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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
Karuke
, there's a massive sand dune field ahead. The engineering team has already calculated—if we choose to go around it, it'll add several months to the project timeline," reported
Wu Zhong'ou
, wearing sand goggles, to
Karuke
, the Deputy Minister inspecting the progress of the Sand-Moon Highway.
"Let's go take a look,"
Karuke
replied without wasting words, pulling on his sand-proof socks as he stepped out of the tent.
Before them stood an enormous sand dune field, towering over 200 meters high and stretching endlessly into the horizon.
Karuke
clicked his tongue in frustration.
"How long is this stretch?"
Karuke
asked.
"At least thirty li (approximately 15 kilometers)."
"We can't afford the delay, not at all,"
Karuke
shook his head immediately upon hearing
Wu Zhong'ou's
response.
"The original plan was to complete the first phase of the Sand-Moon Highway by the end of this year. If we delay by a few months, it'll drag into next year. Besides, the village is about to host military exercises in the Land of Rivers, and the supply of materials to the Moon Lake New District is of utmost importance. This cannot be delayed. We cannot choose to detour! Didn't the survey team discover this sand dune field earlier?"
"This dune field wasn't here before. It was formed overnight after a black sandstorm hit a couple of days ago,"
Wu Zhong'ou
explained helplessly.
"Sigh... It's my fault for underestimating the unique climate of the desert,"
Karuke
smacked his forehead, visibly annoyed with himself.
After a moment of contemplation,
Karuke
tugged at the scarf around his neck, seemingly making a significant decision.
"Damn it! Stick to the original construction plan!"
"But these dunes are over 200 meters high. If we stick to the original plan of digging and drilling, the workload will more than double. Won't that delay things even further?"
Wu Zhong'ou
scratched his head in confusion.
"If I can move the dunes out of the way, can you still meet the deadline?"
"No problem! I,
Wu Zhong'ou
, stake my reputation on it. If the dunes are cleared, I guarantee completion within two months!"
"Good, that's your word! Men!"
Karuke
shouted, and a team immediately approached.
"At your orders, Deputy Minister!"
"You've heard the situation just now, right?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. No need for me to repeat myself.
Katō
, take a squad back to the Moon Lake New District immediately and report to Commander
Maki
. Get all the wind-style users and sand manipulators in the village and bring them here.
Yamada
, head straight back to Sunagakure and report this to the Kazekage. Request reinforcements."
"Understood!" The ninjas swiftly disappeared into the distance.
Karuke
clenched his jaw and pulled out the iron fan strapped to his back, pointing it at the massive dunes before him.
"Even if I have to clear this with my iron fan alone, I'll move you!
Wind Release: Chaotic Air Dance!
" Opening his fan to reveal three red hearts,
Karuke
swung it fiercely toward the dunes.
A powerful torrent of high-pressure wind release surged forth from the fan, colliding with the massive dunes. The dunes began to crumble and collapse in large sections. Satisfied with the result,
Karuke
swung his fan again with renewed vigor.
"
Pakura
, send out the order! All ninjas not on guard duty are to assemble outside the village immediately. Also, notify Minister
Nohara
from the logistics department to organize a support team. Ensure sufficient water, food, tents, and medical supplies for all participants—prepare for at least a month," instructed
Jinghang
as he retrieved his old sand goggles and scarf from his office drawer.
As he exited the Kazekage's hall, preparing to deliver a motivational speech to the gathered ninjas,
Jinghang
encountered a bald monk.
"
Bunpuku
, what brings you here?"
Since
Jinghang
assumed the role of Kazekage, he had released
Bunpuku
from the abyss, settling him in a small temple outside the village. Monthly provisions of grain and rice were sent to him as offerings.
Even
Shukaku
had calmed down over time and refrained from causing trouble. It seemed that
Bunpuku
had gradually become a perfect jinchūriki, earning
Shukaku's
approval. The villagers, too, had gradually forgotten the terror of
Shukaku
, no longer shunning
Bunpuku
. Now,
Bunpuku
could move freely within the village without interference.
"I heard the village encountered trouble with the road construction. We want to help."
"Even
Shukaku
? That's fantastic news!"
Hearing
Bunpuku
refer to "we,"
Jinghang
immediately understood it included
Shukaku
. After some thought, he realized that
Shukaku
was not the most violent of the tailed beasts.
Compared to the indifference and cruelty of the Nine-Tails,
Shukaku
was merely lively and mischievous. After years of
Bunpuku's
profound teachings,
Jinghang
believed
Shukaku
wouldn't go berserk easily. And if things went south, there was always the
Gundam Technique
to hold the line. Clearing sand dunes was practically
Shukaku's
specialty.
"If this can change the village's perception of
Shukaku
once and for all, it would be a tremendous achievement."
"Indeed, Kazekage-sama,"
Bunpuku
replied with palms pressed together.
The administrative efficiency of Sunagakure was remarkable. Nearly ten thousand ninjas quickly assembled on the open ground outside the village.
Jinghang
leaped onto the village gate, overlooking the crowd below. He picked up a metal loudspeaker, cleared his throat with chakra, and the area fell silent, all eyes on their Kazekage.
"Over sixty years ago, under the leadership of the First Kazekage,
Reto
, our ancestors founded Sunagakure. Back then, in this barren desert, they drank brackish water and ate coarse food, building the foundation of Sunagakure bit by bit.
Though this land is arid and desolate, though it lacks rain and gentle spring breezes, and though it has no lush green trees, our ancestors willingly poured their sweat and blood into this land. Why? Because this is our home, the place that gave us life and nurtured us. We must build and transform it into a prosperous and beautiful place!"
Pointing dramatically toward the distant desert,
Jinghang
continued.
"One hundred kilometers from here, the first highway in the ninja world is under construction. It will connect the Moon Lake New District and Sunagakure, ensuring the continuous flow of grain, fruits, livestock, and medicines to our village. Sunagakure will finally shed its label of poverty and backwardness. The days of hardship will be gone forever!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
After a brief pause,
Jinghang
raised his hand to quiet them before continuing.
"But now, the construction team has hit a major obstacle. Due to a black sandstorm, a massive sand dune field spanning dozens of li has appeared in their path. What should we do?"
"Move it!"
"Clear it!"
"Move it!"
The crowd's enthusiasm soared.
Jinghang
felt a surge of pride—his people were ready.
"Exactly! This is the spirit of Sunagakure's ninjas, inheritors of the Will of Wind. Unyielding, daring to challenge even the heavens!"
"Unyielding, daring to challenge even the heavens!"
"Unyielding, daring to challenge even the heavens!"
The crowd's fervor reached its peak as they raised their fists, their shouts echoing like a tidal wave.
"Move out!"
Jinghang
commanded, pointing forward with authority. Thus began an extraordinary battle between man and sand.