Time flowed steadily, and soon half a year had passed.
During these six months, it seemed as if the Shinobi World had made an unspoken agreement, as not a single conflict occurred. All energies were passionately devoted to construction.
The Mechanical City.
"Hurry, move it in a bit further over there..." Ryuji was directing a large vehicle to press a giant golden figure into the wall.
This was a prize he had obtained from a New Year's check-in reward. It was one of the Twelve Golden Figures, created by the First Emperor from an unscientific martial arts world who collected weapons from across the land and utilized mechanical arts to forge them.
After obtaining this item, Ryuji modified it using alchemy, ultimately creating a weapon combining the properties of a Golem and a Mechanical Beast.
"The defense system of the Mechanical City is almost complete. We won't have to stand guard anymore soon."
"Yes, Ryuji-sama is truly a hero of the village!"
Two Sunagakure's Shinobi standing guard watched Ryuji directing the construction, their expressions and tone filled with respect.
This scene was captured entirely by a Byakugan from a kilometer away.
'Senki Ryuji... It seems Mukai-sama indeed found a person with extraordinary talent!' The Hyuga Clan's Shinobi silently thought.
Although he had long heard of, and even personally experienced, the disasters brought by this person, he had only believed him to possess talent in combat and strategy. Doubts still lingered about whether this person could solve the Caged Bird Seal.
But now, after seeing that golden figure over thirty meters tall, along with the densely packed yet orderly and intricate combination of parts that could make one dizzy at a glance, the doubts in his heart finally lessened considerably.
However, they were only lessened considerably, not eliminated.
This was unavoidable. The Caged Bird Seal had existed since the Warring States Period, yet until now, no one had been able to break it. It was only natural for him to feel this way.
Yes, he was the contact person sent by Kohinata Mukai to approach Ryuji regarding the resolution of the Hyuga Branch Family's Caged Bird Seal.
About a kilometer outside Sunagakure, a Konoha's team lay hidden behind a slope.
"Sunagakure's development is too rapid. Countless autonomous puppets are being produced every day; almost every Shinobi has one now. If this continues, after the Sky Castle is built, will we be able to win?"
Lost in thought, the voice of a comrade sounded in his ear.
The Hyuga Clan's Shinobi deactivated his Byakugan and looked up at the comrade beside him... a Sensor-type Shinobi from Kirigakure.
Clearly, they were also Sensor-type Shinobi, using their respective abilities to perceive the situation in Sunagakure.
Another comrade whispered, "We definitely can!"
"That's right, definitely."
The previously doubtful comrade hesitated for a moment, then also spoke with conviction.
While Sunagakure was developing rapidly, their Allied Shinobi Forces were not slow either.
The Sky Castle was already under construction, and weapons to counter the immortal and indestructible puppets were also under development... Four Great Shinobi Villages, countless small and medium-sized villages... The Shinobi World had never been this united before.
"We just need to trust in everyone's strength!"
As the Hyuga Clan's Shinobi spoke, he suddenly struck from behind, his palms striking the vital points on the backs of the two, instantly severing their lives.
He looked at the two comrades lying on the sand, thinking apologetically, 'Sorry, you two. Although we bear no deep hatred, sacrifices are unavoidable to resolve the centuries-old conflict between the Main and Branch Families of the Hyuga Clan!'
Then, the Byakugan-wielder strode openly towards Sunagakure.
…
"Ryuji-sama, we captured a Konoha's spy."
Hearing the voice that suddenly sounded beside him, Ryuji put down the blueprint and looked over.
Two Sunagakure's Shinobi in gray flak jackets were restraining a Shinobi wearing a green flak jacket and a Konoha's forehead protector.
But Ryuji's gaze immediately fell on those white eyes.
"Hyuga Clan?"
"Exactly!" The captured Hyuga Shinobi faced Ryuji without arrogance or servility. "I am Hyuga Takeso, sent by Mukai-sama."
'Mukai...'
Ryuji's mind stirred. He said to the two Sunagakure's Shinobi, "I'll take it from here. You may go."
"Yes!"
Watching the two Shinobi leave, Ryuji opened the door to his Personal Space and said to Takeso, "Come in."
"Yes!"
…
Upon entering the Personal Space, Takeso looked around curiously.
The vast space was filled with many impressive-looking but incomprehensible devices, along with various large puppets or parts.
"Lie down on there."
Ryuji pointed to the scanning platform of the Observation Device.
Hearing this, Takeso withdrew his gaze and refocused it on Ryuji.
He followed Ryuji's hand to look at the platform, nodded, and walked over calmly.
Before coming, Mukai had already informed him of what might happen later, and he was already prepared to sacrifice his life.
But contrary to expectations, Ryuji didn't do anything to him.
He asked in surprise, "Aren't you going to research the Caged Bird Seal?"
"It's already being researched."
Ryuji pointed to the scanning light beam falling on Takeso's forehead.
"Oh, oh!"
Hyuga Takeso was a bit confused but didn't ask further. After all, they had been enemies before. Although Mukai said he had a cooperative relationship with him, the exact nature of that relationship was unclear to Takeso.
"What's the situation on Kohinata Mukai's side?"
"Over the past six months, Mukai-sama has united Branch Family's members who are extremely dissatisfied with the Main Family. They are waiting only for the Caged Bird Seal's restraint to be released before formally escaping Konoha."
"Oh? Escaping Konoha!?"
Ryuji expressed interest in this.
Although he had known from the beginning that this would likely be the outcome, the memories he had implanted in Mukai did not include taking the Hyuga Branch Family and fleeing.
'Was this something interesting?'
Hearing the youth's gossip-seeking tone, Takeso fell silent.
Mukai leading the Branch Family to resist the Main Family... Many people died in this process. Something so grave had become mere amusing gossip in the other party's eyes. As someone involved, it was impossible not to be angry.
However, the other party was an ally after all.
An indispensable ally. So, he didn't lose his temper.
After a moment of silence, he said, "At first, Mukai-sama contacted all clan members dissatisfied with the Main Family and jointly petitioned the Hokage, asking him to help the Branch Family break free from the Caged Bird Seal's restraint. But..."
"The Hokage not only didn't help you but instead informed the Main Family, right?"
Looking at Takeso's shocked expression, Ryuji couldn't help but scoff. "Don't be so surprised. I haven't inquired about this matter. It's just that regarding certain choices, politicians absolutely cannot allow for a second option."
Shinobi Clans and Shinobi Villages have a coexistence relationship; the village cannot interfere in the internal affairs of a clan.
Mukai's request for the Hokage to help Branch Family's members break the Caged Bird Seal seriously violated this principle... Even if Hiruzen was a soft-hearted person, he would not agree to such a thing.
Because once he agreed or acted, other clans would worry that their own clan affairs might one day be interfered with by the village.
And clans not yet part of Konoha would also no longer consider joining.