World Hopping With Gacha

I stood across from Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, with a normal sword I had projected and reinforced. Despite his age, his stance was firm, his eyes sharp, and his aura radiated an undeniable authority. The man wasn't called the "God of Shinobi" for nothing.

"Ready?" Hiruzen asked, his tone calm yet challenging.

I nodded, gripping my sword tightly.

Without warning, he surged toward me, his staff extending mid-swing, aimed directly at my ribs. The speed was incredible for someone of his age. I narrowly dodged, leaning to the side, but Hiruzen anticipated my move. Using the momentum, he launched himself into the air, flipping with grace that belied his years.

"Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!" he shouted, releasing a thick plume of smoke that quickly engulfed the area.

Coughing, I muttered, "Smart move," and activated my Wind Blade technique. A burst of air erupted around me, slicing through the smoke like a knife. As the battlefield cleared, I scanned my surroundings—nothing.

The realization came too late.

Above me, Hiruzen descended like a hawk, his staff pulled back, ready to crush me from above. I stepped aside just in time, dodging the brunt of the attack, but his quick reflexes allowed him to sweep my legs out from under me with the staff. I stumbled, barely keeping my balance, and jumped back to create some distance.

"Alright," I muttered, shaking my head. "Time to stop holding back."

I canceled the projected sword and shot two webs from my palms, anchoring them to the ground. Pulling on the tension, I slingshot myself forward, rocketing toward Hiruzen at breakneck speed.

Using the momentum, I projected another sword mid-air and swung it at his staff. The clash echoed through the training grounds, but my reinforced blade cleaved his staff clean in half.

"Impressive," Hiruzen said, dropping the broken halves. He quickly formed a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Four identical copies of the Hokage appeared around me, their movements perfectly synchronized.

Before I could react, each clone launched a barrage of elemental attacks—fire, water, wind, and lightning—all converging on my position. Thinking fast, I propelled myself into the air using a burst of wind from under my feet.

"You're not escaping that easily!" one of the clones called out.

As I landed on the opposite side of the battleground, Hiruzen's clones were already repositioning. They charged, and I realized I had to take the offensive. I raised my hand, summoning multiple Wind Blades, and sent them hurtling toward the clones.

The first clone dissolved into smoke as a blade of air sliced through it. The second evaded, but I redirected my next attack, dispersing it as well. The final two surrounded me, each preparing an attack.

"Not this time," I muttered.

I rushed toward the real Hiruzen, who had remained stationary but was watching my every move. He quickly raised an earth wall to block my Wind Blades, but I anticipated it. Feinting toward his ribs with a projected sword, I stepped closer.

Hiruzen countered, blocking the supposed strike, but I had other plans. Stepping on his foot to pin him, I redirected my momentum and punched him square in the jaw with my free hand.

The clones dissolved instantly as the real Hiruzen staggered back. He held up a hand.

"That's enough," he said, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "These old bones can't handle more pain."

I stepped back, panting, and canceled the projection in my hand.

"You've improved significantly, Arthur," Hiruzen continued, his tone sincere. "Your adaptability and creativity in battle are impressive, especially for someone not native to our ways of combat. But..."

"But I still have a long way to go," I finished for him.

He nodded. "Indeed. You're quick, resourceful, and have an arsenal of unique skills, but against a seasoned shinobi or a true master, you'll need to refine your instincts further. Experience is the greatest teacher."

I nodded, taking his words to heart. If sparring with Hiruzen had taught me anything, it was that raw power and skill weren't enough. Precision, strategy, and experience mattered just as much.

"Thank you for the lesson," I said sincerely, bowing slightly.

---

The computer I had received from the gacha was a marvel of technology, far more advanced than anything this world had ever seen. It wasn't just the sleek holographic interface that impressed me, but also the possibilities it opened up. As I played around with it, an idea struck me—why not introduce some basic modern technology to this world? I wasn't planning to start a tech revolution, but a simple communication device could be a game changer, especially in a ninja-dominated society where information was vital.

Sitting in Jiraiya's apartment, I began scribbling down the fundamentals. A keypad phone or even a landline would be revolutionary here. To make it work, I needed to figure out the core components:

1. Transmitter and Receiver: For wireless communication or a basic telephone line.

2. Power Source: A stable energy supply, preferably a rechargeable battery.

3. SIM Card System: If I opted for a mobile-like device, a system to identify users and facilitate communication.

4. Communication Tower: A centralized hub to transmit signals across distances.

5. Wiring and Circuitry: For the internal working of the device.

6. Speaker and Microphone: To transmit and receive sound.

7. Encryption Mechanism: To ensure secure communication, critical for ninja operations.

While I had some knowledge of modern technology, I wasn't an engineer. Thankfully, my Nexus phone and holographic computer had access to tutorials, guides, and references I could use. I watched several videos on building phones from scratch, piecing together a basic understanding of how to recreate this in a low-tech world.

---

Once I had a clear plan, I decided to bring it to Minato. After all, the Hokage was the one who would need to approve resources and manpower for a project of this scale.

Sitting in the Hokage's office, I laid out my blueprints on his desk. Minato leaned forward, his blue eyes scanning the papers with a mix of intrigue and curiosity.

"A device for instant communication…" Minato muttered, tracing a finger over the rough sketch of a keypad phone.

"Exactly," I said. "Think of how much more efficient your operations could be. Imagine sending mission updates, coordinating teams, or even just gathering intel without relying on messenger birds or runners. This could change the game for Konoha."

Minato leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "It's certainly intriguing, but wouldn't this make us overly reliant on technology? If something went wrong, or if an enemy got their hands on it—"

I cut in, "That's why we'd start small. Secure lines only for high-ranking officials and mission-critical operations. And if you control the infrastructure, you control the flow of information. In war, knowledge is power, Hokage-sama."

Minato's eyes lit up slightly at that. I could see the gears turning in his head. "What would you need to get started?"

"Not much," I replied confidently. "I can prototype a basic landline system first. Once we have that working, we can move to mobile versions. I'll need some copper for wiring, a workshop to tinker in, and a few ninja with sealing expertise to help with energy storage and transmission."

"Sealing expertise?" Minato raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," I nodded. "We don't have lithium-ion batteries here, but I can create a substitute using sealing techniques to store and transfer energy. I've already experimented a little—it should work."

---

Minato approved the project, assigning me a small team of engineers and sealing specialists. We set up a makeshift workshop near the research and development wing. The first step was creating a stable power source. With the help of seals, we managed to develop a rechargeable battery system using stored chakra as the energy base.

Next came the wiring. Copper wasn't hard to find, and I had the team fashion it into thin, flexible wires. The circuits were the most challenging part—me and my clones had to manually design and etch them onto small metal plates, a painstakingly slow process.

For the receiver and transmitter, I used a combination of sealing arrays and antenna-like structures. The seals acted as signal amplifiers, allowing sound waves to travel across distances. After weeks of trial and error, we finally had a working prototype for a landline phone.

It was a bulky, boxy device—not pretty, but functional.

---

I invited Minato to see the prototype in action. Kushina tagged along, curious about the "weird project" I was working on.

"Alright," I said, standing next to the device. "Kushina-san, could you go to the other room with this second unit?"

She looked skeptical but complied, carrying the second phone to the adjacent room. I dialed the number on the main device, and after a moment, the line connected.

"Hello?" Kushina's voice crackled through the speaker.

Minato's eyes widened. "It works?"

"Of course it works," I grinned. "This is just the beginning. Imagine an entire network of these across the village—or even across nations."

Kushina's voice came through again, louder this time. "Arthur, can you hear me?"

"Yes, Kushina-san," I replied, suppressing a laugh. "You don't have to yell."

"Oh."

The Hokage chuckled, clearly impressed. "This could really change things."

---

As the project progressed, I began working on a more advanced version of the device. The idea of a keypad phone was above me, I knew it would take months, if not years, to develop a proper mobile network. For now, I focused on improving the landline prototype, making it smaller and more user-friendly.

The communication tower was another challenge. Without satellites or advanced signal boosters, the range was limited. However, using sealing arrays as amplifiers, I was able to extend the signal radius significantly.

Minato supported the project wholeheartedly, even suggesting a potential application for village-wide alert systems in case of emergencies. I had to admit, working on something that could leave a lasting impact on this world felt good.

As August came to a closer, the communication project became a central part of my routine. Between sparring, research, and seal work, I poured my energy into perfecting the system. And while it was far from the sleek smartphones of my previous life, it was a step forward—one that could shape the future of Konoha.

---

As September rolled in, I eagerly approached my monthly Gacha spins. The first spin gave me something unexpectedly mundane: 40 Suits, each in a different design and style. While they weren't magical or particularly powerful, they just grew with the user and screamed elegance.

The second spin was more amusing—a giant tub of ice cream. Not one to let food go to waste, I handed it over to Kushina, who looked at me with both confusion and delight. "This is huge!" she exclaimed, holding the tub.

"Consider it an apology for all the times I've annoyed you by blasting a seal on my face," I said with a sheepish grin.

She laughed, muttering something about me being weird but took the tub anyway.

The third spin, however, left me stumped: Essence of Life. Like the Fabric of Reality I'd obtained earlier, this wasn't a physical item. The system informed me it was part of a set, but what it actually did remained a mystery. I sighed and filed it away in my inventory for now.

---

Determined to make the most of the month, I created 20 clones to accelerate the construction of the landline system. With their combined efforts, the project was finally gaining momentum. Five small towers needed to be built across Konoha to establish a functional network. Each tower required intricate sealing work to enhance signal strength, something I handled personally to ensure precision.

Meanwhile, I assigned four clones to focus exclusively on seals. These clones were joined by another four clones who had completed their intensive study of human anatomy. Together, they worked on modifying seals to be mana-based rather than chakra-dependent, a critical step for my long-term plans.

To future-proof the technology, I handed over blueprints for keypad phones, flip phones, and even smartphones to the technicians Minato had assigned to the project. While it would take years for them to develop the necessary infrastructure, I figured this would give Konoha a significant technological advantage in the long run.

---

By mid-September, the first of the landline systems was ready for testing. Five towers were operational, and the first functional phones were installed in key locations: the Hokage's office, the ANBU headquarters, the hospital, the academy, and the Uchiha Police compound.

Minato called for a demonstration with several high-ranking officials present. Standing in the Hokage's office, I picked up the phone and dialed the hospital's number.

A moment later, the phone on the other end rang, and a nurse picked up. "Hello, Konoha Hospital. How can I help you?"

I smiled and turned to the room. "It works."

The gathered shinobi exchanged impressed looks. Minato himself looked particularly pleased. "This could revolutionize how we handle emergencies and communication during missions," he said. "Good work, Arthur."

Even Danzo, who had been skeptical about the project, gave a grudging nod of approval.

---

Near the end of the month, Garuda finally returned after his dramatic exit in August. I was sitting outside, sketching ideas for future projects, when he swooped down and landed gracefully beside me.

"Done sulking?" I teased.

Garuda huffed. "I wasn't sulking. I was observing."

"Observing what?"

"You," he replied simply. "You've been busy. But don't forget, strength comes not just from the mind, but also from the spirit. You've been neglecting that."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what do you suggest I do about it?"

"Reconnect with nature. Meditate. Reflect on who you are and what you want to achieve. You've been running forward so fast, you've forgotten to look around."

Maybe he was right. Amid all my projects and training, I hadn't taken a moment to pause and reflect and also forgot about the events that was about to happen in October.

"Alright," I said after a moment. "I'll try."

Garuda nodded, satisfied.