Uchiha Naruto: The Strongest

Chapter 32: Shintama

A week later, the sky stretched overhead in a crisp, cloudless blue, its brilliance contrasting against the imposing black stone walls that enclosed the field below. The sun cast its warmth over the area, the air alive with the mingling scents of freshly cut wood and sun-warmed stone. A new settlement was coming to life, growing out of the earth like a living thing, its heart guarded by towering walls of smooth, dark stone. Each slab fit perfectly into the next, their seams barely visible, the sheer height of the structure creating an air of protection—and perhaps warning.

Madara's palace loomed at the far end of the enclosure, its black stone walls veined with gleaming streaks of quartz that shimmered in the daylight. It stood as a monument to his power and vision, casting a long shadow that reached across the workers toiling below, like a silent overseer of the transformation happening around it.

Within the walls, rows of houses were taking shape—sleek, dark structures of polished wood and black stone, their sharp lines and geometric design a stark contrast to the open sky. The dark woods gleamed under the sun, their warmth offering a reprieve from the cold, unyielding stone, while oak accents softened the edges of roofs and windows. The mixture of textures and materials was striking, a purposeful blend of beauty and strength. Some homes were complete, their solid frames standing firm against the gentle breeze. Others still bore the skeletons of construction, scaffolding crisscrossing their sides as beams were hoisted into place.

The steady, rhythmic thudding of hammers filled the air, mingling with the harsh scrape of saws cutting through timber. Workers moved in a steady flow, their arms straining under the weight of black stone bricks and dark timbers, the tools in their hands worn from long hours of labor. Leading them was Tazuna, his green scarf trailing in the wind as he gestured sharply toward a pile of timbers, his voice ringing out across the field. "Move those beams to the west wall! We're behind schedule!"

His words carried a sense of authority, though his gaze never left the growing structure around him. Nearby, his crew worked with tireless efficiency, their rough hands handling materials with practiced skill. Barrels of nails clinked as they were dragged across the ground, and ropes coiled around posts in preparation for more beams to be secured. Sweat gleamed on the workers' foreheads, the sun bearing down on their efforts.

But it wasn't just human hands shaping the new settlement. Scattered among the builders were Madara's clones, identical copies of the young man himself, their movements graceful and precise. Where the workers strained, the clones moved effortlessly, lifting stone slabs with the flick of a wrist, balancing entire beams on their shoulders with ease. Their hands glowed faintly with chakra as they reinforced walls and smoothed surfaces. They worked in eerie synchronization, a quiet, unspoken coordination that set them apart from the others.

Tazuna, barking commands as usual, caught sight of a clone lifting a massive stone slab with one hand and muttered under his breath, "Damn, wish I had that kind of help when we built the bridge."

The field buzzed with a blend of noise—hammers pounding, saws slicing, voices shouting orders and directions. Yet amidst it all was a deeper sense of purpose, a quiet urgency that hummed just below the surface. Every worker, every clone moved with the understanding that this was more than just a construction project. This was the foundation of something greater—something far-reaching and formidable.

Above, watching the progress from the wide office window of Madara's palace, Madara stood with Sasuke, Yumi, Karin, Fūka, Ajisai, and Temari. The gleam of sunlight on the quartz veins in the walls reflected in their eyes, mingling with the awe and pride that filled the room. The sight of the settlement taking shape below was mesmerizing—the labor of so many hands, so much power, coalescing into reality.