บท 465: Shadow Squad
"I'm glad you're confident," said Edward. "However, you should not underestimate the difficulty ahead of you. The Empire has now controlled over 100 Star Systems, thousands of planets, and hundreds of them with life. Currently, the population is more than 100 trillion.
"So, being the head of any department is not a simple thing because of how fierce the competition is. As such, although I have the power to appoint you to that position, whether you can control such power is another thing entirely.
"Plus, if you're truly terrible at your job, according to the Empire's rules, the people have the right to depose you."
"I understand," nodded Tsunade after pausing for a few seconds. She understood the concept that only the best person is required for certain positions, similar to the Hokage Position.
So, she decided to have a better mindset and not underestimate the value of the opportunity granted to her.
"I will take this time to prepare."
"That's good."
Edward chatted with her, giving her some suggestions. For example, what people she can trust, people she woe to ensure her position, and who her competitors are.
Subsequently, he also told her to train her own people or team. For example, her genius apprentice Sakura. If trained properly in the medical field, she can be a great boost for her.
Edward also recommended she use a similar method as him and teach talented children at Hogwarts and Bones Advance Magic School. These talented individuals can become her greatest support for her future position.
Finally, he left and went to another pocket dimension in his laboratory. As soon as he arrived, someone appeared before him.
"Your majesty."
"Itachi, how are things going?"
"The initial training is completed. However, I won't know the result until we complete our first mission."
Before leaving, Edward made Itachi the Deputy Director of his Shadow Squad to lead an elite group of spies and assassins for the Empire. According to his previous plan, he wanted to wait until he returned home to begin training this squad.
However, Itachi insisted and even asked him to use Time Acceleration and Time Dilation to begin the training.
Edward understood the latter wanted to use this opportunity to ensure that the Ninjas took the majority of places in this new squad. This method is the way Itachi thought of ensuring the status of the Ninjas after returning to the Empire.
Additionally, this method will also allow him to have as much power as possible before the Commander arrives. After all, Itachi did not know what kind of person this commander was and if they would forcibly take over all his power and make him a figurehead.
But now, he has complete control of the Shadow Squad, and all its members are of the same origin as him. In the future, he would ensure the Ninjas dominate the Shadow Squad. As such, he would not have to worry about the future commander.
Itachi understood that if the situation were normal, his actions would create a gap between him toward his master–his majesty. After all, his actions could be interpreted as him trying to secretly build power.
However, Itachi knew the situation was not a problem since he handed his soul to the Emperor and was utterly loyal.
As for the future Commander and their relationship with the Emperor? Itachi knew Edward was the kind of person who valued talented and capable people. So, he knew Edward would view his actions as a test for the future Commander.
If the commander cannot find ways to control the Shadow Squad and take back power, then it will only show that they were not capable and not the person for this job.
"Show me," said Edward, and Itachi led him to the squad.
"You two are here too?" said Edward after seeing Kakashi and Jiraiya.
"I could understand Kakashi's presence, but why are you here, Pervy Sage? Shouldn't you be peeping somewhere?"
Jiraiya laughed embarrassedly.
"Well, peeping is a crime. And with your strength, it's easy to be captured by the golems."
Jiraya coughed lightly to hide his red face; he remembered some not-so-pleasant memories. If not for Tsunade's interference, he should have spent a few days in a cell and paid a hefty price.
"I ask them to help develop the training session for the squad," explained Itachi, and Edward nodded. He followed the group as he saw approximately 10,000 Ninjas, all well-trained in Shadow, Space, Invisible, Chameleon, Illusion, Spiritual Magic, and Ninjutsu.
Of course, they are also trained in assassination and information gathering and analysis.
"I have combined the inheritance of all villages with training this squad," explained Itachi before pointing at another group. "We have begun studying an Anti-Divination Sealing Jutsus. Unfortunately, the progress is slow."
Edward calmly watched the training of these Ninjas, including some real-life stimulation done via Virtual Reality.
"Your majesty, what do you think?" Itachi was slightly nervous.
"So far, there is no problem besides the lack of achievements."
"But?"
"But…the number is too small," said Edward. "Your mission will be spread across the entire galaxy. Once the war with Guznad is over, you will be sent to the entire universe across multiple planes and even parallel timelines."
Itachi was quiet; this fact was one of the fundamental flaws of his plan–the Ninja's population was too small. There are less than 500 million people on the entire planet, and the number of ninjas is not even 1% of that number.
And his squad also requires elites.
"Your majesty, I ask you to let me choose from the people the automatons brought back," said Itachi.
Edward frowned after hearing this. He sent the automatons to the multiverse to plunder resources–including people. However, a while ago, he received some bad news.
The people discovered were variants of the people of this timeline; in other words, the population discovered was copies of the people of the Ninja Planet, with only a few small differences. Furthermore, the situation is the same for humans living in other galaxies.
So, Edward did not want to bring these people back to prevent dealing with variants; it would make things too complicated and could easily reveal the fact that the Empire mastered Multiverse Technology.
After pondering for a while, Edward rejected Itachi's proposal and explained why.
"I know what you're thinking," added Edward before Itachi spoke. "We could change their faces or modify their minds to make them think they were clones. However, the risks were not worth it.
"If the news that the Empire has any connection to the Multiverse, we will become the enemy of all factions in the universe."
The Multiverse is the key for these Tier 10 Gods to reach Tier 11. So, as long as there is the slightest news, they would all become mad to get their hands on it.
"I understand," said Itachi, not hiding his disappointment.
"Your squad will incorporate the Metamorphmagus Agency."
The Empire's most elite spy agencies are composed of Metamorphmagus, capable of disguising as any race or species in the universe. They are scattered all over the universe, dormant as they slowly form a terrifying force.
Unfortunately, they are too young and have not shown their capabilities yet.
"As you wish."
"Is there anything else?"
"Yes."
"Orochimaru designed a new type of golem. I would like to use them."
Itachi wanted to reduce the casualties of his squad, so he thought of creating a disposable death squad that could be used as discarded pawns during dangerous missions.
The solution to his problem was to use clones. However, he felt uncomfortable. So, he thought of using golems or robots. So, he asked Orochimaru to design a multi-purpose golem only for his squad.
"Orochimaru created this?" asked Edward as he looked at it. "He is indeed a talent if he has such an achievement in such a short time. However, his designs have too many flaws and manufacturing problems.
"The Empire has already designed a special golem for your squad. You can use it."
บท 466: Departure
After supervising Itachi's progress, Edward left to return to his lab. Most of the things he wanted to do in the Naruto World have been accomplished. Now, he only needs to wait for his ride to come pick him up.
During the process, he continued his work on the Ultimate Magic Body, Izanagi, and studied his rules. Meanwhile, he also supervised the automatons' work. He sent these robots on a warpath across the multiverse to plunder recklessly.
Edward once thought of making a deal with the Universe Will. It will reveal the lost timelines the Lord God captured, and the latter would reward him with World Source.
However, he gave this idea for a few reasons. Firstly, he cannot deal with the majority of the Void Shield surrounding these timelines. And even if he did, it would be pointless.
The Universe Will does not have the power to deal with these Lord Gods. Maybe in his universe, it would still be possible. However, even then, it would be catastrophic if he met a Lord God that was Tier 11 and above.
So, after giving up this idea, he sealed himself inside his laboratory. With the passage of time, the rejection he felt from the Universe Will drastically increased.
Edward chose to counter this problem by creating a special enchantment that sealed himself inside his laboratory, away from the influence and power of the Universe Will. The only downside to this method is he was stuck inside and could not leave.
He had to allow Morgana to set up the spell to capture this timeline. Edward has to admit this was the most complicated spell he has mastered. No, he can't even say he mastered it since he can learn plenty of things to this day.
And every time he learned something new, he sighed at the vast distance between himself and Merlin. He knew the latter was vastly more powerful than him, but this spell was proof of this fact.
Then, about four months later, his ride home arrived. A towering city appeared above the Hidden Leaf Village, shocking all the Ninjas. Although they had seen information about the floating city, it was an entirely different thing to see and experience it.
"I can't believe you created such a thing," commented Orochimaru from the lab. In the past few months, he dabbled in the Artificer field and had some insight into the knowledge needed to create such a technical marvel.
"This is one of my greatest works," replied Edward with a smile. He combined the knowledge of several civilizations and the universe to create this masterpiece. "However, there is room for improvement."
He was never complacent, always pursuing improvement and advancement–especially after hearing about the accomplishment of the Magus Race,
His Empire has always been pursuing the steps of the Magus Race, and Edward was confident it would not be long before he surpassed their achievements. However, after learning they had reached the peak of the Void, he knew this was not such an easy task.
Edward looked at Tsunade next to him and could detect she was nervous. So, he held her hands to reassure her, "Don't be nervous."
"I…just don't know how to face your family."
She worried about the complexity of joining an Imperial Harem. If the other woman does not like her and decides to oppress her with their power in the Empire, she will have no way to resist–even with Edward's support.
"Our family is not as power-driven as you think. Most of them are researchers like me and would not even hold official positions if not for me asking," he explained after guessing her worries.
"As for your personal relationship? They won't blame you–they'll blame me."
His mouth twitched as he could guess the side-eyes he would receive. Technically speaking, due to the short passage of time, he recently brought back Wiz, and now there was Tsunade.
Despite how he felt, he still left the lab to receive the envoy. So, after arriving in the city, he only waited a few seconds before a white light flashed from the sky and someone appeared.
"Hermione," he said with a smile.
"Are you okay?" This was the first time Edward sent an emergency signal, so she hurried to this place. Luckily, he updated the engine of the city in his last voyage allowing the city to instantly travel to its destination after knowing the coordinate.
"I'm fine," he replied. "I encountered a terrifying creature in the Void, and my city was almost destroyed."
"That's good," she sighed in relief. However, Hermione soon noticed the woman next to Edward. Given her proximity to him and the sign of nervousness displayed by her facial expressions, she had already guessed her status.
Suddenly, she had the urge to bite him or bombard him with a few million Fireball Spells.
"Hello, my name is Hermione Granger." She did not blame Tsunade as she knew how charming and attractive her husband could be. Whether it is his personal power, his political and military power as an Emperor, his knowledge that seemed infinite, or his brilliant mind, it is too attractive to many women.
"Tsunade…it's nice to meet you."
"Come on, let's have a chat over some tea," said Edward.
"We don't have time," countered Hermione. "Only a week has passed since your departure. However, the war intensity has drastically increased. According to Olivier's order, I need to pick you up and return.
"The Floating City is a strategic weapon and cannot be missing for long."
Edward became serious, "Very Well."
He did not waste time and entered the Tier 9 Floating City. The Tier 10 one had to stay home while the other Tier 9 was currently wreckage in the void.
After entering, he connected to the city. He closed his eyes in ecstasy as he felt the vast amount of Mana at the core; the sensation was truly something else.
His first was to summon the automaton still in the multiverse. Once they all returned, he activated the spell to take away this timeline and all its people.
Then, he activated the Void Engine and entered the Void. His destination was not home but the place where the Tier 9 Floating City was.
Edward saw a world of gray and white before returning to normal. The void has always fascinated him, wondering why it has color. The word void indicated nothing, so there should be no color.
His theory is that this is how his brain and Soul process something as complex or incomprehensible as the Void. It used his inherent cognitive views and showed him something that he could understand and process.
However, Edward understood that once he reaches a certain Tier–most likely Tier 12–he will see" the void in a different manner.
Not minding these distracting thoughts, he saw the picture before him, and his heart ached. He saw a destroyed city surrounded by a shield.
"My baby." Although this floating city was not the one he personally created, it was still his baby. After all, he designed most of the things. And the resources used to create it are also his.
"It needs to be fixed as soon as possible, but we don't have the resources," said Hermione with a frown. The Empire almost ran out of resources building Edward's Tier 10 City. They had to plunder from the Multiverse.
However, this option was not available after their last warning.
"I have brought resources from the Naruto World, but it's probably enough to fix it to 70%."
The Naruto Universe is a middle Tier Universe with a power cap of Tier 8. Meanwhile, the city is a peak Tier 9 Artifact. And adding the difference between the two universes and power systems, the resources are also different.
"Do you have a good idea?" asked Hermione.
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