It had now been two and a half months since the Mechanical City's construction began. Doing the math, it was about time for the foundation excavation to be nearly finished.
When Ryuji arrived at Roran, he noticed the city had undergone significant changes.
First, the towering spires. Not only had their height and footprint expanded, but the material had also changed from ordinary stone bricks to metal, with many large gears and axles mounted on the exterior.
Although the overall city wasn't built yet and the related components and tools weren't operational, one could already sense the outline of the entire city as a single massive instrument.
Second, the area centered on the city, extending thirty kilometers outward, was now severed from the outside world. From high above, it looked like a line, but up close, it was a fissure about five meters wide. Many worker puppets were busy inside the fissure.
Earth Release Shinobi continued digging underground, while the worker puppets transported the fallen rubble and soil upward.
'Roran's original area was over two thousand square kilometers. Including the outer vacant land, it totals five thousand square kilometers. This way, even if Sunagakure and Roran's people live together, there will be surplus space reserved for future use,' Ebizo reported the specific work status to Ryuji.
"What about the foundation? How much longer until it's completely excavated?"
"Three days," Ebizo explained. "Only the area under the Dragon Vein remains unexcavated. We're worried that completely severing the foundation's connection to the earth might affect the Dragon Vein, so we need you here before proceeding."
This was what Ryuji had instructed before leaving. To ensure the Dragon Vein's absolute safety, he needed to install the Ugo Ring the moment the foundation was severed from the earth, turning the foundation into a small landmass.
"As expected of a senior veteran. Experience truly counts for something!" Ryuji said playfully, then continued, "Go ahead and arrange the excavation. Just notify me in advance when it's time to install the Ugo Ring."
"Understood. I'll go make arrangements now."
"Wait." Ryuji called out to Ebizo, who was about to leave. Seeing him turn back, Ryuji said, "I've been researching a small device recently and need some poison that inhibits vitality. Ebizo-senpai, could you help me out?"
Ebizo thought for a moment. "Roughly what level? Any specific requirements?"
"The specific requirements are written here. Take a look." Ryuji handed him the information related to the seed cells.
Ebizo glanced through it briefly and returned it to Ryuji. "My sister knows more about biological matters. But the poison you need is quite simple. I'll go arrange the foundation excavation first and prepare the poison for you afterward."
"No problem."
Watching Ebizo leave, Ryuji nodded in satisfaction. Although Ebizo wasn't as famous as Chiyo, he was indeed a puppet master of the same level.
Perhaps not as skilled in Medical Ninjutsu as Chiyo, but superior in poison research. If Sasori's puppetry was taught by Chiyo, then his knowledge in poisons was taught by Ebizo. Seeking his help was just as good.
Afterwards, Ryuji wandered around Roran. In the city of towering spires, there were no singing and dancing puppets, no music, no constantly spraying confetti or released balloons… only the Roran's people going about their lives.
Compared to when Anrokuzan was in power, it lacked the dreamy, fairytale atmosphere and felt more real.
"Ryuji?"
A voice filled with surprise came from behind, unfamiliar yet familiar.
Turning towards the sound, Ryuji saw a young woman standing by the roadside, looking at him with delight. The distinctive red hair immediately reminded him of her identity: Sara.
The former Queen of Roran had swapped her princess gown for an ordinary robe and cotton clothes. But her exquisite beauty wasn't concealed at all. Instead, the robe covered her figure, giving her more of a girl-next-door vibe.
"When did you get back?"
Sara ran over, asking happily.
Ryuji scratched his head and smiled, "Just got back."
"For the foundation matter?"
"...Yeah."
"Will you have to leave immediately after finishing with the foundation?"
Looking at the somewhat expectant young woman, Ryuji hesitated for a moment but still nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, I was originally the leader of Sunagakure's diplomatic mission to Konoha. Something urgent came up, so I rushed back."
"I see..."
The young woman seemed a bit downcast but quickly perked up. "Then let me be your guide during this time!"
"???"
Ryuji was bewildered. He remembered that when he left Roran last time, Sara's attitude towards him was one of respectful distance.
'How had she become so enthusiastic towards him after not seeing him for a while? I haven't done anything! Could it be that as time passed, I grew even more handsome?'
As if sensing Ryuji's thoughts, Sara couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't overthink it. I just want to thank you."
"Thank me?"
Ryuji was even more confused, 'Did I do something good that deserved Sara's thanks? Or did I do good deeds in his sleep, sleepwalking and doing things I didn't even know about?'
"Thank you for saving Roran."
Sara whispered her thanks, her face blushing slightly with shyness.
Ryuji was taken aback for a moment before realization dawned. Admittedly, because of him, Roran would become history.
But if he hadn't come, Roran would have become Anrokuzan's tool for dominating the Shinobi World, with an unknown final fate.
Even with Naruto's help defeating Anrokuzan, Roran would ultimately be destroyed in the war. He did end Roran as it was, but he also liberated its people.
Sara was educated by her mother from a young age... In her eyes, where Roran's people were was Roran, not these towering spire buildings. Ryuji seized control of this place, but he also liberated its inhabitants.
Although Sara initially kept her distance from Ryuji, it was because at the time, their relationship was that of conqueror and conquered, coupled with Ryuji's forceful actions and his unabashed ambition. It was normal for her to fear and distrust him.
But after Ryuji fulfilled the conditions he proposed to her and kept his promises, her impression of him improved. Furthermore, the subsequent harmonious life shared with the Sunagakure's Shinobi made her realize this new situation wasn't so bad, and she began to accept and identify herself as a member of Sunagakure.
After accepting this change in identity, her perspective on things shifted. Previously, Ryuji was an adversary, but now he was a comrade from the same village. The more capable and formidable he was, the more reliable and secure he felt to his allies.
Understanding this, Ryuji gladly accepted the invitation.
The two toured Roran together. Sara took Ryuji to the ruins of ancient Roran… the original Roran's settlement before Anrokuzan arrived.
It's not as grand and towering as the current city, most buildings were dilapidated and collapsed, overgrown with green grass. But it was spacious, quiet, and pleasant, with a natural beauty about it.
'Hmm, we could consider developing it into a tourist area later,' Ryuji thought.
They also strolled the streets, buying local specialties, sampling local delicacies... Although these would later become common Sunagakure's goods, for now, they were still quite novel.
They spent time together until past eight in the evening, only parting ways after Ebizo delivered the specially formulated poison.
…
After receiving the poison, Ryuji didn't head to his laboratory in his Personal Space. He needed to be ready for Ebizo's notification to install the Ugo Ring, which could come at any moment. So, he temporarily borrowed Anrokuzan's old workshop. For testing and adjustments, no advanced equipment was needed.
Time passed slowly.
At noon the next day, Ryuji successfully developed the seed cells. Once buried in soil, they would immediately sprout into saplings.
With daily watering ensured, subsequent growth was also extremely rapid… within half a year, they could grow into mature trees about five meters tall. Their growth rate was explosive. Moreover, since their main nutrients came from the Sage cells' vitality, there was no worry about them massively depleting soil moisture from other plants, causing large-scale land desiccation.
Ryuji immediately informed the Third Kazekage about this through their mental link, asking him to send people with the seeds to seek funding from the Daimyo.
After all, planting across the entire desert required a number of seeds on an astronomical scale. Relying on Ryuji alone to cultivate them was impossible… he couldn't possibly provide that many resources even if he sold everything he had!
Besides, this was a matter benefiting the very foundation of the Land of Wind. If the Daimyo, the ruler of the land, didn't provide the funds, could he expect his subordinates to pay out of their own pockets? But Ryuji estimated the Daimyo didn't have much money left either, having likely invested heavily in the Mechanical City's project already.
But Ryuji didn't mind. Such large-scale projects aren't meant to be completed in a year or two; delaying a few years wasn't a big deal.
He just wanted to inform the Daimyo's administration so they could make corresponding long-term financial plans. Otherwise, funds might not be available even years later.
On the third day, Ebizo sent word that the foundation excavation was in its final stage and could be severed from the earth at any moment.
Ryuji began assembling the Ugo Ring. All the components were ready: the ten-meter diameter ring, the pattern of the twelve constellations, the pattern of celestial bodies connected by lines of mercury, and the dual-hexagram magic circle to be embedded at the very center.
When Ryuji set the dual-hexagram magic circle in place, the Ugo Ring erupted with dazzling light, shooting straight into the sky.
A pillar of light pierced through the atmosphere, visible across the entire Shinobi World. Fortunately, it was daytime, not night, so the light pillar wasn't as conspicuous. Except for those with powerful sensory abilities or those who happened to look in the right direction, most people didn't notice.
But at the very least, every Great Shinobi Village's intelligence division received reports and dispatched personnel to investigate.
As for Konoha... on the Land of Grass's frontline, Minato gazed solemnly at the direction from which the light pillar ascended. He knew that location was near Roran.
Thinking of the Dragon Vein now in Sunagakure's hands, and of Ryuji who had left Konoha half a month ago, he had a strong suspicion that Sunagakure was undertaking some major operation. He understood Ryuji's capabilities and the terrifying potential of the Dragon Vein... Being able to create such a phenomenon meant Sunagakure's actions were certainly significant.
But even knowing, what could he do? Konoha was mired in the quagmire of war, uncertain when they could extricate themselves. They simply lacked the strength to intervene.
…
"Earth Release: Earth Splitting Palm!"
As two hundred Shinobi used the technique simultaneously, the location a thousand meters deep underground was completely severed and separated.
The mysterious ring placed on the ground also gradually sank amidst the light until it completely disappeared.
—The foundation construction was complete.