Tsuchikage Office Building
Chi Chen's figure appeared silently in front of the huge stone gate of the Tsuchikage office building.
The office building itself has also undergone earth-shaking changes. It stands six stories above ground and uses the ochre-red rocks unique to the Land of Earth and modified "rock crystal" glass. It reflects sharp light in the sunlight and blends in with the rugged and vibrant new look of the Hidden Rock Village.
The expansion of the underground space is even more amazing. Now the underground part has become the site of all the secret research and development of the Iwagakure Village over the years. Ohnoki feels that other places are not safe and are not as good as the office building where he is in charge. This is indeed the case. Countless people want to sneak in, but none of them have succeeded.
He walked through the busy corridor with ease, and in the expanded Tsuchikage office, Ōnoki was no longer the only one there.
Instead, the domains were clearly divided, with think tank members, departmental senior ninjas, and elites from all over the place working efficiently at tables piled with blueprints, reports, or mineral samples, their murmured discussions merging into one.
However, the small figure floating behind the "hill" made up of countless files and documents is still the undisputed core and soul of the entire huge organization of the Land Kingdom.
Ohnoki's back seemed to be more hunched than three years ago, and the fatigue between his brows was engraved in the deep wrinkles, but his eyes instantly burst into brilliance when they passed by Chi Chen's figure, and all the tiredness was dispelled by his strong willpower.
"Chen," Ohnoki's voice was hoarse, but still clear and powerful, penetrating the noise of the office, "You're here."
Chi Chen walked steadily to the huge stone table and bowed slightly: "Teacher, you summoned me."
His eyes swept across the huge border map spread out on the table, on which the unusual movements in the direction of the Wind Country were outlined with eye-catching red marks, and scattered around were encrypted intelligence scrolls about the Sand Village operation.
Ohnoki's fingers tapped heavily on the area on the map where the main force of Sunagakure was gathered, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the force.
"That old Kazekage has finally lost his temper." His voice was low, carrying the oppression before a storm. "Traces of the Sand Village puppet army have appeared on the border of the Land of Grass, indicating that Chiyo has begun to act. This army should not be underestimated. The news we have received means that Konoha will soon know as well."
He raised his eyes and fixed his gaze on Chi Chen: "The Land Kingdom has prepared everything in the past three years. So, Chi Chen, do you have confidence? War is cruel. If you want to gain benefits, you must join in. Can you shoulder the responsibility of the Land Kingdom?"
"Yes!" Chi Chen's voice was firm, and every word carried the weight of a rock falling to the ground. "The current Land of Earth is no longer the Land of Earth of a few years ago. Life has truly improved. Moreover, after ideological guidance, they know what they are doing. We must rely on this war to prepare for the next Ninja War!"
Yes, after analysis by all think tanks, it has been concluded that the Second Shinobi World War will only last for a short time, and then the next round of war will come. The Land of Earth needs to obtain the benefits it wants in the Second World War, such as sealing techniques and foreign economic privileges. The caravans established by Iwagakure now find it difficult to enter other countries, and most of them can only be sold to merchants who come to the Land of Earth for them to resell.
In this war, the Earth Country will only deploy a very small amount of force to show its presence. The development of the Earth Country in recent years has attracted a lot of attention and they will not allow the Earth Country to stay out of it.
Moreover, the Earth Kingdom is recovering now, but its economy is already very dangerous. A large amount of money has been invested in infrastructure, and the payback period is slow. The bonds issued also need to be repaid, so we can't go back on our word.
The Earth Kingdom now needs war to win opportunities for development in the next ten years, so the Earth Kingdom must participate in the Second World War and must win!
If the daimyo wins, he will continue to rely on the village and will not dare to have any inappropriate thoughts. People from other countries will not dare to covet the Land of Earth.
Losing all of this will be a setback.
Ohnoki wanted to give Chichen a chance to develop in this war. He wanted to appoint Chichen as deputy commander and stay in the front, so that he could be appointed as the main commander in the next war. This time he would follow Yamagami and others to learn from their experience.
After hearing what Chichen said, Ohnoki's eyes flashed with admiration, but his solemnity remained unchanged: "What's ahead? Sunagakure's puppets, Hanzo's poison, and the covetous Rai, Sui, and even Konoha! Chichen, are you ready?"
"Teacher, I'm ready. The entire Land of Earth is behind me." Chi Chen looked at Ohnoki and answered firmly.
Over the years, the deadly swarm of Dust Release: Skyfall Stars, the absolute protection of Dust Release: Crystal Wall, the nimble tracking of Dust Release: Wandering Star Formation, and the destructive waves of Dust Release: Wind Haze, the strength honed through countless days and nights in the training grounds and life-and-death missions, has given him enough power to look down on most ninjas in this world.
Who isn't frivolous when young?
At this moment, the heavy stone door of the office was suddenly pushed open, bringing in a sharp breath of wind and sand.
A figure strode in with great speed, his hair as fiery red as the burning sunset, and a brand new Iwagakure forehead protector neatly tied on his forehead.
The lines on her face, which once had baby fat, have become tough, and her amber cat-like eyes are as sharp as a knife, revealing a determination and courage beyond her age.
He has a slender figure, with smooth and powerful muscle lines. Hanging around his waist is no longer a toy-like miniature shuriken, but a long sword with an ancient style and a black scabbard. The handle is polished to a shine - it is the "Iwakiri", the sword that the mountain is proud of.
It's Fei Liu!
He ignored the solemn atmosphere in the office and the gazes of many senior executives. His amber eyes immediately locked onto Chi Chen. He strode forward and spoke in a loud voice with unquestionable determination:
"Old man! And Chen!" he snapped, "I'm a Chunin now. I, Fei Liu, formally apply to join Chen's ninja team.
Fei Liu has been a rising star in the Land of Earth in recent years. He graduated at the age of seven, was promoted to Chunin at the age of nine, and is also a descendant with high hopes.
He looked at Chi Chen with a burning gaze. The dependence he had felt since childhood had long since transformed into a desire to fight side by side and a vow to protect him. "Chen, it's not just you who has made progress in the past three years. I've also reached the point where I can protect others!"
The office instantly fell silent. The think tank members exchanged surprised glances. Fei Liu's unwavering will, as blazing as magma, seemed to inject a scorching vitality into this solemn space.
But Chi Chen clearly heard their whispers.
"That kid Fei Liu is dreaming again. It's okay to say he protects others, but him protecting Chi Chen is no joke."
"Who says he isn't? But I think this kid is capable. He can pass the Chunin Exam at such a young age. He's a genius."
"········"
Ohnoki looked at the two young men before him, the ones he had high hopes for—one like the deep earth, bearing all things and masterminding the strategic plan; the other like exploding lava, sharp and unstoppable. A nearly unbridled smile slowly spread across his wrinkled face, a crack like the crack of rock bursting under immense pressure, brimming with fighting spirit!
"Okay! Okay!" Ōnoki slammed the stone table with a bang that shook the entire house. "You are the hope of Iwagakure. I approve, Chichen."
"Here!" Chi Chen replied in a deep voice.
"Hiru!" Ohnoki turned his gaze to the red-haired boy.
"Here!" Fei Liu straightened his chest, spoke in a loud voice, and the fighting spirit burned in his amber eyes.
"Order!" Ohnoki's voice was like a rock falling to the ground, carrying the determination to open an era. "Chichen, follow me to the combat meeting. From now on, Feiliu will be assigned to Chichen's ninja squad!"
"yes."
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