Chapter 33: Creating a God

Stark came to his senses with a start, his lips trembling; a long while passed before he squeezed out a sentence: "Those... are they all real? Did I... really see your world?"

Fugaku nodded, his expression unchanged.

Stark opened his mouth again, but no words came out. His mind was a mess, unable to comprehend everything before his eyes.

After a long time, he finally spoke with difficulty, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Since your civilization is so advanced, why not directly destroy the monsters' lair and completely eliminate the threat?"

Uchiha Fugaku turned around, his gaze calmly fixed on Stark. "General," he spoke slowly, "the purpose of my trip is to help you, not to replace you."

He took a step forward, reached out and lightly patted Stark's shoulder. "A civilization's development and progress ultimately rely on its own efforts. If we only depend on outside power, we can never truly become strong."

Fugaku withdrew his hand, his gaze growing somewhat distant. "I can provide you with some assistance and guidance, fight alongside you. But in the end, you must rely on your own two hands to forge a future that belongs to you."

Stark stood up from his chair, his legs a bit weak. He took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself. He walked toward the door, pausing his steps when passing by Fugaku.

"I will report everything you said to my superiors." His voice was a bit raspy, yet his tone was filled with undisguised awe. "Thank you very much for your frankness."

Fugaku gave a slight nod, watching Stark leave. The moment the door closed, the corner of his mouth unconsciously curved upward, revealing a faint, barely perceptible smile.

The scenes he had just shown the other party were actually drawn from this world's books for inspiration, then guided by rhetoric to make Stark imagine what a technological world would be like, and finally crafted into a Genjutsu World.

And within it, he had also added some psychological suggestions to guide the other party into believing him.

Although this world's sci-fi and cultural development far surpass the Ninja World, before the Sharingan they are merely powerless mortals. — Soon, on the other side

General Stark stood in a spacious conference room, facing a massive screen divided into several small windows, each containing a leader with a grave expression.

"Gentlemen," Stark spoke, his tone solemn, "based on my exchange with that 'Visitor' from another Dimension, I have reason to believe everything he said is true."

The leaders on the screen looked at each other in dismay, their eyes full of disbelief.

"Another Dimension?" A bald official sneered, "General, you don't actually believe such a tall tale, do you?"

A general in military uniform spoke: "I think we shouldn't completely rule out this possibility."

He scanned the room, his gaze firm: "The power that 'Visitor' displayed far exceeds our understanding. Perhaps we really have encountered a civilization from another Dimension."

The conference room instantly exploded into uproar; the leaders chattered noisily, each holding their own view.

"Quiet!" A booming voice suddenly cut off everyone's words. All heads snapped in unison toward the source — a short, stout middle-aged man with a flushed face.

"I don't care where he's from or what he does," the man poked the table heavily with his finger: "I only care about my current approval rating. Right now, a huge crowd protests outside my house every day!"

Veins bulged on the man's forehead; he was clearly furious to the extreme.

"That damn female reporter, Cathy Black, is just a troublemaker!" he gritted out, "If we don't quell the public's anger soon, our political careers are finished!"

General Stark pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Gentlemen, I have a proposal."

He scanned the room, his gaze sharp: "Instead of trying to hide the truth, why don't we take advantage of this opportunity."

"What do you mean?" That hot-tempered politician frowned.

"Simple. Since the other party holds goodwill toward us," General Stark said calmly, "we can make him the newly launched Hero to attract public opinion."

The conference room fell dead silent; everyone widened their eyes, staring at General Stark.

His gaze swept across every face: "Rather than letting the truth become our burden, let's make it our asset. We can hold a press conference, shape Uchiha Fugaku's image, and build him into an idol symbolizing hope and strength."

"That way," the corner of his mouth curved slightly: "the public will focus their attention on this new Hero, and no longer on the destroyed Wall."

The leaders fell into silence, each weighing Stark's proposal.

A moment later, that hot-tempered politician nodded heavily: "Makes sense, this is indeed a good idea. This matter is assigned to you, but if problems arise, you know the consequences."

General Stark nodded in reply: "Rest assured, we've done this kind of thing plenty of times already."

……

Soon the next day, an exceptionally grand press conference was held.

On site, camera flashes flickered incessantly, lighting the venue bright as day.

Countless reporters crowded below the stage, long and short lenses alike trained on the podium.

In a corner of the venue, General Stark was conversing quietly with Cathy Black.

Cathy's expression was agitated, her words rapid: "General, I need to know the truth. Who exactly is that mysterious person? How do you plan to handle him? The public has a right to know everything!"

Stark looked at the blonde woman before him, sighing inwardly. He knew that if he wanted to control public opinion, he first had to win over this troublesome woman.

General Stark smiled faintly, reaching out to press a hand on Cathy's shoulder. "Cathy, I understand your feelings. But some things need to be done step by step."

He lowered his voice, his tone sincere: "Trust me, the truth will eventually come to light. And you will be the key figure in uncovering it all."

A flicker of doubt flashed in Cathy's eyes: "Me? What can I do?"

General Stark leaned close to Cathy's ear and whispered: "You are an outstanding reporter, with passion, skill, and influence. As long as you seize this opportunity well, the Pulitzer Prize is absolutely yours for the taking."

He paused, then added: "Not only that, I can also provide you with more exclusive scoops, help you gain a pivotal position in the media world. Trust me, as long as we cooperate, your career will rise to even greater heights."

Cathy's eyes instantly lit up. The Pulitzer Prize — the supreme honor every reporter dreams of.

Not to mention General Stark also promised more exclusive scoops; this was simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Cathy had been on the front lines of this public opinion storm precisely to get what she wanted.

A moment later, Cathy raised her head, a smile curling her lips: "Understood, General. I will fully cooperate with your work."

Just then, all the lights in the venue suddenly went out, leaving only spotlights on the podium. General Stark gave Cathy a meaningful look and strode toward the podium.

Amid gasps of surprise, the press conference officially began. Spotlights hit the podium; the venue fell silent. General Stark walked forward slowly, facing the dark mass of reporters below, and cleared his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen." He spoke, his voice loud and forceful. "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this press conference."

He scanned the room, his gaze meeting the reporters' one by one. "I know that over the past few days, regarding that incident and that mysterious person, the rumors have been... everyone is very concerned. Today, I am here to reveal the answer for everyone."

A buzz of whispered discussion instantly rose below; reporters whispered to each other, guessing what major announcement the General would make next.

General Stark smiled faintly, raised a hand signaling for quiet. "No time to lose; allow me to solemnly introduce our Hero, Mr. Uchiha Fugaku."

He turned sideways, gesturing toward the side of the podium with a "please" motion. Under everyone's gaze, a tall, imposing man slowly walked onto the podium.

General Stark leaned close to Fugaku's ear, speaking in a voice only the two could hear: "Just read the script we gave you."

At this moment the reporters' eyes instantly brightened; shutter sounds rose and fell, flashes blinking nonstop; the whole venue seemed to boil.

"Mr. Uchiha! May I ask where you come from?"

"Why did you appear in that battle?"

"What power are you using? And what is that Giant?"

Countless questions were thrown at the stage; Uchiha Fugaku gave a slight nod, casting a calm gaze at the reporters, and the clamor in the venue gradually subsided.

Before this press conference, Uchiha Fugaku had already conducted thorough communication with General Stark.

This press conference was nothing more than a meticulously designed performance.

They had agreed to reveal only limited information on stage, to maintain the mystery of Fugaku's identity while also satisfying the public's curiosity.

"Thank you for your questions." Uchiha Fugaku said softly, "Regarding my identity and origin, I cannot reveal too much information at present."

The reporters immediately stirred again, seemingly dissatisfied with this answer. But Fugaku merely smiled faintly and continued: "But there is one point I think you should understand."

He scanned the surroundings, his gaze determined. "No matter where I come from, my purpose in coming here this time is only one."

The audience fell completely silent, everyone holding their breath in anticipation.

"That is, to help you." Uchiha Fugaku spoke word by word, his tone sincere and determined. "To protect this City, guard innocent lives, and stop those monsters' rampage. This is my entire reason for being here."

As soon as his words fell, bursts of applause rang out in the venue. General Stark walked forward with a smile, shook hands with Fugaku, and signaled the reporters to ask questions.

Instantly, all reporters raised their hands, vying to ask questions.

Uchiha Fugaku scanned the whole venue, and finally his gaze landed on a blonde female reporter. He pointed a hand, signaling her to ask.

She was precisely the Metropolis Daily's Ace Pilot reporter, Cathy Black.

"Mr. Uchiha!" Cathy shouted, her voice loud and clear, instantly drowning out the surrounding Noise. "I am Cathy Black, a reporter from the Metropolis Daily. May I interview you with a few questions?"

Uchiha Fugaku's gaze fell on Cathy, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes. He gave a slight nod, signaling Cathy to ask.

Having obtained permission, Cathy immediately began her questioning: "Mr. Uchiha, what everyone cares about most is, where exactly do you come from? Are you from another world, another civilization?"

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "I indeed come from a world different from yours. But as for the specific circumstances of that world, I'm afraid it is temporarily inconvenient to disclose."

His voice was calm and firm, revealing not a trace of emotional fluctuation.

Hubbub! The reporters looked at each other in dismay, their eyes full of Shock and disbelief. For a moment, exclamations and whispered voices rose and fell in succession, and the scene instantly turned into a chaotic mess.

At this time Cathy followed up: "Then, what is your purpose in coming to our world? Are you simply passing through, or do you have another Task?"

The corner of Fugaku's mouth curled up slightly, his gaze becoming somewhat gentler. "My main purpose in coming this time is to help you fight against those monsters that suddenly appeared."

Cathy's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly pressed: "You mean you have fought these monsters before? Do you know their origins and Weaknesses?"

Fugaku shook his head: "Unfortunately, these monsters are also completely new to me. Just like you, I know nothing about their origins and purposes.

But I guarantee to you, no matter how powerful they are, I will go all out and defend this World to the death."

"Mr. Uchiha, how severe do you think the Threat we face is? Are you confident we can achieve final Victory?" Cathy continued to ask loudly.

Fugaku pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "This battle will probably not end easily. Those monsters are by no means ordinary."

"However," his gaze suddenly turned sharp: "As long as we unite as one and work with one heart, there is nothing that cannot be overcome."

His gaze swept over every person present. "And I will fight shoulder to shoulder with you until the very last moment. This is my promise." Having finished, Uchiha Fugaku gave a slight bow.

The moment Fugaku's words fell, thunderous applause rang out from the audience again.

The venue soon fell into chaos.

Reporters scrambled to pull out their phones, tapping rapidly on screens, afraid that being a step slow would let colleagues snatch the headline.

They transmitted this explosive news back to their respective newspapers at the fastest speed, afraid of missing any detail.

"Quick, quick, this news must be sent out as soon as possible!" "What? Front page headline? Of course! This is world-shaking news!"

"Oh my god, our newspaper's website is probably going to crash..."

The venue was full of Noise, flashbulbs going off in succession, people excitedly whispering and discussing heatedly.

On the stage, General Stark wore a smile, watching this scene with satisfaction. In his view, this press conference had already achieved the expected effect.

(Chapter End)