Naruto: From Konoha to One Piece

In the virtual space, towering high-rise buildings, western fantasy castles, and ancient architecture abound, creating a surreal landscape that resembles a dreamlike world.

The inhabitants, each resembling a superhero, fly over rooftops and walk through walls, seldom taking conventional paths. Meanwhile, animals like toads, monkeys, dogs, and foxes roam the streets, though they are humanoid in appearance and possess fully formed limbs.

These creatures are ninja-summoning animals, and even the legendary beings from the three sacred regions have joined this realm, unable to resist the allure of the virtual space. The Great Toad Sage, the White Snake Sage, and the Slug Sage now all bear the insignia of the Akatsuki organization, effectively recognizing Shin as their leader.

"Is that Kakashi? He's practicing swordsmanship with his father," Shin noted.

Kakashi and Sakumo Hatake, both enveloped in crackling lightning, clearly utilized the Hidden Cloud Village's unique Lightning Chakra Mode.

"Indeed," Terumi Mei said teasingly as she approached Shin from behind. As one of the earliest allies to side with Shin and a close confidante, Terumi Mei held significant authority within the virtual space and quickly responded to his presence.

"Since the creation of the virtual space, the various hidden villages have become much more cooperative," Shin remarked, watching the Hatakes' training with amusement.

"They had little choice," Terumi Mei replied, rolling her eyes. "Contribution points are hard to come by, and they need them to buy certain jutsu."

Contribution points have become the virtual space's currency, akin to chakra. Even vast amounts of chakra are useless without enough points, especially when it comes to the Tree Diagram's simulation feature. With enough computational power, the designer can refine any jutsu to perfection, even transforming a simple fireball into something exponentially stronger.

And using the Tree Diagram, even for a single minute, requires a substantial number of contribution points. This system has driven nearly every ninja into relentless competition.

"Don't want to share your clan's exclusive techniques? Fine, but once you have enough contribution points, the Tree Diagram will allow you to develop an even stronger jutsu by guiding you in new directions. It's no wonder there are hardly any unique techniques left."

Nonetheless, the virtual space ensures that few can master high-level techniques without specific traits or bloodlines, and even with shared techniques, a novice's power often pales compared to the originator's. So, while general skill levels have risen, the strength of S-class jutsu and the gap between powerful and weaker ninjas remains.

However, with time, that gap might eventually close.

"How are the Five Great Nations faring lately?" Shin inquired, glancing at Terumi Mei. He hadn't set foot in the Ninja World in some time.

"They're advancing at an almost alarming rate," Terumi Mei answered, a pleased smile gracing her face. "The age of widespread chakra use has brought fewer combat missions but more in education and infrastructure."

"In the past, we might build fortresses or subterranean bases with ninjutsu, but we didn't foresee just how valuable ninjas could be in construction," she continued. "The Tree Diagram's constructive jutsu has given us invaluable insights."

She gave Shin a knowing look. "Previously, some ninjas thought about transforming their societal roles, but they were suppressed by the daimyo and nobility."

"After all, if villages didn't produce goods and relied solely on daimyo support, large-scale ninja training or a shift toward construction was viewed as a threat to the nobles' power."

"Strangely, the daimyo are now far more amenable, along with government officials who seem to act with near-perfect compliance," she added with a wry smile.

Shin only smiled, sidestepping the subject. "You don't find this a problem, do you?"

Everyone knew the implications, but Shin wasn't about to spell them out.

"It's rather convenient. But some in the villages, particularly in Konoha, constantly fret over the virtual space, talking about how it's a security threat," Terumi Mei said, brushing a strand of hair aside.

"They can worry all they want—let them stop using it if they're that concerned," Shin replied with a smirk.

Just as modern societies accept data collection despite privacy concerns, few are willing to abandon computers or smartphones. The virtual space offers so many benefits that to forgo it would be unthinkable.

"Interestingly, the loudest critic is Konoha's Danzo. Did you deliberately exclude him? He's become the laughingstock of the world."

"Ah, it's Danzo," Shin chuckled. "I just don't care for his kind. What's he been up to?"

Terumi Mei's expression turned amused. "He's effectively been cast out of Konoha. Since you established the virtual space, Konoha has cut all ties with him. While they haven't officially pursued him, they've kept their distance."

"Naturally, the other villages have seized this chance to strike him down, given all his past misdeeds."

"Were it not for his cunning and stockpile of secrets, the other villages would have taken him down long ago."

Shin smiled, feeling a certain satisfaction at the irony. The momentum of progress left people like Danzo and entities like Black Zetsu with no place to hide.

In fact, Black Zetsu had been captured by the Sage of Six Paths himself, who had also altered his plans upon the creation of the virtual space.

"Quick, quick! We're challenging the Kaguya boss this time!" voices cried out from the streets below.

"Everyone in the Cloud Village with Sage Mode or flight, join in!" someone shouted.

"Boss! Last time, all five Great Nations failed together!"

"That's only because the other villages got in our way," a Cloud Village shinobi retorted.

Shin glanced down, observing the commotion. This was his and the Sage of Six Paths' latest plan: instead of releasing Kaguya from her seal, they'd created a virtual version of her as a powerful "boss" within the virtual space. This arrangement allowed the shinobi to challenge her repeatedly, turning each attempt into a form of training.

The ninjas of the Five Great Nations were initially overwhelmed. According to the information from the virtual space, they knew Kaguya's identity and her thousand-year-old presence. While some questioned the reality of it, the possibility weighed heavily on them.

High-ranking ninjas often tested themselves against Kaguya in the dungeon, though no one had yet succeeded.

"At this rate, twenty years from now, when the Otsutsuki clan finally shows up, the ninjas might be the ones turning them into test subjects."

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