"So, at the present stage, our most sensible choice should be to actively participate in the ninja war and extract benefits from these warring nations."
"By continuously weakening their strength and siphoning off the resources and wealth we need," As he spoke, a sharp, calculating glint flashed through Rengoku's eyes, "At the same time, we must vigorously push technological development and strive to achieve instant communication between all corners of the Land of Fire as soon as possible."
"Only in this way, when we have sufficient reserves of talent and a solid material foundation, will we have the capability to govern more territories."
"And before that, what we need to do is focus our efforts on eliminating the armed forces of hostile nations and accumulate as much manpower, material resources, and other assets as possible."
In the end, Rengoku summarized, "When Konoha becomes incomparably powerful and prosperous, the people of other countries will naturally develop a yearning for it."
"At that time, when we go to conquer them, they will be much more willing to accept our rule."
In truth, for Rengoku, defeating these ninja villages was not difficult at all.
By himself, he could completely wipe out their villages.
But the real difficulty lay in how to make the hearts of all the people incline toward the Land of Fire.
From the current perspective, the Land of Fire still had a long and arduous road ahead to achieve this goal.
Rengoku explained this succinctly to the three of them, after all, none of them had received much formal education.
In fact, the history of this world was indeed rather brief.
After all, the system of one country and one village had only existed for a short sixty years.
Compared to the long, unbroken cultural legacy of his original world, spanning five thousand years from top to bottom, it was hardly worth mentioning.
Seeing the three of them lost in thought.
'I really have to put more thought and effort into education,' Rengoku mused inwardly.
At this moment, after this clone retained enough chakra for itself, it continuously transmitted the remaining dojutsu power toward where the main body was located.
Because if Susanoo was to become even stronger, abundant dojutsu power was absolutely an indispensable element.
In addition, since on the Land of Rivers side the main body only had a mere one thousand Konoha ninja at its side.
There was no choice but to adjust the battle strategy here to deal with the current situation.
———
On the vast and boundless ninja continent, every life followed its own unique path and destiny.
When life came to an end, whether it was a powerful ninja or an ordinary civilian, the various kinds of energy contained within their bodies would change along with the destruction of the flesh.
Under normal circumstances, most of that energy would completely return to nothingness as the body turned to ashes and dissipated between heaven and earth.
However, there were always exceptions.
Under certain special conditions, a small portion of that energy did not fully disperse, but instead fused tightly with the deceased's soul.
On the smoke-filled, war-torn battlefield just moments ago, countless Iwagakure ninja had already been reduced to charred corpses, burned beyond recognition by the raging flames.
From these bodies, which still emitted a pungent, scorched stench, an astonishing number of souls began to float out unceasingly.
These souls were like a flock of migratory birds that had suddenly lost their way, dazed and bewildered as they slowly ascended toward the empty, barren sky above.
At first glance, the sky looked no different from usual, calm and serene.
But upon closer observation, one could vaguely sense that it concealed a mysterious gateway leading to some unknown world.
When those souls finally reached that mysterious expanse of air, they vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye, like droplets of water merging into a vast ocean.
Without a doubt, this was the passage connecting the real world to the Pure Land.
The so-called Pure Land was actually a strange space specifically meant to house souls.
Here, countless souls gathered together, resting in peaceful slumber.
Here, time seemed to lose all meaning, and everything became quiet and tranquil.
Only pure souls could remain here for long, enjoying eternal stillness and rest.
However, the various energies that had originally clung to the souls could not follow them into this Pure Land.
During the long journey through this passage, they would be purified and dissolved by powerful forces, ultimately returning to nothingness.
Looking out, one could see soul after soul, densely packed and layered upon one another, drifting deeper and deeper into the passage.
They were like countless stars glittering in the night sky, so numerous it was staggering.
At the same time, as the souls continued to pour in.
Large amounts of energy released by the separation from the souls surged out from within the passage like torrents of brilliant, multicolored light.
Strangely, these surging energies did not scatter in all directions.
Instead, as if drawn by some mysterious gravitational force, they flowed straight toward a narrow fissure within the passage.
That fissure was like a deep, hidden gash, concealed in darkness, as if it were a bottomless pit that could never be filled.
And within that narrow crevice, a figure was actually sitting cross-legged in midair.
This person had two sharp horns growing from his head, long coffee-colored hair casually draped over his shoulders, and wore an ancient set of ninja sect robes.
———
[Land of Rivers]
[Konoha Camp, Rengoku's Tent]
Tsunade strode in briskly, "Rengoku, the people from Sunagakure are about to reach us!"
Hearing Tsunade's voice, the main body among the four Rengokus slowly opened his tightly closed eyes.
Those eyes were like deep lakes, calm without the slightest ripple.
He replied expressionlessly, "I know."
His voice was flat, as if the impending battle were nothing more than a trivial nuisance.
Then, unhurriedly, he turned his head.
Smiling, he asked, "Tsunade, do you know what kind of enemy your grandfather had to face back then?"
Without waiting for Tsunade's response, he stood up and strode out toward the battlefield.
Tsunade subconsciously frowned, sinking into deep thought.
Of course she knew that the formidable enemy her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, had faced back then was none other than Uchiha Madara.
'But why would Rengoku suddenly bring this up at a time like this?'
'Could it be that he believes his current strength has already surpassed that of Uchiha Madara from the past?'
As this thought surfaced, a complex swirl of emotions immediately rose in Tsunade's heart.
Shock, confusion, and a faint, barely perceptible hint of anticipation.
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