"Isn't this good news?" Ryuji said.
Though Ryuji didn't want Sunagakure involved in war during this period, it depended on the specific circumstances.
The samurai of the Land of Iron were not easy to deal with. Although it was unclear why Hanzo was attacking the Land of Iron, to win the war, he would inevitably take a large number of Amegakure's Shinobi with him.
At that time, Sunagakure launching an attack on Amegakure would not incur heavy losses.
Most importantly, all powerful Shinobi Villages in the world capable of causing trouble were currently embroiled in war and wouldn't suddenly intervene to create complications.
Low risk, high reward... In the current economic downturn of the ninja world, this was practically a blessing falling from the sky.
Not taking it would be idiotic.
Haven't you seen how villages everywhere fight wars for development and survival?
For Sunagakure to encounter such a good thing was a blessing earned over eight lifetimes.
"Since you see no problem, then this matter is settled," The Third Kazekage said, nodding in agreement after hearing Ryuji's explanation.
In fact, if Ryuji hadn't previously stated that Sunagakure needed stable development now and should avoid war as much as possible, he wouldn't have bothered asking and would have prepared to send troops directly.
"Is there anything else?"
"Nothing."
"Then that's all. I need to continue my research."
Ending the communication, Ryuji retrieved the sealed research progress and resumed his study.
…
The next day.
Ryuji opened his eyes, habitually completing the new day's check-in in his mind.
[Ding! Check-in successful!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for continuously signing in for ten years. You have obtained 'Portable Space' and 'Book of Golden Fairies'!]
'Huh?'
'Check-in for ten years?'
Hearing the different content, Ryuji was stunned.
Then he suddenly realized… 'Oh right, there's a system cheat!'
'Good God.'
Although Ryuji's achievements in this life were all given by the system, the system really had little presence in his mind.
Daily check-ins either gave a bit of experience points or points, with occasional different items being commonly available things easily bought. Even the major prizes from long-term check-ins required his own effort to learn.
Under such circumstances, check-in became a habitual, natural act, and he had practically forgotten that the system was his cheat.
"Let me see what the ten-year check-in prize is." Ryuji's grogginess from just waking up vanished instantly as he focused intently on checking the prize information.
[Portable Space: This is an alternate space attached to the host. It can be opened or closed with a thought, allowing touched items to be stored or retrieved.]
[Note: The size of the Portable Space is proportional to the host's mental strength. The stronger the host's mental strength, the larger the space.
Storing or retrieving items consumes energy, related to the item's mass.
Inside the Portable Space, the host can use thought to instantly relocate themselves or external objects.
To store living beings, the host must obtain the being's consent or render it unable to resist.
The host can use thought to set the environment inside the Portable Space.
There are no restrictions on items stored in the Portable Space.]
'Seems quite good. Let's try it first.'
After reading the description, Ryuji focused his mind. The space in front of him gradually twisted and rotated, forming a spatial gate.
'The spatial gate takes about five seconds to form. Can't use it like Kamui to dodge attacks or escape... Could it be just a storage space without item restrictions?' Ryuji frowned.
He had been looking forward to the ten-year check-in prize for a long time. If it were only this, it would be very disappointing.
Storing or retrieving items requires personal contact, which precludes use like Gate of Babylon.
And the five seconds needed to open the spatial gate also makes it difficult to be useful in combat.
If it's just a storage space without item restrictions... for others, it might be good, but Ryuji already had the system's built-in storage space.
Although it can only store system-produced inanimate items, it already solves most problems.
The rest can be handled with storage scrolls. Though more troublesome and with limited capacity, still...
'Wait, no item restrictions?'
'Limited capacity?'
'Can store living beings?'
Ryuji seemed to think of something, looking up at the vortex-like spatial gate in front of him.
He took a deep breath, then stood up from under the covers. "First, go inside the Portable Space to see. If it's really as I think, then it's worth it."
Muttering, Ryuji stepped through the spatial gate.
His vision shifted, and he arrived inside the Portable Space.
It was a gray, hazy space, empty, with no end in sight.
But as the master of this space, Ryuji had a special connection to it, understanding everything within it perfectly.
He knew this space was actually only 320 square meters.
The reason it seemed boundless was just a visual illusion caused by the gray, hazy environment.
And also...
"There really is air here, conditions suitable for normal living beings." Ryuji couldn't help but feel excited.
If it could support life, then he could move all his equipment and instruments here. No more worries about being away from Sunagakure and unable to use those black-tech devices for research.
Moreover, it was absolutely safe and confidential. No more need to waste a high-end combatant like Aka guarding the home base.
After a while, Ryuji calmed down.
He surveyed the surroundings, frowning slightly. "This environment is too oppressive. Let's improve it first."
Ryuji focused his mind. Light of daytime lit up the space. The boundless chaotic world transformed into a science-fiction-style laboratory, with snow-white walls projecting pleasant natural environments.
"This is much better."
Ryuji nodded with satisfaction, then left the Portable Space.
"Master, what's wrong?"
"Master, why did your mental fluctuation disappear?"
"Master, did something unexpected happen?"
"Master..."
As soon as he left the space, urgent inquiries came through the mental link.
From Aka and Gin.
Ryuji, hoping someone could rescue him if he encountered danger, had infused stronger self-awareness into their souls during creation, allowing them to sense his location in the mental link.
The Portable Space was an alternate dimension; the mental link couldn't connect inside.
His entry into the Portable Space caused his mental fluctuation to suddenly vanish from the link, alarming both of them immediately.
If Gin weren't here to confirm no incident had occurred, Aka would have probably come looking for him.
"I'm fine."
Ryuji calmed their emotions, then explained the Portable Space matter to them. "If my mental fluctuation disappears suddenly in the future, don't panic like this."
"But how will we know if Master went to the Portable Space or encountered danger?"
"Alright, I'll notify you before entering the Portable Space from now on."
"That's good."
"Aka, let's switch bodies. The Portable Space is bound to the soul. Even using your body, I can use it. I need to move the workshop equipment inside."
"Understood."