Naruto from Warring states period

Next Day

Konoha Gate

"So, let's go then. Everything's ready,"

Hashirama declared, his voice brimming with anticipation.

"Yes, let's," echoed the chorus of voices, a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The journey to the Hidden Valley Village commenced. The sun blazed overhead as the group of Konoha ninjas, led by Hashirama, traversed the rugged terrain.

They encountered a few scattered bandit groups along the way, but the sheer number of elite ninjas in their company quickly deterred the would-be assailants.

After a long day of travel, they established camp for the night. Hashirama, with a flick of his wrist, summoned a magnificent wooden house from the surrounding trees, showcasing his mastery of the Wood Style.

"Your Wood Style is truly remarkable for house-building, Hashirama," Mito commented, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

A crackling fire was lit, casting dancing shadows on the faces of the gathered ninjas. Laughter and conversation filled the air as they shared a hearty meal. The absence of military ration pills, a relatively new invention in this era, added a touch of rustic charm to their evening.

The next morning, they resumed their journey, arriving at the foot of a towering mountain range by noon.

"Hai Ryu, are you sure this is a village?

There's nothing here, just mountains,"

Hashirama questioned, his brow furrowed.

The other ninjas echoed his confusion, their eyes scanning the barren landscape.

"Don't worry, Hashirama," Ryu assured them, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Remember what you asked me at the Hokage office? Why no one could find this village until now? You'll get your answer today."

Facing the mountain, Ryu performed a complex hand seal and intoned, "Unseal!"

The ground began to tremble. Rocks shattered, trees uprooted, and the very face of the mountain seemed to shift and writhe.

In a spectacle that left everyone speechless, the mountain revealed itself to be a colossal, living construct. Dozens of towering stone giants, armed with swords, spears, and axes, emerged from the depths of the mountain, their eyes glowing with an eerie light.

A hush fell over the group. The sheer scale and unexpected nature of the revelation left them stunned. But soon, the shock gave way to awe. Between the gaps in the formation of the stone giants, a massive tunnel, carved into the heart of the mountain, became visible.

"Come inside. Don't worry," Ryu reassured them, his voice calm and steady.

The ninjas, still reeling from the initial shock, cautiously entered the tunnel. Mito, however, lingered behind, her gaze fixed on the stone giants. Ryu noticed her lingering glance and a knowing smile touched his lips.

"The Uzumaki clan's sensing abilities are truly extraordinary," he remarked, acknowledging her keen perception. Even Hashirama, Madara, Izuna, and Tobirama, with their exceptional chakra control, had failed to detect the chakra signatures within the stone giants.

The tunnel was illuminated by soft, ethereal light emanating from chakra bulbs, a testament to Ryu's ingenuity and the advanced sealing techniques employed in their creation.

After a ten-minute walk, the tunnel opened into a breathtaking vista. The ninjas gasped in unison. Before them lay a hidden valley, a verdant paradise nestled amidst the towering peaks. Lush green meadows stretched towards a crystal-clear waterfall, cascading down a sheer cliff face. Elegant houses, both traditional and uniquely designed, dotted the landscape. Animals, both domesticated and wild, roamed freely, adding life and vibrancy to the scene.

"Welcome to the Hidden Valley Village," Ryu announced, his voice filled with pride.

The ninjas were speechless. They had expected a hidden village, but nothing could have prepared them for the sheer beauty and tranquility of this place. It felt like a hidden realm, a sanctuary untouched by the turmoil of the warring states era.

"Ryu, you truly surprised us," Hashirama exclaimed, still visibly awestruck. "Who would have thought a village could be this beautiful? It's like we've stepped into another world. The green grass, the flowers, the waterfall… this place is truly magnificent."

"But why are there so many giant statues?"

Madara inquired, his gaze drawn to the imposing figures that guarded the entrance. "There must be at least a hundred of them."

"They have chakra in them, don't they?" Mito interjected, her voice calm but firm.

Everyone turned to look at Mito, acknowledging her uncanny perception.

"Right," Ryu confirmed. "They do. But I believe the chakra is sealed, making them appear as ordinary stone statues to most," Tobirama added.

"Not only that," Madara remarked, his eyes gleaming with interest, "I believe some of them possess chakra levels comparable to elite jonin, and a few even rival that of shadow-level ninjas."

"What, Elder Brother? Is that true?" Izuna exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

All eyes turned to Ryu, awaiting his confirmation.

"So, you finally noticed," Ryu chuckled. "I thought only Mito would be able to sense their true nature."

"Thank you, Ryu," Mito replied, "but I'm curious. What is the purpose of these stone giants?"

Ryu understood their curiosity. "They are chakra puppet stones," he explained.

"Chakra puppet stones?" The ninjas echoed in unison.

"Yes," Ryu elaborated, "they are a type of puppet I created. They will activate and defend the village in the event of an attack."

The revelation sent another wave of shock through the group.

"You know, Ryu," Hashirama said, shaking his head in disbelief, "I thought I considered you a genius, but I was wrong. You're a monster! Just when I thought you couldn't surprise us anymore, you come up with something even more extraordinary. I don't know what else we'll discover in this village that will leave us speechless."

The other ninjas nodded in agreement, their minds still reeling from the series of revelations.

"Okay, okay," Ryu said, waving a hand dismissively. "Let's go. You can rest now, or you can explore the village. You're free to wander as you please."

At that moment, a young ninja approached them. "Oh, Eichi! Come here," Ryu called out.

"Yes, sir," the young ninja replied, bowing respectfully.

"Eichi will take you to the guest rooms," Ryu instructed. "You're free to explore the village at your leisure."

"Thank you, Ryu," the ninjas chorused, their excitement renewed.

As they followed Eichi towards the guest quarters, the ninjas couldn't help but marvel at the hidden wonders of the Hidden Valley Village. They had embarked on a journey to find a hidden village, but they had discovered a realm far beyond their wildest imaginations.

To be continued…