Shanks turned toward Erza, his expression firm yet resolute.
"With these five sealing masks before us," he began, his voice carrying the weight of his conviction, "we hold the true inheritance of our clan. The world may believe the Uzumaki sealing arts were lost to time and destruction, but that is far from the truth. Within each of these masks lies a different path of mastery—sealing techniques that only we, the blood of Uzumaki, can awaken and perfect. And we will do so."
He paused briefly, allowing his words to settle before continuing, his tone sharpening with purpose.
"But before we even think about rebuilding the Uzumaki Village, our first priority must be protection. We need to construct a sensory barrier—a sealing barrier that encompasses the entire perimeter of the land where our village will rise. I have no doubt that while the great shinobi nations may not march with armies to crush our efforts outright, they will surely resort to more subtle means. Assassins will come—sent to target the craftsmen and builders we plan to bring from the Land of Hot Water—just to slow or even halt our progress."
Shanks's eyes narrowed, determination hardening his voice.
"That is why we must establish this barrier. With it, the moment any foreign shinobi dares to cross into our territory, we will know. Our own sensory techniques are powerful, yes, but they cannot remain active at all times—such strain would exhaust us quickly. This barrier will act as our safeguard, a silent sentinel that ensures we are never caught off guard."
After hearing Shanks's words, Benimaru, Erza, and Guy all nodded in unison. His reasoning was clear and grounded, not some exaggeration or needless worry. They understood that what he foresaw was not a distant possibility but a certainty that would eventually come to pass.
Erza spoke up from the side, her tone thoughtful yet serious.
"Onii-chan, our mastery of sealing techniques isn't advanced enough to keep the seals completely invisible. For now, we'll need to engrave them onto stones or inscribe them on paper tags, then hide them in carefully chosen locations. That way, enemy shinobi won't easily discover or tamper with them."
Shanks nodded in agreement, fully recognizing the truth in her words. Among all the Uzumaki siblings, only he and Erza possessed a deeper command of sealing arts. The others had only attained a basic understanding, sufficient for simple applications but far from the mastery required for large-scale protective barriers.
"That's exactly why you and I will take the lead in this," Shanks replied firmly. "The others can assist, but the foundation of the barrier must be built by those who understand it best. Our techniques may not yet be at the peak, but we will adapt and make it work. We have no choice but to cope—and succeed."
With the decision settled, the group parted ways, leaving only Shanks and Erza behind in the Land of the Uzumaki. After carefully selecting the area where the first buildings of their new village would rise, the two of them set to work.
The seals were placed in various ways—some carefully engraved onto stones and hidden deep within the earth, while others were inscribed on paper tags and discreetly tucked into tree trunks, buried beneath roots, or even concealed among the leaves. Each placement required precision and secrecy, ensuring the barrier would remain undetected by outside eyes.
The work was long and painstaking. Nearly a full month passed before the barrier neared completion. During this time, the Uzumaki siblings arrived in careful rotation, never all at once. This staggered approach ensured that their movements would draw less suspicion from any watchful enemy forces. Just as Guy and Benimaru had been present with Erza earlier, the next to arrive were Antares and Makima, each coming by different routes before gathering at the site.
Though their mastery of sealing techniques was modest, their contributions were far from meaningless. Under Shanks's and Erza's guidance, they carved minor sealing inscriptions—small fragments that, though incomplete on their own, could later be linked and reinforced into the larger barrier. In this way, every sibling played a part, however small, in weaving together the protection of their new home.
By the end of the month, the barrier was finally complete. Its design served a single purpose: detection. Any unknown shinobi, or any unfamiliar chakra signature that crossed its boundaries, would instantly trigger an alarm—one loud and unmistakable enough to alert every Uzumaki sibling. At its core, Shanks would remain stationed in the newly erected building at the heart of the village, a permanent guardian who would respond to the first sign of intrusion.
----
With the barrier finally completed, the Uzumaki could breathe a measure of relief. The protection it offered meant that the craftsmen, builders, and vast supplies they intended to bring from the Land of Hot Water would now be safe from sudden ambushes or sabotage. Confident in this security, Shanks gave the order to begin the next crucial step—transporting both the workers and the necessary materials.
The process was neither simple nor quiet. Caravans moved steadily across the land, laden with timber, stone, and tools, guarded at every step by Uzumaki siblings. Payment was made promptly and fairly, ensuring the Land of Hot Water remained willing and cooperative in this massive undertaking. Yet, the sheer scale of the movement—the constant flow of workers and resources—was impossible to hide.
It wasn't long before whispers began to spread. Shinobi from neighboring lands took notice, and soon the great villages themselves turned their attention toward the Land of the Whirlpools. What had started as cautious rumors grew into undeniable reports: the Uzumaki clan, thought scattered and broken, was rising again.
In a sense, it was an announcement to the entire shinobi world. Just as news of the Uzumaki's tragic destruction had once rippled across nations, now word of their revival carried with the same weight. Shanks's vision of reconstruction was no longer a secret—it had become a declaration. The Uzumaki Village was being reborn.
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