Naruto: The Medical Ninja

Chapter 257: Chapter 254: The Sun Furnace

Ryu, Shizune-san, Ikkyu, Azuma’s secretary, and Kaori, flanked by elite guards, pushed west under a relentless sun. The journey was long, and with every mile, the gentle plains near the capital gave way to a harsh, unforgiving expanse of rock and sparse scrub, where only the strongest plants survived. With each slight descent, the air thickened, hinting at lower elevations, while distant mountains, once smudges on the horizon, towered like ancient, silent peaks, growing more imposing with every mile. This terrain was stunningly empty, like a vast canvas waiting to be painted.

Ryu’s keen eyes analysed every environmental detail, deciphering a flood of geological and logistical details. His complex mind of scientific understanding and strategic foresight absorbed both visible and grand-scale possibilities. He noticed every subtle undulation, elevation change, hill steepness, and rock formation composition with his keen eye.

He carefully mapped out the land, picturing not only the proposed factory but also a huge network of future transportation routes, impassable strategic defences, and the lifeblood of a new civilisation that could support itself.

Ryu stopped abruptly, sweeping his gaze across the vast, untamed expanse. ”This terrain,” he mused, ”is... quite the challenge for conventional transport, especially for bulk goods.”

Walking alongside him, Ikkyu chuckled softly with a smirk playing on his lips. ”You’re thinking about those metal beasts from your Genjutsu world, aren’t you, Ryu? The ones on fixed paths, covering vast distances with impressive speed.”

”Metal beasts?” Shizune asked.

Ikkyu turned to Shizune-san, who seemed a little lost. ”Ryu once showed me a vision: a perfect simulation of a world where massive metal carriages, almost like armoured centipedes, moved across fixed tracks. They carried immense loads at incredible, sustained speeds, so fast they made even our fastest shinobi feel like snails by comparison. It was quite a sight—entire cities connected by these... ’trains,’ he called them. A true marvel of engineering that could reshape nations.”

Shizune-san’s eyes widened, a flicker of genuine bewilderment in their depths. ”Trains? I’ve never heard of such a thing. It sounds too good to be true.”

Ryu nodded thoughtfully. ”The concept is sound and effective for bulk transportation. But in the ninja world, a fixed path means a fixed target. Sabotage is too easy. Even with shinobi protection, long tracks are vulnerable. Consider a single well-placed explosive by a rogue ninja, a strategically planned ambush, or an entire supply line crippled. The sheer size of such a network would necessitate an army of defenders, a drain on resources that no village could support. Ninjas have the ability to move undetected and strike with precision, making rigid, predictable infrastructure a deadly flaw. It’s not a technical challenge; it’s a natural vulnerability to ninja tactics. It’s like building a wall around a ghost: completely pointless.”

He shifted his focus, gazing distantly, his mind racing with possibilities. ”We require trackless systems: simple, medium-speed solar-powered trains with charging infrastructure in each charging station and small town. We can expand these towns later. Adaptability, reduced sabotage vulnerability, and the ability to traverse difficult terrain without costly terraforming are all clear advantages. It would transform bulk transportation, making even the remote and resource-rich western region viable. A network like this could be effective and a game changer.”

”To deal with this rugged terrain,” Ryu mused internally. ”An earth-flattening machine: a massive roller combined with horizontal rotating shafts. It would clear shrubs and rocks and everything. Roads can come later; for now, flat ground will suffice for these trackless trains. Later we can have proper roads.”

Trackless trains could revolutionise remote transportation by making goods and resources cheaper. With the right technology and infrastructure, these trains could transform the region and maybe the world.

The Secretary cleared his throat, looking concerned. ”Ryu-dono, even with such a system, water access will be a significant issue. The nearest reliable source is miles away, and plumbing up to here would be a nightmare. The sheer volume required is staggering.”

Ryu looked at the Secretary, then the distant, shimmering heat haze. ”The terrain slopes downwards from where we came. We can set up canals, drawing water from the eastern rivers to this point.”

”Plumbing at this scale is difficult, Ryu-dono, even if achievable,” the Secretary said cautiously. ”As you said, sabotage is ongoing. Infrastructure is always targeted by enemies. Water supply lines are prime targets.”

Ryu sighed, a hint of disappointment tugging at the corners of his lips as he shook his head faintly. ”They always look to bring each other down. One would hope they’d think about how to lift each other up, to build something lasting, but that’s asking too much, I suppose. A pipe dream, if you will.” He offered a reassuring smile, mischief returning to his eyes. ”Don’t worry; I will think of a way to safeguard the water supply. There are always solutions, even to the most stubborn problems.”

They continued their journey, moving closer to the heart of the mountains. The air grew still, unnaturally quiet, a silence that pressed in. Ryu, his senses always attuned, noticed it immediately. ”There are no birds here,” he murmured, sweeping his gaze across the silent, rocky peaks. ”Not a single one. Not even the scavengers.”

The Secretary nodded grimly, a shiver running down his spine. ”Indeed, Ryu-dono. This is a dead zone. Local folklore speaks of spirits or curses. Travellers report birds losing their way, becoming disoriented, and eventually dying. This area remains untouched; no one dares build here.”

Ryu tilted his head, a knowing glint in his eye, dismissing the superstition. ”That’s not supernatural, Secretary. It’s magnetic interference from large iron deposits, strong enough to disrupt avian navigation and basic chakra sensing. A natural compass gone haywire, not a ghost story.”

- [Temporary Enhance] working on [Improved Eyesight] and [Infrared Vision]

- [Electromagnetic Vision] activated

Ryu’s eyes glowed faintly, and the world around him shimmered with unseen forces. He could now perceive the subtle distortions in the magnetic field and the faint auras emanating from the iron pockets deep within the ground and mountains. He meticulously identified and recorded these pockets in his memory, a mental blueprint of the hidden resources.

He gazed at the mountains once more, his eyes narrowing not with worry but with a sudden, profound sense of realisation. A vast, audacious idea sparked in his mind, connecting seemingly disparate elements—the iron, the sunlight, and the sheer scale of the peaks. This place isn’t a dead zone; it’s a treasure trove.

”This place... it’s perfect,” Ryu declared, with a wide, confident smile and a touch of the showman in his voice. His mind raced with possibilities as he began to envision the potential of harnessing the natural elements around him.

Ikkyu, surprised by the sudden pronouncement, asked, ”Perfect? For what, Ryu? It’s remote, difficult to access, and even birds avoid it. A logistical nightmare, by all conventional measures.”

Ryu went on, ”To begin a change,” and extended his gaze over the tall mountains in a dramatic gesture to demonstrate his vision. ”The mountains.... They could reflect light from every angle. We take advantage of this by precisely adjusting the mirrors, directing the light beam directly into the furnace’s heart, and heating it. It is also environmentally friendly! There are no birds flying here, so the animals are unharmed. Consider the limitless supply of renewable energy. I will save a lot of money on fuel because I will not have to purchase coal or wood.”

Others wore expressions of scepticism; their faces reflected disbelief at the monumental scale of the idea. It sounded like a child’s fantasy, a dream spun from moonbeams. However, Ryu’s infectious confidence and unwavering conviction pierced their doubts.

”I assure you,” Ryu said firmly, ”it’s entirely feasible. The technology exists; the principles are sound. It’s simply a matter of scale and precision. Think of it as a giant magnifying glass, focused by the landscape itself.”

Ryu looked at the towering peaks, already envisioning a new industrial dawn. ”I will name this the Sun Furnace. And this also gives me an idea for something simpler and more immediate: solar heaters and solar cookers. I will launch them next. You will know what I plan to do, and soon, the world will too.”

A few guards and even the secretary shared glances, their initial scepticism giving way to awe. The sheer ingenuity, audacity, and vision defied all conventional wisdom, painting a picture of a future they had never dared to conceive. They liked the idea.

”We will look forward to seeing this happen, Ryu-dono,” the Secretary said, a genuine smile touching his lips. He had just glimpsed an impossible future that now seemed very much within reach.

Ryu made a mental map of the area. He had a lot of plans and calculations going through his mind. To create the Sun Furnace in his [Mind Palace], he conducted simulations and adjusted the mirror mechanics and angles until everything fit perfectly. He carefully stored the exact designs, which were a blueprint for a new world yet to be built.

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