Divine Machine Battalion

Soon, the more than 2,000 new recruits were assigned to their respective units.

Under the punishing training imposed by commanders such as Yasuke, Kyuzo, and Jieshi, the recruits' abilities improved rapidly.

They learned to obey orders without question and brought the Military Fist Dongfang Mao had taught them to the beginner level. Their coordination in formation also grew steadily more seamless.

As the New Martial Army's overall strength improved by leaps and bounds, Dongfang Mao made sure not to neglect his own abilities.

After Tsunade's assessment, he had reached the level of a Special Jōnin by Konoha's standards.

He had mastered various low- and mid-level Fire Release and Earth Release techniques, and had also learned the forbidden Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, created by the Second Hokage.

The technique greatly increased how efficiently Dongfang Mao could use his time.

With the help of shadow clones, he could refine Chakra faster and learn ninjutsu more efficiently.

The shadow clones could now handle all his tedious day-to-day paperwork, leaving him free to focus on training and grow even stronger.

Today, Dongfang Mao was training on the bed in his study as usual, while a shadow clone beside him handled official business. Then came good news from the Ministry of Works.

The supplies and craftsmen purchased from the Land of Iron had been arriving in succession. Following Dongfang Mao's formula and after many attempts, the Ministry of Works had finally succeeded in making gunpowder.

However, the cannon Yoshikawa had previously copied was modeled on the Land of Lightning's Chakra Cannon, which used a large amount of special materials.

Though it looked similar on the outside, its internal structure was completely different. As a result, the replica had problems with its size and density, among other things. As Yoshikawa had said, it was little more than a showpiece.

Fortunately, the Ninja World already had advanced ironworking techniques. Using the replica as a reference, the Ministry of Works eventually forged a barrel compatible with the newly developed gunpowder and cannonballs.

Dongfang Mao was overjoyed at the news and immediately took the newly built cannon to the training ground for a test firing.

Though the cannon had an old-fashioned design and a cumbersome loading process that required ten people working together, getting results on the first try was impressive enough. Dongfang Mao made no unreasonable demands and left improvements for later.

As he watched, several New Martial Army soldiers poured a packet of gunpowder into the muzzle, tamped it down with a ramrod, then loaded a cannonball.

Once everything was ready, they inserted a fuse into the touchhole at the rear of the cannon.

"Boom!"

The deafening blast rang out, making the entire training ground tremble.

A searing tongue of flame burst from the muzzle, and thick smoke billowed through the air.

The cannonball whistled through the air and struck the newly built earthen mound in the distance with pinpoint accuracy.

Dirt and stones flew in every direction like a downpour.

After carefully observing the cannon's performance, Dongfang Mao mused to himself.

In terms of range, this cannon was comparable to the Red Barbarian Cannon from the Great Meng era, reaching about 1,500 meters.

However, thanks to the superb ironworking techniques of this world, both the barrel and the cannonball were of better quality, boosting the cannon's power and accuracy.

He was already very satisfied with this result.

"Zhengxiong, the Ministry of Works has done a great service this time!"

Dongfang Mao issued his orders at once.

"Begin mass-producing these cannons immediately, and keep improving the process. Research into firearms must also move forward at the same time. Don't slack off!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhengxiong bowed excitedly as he accepted the praise.

Over the next half month, with ample raw materials and the assembly-line production method proposed by Dongfang Mao, the Ministry of Works' 800 craftsmen worked around the clock and successfully cast 30 cannons and 35,000 cannonballs.

Meanwhile, the research team also produced a prototype of the earliest firearm.

However, after inspecting it, Dongfang Mao found that its power and range were both mediocre, while reloading it was far too cumbersome.

In his opinion, this firearm was less useful in battle than the bows and crossbows they already had, and it wasn't worth mass-producing for now. He therefore ordered the Ministry of Works to keep improving it.

Afterward, Dongfang Mao selected 500 soldiers from the New Martial Army to train specifically in loading and firing cannons.

He named the newly formed unit the "Divine Machine Battalion."

During training, he noticed that a man named Chang Chuang stood out from the rest and quickly mastered every aspect of operating the cannons.

Dongfang Mao promptly promoted him beyond his rank to commander and Privy Council officer, placing him in charge of the Divine Machine Battalion.

With the Divine Machine Battalion in place, Tsukimiura entered a state of urgent preparation for war.

Food and supplies were allocated in an orderly fashion, while combat personnel hurried to their posts.

Meanwhile, the army of the Land of Rice Fields was steadily drawing closer.

"Reporting!"

That day, Dongfang Mao was refining Chakra in his study as usual when a knock at the door made him open his eyes.

"Come in!"

The door creaked open, and a member of the Night Patrol Bureau entered. He looked tense and paused to catch his breath before speaking.

"Commander, the Rice Field Army has been spotted 50 li south of the city. They have about 30,000 men!"

Dongfang Mao felt relieved when he heard the report. It seemed the earlier intelligence had been accurate. He looked at the Night Patrol Bureau member.

"Pass on my orders. Have all commanders and the Privy Council prepare immediately. Also, have the head of the Ministry of Health stationed at the Governor's Mansion to maintain order in the city."

"Yes, sir!"

Once the Night Patrol Bureau member had left, Dongfang Mao rose from the bed and dismissed the shadow clone handling official business beside him. He was just about to leave when he noticed Tsunade standing at the doorway, watching him with a complicated look.

"Tsunade?"

Dongfang Mao looked puzzled.

"Subaru, do you think I'm useless? At a time this important, I can't do anything to help you."

Tsunade's voice was full of self-reproach and a hint of helplessness.

She already knew the army of the Land of Rice Fields was approaching. She was terrified that Dongfang Mao might come to harm on the battlefield.

After all, war had already taken so many of her loved ones. If she lost Mao too, she truly wouldn't know what to do.

But she knew all too well that she couldn't change Dongfang Mao's decision. All she could do was hate her own helplessness—and that damned Hemophobia!

But the instant she finished speaking, she felt a hand press against the back of her head. Then she felt a warm, soft touch against her lips.

Tsunade's eyes flew wide, her mind going blank. But once she came to her senses, she slowly closed her eyes.

A moment later, their lips parted. Dongfang Mao rested a hand on the round, peach-like curve of Tsunade's backside and gave it a firm squeeze. Then he reassured her with a mischievous grin.

"Tsunade, don't worry. With my physique, who could hurt me?

"Besides, if you didn't have Hemophobia and went to the battlefield, once people found out who you were, it wouldn't just be the Land of Rice Fields coming after me. The Land of Fire and Konoha would come looking for me too.

"So just stay here and help keep an eye on things. Don't let anyone in the city use this opportunity to cause trouble for me. Got it?"