"The Head of the Medical Department will still be concurrently held by Chiyo."
"Rasa is appointed as the Commander of the Anbu. The Deputy Commander will be held by Ebizo."
"The Intelligence Department will be overseen by Karura."
"The Head of the Logistics Department will be concurrently held by Ebizo."
The Third Kazekage successively appointed young people to lead important departments. The oldest was 26, and the youngest was Ryuji at 15.
It's worth mentioning that although Chiyo and Ebizo were demoted to deputy positions in their original departments, they were given other primary positions.
This was probably due to concerns that they might not accept the young superiors above them, not only failing to assist wholeheartedly but even undermining their authority.
"In the future, you will participate in every important decision of the village as members of the Round Table Conference. I hope you can remain true to your original intentions, offer strategies for the village, and dedicate yourselves wholeheartedly."
"It is our duty and we cannot decline!"
The Third Kazekage looked at everyone standing tall and proud, appearing ready to sacrifice everything for the village, and nodded with satisfaction. "Currently, most people are outside pursuing the enemy, so the formal appointment ceremony must wait until they return."
"That's about it for now. Members of the Round Table Conference, please stay. The rest are dismissed."
The crowd left one after another, until only six people remained.
Including the Third Kazekage, there were Ryuji, Chiyo, Ebizo, and the two other young Jonin.
'What were their names again?'
Ryuji wasn't very interested in politics and such, so he hadn't paid much attention during the previous meeting.
"Please, everyone, take a seat for discussion."
Hearing the Third Kazekage's words, Ryuji yawned and casually took a seat.
Seeing this, the other two also sat in nearby seats.
"Although Sunagakure achieved victory in this war, we also suffered considerable losses. Various equipment consumption and city destruction require replenishment and reconstruction."
As he spoke, the Third Kazekage looked at Ebizo. "Ebizo, you are now in charge of logistics. The city's reconstruction and equipment resupply are all entrusted to you."
"No problem."
The Third Kazekage nodded, then looked at everyone, about to move on to the next matter when Ryuji suddenly spoke up. "I have a question."
Everyone was momentarily stunned, then all looked over.
The Third Kazekage remained silent for a moment before asking, "What is your question, Ryuji?"
"Regarding the village's reconstruction."
Ryuji stood up and took a scroll from his tool pouch. "Many issues of our Sunagakure's construction are exposed during this war."
"Although the terrain results in only one entrance/exit."
"However, some skilled Shinobi can still infiltrate from the surrounding weathered cliffs."
"And it's difficult for us to detect them."
"Ryuji, don't think you're special just because you're outstanding among the younger generation. We've long been aware of these issues you mentioned." Chiyo scoffed. "But we don't have the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques to deploy a barrier covering the entire village. Nor do we have the population scale of other villages to arrange guards comprehensively. Utilizing the terrain to reduce security risks is already the limit of what we can do."
"That's you, not me."
Ryuji said calmly, spread the scroll on the table, and formed hand seals. "Release!"
Bang!
As the rising white smoke disappeared, the scroll was now covered with a thick stack of blueprints.
"I've been considering the village's security vulnerabilities since I was at the Ninja Academy. Aiming to change this situation, I've been designing a new city..." Ryuji picked up a stack of blueprints and handed them out. "Take a look. The city I've spent seven years designing… the 'Mechanical City.'"
"Oh, I'd like to see what kind of city our great genius has designed over seven years." Chiyo took a blueprint from Ryuji with great interest.
Although her words were sharp, Chiyo acknowledged Ryuji's talent in puppet design.
In terms of puppet design alone, he was absolutely the greatest genius in history.
She was also full of anticipation for the city designed by such a genius over seven years.
The others also took blueprints from Ryuji to look at.
However... they couldn't understand them.
The blueprints showed various strange buildings, with many large gears and axles outlined with dotted lines inside, along with many mechanical parts of unknown purpose.
From the buildings to the mechanisms, everything was intricate, complex, and densely packed… just a glance was enough to cause dizziness.
The Third Kazekage looked for a while, feeling a headache coming on.
He gently rubbed his temples, put down the blueprint, and looked at the others.
The two young men were frowning deeply, while Chiyo and Ebizo were completely engrossed.
Sometimes they looked puzzled, other times they exclaimed in amazement.
Seeing this, the Third Kazekage understood… these incomprehensible yet impressive blueprints actually contained substance.
As for their specific functions, he still didn't understand.
"Cough!"
The Third Kazekage coughed lightly twice. Seeing everyone's attention turn to him, he looked at Chiyo. "Well, I'm not a puppeteer, so I didn't quite understand. Could you explain what's special about this city?"
"How to put it... it's very complex." Chiyo pondered for a moment. "Although I've only seen a fraction of the entire design, this should be a city entirely composed of mechanical engineering."
"Mechanical engineering?"
The Third Kazekage was stunned, instinctively asking, "You mean the entire city is a puppet, or a city full of traps?"
"Pfft!"
Ryuji couldn't help but laugh.
The Third Kazekage and the other two young men looked somewhat confused.
Ebizo sighed. "Kazekage-sama, not being a puppeteer, you might not understand. Mechanical engineering isn't only applicable to puppets or traps. People's daily lives also utilize mechanical engineering, like waterwheels or windmills... these are the most basic applications of mechanical engineering."
"I see."
The Third Kazekage suddenly understood, then asked, "What exactly is the use of this city?"
"Well, I haven't fully comprehended it yet."
Hearing this, everyone's gaze shifted to Ryuji.
Ryuji cleared his throat and smiled. "Actually, it's nothing too major. It just makes everyone's lives a bit more convenient and the defense a bit stronger, that's all."
"If that's all, then there's no need to go through the trouble of building a Mechanical City."
"Cough!"
Looking at the coughing Chiyo, the Third Kazekage was somewhat puzzled. "Is there a problem?"
"What this brat calls 'a bit stronger' is an understatement. Although I have only seen one blueprint, judging by the mechanical designs on it, it's far more than just 'a bit' stronger."
The Third Kazekage was stunned for a moment, then turned to Ryuji. "When you say 'a bit stronger', exactly how much stronger are we talking about?"
"Just a tiny bit stronger, really."
As he spoke, Ryuji pondered for a moment, then continued, "Let's talk about defensive functions, for example. Even if the entire Shinobi World united to attack Sunagakure, they still couldn't breach it, unless they use Tailed Beasts."
Bang!
The Third Kazekage abruptly stood up, eyes wide. "Truly?"
"False."
"I..."
"Actually, even Tailed Beasts would be useless because the Mechanical City I designed can fly."