Qin's Nation
After the completion of the King's Way, the entire nation entered a new phase of redevelopment.
From the appointment of ministers to city planning, down to architectural styles and cultural zoning, every major decision now required Qin Yi's direct approval before implementation. Despite his eagerness to explore the New World, the constant flood of administrative matters left him mentally exhausted.
"Library construction, founding academies... why is everything still coming to me? Hasn't the Minister of Education been appointed yet?" Qin Yi pressed a hand to his forehead, feeling the pressure mounting as paperwork piled up.
Even after days of working overtime, the flood of reports showed no signs of slowing. They just kept coming, relentless and never-ending.
"Hōzuki Gengetsu! Don't just stand there sipping tea, lend a hand, will you?" Frustrated, Qin Yi waved toward the blond-haired Second Mizukage, who had been idly enjoying his drink without a care in the world.
Anyone sharp enough to become the Mizukage clearly had the intelligence for state affairs. Qin Yi didn't hesitate to pull him into the administrative grind.
Handling the logistics of an entire interdimensional empire alone was enough to make his head explode.
"Hehe, Your Majesty, many of the key positions are still under review. The final lists haven't been submitted yet." Hōzuki Gengetsu chuckled and walked over, casually picking up a stack of documents and helping sift through them.
He didn't seem to mind. In this kingdom, loyalty to the greater good wasn't just expected, it was instinctive.
"I have plenty of other important tasks. I can't afford to be buried under paperwork all day."
With Gengetsu's assistance, the speed of processing improved significantly. Qin Yi finally allowed himself a breath of relief.
At that moment, laughter echoed through the hall.
"Is His Majesty busy preparing to conquer the stars?" Gandalf strode in, eyes twinkling.
"Gandalf, perfect timing!" Qin Yi grinned. "These files are now your responsibility."
"I was dragged here by Madara San to check on you, not to get ambushed like this!" Gandalf shook his head, amused but helpless.
"Those who are capable must bear more," Qin Yi said shamelessly. "Qin's Nation needs your strength."
Gengetsu simply chuckled at their exchange and kept sorting the reports.
Seven days had passed since the King's Way had been completed. And in that short time, the kingdom had transformed. Changes came daily, each more dazzling than the last.
Once the Eye of the King was operational and the next target world selected, Qin Yi and Madara would set out.
"When the gateway stabilizes," Qin Yi said, stretching, "Madara and I will depart together."
"Oh?" Gandalf asked, not looking up from the parchment in his hands. "So His Majesty is personally teaming up with Madara this time? What about the Three Generals?"
"Those three old relics have been holed up with Hashirama and Madara, dissecting Shinobi power systems. I heard they've even written a manual and plan to archive it in the national library once it's built."
Qin Yi snorted. "They're having a nice, scholarly time. I'll be sending them into the New World as advance scouts."
Since the success of the King's Way, the Civilization Rank of Qin's Nation had been officially classified as Starlight Level 1.
That rank allowed Qin Yi to now access any world with a civilization rated at or below Starlight Level 1, and even initiate conquest of higher-level civilizations.
This time, he planned a two-pronged campaign:
First, to fully integrate a new mundane world, expand territory, and boost the population.
Then, to launch an assault on a higher Starlight-tier civilization.
"Heh, those Three Generals, with their experience, they'd make excellent forward operatives. Good choice."
Gandalf nodded, approving the strategy.
With a wave of his hand, Qin Yi turned and exited the Palace Hall.
"I'm off to establish the Eye of the King."
After unlocking the King's Way and attaining the corresponding King's Strength, Qin Yi had finally earned the right to wield the Eye of the King, a power belonging solely to a true sovereign.
Unlike the limited perspective offered by the Realm Gate, these eyes granted a far deeper vision, piercing veils between worlds, unearthing truths hidden even from the gods.
He made his way toward the Realm Gate, nodding briefly to the soldiers stationed there. But his gaze quickly shifted forward, toward the tall, lone figure standing with arms folded, eyes closed.
Uchiha Madara.
"Madara San," Qin Yi called out. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been waiting for you," Madara replied, opening his eyes.
His gaze was intense, blazing with a fierce light.
In that moment, Qin Yi saw a fire behind those eyes: a searing desire to reach the New World, to plunge headfirst into the infinite sea of stars. So potent was this yearning that Qin Yi felt a tremor run through him, as if his skin had been brushed by lightning.
"Ahem... once I activate the Eye of the King, we'll depart immediately," he said, attempting to compose himself.
"How long will it take?" Madara's voice was low, but urgent.
"Not long." Qin Yi rubbed his temples, exhaling helplessly.
He didn't waste another word. After all, how could anyone stand in the way of a man's dream, to seize the stars and carve through the heavens?
Closing his eyes, Qin Yi delved into his spiritual sea, accessing the arcane blueprint for the Eye of the King.
Soon, the knowledge clicked into place with perfect clarity.
In the King's World, whether it was a personal skill exclusive to a ruler or the construction of unique structures that powered his dominion, the King's Strength was always the foundational energy.
Naturally, the Eye of the King was no exception.
When Qin Yi opened his eyes again, they shimmered with divine intensity.
A deep, noble purple radiance ignited within his pupils, gleaming like starlight condensed into a single beam.
That beam shot forth from his gaze, striking the apex of the Realm Gate.
The light coiled like silken threads, unfurling and weaving across the air as though the void itself were a canvas. A massive, vertical pupil began to take shape, etched not with paint, but power.
Uchiha Madara watched silently, arms still folded, his expression unreadable. But within his heart, he knew, Qin Yi was invoking something extraordinary again.
"Phew…"
Exhaling softly, Qin Yi poured even more King's Strength into the formation. The glowing eye above the Realm Gate grew clearer by the second, elegant and majestic, as if the will of the heavens had taken form.
Within moments, the iris had been fully sketched.
Now came the pupil.
With each pulse of King's Strength, the central eye slowly took shape, bathing the gate in a surreal, hazy amethyst glow.
The entire process took an hour. But when it was complete, the vertical eye shimmered with transcendent majesty, alive with awareness.
It gazed down upon them from the Realm Gate like a celestial overseer.
Madara's body instinctively tensed. He felt it instantly, the eye had seen through him, stripping away every illusion, reading him down to the marrow.
"This eye…" Madara murmured inwardly, astonished.
Then he looked toward Qin Yi and froze.
Qin Yi's own eyes now mirrored the very same vertical pupil that crowned the gate.
The king and the gate… were one.
A moment later, the purple eye slowly closed, and the oppressive sensation disappeared.
"By channeling the light of my imperial gaze and fusing it with King's Strength," Qin Yi said with a grin, "this eye can peer into the highest heavens… and descend into the lowest depths."
He turned to Madara. "So, what do you think?"
Madara's sharp gaze narrowed, but he said nothing, only snorted softly.
"Haha, poetic words aside," Qin Yi laughed, "it's real purpose is to help us choose the most suitable Otherworld to conquer next."
Madara's only response: "Then let's not waste time."
Without delay, Qin Yi focused. His pupils sharpened, glowing once more.
The vertical eye atop the Realm Gate reopened, and shimmering ripples began to expand outward, like echoes through space and time.
"Let's see… just what kind of world awaits us next."
(End of Chapter)
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