Atop the walls of Uzushiogakure, the atmosphere plummeted in an instant from the peak of ecstasy to a freezing point of tension.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the colossal figure on the water screen projection, their hearts pounding uncontrollably.

What is that thing?

A turtle?

A... turtle with a body the size of an island?

Has the world gone mad?

Even for the elites of the Uchiha clan, who were accustomed to various summoned beasts and strange Ninjutsu, their sense of reality was suffering an unprecedented shock.

They had seen Manda, Gamabunta, and even the legendary Tailed Beasts.

But even the largest Tailed Beast, compared to the monster before them, was like an infant next to an adult.

Massive was no longer enough to describe it.

It was vast.

It just floated quietly on the sea, its enormous body blocking the sunlight and casting a shadow that dyed a large area of the ocean a deep, inky black.

Every breath it took whipped up waves powerful enough to capsize giant ships.

The shell on its back, like a small mountain range, was covered in the furrows of time, and dense, unknown marine plants even grew upon it, forming a complete and independent ecosystem.

This wasn't a biological creature; it was a... living, moving island!

"What... what kind of monster is this?"

A young R&D Department Ninja asked with a trembling voice, the color completely drained from his face.

"Its Chakra volume... is immeasurable! The sensory equipment has already burned out due to energy overload!"

Another sensory Ninja reported in horror.

"On guard! Everyone, enter the highest combat readiness state!"

Uchiha Fugaku was the first to react; he drew the blade at his waist and let out a hoarse roar.

"All members of the Military Department! Get on the walls immediately! Prepare to engage the enemy!"

"Shisui! Kage Guard Squad, prepare to move out!"

"Izumi! Immediately organize the non-combatants to enter the underground shelters!"

A series of orders were issued methodically from the mouth of the Military Department Head.

The entire Uzushiogakure snapped awake from its previous joy, starting to operate at high speed like a triggered, precision war machine.

Countless Ninjas swarmed out from every corner of the city like ants, rushing to their respective combat posts.

The sound of alarms echoed through the sky.

However, facing the giant beast that seemed to have stepped out of myth, everyone's hearts were filled with a sense of powerlessness.

How could they fight it?

What could they even use to fight it?

Even the Chakra Beam Cannon that had just displayed its divine power—could it really be effective against a target of this size?

One shot might, perhaps, only leave an insignificant scratch on that massive turtle shell.

Everyone's eyes involuntarily turned toward the figure who had remained calm from the very beginning.

Uchiha Kei.

He was the backbone of the Land of Whirlpools.

As long as he stood there, even if the sky fell, they believed this man would have a way to hold it up.

Kei's brow furrowed tightly.

His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was deadlocked on the distant colossus, his mind racing at high speed.

"A giant turtle the size of an island... living in the deep waters near the Land of Whirlpools... awakened by the energy fluctuations of the Chakra Cannon..."

Keywords flashed through his mind one by one.

He quickly searched through his vast library of memories from his previous life.

In the original Naruto story, there seemed to be no record of such a giant turtle.

Could it be an unknown ancient creature that existed in this world naturally?

Just like the sacred summoning lands of Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest, did an unknown giant turtle sanctuary also exist in the depths of this vast ocean?

"It seems... to have no hostility."

Kei's Sharingan precisely captured the emotions in the giant turtle's eyes.

In those pupils as large as lakes, there was no desire for destruction, no madness of slaughter.

There was only a kind of curiosity, vigilance, and a hint of confusion, similar to when a human sees something new.

It didn't seem to understand why such a strange city would suddenly appear in the waters it had guarded for thousands of years, or why it would emit an unfamiliar power that made its heart palpitate.

"Cease all offensive preparations."

Kei suddenly spoke, issuing an order that surprised everyone.

"Minister Fugaku, have everyone stay where they are; do not act rashly."

"What?" Fugaku was stunned. "Kei, this is too dangerous! Regardless of whether it has hostile intent, letting such a monster approach is a massive threat to us!"

"Its size is too great; even if it just rolls over, the resulting tsunami would be enough to submerge half our city!"

Fugaku's concern was not without reason.

Facing a beast of this level, any accident could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"I understand," Kei nodded, his gaze still fixed on the water screen projection. "But I also trust my judgment. It is not an enemy."

"At least, not for now."

His tone carried a sense of confidence.

Fugaku looked at Kei's profile and ultimately chose to believe him.

He immediately conveyed the Uzukage's order through the communication device.

Atop the wall, the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

But everyone's hearts were still in their throats.

They watched helplessly as that moving island slowly, step by step, approached the direction of Uzushiogakure.

One hundred kilometers.

Eighty kilometers.

Sixty kilometers.

Fifty kilometers...

When it finally stopped in the waters less than thirty kilometers from the main island of the Land of Whirlpools, everyone on the wall could see its full appearance with their own eyes.

That immersive sense of magnitude and pressure, which could not be described in words, made many young Ninjas' legs go weak, nearly causing them to collapse to the ground.

Too big...

It was simply too big...

Humans were as tiny as dust before it.

The giant turtle stopped, its massive head lifting slightly as it curiously observed this brand-new city shimmering with a metallic luster in the sunlight.

It saw the humans on the wall, who were the size of ants.

It also saw that giant cannon, filled with a dangerous aura, which had awakened it from its slumber.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

On one side was the most cutting-edge weapon of war, representing the crystallization of human technology and wisdom.

On the other side was the most ancient miracle of life, representing the power of nature and time.

The two sides engaged in a silent standoff on this azure sea.

After a long while.

A long cry, seemingly from the ancient primordial wilderness, issued from the giant turtle's mouth.

Ang——————

The sound wasn't loud or piercing.

But it possessed a strange penetrating power, as if it could act directly upon the depths of one's soul.

It was low, ancient, and filled with the vicissitudes of time.

Like an elder who had slept for ten thousand years, giving his first greeting after waking up.

Or like it was... calling out for something.

Hearing this sound, Kei's pupils constricted sharply!

Because in that instant, the Chakra within his body actually resonated weakly with that cry, beyond his control!

No, it wasn't just him.

He could clearly feel that the Chakra within Uchiha Izumi, Uchiha Fugaku, and all the Ninjas with Uzumaki Clan blood standing near him had experienced the same slight fluctuation!

"This is..."

A storm of shock surged in Kei's heart.

An incredible but seemingly only logical guess surfaced in his mind.

This giant turtle has a connection to the Uzumaki Clan!

It might even be... the most powerful summoned beast signed by the ancient Uzumaki Clan to guard this homeland!

This guess caused Kei's heart to pound uncontrollably.

If this were true, then today, he hadn't just tested an epoch-making weapon.

He had awakened the most powerful Guardian Deity, capable of changing the fate of the Land of Whirlpools!

While Kei was shocked by this.

In another place thousands of miles away, waves were also being stirred by this test firing of the Chakra Cannon.

Ryūchi Cave.

Deep within the dark, damp cave.

A man sat cross-legged atop a massive snake skin, eyes closed in cultivation.

He had long black hair, pale skin, and a pair of golden vertical pupils like a venomous snake.

It was one of the Konoha Sannin, and the current leader of Hidden Sound Village, Orochimaru.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open.

A flash of unmaskable shock and fanaticism crossed his golden vertical pupils.

"This feeling is..."

He reached out his long, fair hand.

On his arm, a black curse mark resembling Three-Tomoe was heating up slightly, emitting an ominous aura.

The Curse Mark of Heaven.

This was the source of Senjutsu Chakra he had extracted from Jugo, capable of absorbing natural energy.

And just now, through his clones scattered throughout the Shinobi World upon whom he had placed curse marks, he had clearly perceived it.

In the east of the world, at the end of that sea, an incredibly vast, incredibly pure, yet incredibly unfamiliar Chakra energy had erupted.

The intensity of that energy had far exceeded his cognitive range of Ninjutsu.

Its instantaneous power output was even enough to rival... a Tailed Beast Bomb!

"Uchiha Kei..."

The corners of Orochimaru's mouth split into a morbid, excitement-filled smile; he stuck out his long tongue and licked his lips.

"You have... given me a surprise once again."

Since the last time he sent Kimimaro's squad to probe the Land of Whirlpools, only to have the other party send back his heavily injured subordinates along with a warning letter via Kamui delivery, Orochimaru had developed an extremely intense interest in Uchiha Kei.

But he hadn't expected the other's technological development to be so fast.

How much time had passed?

They had actually already developed a conventional weapon capable of rivaling a Tailed Beast Bomb!

"Taking it by force is impossible now..."

Orochimaru calmly made a judgment.

The man named Uchiha Kei himself possessed elusive space-time Dōjutsu, and combined with this current long-range strike capability comparable to a Tailed Beast Bomb, plus that absolute defense known as the Gods Maelstrom barrier.

The current Land of Whirlpools had become a steel fortress covered in spikes.

Any attempt to conquer it with force was equivalent to suicide.

"Since I can't take it by force, then I can only... cooperate."

Orochimaru's eyes shimmered with the light of calculation.

He felt an uncontrollable desire for Kei's technology.

And he believed that Kei would surely be interested in his technology as well.

For instance, the secrets of immortality.

For instance, the reincarnation of the soul.

For instance, the creation of life.

"We are the same kind of people, Kei-kun. Both seekers of truth, eager to explore the principles of this world."

Orochimaru muttered to himself.

He stood up and walked out of the cave.

"Kabuto."

He called out softly toward the empty shadows.

In the next second, a youth wearing glasses, with a mild temperament but hidden shrewdness and ambition in the depths of his eyes, appeared silently behind him.

Yakushi Kabuto.

"Lord Orochimaru, what are your orders?"

"Take a trip to the Land of Whirlpools." Orochimaru turned, his golden vertical pupils flashing with excitement. "In my name, extend the sincerest greetings to Uzukage Uchiha Kei."

"Take this with you as a testament to our friendship."

Orochimaru took a scroll from his robes and tossed it to Kabuto.

"Tell him that I am very interested in his science. I hope to have an equal and in-depth technical exchange with him."

Yakushi Kabuto caught the scroll, took a look inside, and his pupils constricted sharply.

The scroll detailed the abilities, weaknesses, and recent movement patterns of all core members of the Akatsuki.

The value of this intelligence was enough to make any major nation go mad.

And now, Orochimaru was going to give it as a meeting gift to that rising Land of Whirlpools.

"I understand, Lord Orochimaru."

Kabuto put away the scroll and pushed up his glasses, a complex light flashing in his eyes behind the lenses.

He knew that the two top and most insane scientists in the Shinobi World were about to begin a dangerous game of dancing with snakes.