A biting autumn wind swept across the desolate coastline of southeastern Land of Lightning, whipping up salty, icy waves that crashed against jagged rocks.
The air carried the lingering scent of gunpowder and blood, as if the aura of the earth-shattering battle from Hell Valley had traversed the vast distance to linger here.
By the shore, a group of figures huddled against the cold wind.
They were the last embers of the Chinoike Clan, barely over twenty men, women, and children combined.
Many had scrapes and bloodstains from their frantic escape. Their faces were etched with the terror of survival, exhaustion, and the profound grief of losing loved ones and their home.
Silence hung over them like a massive boulder, pressing down on every heart.
Several young children clung tightly to their mothers, their wide eyes shadowed by lingering fear.
Oyashiro En held his still-dazed, unresponsive daughter Chino. His wide brown overcoat wrapped around his wife and child, attempting to shield them from the sea wind.
Beside him, the leader Oyashiro Jin stood hunched over. The authority he once held before his clansmen was gone, replaced only by eyes full of desolation and confusion.
Kakuzu's stitched face wore its usual indifference. He toyed with the heart of a Kumogakure's Jonin, preparing to replace his current one once matters here were concluded.
Kisame expressionlessly wiped the blood from his ordinary sword.
Not far behind them, the Nine Masked Beasts stood like loyal guards, protecting the Chinoike Clan, who are now considered Menma's private property, at their center, intimidating any potential pursuers.
Suddenly!
A piercing white light, distinct from the sunlight, shot into the sky from the direction of Hell Valley!
Even from this great distance, the light pierced through the thin mist between sea and sky, clearly visible to everyone on the shore!
Following it came a dull, thunderous roar, faintly audible, like a groan of pain from the depths of the earth.
"What... what is that light?" A member of Chinoike Clan cried out, his voice trembling.
"Such terrifying power... even more than the previous explosion..." Another covered their mouth, eyes filled with horror.
Oyashiro Jin's head snapped up. He looked towards the direction of the white light, his hunched body trembling violently. His lips quivered, but no words emerged.
'That light...' Oyashiro En's arms holding Chino instinctively tightened. His gaze behind the rhombus sunglasses was extremely grave.
Kakuzu and Kisame were also seeing this explosion, more powerful than the earlier Tailed Beast Bombs, for the first time. However, they surmised that Shura had displayed even more terrifying power, signaling the end of the battle.
Just as everyone was unsettled by the soaring white light, a figure appeared soundlessly above the coastline.
A black robe flapped in the wind. The white three-eyed fox mask gleamed coldly under the overcast sky.
It's Menma.
He descended like a god, landing gently on the ground. The dark red Chakra Cloak quietly receded.
"Sir!" Kakuzu and Kisame immediately bowed.
Without the slightest hesitation, Oyashiro En, holding his daughter and pulling his wife along, was the first to drop to one knee before Menma, his head bowed deeply.
Oyashiro Jin froze for a moment. Looking at Oyashiro En's action, then at the frightened, confused eyes of his clansmen around him, all his struggle and unwillingness finally dissolved into a heavy sigh.
Trembling, he too led the remaining twenty-plus Chinoike Clan's members to kneel heavily before the black-robed figure.
"The Chinoike Clan... thanks you for saving our lives, sir! We... we wish to follow you for all eternity!" Oyashiro Jin's voice was hoarse, carrying the resignation after humiliation, and a faint, flickering hope for the future.
"We wish to follow you, sir!" Oyashiro En's voice was firmer.
"We wish to follow you, sir..." Scattered, fearful, and confused voices of agreement rose from the clansmen.
Menma's gaze swept over the kneeling Chinoike Clan's members, finally settling on Oyashiro Jin and Oyashiro En. He gave a slight nod.
He raised a hand and formed a simple hand seal.
With a low hum, the figures of the Nine Masked Beasts faded and vanished.
Then, Menma instructed Kakuzu: "Contact Gato. The fleet is to rendezvous as planned."
"Yes." Kakuzu replied immediately, beginning to transmit the message through the seal on the back of his hand.
"Oyashiro Jin. Oyashiro En." Menma turned to the two men, "Lead your clansmen southeast across the sea. Approximately thirty nautical miles out, there is an uninhabited isolated island. Go there first to take temporary shelter and await the fleet's arrival."
Though grieving and exhausted, the basic discipline of a Ninja Clan remained within the Chinoike Clan.
Apart from the few young children who needed to be carried, the remaining clansmen with Chunin-level strength, including the women, immediately sprang into action.
They channeled Chakra to the soles of their feet and carefully stepped onto the sea's surface. They began the difficult trek across the rolling waves towards the direction Menma had indicated.
Kakuzu and Kisame followed closely behind, responsible for rear guard and vigilance.
Soon, an isolated island with sparse vegetation and scaled strange rocks came into view.
Everyone landed on the island, gaining a temporary respite.
Menma did not linger. He raised his hand, and several storage scrolls materialized in his grasp.
With a few soft bangs, a large quantity of tents, food, fresh water, medicine, and some simple living supplies were released, piling up in a clearing.
"Wait here. The fleet will arrive and take you to your new home." Menma's voice remained flat, yet it brought a sliver of sense of security to the anxious Chinoike Clan's members.
"Kakuzu, Kisame Hoshigaki, you are responsible for protection until the fleet arrives."
"Understood." Kakuzu replied, his eyes flickering over the supplies as if calculating their value.
"Yes…" Kisame answered succinctly, his shark-like face betraying no emotion.
Without another word, Menma's form transformed into a streak of dark red light, shooting into the sky and vanishing over the horizon.
A little over half a month later, after being secretly transported by the Gato Company's massive fleet, enduring several days of sea travel and careful overland route changes, the surviving twenty-plus members of the Chinoike Clan finally arrived at the capital of the Land of Stars.
When the outline of the Star City appeared on the plains, the Chinoike Clan's members collectively held their breath.
Towering, uniquely shaped buildings stood in orderly rows, gleaming with metal and glass. Wide, clean streets teemed with people dressed in various styles… Ninjas, merchants, civilians, all coexisting harmoniously. Massive iron rail trains, like steel dragons, shuttled between the Land of Stars' major cities.
The city was bustling yet orderly. Merchants from all over the Ninja World hawked their wares. Machinery for loading and unloading goods emitted low rumbles...
Although Menma has only been in control of this country for three years, it has become the most stable country in the western part of the Ninja Continent.
Ninjutsu reinvested in infrastructure and agricultural development, turning the Land of Stars' plains into a land of abundance. This stable environment attracted merchants from various countries, even those willing to take risks.
Non-Chakra-related civilian technology from the Ninja Continent also flourished in the Land of Stars. Railway lines connected the Land of Stars' major cities, promoting transportation and commercial prosperity...
The Chinoike Clan's members looked upon this scene. The stark contrast with the barren Hell Valley where they had been imprisoned for generations, and with the traditional towns of the Land of Lightning they knew, was like heaven and earth!
A prosperous, advanced, vibrant modern city!
"This... is this the Star City?"
"Such a... such a huge city! It's even more magnificent than the capital of the Land of Lightning I read about in books!"
"What are those things running on the ground? Why are they spewing thick smoke!"
The clansmen couldn't suppress their gasps of amazement, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Chino peeked out from her father Oyashiro En's arms, curiously observing the city.
Oyashiro En and Oyashiro Jin, who had a complicated expression, were also deeply impacted by the sight before them.
They had originally thought Shura was just a terrifyingly powerful Missing-Nin, his base perhaps hidden and strong, but they never imagined he ruled such a vast, prosperous, and orderly nation!
After all, since the coup in the Land of Bears and the establishment of the Land of Stars, Menma had always operated from behind the scenes. Those shadow clones spread throughout the country were known only by numbers.
Aside from the core members of the Land of Stars and the organization, only Konoha, after Hikari's visit to Fugaku, knew that Shura was the mastermind behind the Land of Stars.
After all, in this ninja world, intelligence gathering and dissemination were extremely difficult.
For example, it wasn't just Onoki who hired the Akatsuki… other countries had also employed Akatsuki for tasks they couldn't handle openly, even wiping out small nations.
But before the Five Kage Summit, it was estimated that even Onoki only knew about Konan. The masterminds behind Akatsuki, whether the mysterious masked man, Obito, or Nagato, should have remained unknown.
"The Land of Stars... is actually Shura-sama's power..." Oyashiro En murmured to himself. As a merchant, he knew all too well how unique this nation, which had recently risen in the western part of the Ninja Continent, was.
The last trace of unwillingness and humiliation in Oyashiro Jin's heart quietly transformed under the impact of this magnificent city.
He looked around at the surviving clansmen, saw the curious light shining in the children's eyes for the first time, and a long-dormant fighting spirit, like an ember, rekindled within the ashes.
'A prosperous, powerful nation, a terrifyingly powerful leader, and the allegiance of countless Ninja Clans... In the next Great Ninja War, the Land of Stars will surely rise! It will become the Sixth Great Nation! Our Chinoike Clan must regain its prestige on this new land!' He clenched his fist, his back seeming to straighten a little.
Soon, they were led to the futuristic alloy gates of the Star City's military district.
Three figures slowly emerged.
Aside from the Lord they were familiar with, there were two women.
The woman on the right wore the distinctive dark uniform of a Hoshinin. She had flowing red hair and a gentle, beautiful face. It was Kanon.
The woman on the left had a cool and detached aura, with black hair and black eyes. She wore a blue high-collared clan uniform, on the collar of which one could faintly see a ping-pong paddle-like clan crest. It was Hikari.
"Welcome to the Land of Stars, Hoshigaki Kisame, and members of the Chinoike Clan." Kanon said with a warm smile, her voice like a spring breeze instantly easing the newcomers' tension, "The journey must have been arduous. I am Uzumaki Kanon, responsible for your subsequent settlement arrangements."
Beside Kaede, Hikari merely gave a slight nod, calmly scanning the group. Her gaze paused slightly on Oyashiro En and the little girl, Chino, he held in his arms.
Menma didn't engage in excessive pleasantries. He spoke directly to Oyashiro Jin and Oyashiro En: "Kanon will register your information and take you to the designated clan's territory. There is basic housing and facilities there. How you develop it further is your decision. The Land of Stars will provide necessary resources and support, but the Chinoike Clan must provide five Ninjas to join the Star Ninja Army. Your children will also enter the Ninja Academy for training."
"Thank you, sir!" Oyashiro Jin and Oyashiro En hurriedly bowed in gratitude.
Menma's gaze turned to Kakuzu and Kisame.
"Kakuzu."
"Yes, sir." Kakuzu stepped forward.
"I know you dislike the Anbu's environment. Effective today, you are removed from the Anbu's roster. Follow Gato and be responsible for the organization's commercial network and fund operations throughout the Ninja World."
Kakuzu's dark green pupils instantly lit up!
For the first time, a genuine, unconcealed smile of satisfaction appeared on his stitched face.
Making money!
This was what he was best at and most passionate about!
Compared to training those greenhorns in Anbu, he far preferred manipulating Gato's vast commercial empire, amassing staggering wealth. This was much more to his taste!
"As you command, sir!" His voice even carried a trace of excitement.
"Hoshigaki Kisame." Menma's gaze fell on the shark-faced Ninja.
"Yes." Kisame responded in a deep voice.
"You will lead the Land of Stars' Anbu," Menma's words were concise and powerful, "Integrate the existing forces. Establish a more efficient intelligence network and operational system. Your experience and abilities are suited for this position."
Kisame was slightly taken aback.
He hadn't expected that he, a 'newcomer' who had just joined the organization, and a Missing-nin from Kirigakure no less, would be entrusted with such an important responsibility.
Leading a Ninja Village's Anbu!
The weight of this trust caused his heart, long accustomed to betrayal and being betrayed, to feel a heavy stirring for the first time.
A sharp light flashed in Kisame's shark-like eyes. Not one for many words, he said solemnly, "Leave it to me!"
Just then, a familiar figure emerged from within the military district, jogging towards Menma. She wore a Hoshinin's uniform, had smooth brown hair, a pretty face, and a gentle yet resilient demeanor.
It was Terumi Miru!
She quickly approached Menma, first bowing respectfully, "Shura-sama."
Then, her gaze turned to Kisame standing at Menma's side. A warm, sincere smile appeared on her face.
"Kisame-senpai," Miru's voice was like a flowing spring, "Do you remember our promise? Last time I said I'd treat you to a meal. A new nice restaurant just opened in the Star City. Would you like to try it together?"
Kisame looked at the woman who had once caused a ripple in his icy heart, now standing here safe and sound, her smile bright.
The usual cold lines on his shark-like face seemed to soften a fraction. After a moment of silence, he nodded: "Yeah."
…
Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
The atmosphere in the reception room on the top floor of the Hokage Building was as heavy as frozen frost.
Hiruzen sat in the main seat, his brow deeply furrowed. The pipe in his hand had long gone out, the wisp of smoke long dissipated.
Beside him, the Advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked equally grave. Danzo sat with his eye closed, feigning rest.
Sitting across from them was the special envoy group from Kumogakure, led by the seasoned Kumogakure's Jonin known as the [Wise General], Dodai.
At this moment, Dodai's face lacked its usual composure. His single eye was filled with barely suppressed anger and grief.
To Dodai's left and right, C's gaze was sharp as he observed the Konoha's highest authority opposite him, while the two other Kumogakure's Ninjas radiated undisguised hostility.
"Third Hokage!" Dodai's voice broke the suffocating silence, carrying a strong tone of accusation, "You must give our Kumogakure an explanation!"
The old face under Hiruzen's Hokage Hat frowned.
'Another explanation!'
'You guys from Kumogakure are really good at causing trouble!'
Dodai's hands slammed heavily on the table, his gaze stabbing into Hiruzen like knives: "After our Kumogakure's costly and thorough investigation, we have obtained conclusive evidence! That Shura's true identity is your Konoha's Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki!"
"And the mastermind manipulating everything is your Konoha's Danzo Shimura!"