minutes later that Kakashi felt a burst of chakra suddenly hit him. However, the amount of chakra was not ideal, roughly enough to release a single C-rank ninjutsu.
Clearly, compared to the success of the first two tests, the results of the third test were noticeably less impressive, indicating that this mode was not yet mature. Its activation time was very long, and the amount of chakra it could currently transmit in one go was insufficient… Five minutes was enough time for a ninja to die fifty times over.
But one could imagine, if this mode were to succeed… Imagine a ninja who had exhausted his chakra in a battle with an enemy, and then suddenly received an external source of chakra. That enemy's mood would certainly take a rollercoaster ride.
And more importantly, when Kakashi received a burst of chakra, the chakra aura on Tenzo's body also suddenly surged.
This meant that the experiment wasn't just being conducted on Kakashi. Daigo wasn't just Daigo; she seemed to be able to become… well, a "Daigo Sister Network."
Kakashi felt that Habara had created a remarkable system. This system was even more shocking to him than the previous shock therapy.
"The third test's results aren't ideal, but the basic function has been achieved."
"Yeah, according to Habara, I seem to have insufficient 'bandwidth' and can't transmit too much chakra at once," Daigo said.
After Kakashi recorded the final test summary, he walked towards Tenzo. When he reached Tenzo, he could see that Tenzo also had the same metal piece attached to the strap of his forehead protector.
Compared to the reserved Kakashi, Tenzo's expression was much more genuine, so he appeared very excited.
"Kakashi-senpai…"
Tenzo was about to say something, but Kakashi cut him off, "Tenzo, what combat advice did you just receive?"
Tenzo: "…"
You see, this is why Kakashi is a bit of a sly one. Was there even any need to ask about the combat advice Tenzo received? … The enemy was too powerful; he must immediately initiate a "strategic retreat."
What is an "Information Integration Thought Entity"? Clearly, Habara wanted to create an intelligence support system. This would help ninja understand when to fight and when to run. Even if forced into a battle, the system would provide the ninja with appropriate combat advice.
Of course, whether the Information Integration Thought Entity could truly be built, and whether it could be implemented on a large scale, depended on Daigo's information storage and processing capabilities. Otherwise, even if Konoha could provide all sorts of intelligence, Daigo couldn't possibly be flipping through books while relaying information to ninja on the front lines, could she?
All of this required testing, bit by bit, and adjustments, bit by bit.
...
And leaving aside the excitement of the few friends involved in the test and Habara and Daigo's current feelings, just as they were conducting the test, in a certain underground space in Konoha, the ninja monitoring Konoha's sensory and barrier systems suddenly jumped up.
"What's going on?"
"Why is there a strong interference source within the village? Find it, otherwise the sensory barrier can't function properly."
"Wait! High-frequency chakra is frequently piercing the barrier. Is this information exchange?"
"Someone is transmitting a large amount of information out of the village, or… someone is guiding an outside enemy into the village! Quick, report this to the Third Hokage-sama!"
"Could it be the Uchiha clan?"
"Increase vigilance… Hokage-sama, this is bad!"
__________________
patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls