Just a Year And a Half

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The group made their way into the city.

Shisui and Itachi were left to do their own thing, while Hancock walked alongside Kitaro, Kakashi, Guy, and the massive Nine-Tails fox down the central street.

As they strolled, Kitaro explained the events that had transpired since the Uchiha clan arrived in this world. He also provided a brief overview of the world's situation.

The more Kakashi, Guy, Orochimaru, and the Nine-Tails learned, the more shocked they became. They could hardly believe such a vast and complex world existed.

The women of Amazon Lily and the Uchiha clan members stared in awe at the massive Nine-Tails fox. For the women of Amazon Lily, who lived in the Calm Belt and were used to seeing Sea Kings, it was still shocking to see such a massive land creature—one that could talk, no less.

The legendary Nine-Tails fox was something entirely beyond their imagination.

For the Uchiha clan, the sight was equally surprising. It had been over fifty years since Uchiha Madara left the village.

Many from that era were either old or deceased. Few had even seen the Nine-Tails, except for a fleeting glimpse during the attack on Konoha seven years ago. Seeing it this close was a first.

Kitaro gestured around and said, "This island is meant to serve as the main hub of the future Uchiha Empire."

"An island?!" Guy looked around, confused. "This feels more like a continent!"

"It is an island," Kitaro explained. "In this world, the only true continent is the Red Line. I had this island carved out of the Red Line itself."

He continued, "The main island spans roughly 100,000 square kilometers. Surrounding it are ten secondary islands, each around 30,000 square kilometers. There are also 36 medium-sized islands, each about 10,000 square kilometers, and 108 smaller islands, each covering 3,000 square kilometers."

"So big!" Guy exclaimed.

Even Kakashi was stunned. "That's huge! But... where are all these islands? I don't see them."

Hancock smiled and explained, "They're all below us. Every one of these islands is a floating island. The main island is the highest, followed by the ten secondary islands, then the 36 medium-sized ones, and finally the 108 smaller ones."

"While the main island and the ten secondary islands are complete, construction is still ongoing for the rest," she added.

The group was left speechless.

"A floating island?!" Orochimaru's curiosity was piqued. "Are these naturally magnetic islands?"

"No," Kitaro said. "I recruited a powerful individual from this world who consumed the Float-Float Fruit. He can make anything he touches float, so I had him construct these islands for the future empire."

Kakashi raised a skeptical brow. "Kitaro... the flow of time between these two worlds is the same, right?"

"Yeah," Kitaro replied, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"

"..."

Why? How could they not ask?

In just a year and a half, Kitaro had accomplished what seemed like a century's worth of work.

Building a world-renowned Uchiha Security Company was one thing—they understood that. It was just a simplified version of Konoha's structure.

But claiming vast swathes of land in the New World, the most coveted area in this world, all from the inheritance of a Yonko? On top of that, taking up a position as a Navy Admiral while simultaneously preparing for the establishment of the Uchiha Empire with its vast floating islands?

It wasn't even comparable. Kakashi and Guy felt like mere mortals standing next to a god.

They thought they were coming to help a struggling friend in need. They had imagined they'd be offering a lifeline. Instead, they found themselves basking in luxury, merely adding to his glory.

Even Orochimaru couldn't quite put his feelings into words. Had the kid grown up this much? Surpassed him in just a few years? He couldn't help but laugh at the irony.

The Third Hokage had clung to his title, refusing to relinquish control of Konoha. Meanwhile, Kitaro had led the Uchiha clan to conquer lands far surpassing anything the village had ever dreamed of.

Soon, the group arrived at the central square, where something so dazzling caught their eyes that they nearly went blind.

Guy pointed at the enormous object ahead, stammering, "K-Kitaro... is that what I think it is?"

"Yep," Kitaro replied casually. "That's the Golden Bell, originally from Shandora, the Golden City, 400 years ago. It was lost on Skypiea, but I found it and brought it back as a gift for Hancock. It's our symbol of unity."

Hancock smiled, adding, "It's beautiful and historically significant. We don't lack wealth, so we've placed it here as the sacred symbol of the Uchiha Empire. On special occasions, the bell will ring out across all the islands, marking moments of national celebration."

"It's... solid gold?!" Kakashi, Guy, and Orochimaru were once again dumbfounded. The sheer size of the bell and the unimaginable wealth it represented left them speechless.

Kakashi and Guy exchanged glances. The brother they once knew had turned into someone unrecognizable.

It was as if a childhood friend left to chase dreams, only to return as the world's richest and most powerful ruler in just a year and a half. What kind of absurd development was this?

Kitaro grinned. "You two can ring it if you want."

"R-Ring it?!" Kakashi and Guy were flustered. "Isn't it only meant for major events?"

"Of course you can," Kitaro said. "You joining the Uchiha Empire and the Nine-Tails becoming our sacred beast are monumental occasions."

The Nine-Tails was moved by Kitaro's words. He felt it had chosen his master wisely. Compared to Madara, Kitaro exuded a far greater sense of vision and leadership.

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