After returning from the moon, Ryun and the others began preparing in advance for the upcoming fierce battle.
The Otsutsuki Clan attached great importance to the Ninja World. Knowing that Momoshiki and his servant alone were absolutely no match for the consumer of the supreme divine fruit, they specifically ordered Momoshiki not to alert the enemy and to wait for the clan's reinforcements. They never expected Momoshiki would ultimately expose himself!
As a member of the main Otsutsuki family, his arrogant and condescending personality destined him for this crushing defeat.
"According to the memories of Momoshiki Otsutsuki, the new enemies are expected to arrive at our planet within three months. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of them arriving earlier. Therefore, we must remain vigilant during this period," Ryun said, convening a high-level meeting of the Village of Heaven at the Shadow Mansion.
The Otsutsuki Clan and the Ninja World were separated by a vast distance. Under normal circumstances, it would take a Six Paths level expert several decades to travel from the Otsutsuki Clan to the Ninja World.
But by utilizing their clan's supreme treasure, they could achieve ultra-long distance spatial jumps, greatly shortening the distance between the two worlds.
"I have already had people mass-producing astronomical telescopes capable of observing ultra-long distances. We can use such tools, combined with the Byakugan or Sharingan, to detect their traces in advance along the direction from which the enemy is coming," Orochimaru spoke up proactively. Ryun had provided the general direction of the enemy's attack. With enough astronomical telescopes, intercepting them after spotting them first was achievable.
"Currently, there are only ten members of the Hyuga Clan staying in the Village of Heaven. Should we expand this type of personnel?" Nagato looked at Ryun and inquired.
"Agreed. Have the Hyuga Clan arrange for a group of elite Byakugan users to enter the village. I will give them chakra seeds, allowing them to become ninja again," Ryun stated plainly.
Special times require special talents. Using the Byakugan and astronomical telescopes to observe a corner of the starry sky, the approaching Otsutsuki enemies would find it very difficult to escape the Byakugan's insight.
This way, Ryun wouldn't need to wait in outer space to intercept them.
"Good," Nagato nodded. That was precisely the authorization he needed from the leader.
"I recommend establishing an astronomical observatory on the moon. There is no obstruction from a thick atmosphere, nor other light pollution there. The observable field of view would be extremely vast, allowing us to detect external enemies earlier."
"Furthermore, we might even be able to observe other life-bearing planets beyond our home from there. The universe is vast, and many places are worth exploring," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. He found this idea very interesting. After all, the Ninja World had been conquered. Looking towards the universe would be the truly promising future.
"Agreed. You arrange for people to handle this matter. Strive to have the astronomical observatory constructed within one month," Ryun directly assigned this task to Orochimaru.
The Village of Heaven now held the exclusive right to issue currency. They lacked neither money, resources, nor talent. Constructing an astronomical observation base on the moon within a month would be effortless.
The Otsutsuki Clan had lived on the moon for a thousand years, leaving behind many useful things. The Village of Heaven only needed to take people to renovate those old structures, then bring equipment and living resources up there, and the job would be basically done.
"From now on, everyone must be prepared for battle at any time. Only by winning this battle do we have a future. If we lose, our planet will be completely destroyed by the Otsutsuki Clan. Therefore, we absolutely cannot be careless," Ryun reminded everyone solemnly.
The Otsutsuki Clan had deep reserves. They could afford to lose. But the Ninja World only had these people from the Village of Heaven. Once they lost, it would be a situation of eternal damnation. So, Ryun's side could not afford to lose.
"Yes," all the high-ranking members of the Village of Heaven responded seriously with a nod.
"Orochimaru and the Heaven Shadow stay. The others are dismissed."
At Ryun's command, everyone dispersed. Only the three of them remained seated in the large conference room.
"How is the Sage Seedling Plan progressing? Have the suitable youths been selected?" Ryun casually asked Nagato.
He wanted to pass on his sage arts to everyone, gradually phasing out the chakra cultivation method.
Ryun was not afraid of a situation where 'latecomers surpass the old-timers' in the future. After all, both he and his children possessed exceptional cultivation talent and powerful constitutions. If he, the pioneer, could be surpassed by some junior from the Village of Heaven, it would simply prove he was too incompetent. Being replaced then would be nothing to complain about.
"The first batch of one hundred has been selected. They are all descendants of the Village of Heaven ninja. I have also discussed this with their parents and elders. Everyone agreed to send their children to the sacred land to cultivate sage arts," Nagato answered Ryun's question.
"Good. Arrange for ten elite jonin, plus some additional personnel, to accompany the Sage Seedlings. I will have Nanaise and Minato send them to the Shikkotsu Forest sacred land," Ryun said.
Upon hearing this, Nagato was visibly taken aback. "Wait, the Shikkotsu Forest sacred land? I heard it was supposed to be Mount Myoboku."
"Who told you that?" Ryun raised an eyebrow .
"Minato said..."
"Mount Myoboku is safe, and the environment is good. That territory should be reserved for our descendants," Ryun stated his intention.
"Understood," Nagato said with a smile and a nod.
Over the past three years, he and Konan had a daughter, and another son was about to be born. The descendants Ryun mentioned naturally included his own children.
The Shikkotsu Forest had a harsh environment, filled with miasma, poisonous insects, and fierce beasts everywhere. That place required long-term reclamation to stabilize. Sending the Sage Seedlings there for cultivation and training could also aid in the reclamation effort, killing two birds with one stone.
"Teacher, how is the improvement of the Impure World Reincarnation technique progressing? Is it powerful enough? Are you confident it can control Six Paths level experts?" Ryun asked Orochimaru a crucial question.
The Impure World Reincarnation technique was one of Ryun's important trump cards against the Otsutsuki Clan. He intended to use this jutsu to control powerful deceased individuals, even including former Six Paths level experts in his considerations.
"The latest version of the 'Impure World Reincarnation' technique is already very refined. I have eliminated all known shortcomings. Attempting to control those Six Paths level experts can be done anytime," Orochimaru answered with a serious expression.
"Good. This matter is of utmost importance. Every Six Paths level expert possesses heaven-defying capabilities. We cannot afford carelessness. Tomorrow, I will go with you to practice that forbidden jutsu."
This matter required his personal involvement. Orochimaru alone couldn't handle it because the target of this super S-rank forbidden jutsu was the Six Paths.
"Excellent. I have already obtained and organized the body cells of those powerful individuals. I've been waiting for you to conduct the experiment together."
As Orochimaru said this, he appeared exceptionally excited, his long tongue almost licking his forehead.