MTL - Naruto: Ten-year-old Kaleidoscope, Opening Betrayal Konoha - Chapter 1

Deep below the earth's surface, a mystifying subterranean seascape lurks, an archipelago bathed in inky blackness where suspense and horror hold court. Here lie strange islands and even stranger monsters, far beyond the realms of human imagination. In this domain, mankind is far from dominant; instead, madness and death rule supreme.

Pleading for mercy from the unknown creatures of the deep only leads to a slow, tortured existence. The trapped survivors gradually distort, losing what made them human, both physically and mentally, to the gloom as they remain trapped in this eternal obscurity. Their only hope? A perilous expedition into uncharted sea territories.

Fueled by determination, Charles embark on this daunting voyage aboard his steamship, aiming to reclaim humanity's past glory. Together with his crew, they sought a way out of this hidden sea world, a path back to the sunlit world above, where humans once stood tall.

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I read a few comments from Chinese readers that compared this novel with Lord of Mysteries because of similar elements: Lovecraftian, western fantasy, first industrial revolution, and steampunk. However, I have yet to finish reading Lord of Mysteries to do any actual comparison, but I do think those who have enjoyed that novel would enjoy this as well. Also, the author of LotM, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, also did a shout-out for this novel, so I guess he approves of it too?

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Born with amazing talent and mastery of the sword, at age 13 he awakened his memory about the world thus setting out his own journey and create a world that is for himself and his crew onlyAt the age of seventeen, he went to sea, joined the Rocks Pirates, participated in the Battle of God Valley, plundered the treasures of the Celestial Dragons, formed his own pirate group, competed for the throne of the Four Emperors in the New World, and became the world's number one swordsman.The most powerful attack and the most powerful defense are gathered in one person, and finally became the strongest in the world.Before the war on the top, he helped Whitebeard restore his peak strength. When Whitebeard attracted the attention of the whole world, Li Yuan led his pirate group to attack the Celestial Dragon Holy Land Mary Geoise...

Skyseal Emperor Gu Taxian is perhaps the greatest Emperor in all of history. He crushed the Hundred Empires and brought them to heel, built the vast Great Stone Wall to keep out the deadly wilders, relocated mountains and rivers to promote commerce, set up roads and highways, and even promoted free academies of learning for the common man in an attempt to uplift them. But the Skyseal Emperor’s ambitions involve more than just this – he is preparing to launch a great campaign to stamp out all pagan religions, wishing to allow all men to become like gods instead of merely worshiping them. Deities, demons, and immortals alike tremble and rage at the Skyseal Emperor’s ambitions.

Interpol Chu Nanzhi traveled to the last years of the Dahe Empire, and became a wicked woman hated by thousands of miles and eight villages and a vicious mother of four little ones.

But on the first day after transmigrating, she encountered a catastrophe of extermination. She used her past life director to help the original owner’s husband get rid of the crime, and saved herself and the four little ones.

Back home, Lin Jinxiao and the four little ones still hated her and were always wary of her.

Looking at Lin Jinxiao and the four little ones who were sick in bed, Chu Nanzhi didn’t want to give up the truth, and decided to wait until Lin Jinxiao recovered from his injury, reconcile with him, and promised to take care of the little ones temporarily.

Because of being highly valued by the county magistrate and wealthy households, Chu Nanzhi took advantage of this time to become a proficient detective and supported her family by investigating cases. She assisted the county magistrate in solving many cases and gradually changed the attitude of her neighbors towards her.

Later, Chu Nanzhi proposed to make peace with Lin Jinxiao, but the four little ones refused at first.

She went out to handle a case, and the four little ones were afraid that she would never return, so they chased after her: “Mother, we want to go with you,”

When she came to Beijing to meet her, the county magistrate took her hand and refused to let go: “You are already the mother of four children.”

One day, when Lin Jinxiao became the emperor, he put his arms around Chu Nanzhi and said, “You have been trying the case for so many years, so stay in the palace and try it on me, I have grievances!”

- Description from novelbuddy