In the blink of an eye, six days had passed since the genjutsu game's launch event. During that time, Uchiha Kei, with the help of his companions, had finally solved the issue of large-scale replication for the genjutsu game.
While it had already been possible to mass-produce the game using others' chakra and Sharingan to create sealing scrolls, the process wasn't fast enough. As long as the raw materials, chakra, and Sharingan were sufficient, they could produce up to 500 sets of games per day—each set including both "Coming Home" and "Fruit Ninja."
However, given the current popularity of the genjutsu game, that production volume was still far too low. And Kei had to personally handle the manufacturing, which wasted valuable time.
Kei had no interest in being just a cog in the machine. So after upgrading his Sharingan to two tomoe, he began working on an improved production method.
After thorough research, Kei found a solution. By creating an "original master copy" of the game, others could then replicate it through copy-paste methods, allowing streamlined mass production.
This "master copy" was linked directly to Kei's Sharingan. He could sense its location, control it remotely, and even destroy it instantly if needed. If anyone severed its connection to him, the master copy would self-destruct.
Thus, Kei had no fear of it being stolen.
Once the master copy was created, he passed it to the Uchiha Clan's workshop. Many low-tier Sharingan users were assigned to production—essentially, screwing components into place.
It sounded pitiful for the Uchiha, but given the constant suppression from the village leadership, their employment options had always been limited.
Despite being a ninja clan, most members relied on clan-run industries for their livelihoods.
What's more, the low-tier Sharingan users assigned to the workshop were those who had only recently awakened their eyes—thanks to playing the genjutsu game. These were former civilians.
Now that their Sharingan had awakened, it was ideal to assign them to the workshop. Daily use of their ocular power served as both labor and training.
They didn't seem to mind either. Morale was high, driven by a burning sense of fighting for the "glory of the clan."
In summary: "I don't know what's going on, but damn, I'm fired up!"
Truly, madness brings joy.
Amid this chaos, the official version of "Road to Survival" was finally completed.
Per earlier agreements, two versions were made.
Version 1 was the same one showcased at the launch event. Players would assume the roles of in-game characters and fight to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.
Each of the 16 playable characters—8 male and 8 female—was assigned a distinct specialty.
Some had healing skills. Some excelled at melee combat. Others specialized in ranged attacks, high defense, speed, or detection abilities akin to a human radar…
These 8 specialties were effectively 8 classes. They vastly increased gameplay variety and emphasized team play, punishing lone-wolf players.
Of course, if one was strong enough, solo players could still dominate.
Kei hoped some Kage-level powerhouses would trigger Golden Spirit drops in solo mode. He also hoped technically skilled but weaker players could resonate emotionally with livestream audiences and trigger the same effect.
Yes, Kei had made it possible to trigger Golden Spirit events in "Road to Survival." That way, players could still benefit even with low party counts.
As for Version 2—it was an internal Leaf-only edition. Players didn't take on a role; they played as themselves.
However, their power would be capped at standard genin level. Not the overpowered type like Naruto Uzumaki, but the baseline as recorded in Konoha's training logs.
Anyone whose stats exceeded those limits would be scaled down to match. Even someone like Madara Uchiha would become a basic genin in this mode.
This version was designed for training Academy graduates and was exclusive to the village.
————
In the Hidden Leaf's covert Anbu training room, a group of Anbu ninja exited the village-exclusive version of "Road to Survival" and knelt on one knee before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction.
The Anbu had tested the game under his orders, their power compressed to genin level. They then engaged in battle within the simulation.
The entire village version of the game was extremely realistic. Though it retained health bars, any injury in the game could be *felt*—as in, a limb wound would impair movement.
A chakra bar was also included, allowing players to track their chakra levels at all times.
As a training tool for genin, this version of the genjutsu game was excellent. The smile on Lord Third's face as he watched the livestream made that clear.
Even the Anbu praised the game highly. While it held little benefit for jōnin, it was an invaluable training tool for genin—improving teamwork, coordination, and offering simulated combat experience.
No doubt, it would drastically improve genin survival rates—and reduce training costs.
For any shinobi village, the benefits were obvious.
"Uchiha, oh Uchiha… this time you've handed me something I simply can't refuse…"
Hiruzen muttered, a serious look crossing his face.
He knew the time had come—to meet the game's creator, the youth named Uchiha Kei.
When a mere teenager created something that could impact Konoha's future, it was the Hokage's duty to meet him.
And unfortunately for Kei… that teenager bore the name "Uchiha."
Though the village had tacitly allowed the Uchiha to handle the genjutsu game project, now that the results far exceeded expectations, Lord Third could no longer sit idle.
One of Hiruzen Sarutobi's signature traits was how "decisive" he became when he wanted to meet someone.
So, just thirty minutes later—
In Uchiha Kei's home, Hiruzen stood before him with a kind smile.
The moment word got out that the Third Hokage had visited Uchiha Kei's residence, it spread instantly through both Uchiha and village leadership circles.