At that moment, the plaza in the Land of Whirlpools was bustling.
Everyone had brought out their best dishes, and the round tables were laden with a feast.
The people who had been at the port returned in triumph, and the group led everyone to Uzumaki Plaza.
The heroes of the Land of Whirlpools arrived at the plaza, and the crowd shouted loudly, letting their excitement pour out.
Their families stood among the crowd, rising onto their toes and craning their necks to search for their loved ones in the line of returning ninja.
The ninja who had stayed behind in the Land of Whirlpools approached the heroes who had led everyone home.
"Second Uzukage, the podium has been set up in the plaza. Everyone is waiting for you to give the opening speech. Would you like to go up now?"
He looked toward the podium at the center of the plaza.
The open space was packed with people. More than twenty thousand people from across the country had gathered there.
When he climbed onto the stage, the crowd, which had been cheering moments earlier, fell silent and waited for the Second Uzukage to speak.
Shengli Uzumaki stood on the podium and looked down.
Everyone below gazed up at him, their eyes shining.
His heart stirred with excitement.
"The war between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Water has ended in our victory. There can be no doubt about that."
"If any other country dares invade us in the future, we'll win just as we did this time."
"The celebration you prepared today is for yourselves, too. I saw how hard you worked before the war."
"Now, let's cheer and celebrate our victory!"
Tsunade gazed admiringly at Shengli Uzumaki as he shone on the podium.
Everyone present was moved by the Second Uzukage's words.
Some people climbed onto their chairs and shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Long live the Land of Whirlpools! Long live the Second Uzukage!"
The crowd looked at one another, their faces flushed, then raised their arms and cheered as one!
Their shouts carried beyond Uzumaki Plaza.
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, Shengli Uzumaki could only wave for them to quiet down.
After his brief speech, the crowd gradually settled.
The plaza grew lively as most people found their families, sat together at the round tables, and began eating the food prepared at home.
But some people would never return. Tears streamed down their faces.
Seeing this, quite a few people began singing songs in praise of the heroes, while others danced alongside them. The grieving found comfort in their hearts.
When Shengli Uzumaki noticed someone secretly wiping away tears, he sighed inwardly.
He still hadn't brought everyone home. They needed to develop asymmetric weapons to reduce their own casualties.
Tsunade ran over and took Shengli Uzumaki by the hand.
"Why are you still standing around? Come dance with me!"
As Tsunade pulled him into the dance, he found himself growing happier amid the singing and laughter.
After Tsunade poured him a few drinks, his cheeks turned a little red.
"So our Uzukage can't hold his liquor after all."
Tsunade gave Shengli Uzumaki a mischievous smile as she saw how red his face had gotten.
"I'm not drunk. My face just turns red without me noticing when I'm with you," Shengli Uzumaki replied, denying the rumor that he was drunk.
Gradually, the two drew closer and closer.
The next day, in a spacious bedroom.
Tsunade slowly woke up and saw that the room was empty.
She got up and walked out, where she found Shengli Uzumaki drawing something at the workbench.
She hurried over and pointed to the long, box-shaped object in the drawing. "You're up so early. What are you drawing?"
Shengli Uzumaki was about to start on another blueprint. He stretched.
"When we fought the Land of Water, they had several times as many people as we did."
"I started wondering whether ordinary people could be given the power to fight ninja. Take a closer look. The outside is made of steel, so shuriken and kunai can't pierce it."
Tsunade looked surprised to hear it was made of steel.
Steel could certainly stop shuriken and kunai, but even a ninja couldn't carry such a heavy shell on their back. How could an ordinary person move around inside it?
If it was made of steel, Lightning Release could take care of it easily, couldn't it?
Shengli Uzumaki tapped Tsunade on the head, and she immediately covered her forehead.
"Judging by your expression, I know you're letting your imagination run wild again."
"Take a closer look at the blueprint. I've named it the 'Weasel Tank.' It has two weapons: a Kunai Gatling Cannon and a Tank Cannon developed from the Sealing Scroll: Chakra Capacitor. The Tank Cannon can fire highly concentrated chakra energy."
"The inside of the steel shell is inscribed with Sealing Jutsu to guard against Lightning Release. It moves on tracks running along both sides of the hull, which can help protect it against the other side's Earth Release. There's a cross-shaped propeller at the rear, allowing it to move through deep water for a short time."
Tsunade began to take it seriously as she turned through the blueprints in her hands.
"It looks a bit like the Suna Ninjas' Puppet Technique. You've practically created a whole new school of puppetry."
Tsunade looked at Shengli Uzumaki with admiration. The Rocket Launcher had already amazed her, and now he'd come up with the Weasel Tank. He really was impressive.
Tsunade's admiring gaze made Shengli Uzumaki feel even more pleased with himself, and he continued.
"The Weasel Tank weighs 3.6 tons. That alone is enough to send the enemy flying if it hits them."
"The control buttons and steering wheel are all connected with chakra. The blueprint over there shows a glove combining the Chakra Capacitor with the Puppet Technique."
"The propulsion system is based on a modified version of the Puppet Technique. Combined with the Chakra Capacitor, it can produce 800 horsepower."
"The gloves can release puppet strings that connect to every part, allowing for operation with no delay."
"A Weasel Tank can carry three people. One steers it, another switches the Tank Cannon's chakra nature to suit the situation, and the third operates the Kunai Gatling Cannon."
Tsunade set down the blueprint. With the Rocket Launcher as an example, the Weasel Tank should be possible to build, too.
She hadn't expected that preparing the Chakra Capacitor in advance could give ordinary people such power.
Those who had chakra but hadn't graduated from the Ninja Academy could make a huge contribution in the Land of Whirlpools.
Tsunade tugged at Shengli Uzumaki and pointed to the Three-Tails, who was sleeping soundly in the corner.
"If you can get it to lend you some chakra, you'll be able to finish your tank much faster."
Isobu seemed to hear someone calling him. He suddenly opened his eyes, looked at the two of them, and trotted over.
"I'm hungry. Get me some food!"
Shengli Uzumaki and Tsunade exchanged a glance before he spoke.
"Isobu, you can have something delicious, but first you'll have to help us with a little favor."
Isobu had no idea what they meant, but readily agreed.
"Don't worry. Once I'm full, I can help with a little favor. But what do you need me to do?"
Shengli Uzumaki's eyes shifted as he gave a vague answer.
"No rush. Help us after you've eaten."
Before you continue