Chapter 314: Groundwork
In the expansive valley in the Land of Birds, John and Jirōbō stood amidst the towering trees. The valley itself was flanked by hills on either side, just waiting to be transformed.
Today was the day they would begin their monumental task.
"This is the spot," John declared after surveying the stretch of land before them.
Jirōbō clenched his fists; he avidly wanted to contest John's choice.
To him, it wasn't the most optimal location. But he swallowed his words and recalled the lessons he'd learned about servitude.
Keeping his feelings quiet, he moved forward and knelt down. Then he placed his palms on the ground.
"Earth style: vast mobile core jutsu!"
A rumble emanated from the earth beneath him, and slowly, the ground began responding to his command. Tendrils of chakra snaked outwards and shaped the earth.
The trees around had their roots slightly loosened, as if bewildered by the shift. Woodland creatures scurried and were startled by the overwhelming sensations that reverberated through the valley—squirrels darted up tree trunks, rabbits bolted into the underbrush, and birds took to the sky in flocks.
They had all sensed an approaching quake.
Jirōbō closed his eyes in concentration. He needed to carefully edit the land by raising and lowering it to create an even, balanced landscape.