"Father, what should we do now?"
Looking at the jubilant ocean in the distance, and at the brand-new city gleaming in the morning light, Kitsuchi's voice was filled with unprecedented confusion and awe.
The scene before him completely overturned all the knowledge he had built up over decades as an elite ninja.
Ninjutsu is meant for destruction and killing.
Even the Wood Release used by the First Hokage is essentially a powerful combat method.
However, the power displayed by Uchiha Gen'yō was something from a completely different dimension.
That is creation!
It is the power to create a civilization out of thin air!
"What to do?"
Ōnoki slowly recovered from his extreme shock, a complex expression appearing on his wrinkled old face.
There was fear, there was relief, but more than anything, there was a resolute determination after making a decision.
" Kitsuchi, which do you think is more terrifying: the creation of a forest in an instant, which we witnessed yesterday, or the construction of a city overnight, as we see today?"
Ōnoki suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.
"This..."
Kitsuchi paused for a moment, instinctively wanting to answer that creating a forest was far more terrifying.
That's divine power that can change the landscape and reverse the seasons!
But when he saw his father's eyes, which had become incredibly solemn and deep, he suddenly realized something!
The Kitsuchi looked back at the city.
This time, he was no longer simply amazed by the speed of its construction, but began to analyze what lay behind it.
Those architectural puppets...
Those standardized building materials...
That assembly line-like work method...
A word that sent chills down his spine suddenly popped into his mind!
"It's... it's 'copying'!"
The Kitsuchi's voice became somewhat shrill with shock!
"The miracle of creating a forest—perhaps only Lord Gen'yō could accomplish that!"
"But, but this method of building cities... as long as there are enough of those puppets, as long as there's that blueprint... it can be replicated indefinitely!"
"If he can build a thousand houses overnight, then tomorrow, could he build a super fortress ten times larger than Iwagakure in a week?!"
By the end, Kitsuchi's back was completely soaked with cold sweat!
He finally understood what his father meant!
The power of the gods is indeed terrifying, but ultimately it belongs only to the gods themselves.
This kind of disruptive "productivity" that can be infinitely replicated is the most terrifying weapon capable of changing the entire world order!
"You understand."
Ōnoki let out a long sigh, his voice tinged with helplessness.
"That's not Ninjutsu, Kitsuchi."
"That's an 'industry' we've never heard of or seen before!"
"It represents a completely new and overwhelming model of civilization!"
"What we in Iwagakure are proud of? It is the unwavering will that has allowed us to build our homes on barren land, and it is the fearless fighting spirit of our ninjas."
"But do these things still have any meaning for him?"
"When he can casually create land more fertile than we have painstakingly cultivated for thousands of years, what use is our resilience?"
"When he can assemble tireless, fearless armies of steel golems, what do our flesh and blood matter?"
Ōnoki's voice grew lower and lower, more and more desperate.
For the first time, he felt that he and the village he had protected all his life were like relics of the previous era, being mercilessly crushed by a brand new and incomprehensible era!
"We... we have no choice, Father."
Kitsuchi clenched his fists; he finally understood his father's decision.
Faced with such absolute power, any wavering or hesitation is tantamount to self-destruction!
"That's right."
A glint of light flashed in Ōnoki's eyes.
"Not only do we have no choice, but we must also use the fastest speed and the most resolute attitude to firmly bind the entire Iwagakure to the Uchiha warship!"
"Relay my orders!"
Ōnoki's voice suddenly became authoritative!
"Return to the village immediately and deal with that bastard Ishikawa! The Council of Elders must be thoroughly purged, leaving only our own people!"
"At the same time, in the name of the Third Tsuchikage, I hereby issue a highest-level announcement to the entire Shinobi World!"
"From this day forward, we, the Iwagakure, hereby declare that we have formed a blood alliance with the Uchiha Clan! Anyone who opposes the Uchiha is an enemy of our Iwagakure!"
"And another thing! Summon all the village's best craftsmen, doctors, and logistics ninjas to report here immediately! We must use every ounce of our strength to help our allies build their new home!"
"Yes!"
Kitsuchi responded heavily, his face no longer showing any confusion, but instead filled with boundless fervor!
He knew this was a huge gamble for Iwagakure!
If they win the bet, they will follow the gods and witness the birth of a new world!
I lost the bet...
No, they won't lose!
Because that man simply had no chance of losing!
Just then, a calm voice rang out behind the father and son without warning.
" Tsuchikage, your understanding is commendable."
"It seems you've figured out our future cooperation model."
Ōnoki and Kitsuchi's bodies stiffened abruptly!
They turned around stiffly, only to find Uchiha Gen'yō standing behind them, looking at them with amusement.
"Xuan... Gen'yō!"
Ōnoki's heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
Wasn't his entire conversation with Kitsuchi overheard?!
"Do not be nervous."
Uchiha Gen'yō waved his hand, signaling them to relax.
"I'm not here to interrogate you."
"The main framework of the city has been built, but to make it truly function, it still needs a lot of specialized talent."
"For example, those who plan waterways, research energy, manage logistics..."
"These are things that the Uchiha clan members are not good at."
Uchiha Gen'yō looked at Ōnoki, his smile becoming meaningful.
"So, I'd like to ask Tsuchikage."
"Regarding our Uchiha Clan's 'new employee' recruitment plan, would you be interested in making Iwagakure our first 'talent strategic partner'?"
Or rather...
"Would you like to teach your Iwagakure ninjas this skill of 'building a city overnight'?"