"A little interesting."
Madara Uchiha's words, tinged with arrogance and appreciation, echoed through the scorching air.
The Ryūjin Jakka in Chiya's hand still pointed at the ground, the lingering golden heat on its tip roasting the scorched earth beneath his feet.
He did not rush to answer Madara. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and looked at the empty sky behind him.
At the far end of the skyline, stained red by meteor fragments, the faint rumble of the earth reached his ears.
It was not an earthquake.
It was the sound of marching feet.
"Looks like my 'logistics minister' and 'vanguard commander' are even more punctual than I expected."
The corners of Chiya's mouth lifted slightly.
He had never intended to do all the work in this battle alone.
He could have steamrolled them on his own, but since he was establishing a new order, he had to let his subordinates make an appearance and intimidate the scheming Five Great Nations.
Time rolled back twenty-four hours.
[Flame Emperor City · Underground vault core]
This was the most heavily guarded restricted area in the entire Land of Rain-no, it should now be called Flame Emperor City.
The thick alloy doors slowly opened to the turning of a winch, their muffled groan like the breathing of a giant beast.
"Lord Chiya, this is the 'defensive line' you asked for."
Konan stood expressionlessly beside the doors, holding a thick ledger.
As the doors swung fully open, a wave of dry air carrying the scent of ink washed over them.
At that moment, even Sasuke, who had seen plenty of grand spectacles, could not stop his eyelids from twitching hard.
This was no vault.
It was an ocean built out of paper.
There were no gold coins or silver here. Instead, densely