The Gelel Stone is a natural mineral containing powerful Chakra. It can make plants grow rapidly, grant organisms long lifespans, heal most injuries and illnesses, and can also be used as a power source for technological products.
It could be said to be the best power source for the Mechanical City.
As is well known, Naruto is divided into Manga, Anime, Movies, Novels, and Games.
Different versions have many inconsistencies.
Among them, the games are full of overpowered characters; the Anime and Manga have many contradictions and divergences; the Novels supplement some plotlines.
And the Movies also contain many elements unrelated to the original plot, making them seem like they're not even in the same world.
When Ryuji was young, to understand what kind of world he was in, he conducted related investigations.
The Priestess of the Land of Demons, ancient civilizations... Through some books and stories from elders, Ryuji learned about these.
After realizing that the stories from the movies also took place in the same world, when he conceived the idea of the Mechanical City, he thought of the Gelel Stone and began investigating it.
"In fact, based on ancient book records, I've roughly deduced the location of the Gelel Stone Vein." Ryuji looked around the room, seeing everyone listening attentively. He pointed to a spot on the Shinobi World Map at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers. "The location should be around here."
Everyone stood up, compared it on the map, and then one by one frowned.
Seeing this, Ryuji couldn't help but feel puzzled. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"This location is the Great Rift Canyon. It's not convenient for large-scale searching." Ebizo said. "Although the Land of Rivers is vast, it doesn't have its own Shinobi Village. They entrust their national defense and missions entirely to Konoha."
"So, you mean if we search there on a large scale, it will attract Konoha's attention, right?"
"Exactly. Although Konoha doesn't have permanent military forces in the Land of Rivers, Shinobi often perform missions in that country."
Hearing this, Ryuji also frowned.
Although the Third Shinobi World War hasn't fully erupted yet, there are frequent frictions and local wars between nations in the Shinobi World.
Today's joint attack by four villages on Sunagakure will completely shatter the previous peace and stability, expanding the scale of war.
In such a situation, a large gathering of Sunagakure's Shinobi at the Land of Rivers border for investigation would definitely make Konoha nervous.
At that time, many Konoha's Shinobi would certainly deploy to the Land of Rivers border for defense, and they would undoubtedly come to investigate.
Once they learn about a strategic resource like Gelel Stone, they absolutely won't let Sunagakure have it without a fight.
"Not just the issue of finding the Gelel Stone; there are still many problems in building the Mechanical City." Chiyo said while flipping through the blueprints Ryuji brought out. "I just looked at more blueprints. Three-hundred-meter-high steel walls over twenty meters thick, enormous gears around ten meters, axles so precise they're invisible to the naked eye... and a whole bunch of parts I can't understand. These things simply can't be manufactured, can they?"
"Moreover, even if they could be made, the cost would be unimaginably high. We couldn't afford it; we don't even have enough money for the materials."
"I can manufacture those parts. The village just needs to assist with the rest of the construction."
Seeing everyone look at him, Ryuji said, "The money issue can be solved by seeking sponsorship from the Daimyo."
"No." The Third Kazekage shook his head. "If the construction cost is so high that the village's finances can't even cover the material expenses, I don't think the Daimyo will sponsor it."
"No, he will."
The Third Kazekage and Ryuji stared at each other. Seeing Ryuji's firm gaze, he couldn't help but question, "Why do you think so?"
"You all... you haven't truly grasped the amazing aspects of the Mechanical City." Ryuji sighed. "I mentioned earlier that even if the entire Shinobi World united to attack, they couldn't do anything to the Mechanical City. Didn't you consider the possibility of the Mechanical City being besieged and trapped inside?"
"Didn't you say the Mechanical City can fly?"
"I hadn't mentioned that function at that time."
"Then?"
"It's the Infinite Water Circulation System!"
The Infinite Water Circulation System is the most incredible thing recorded in the Mozi.
This hydraulic engineering system enables infinite recycling of water, making the water source never wasted, never depleted.
With this hydraulic system, even if besieged, the Mechanical City could be self-sufficient.
Ryuji explained the functions of this system one by one, leaving everyone dumbfounded, as if listening to something out of this world.
"Are you sure..."
'Those who understand, understand. Explaining is useless for those who don't. Just ponder it yourselves.' Ryuji cut off the skeptical voice and continued, "The Infinite Water Circulation System is an independent technology that can be installed anywhere with a water source. If I offer to help install the Infinite Water Circulation System in various cities across the Land of Wind in exchange for financial sponsorship from the Daimyo, would he agree?"
"He would, absolutely!"
The Third Kazekage answered decisively.
The Land of Wind has the largest territory in the Shinobi World, but 95% of it is desert, with towns built around oases spaced far apart.
In such a region, the population scale is also pitifully small.
However, with the Infinite Water Circulation System, the Land of Wind could break free from the constraint of relying solely on oases.
More cities could be built, attracting more people to live.
If this could continue long-term, turning the desert green would just be a matter of time.
By then, the Land of Wind would certainly become the world's greatest nation, and Sunagakure would rise along with it.
Not to mention the Daimyo's sponsorship.
With increased national population and wealth, there would be more mission commissions, giving Sunagakure more income.
And with a larger population, Sunagakure could nurture more excellent Shinobi, overcoming the weakness of insufficient personnel.
Of course, all these assumptions are based on the premise of no external interference.
Other villages wouldn't just sit back and watch Sunagakure develop peacefully. Therefore, they must have a trump card capable of withstanding external pressure.
And that trump card is the Mechanical City.
'I too am doing this to revitalize the village.'
The Third Kazekage recalled Ryuji's words to him when he first awakened, finally believing them now.
Different from the plans of previous Kazekage, Ryuji's plan solves the problem at its root, once and for all.
"In that case, we must obtain the Gelel Stone, even if it means risking war with Konoha by mobilizing the entire village."
The Third Kazekage said firmly. Although the others weren't fully in agreement, no one voiced opposition.
Indeed, compared to the benefits, taking such a risk is nothing.
"We don't necessarily have to go to war with Konoha." Ryuji said. "We don't absolutely have to use Gelel Stone as the energy source. I've found another substitute, and as a last resort, we could use Tailed Beasts."
"In short, we haven't reached the point where we must go to war with Konoha."