Shirou's clones number 30 million

"Can't you hold on a little longer, Takeuchi-san?"

"Let's continue tomorrow. It's not just because I'm hungry. It'll be dark soon. The leader didn't give us any flashlights, and it'll be too dangerous after dark."

"Alright then, let's continue drawing the map tomorrow."

Takano put away his notebook and pen, looked around, and while marking the trees with a stone shard, said:

"Takeuchi-san, what do you think the future will be like?"

“I don’t know.” Takeuchi paused for a few seconds, then said again, “With the leader’s abilities, perhaps he can build an empire in this desolate world.”

Do you think things should continue like this?

"Not so bad. The world has been destroyed, and only someone like the leader can rebuild it. As for whether the new world will be a feudal empire or a democratic republic, we can't control that."

"Ah."

Takeuchi glanced at Takano, who was making marks, and asked hesitantly:

"Are you asking this because you have some differing opinions?"

"Eh... I want to go back to the past, but I also know that I can't. The old world order has been destroyed, and a new order is being established. I'm just... a little uneasy."

"It's the same for me. I'm very uneasy too. But I know I don't have the ability to change the world. The only thing I can do is follow the leader's arrangements and live each day well. As for the future and the world, the leader will take care of that."

Ishigami Senku, who was eavesdropping on the two's conversation from the bushes, had a sudden realization.

Judging from their appearance, these two were modern people from 3700 years ago.

The notebooks and ballpoint pens were clearly given to them by the leader.

Therefore, the key to the problem lies with the leader.

How did he manage to get his hands on these modern items? 3700 years is too long; even with the best preservation, it's impossible for them to have survived.

"I have been resurrected for three months, and during this time I have explored the surrounding area but have not found any trace of human activity."

'So, these two must have come from somewhere much farther away.'

While they were thinking, the two had already turned and left, walking further and further away.

Without the slightest hesitation, Senku Ishigami quietly followed.

Whether it was the humans he hadn't seen in a long time or the mysterious leader, they all piqued his curiosity.

Naturally, the only option is to follow.

Following behind the two, he soon arrived at a flat mountain forest.

In the distance, ten stone houses stood side by side, with an iron pot piled up in the open space in front of them, and a group of men were gathered around the pot waiting for dinner.

Compared to his own unfinished wooden house, these ten stone houses were exquisitely crafted, as if they were born in this shape, truly masterpieces of art.

'How were these stone houses built? Cement? It doesn't seem like it. No matter how you look at it, you can't find any seams; it looks just like it grew naturally.'

'But even the most foolish person wouldn't believe that nature could grow such a beautiful stone house.'

The most crucial point is that I was here a few days ago, and there was nothing here then.

Besides that, how did they get their hands on iron pots, bowls, and chopsticks?

'Porcelain can be fired, and iron pots can be made, but... wait, everyone else is wearing animal skins, so why is that guy wearing modern clothes?!'

"How is this possible!"

In that instant, Senku Ishigami suddenly realized that he seemed to have accidentally shouted out loud.

This sound attracted everyone from afar.

"Damn it! We're surrounded."

"Yes, you are surrounded."

Sensing the terrifying aura behind him, Senku Ishigami cautiously turned around and immediately exclaimed in alarm:

"Weren't you over there? How did you suddenly appear behind me?"

It's the person wearing modern clothes!

"I'm fast, that's for sure." Shirou chuckled, looking him up and down as he asked, "You don't seem to be the one I resurrected, do you?"

“It seems we both have a lot of questions to ask each other. Can we talk about it?” Ishigami Senku tentatively suggested.

"No problem. Have you eaten? Let's eat and chat."

What are you cooking?

"Beef soup, would you like some?"

"Mhm." Ishigami Senku nodded repeatedly.

After 3700 years, we can finally have a good meal.

Chapter 173 I've Picked Up an Extraordinary Person!

Chapter 173, Section 174: I've picked up an extraordinary person!

The beef soup is made by simmering a large amount of meat and a small amount of wild vegetables. Due to the lack of seasonings, the flavor is slightly bland.

But for Senku Ishigami, who hadn't had cooked food in a long time, it was nothing short of the most delicious food in the world.

They ate while asking each other questions.

Soon, they had a basic understanding of each other.

Senku Ishigami, believing the time was right, put down his chopsticks and tentatively asked the question he most wanted to know.

The origins of modern clothes, notebooks, and ballpoint pens.

However, the other party's answer was completely beyond his expectations.

"Huh...!? A superpowered person? Are there really such incredible things in the world?"

"Aren't superpowers often mentioned in comics and novels? So... it's not surprising that superpowers exist in real life, right?"

"No...no! Comics are just fiction, they're fake! If I hadn't seen you use your abilities with my own eyes, I would have thought you were doing magic."

Senku Ishigami forced himself to calm down, lowered his head and took a sip of beef soup, but his face was still full of hesitation.

The materialist worldview that has existed for over 3700 years has been shaken in this way.

Since there are people with superpowers in the world, there must also be unscientific beings like gods and Onmyoji, right?

In that case, could this petrification disaster that destroyed human civilization be the work of gods or demons?

No! You can't think like that.

His so-called superpowers must be explainable by science.

Gods and monsters are no exception.

"Do you intend to rebuild human civilization, Chief Kato?"

"Just call me Shirou. Kato is such a common surname. If a meteorite fell from the sky, it could kill at least three Katos."

"So... Boss Shirou, what are your plans for the future?"

"Just like you said, it's about rebuilding human civilization."

As he spoke, Shirou unconsciously pictured several other versions of himself who loved farming, and then smiled:

"To be honest, I'm actually quite good at things like building towns and countries."

The slime himself collected monsters and built a monster kingdom from scratch.

The Type-Moon Roman version of himself, starting with the territory he won in the Nero Festival, is working hard to develop his territory.

Although they are different worlds, they are all farming, so this is a very valuable reference.

Ishigami Senku pondered for a few seconds, a sudden realization flashing through his mind, and hesitantly asked:

"So, you're planning to build a kingdom from scratch and become king yourself?"

"That's right, that's exactly it. However, it's still hard to say what kind of political system will be adopted at that time."

First, build a village, and then gradually expand the territory and population.

In this wilderness world, the enemies are just some animals, so farming is actually quite convenient.

As for what form of government will be adopted after development, it's really hard to say right now.

After all, even though more than three thousand years have passed, modern people are still modern people. They don't have the simple and honest folk customs of ancient people, nor do they have the otherworldly people's accustomedness to being ruled.

Becoming a hereditary king is perhaps more difficult than one might expect.

But if it's the president, there shouldn't be any problem.

Do you want to rule the world?

"If we could get to that point, wouldn't it be worth it?"

"I don't know what you originally did, but do you think you have the ability to govern a country, or even a world?"

"Of course. If there's something I don't know, I can learn it. If others can do it, why can't I?"

Shirou paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

“In this new era, differences in birth, family background, and wealth have been reduced to a minimum.”

"Perhaps those who were originally at the top have connections and experience, but compared to them, I also have my own advantages."

"When everyone is on the same starting line, what determines status is individual ability."

"In terms of intelligence and combat skills, I don't think I'm inferior to others."

While their intelligence may be lacking, their martial prowess is more than enough to make up for that deficiency.

Senku Ishigami nodded thoughtfully, thinking to himself:

"Who else but me?" With that mindset, coupled with his superpowers and the fact that he also possessed the formula for the resurrection fluid, it's no wonder he was so confident.

"I have no interest in the country you are building. My goal is to reclaim human civilization! To scientifically investigate the principles of petrification and resurrection, and to turn petrification into a weapon that humanity can control."

"Huh...?"

Shirou was slightly taken aback, and a look of surprise inevitably appeared on his face.