Nanto raised his fist with conviction. "Of course I will uphold Lord Kimimaro's ideals. He is our new Hoshikage—the Star Shadow—and it is my duty to protect him."
"He's also the leader of the Taketori clan!" he added with pride.
Though he had a favorable impression of Taketori Shizuka, Nanto spoke firmly, "I heard the symbol Lord Kimimaro plans to adopt for the establishment of his new shinobi institution will be based on our Star Ninja's emblem."
Hiki, however, responded with a calm voice. "Kimimaro's vision for a shinobi system is fundamentally different. You can't compare it to the existing Great Villages. It may not even take the form of a traditional Hidden Village at all."
Nanto and Shizuka exchanged knowing smiles. They were long used to Hiki's unwavering devotion. Despite his humble origins as a wandering shinobi, Hiki seemed to grasp Kimimaro's ideals more profoundly than most.
"I know, I know," Nanto conceded with a chuckle. "I'm just saying I'm used to old habits. What Lord Kimimaro's trying to build isn't some refurbished village. He wants to give new purpose to the Star Ninja, the Taketori, the wanderers—and reshape society itself."
Hiki gave a slight nod. "At least you understand."
Not far from them, Kazuma stood observing a small ceremony—young shinobi receiving their graduation certificates. He sighed. "Compared to Kimimaro's system, the structures we relied on in the past were too primitive."
"Of course," Yomaru said with a faint smile. "The Lord's wisdom is on another level. Have you still not made up your mind, Mr. Kazuma?"
"I've come close," Kazuma admitted. "But the ones I can reach won't move based on words alone. Many of them agree with Kimimaro's ideals in principle, but they're not idealists. These are seasoned shinobi with power and reputation. Unless Kimimaro proves he has the strength to match legends—like the First Hokage—they won't bend the knee."
"So you're still unsure of the Lord's true capabilities?"
"It's difficult to discard old beliefs. I do think Kimimaro has the qualities of a leader. But whether he can command the world… that's still unclear."
Yomaru shook his head. "No matter how far Lord Kimimaro ultimately goes, I believe in one thing—he has the strength to protect those who stand with him. That's all that matters to me."
Kazuma gave a wry smile. "You sound just like I used to—devoted to a king of your own choosing. Still watching me?"
"Only to ensure you don't slip away," Yomaru said lightly. "Your freedom here isn't restricted."
"Relax. I won't run. I want to see how far Kimimaro can go. And if he proves himself truly unmatched… I'll help him build his inner circle."
"Heh. But the longer you wait, the less weight your loyalty will carry. By then, we'll have our own strong foundation."
"True, but the contacts I bring will offer something your young faction lacks—deep access to the internal workings of the Five Great Nations." Kazuma gestured to Hiki and the others. "They're spreading Kimimaro's vision, aren't they?"
"To the smaller nations in the western territories," Yomaru confirmed. "There are many places still caught in chaos and strife. They need our help."
"I agree with that completely. The reason I once supported the Fire Daimyō's unification ambitions was to end the endless wars. But what about those students who haven't graduated yet?"
"They'll continue their studies. If they can't genuinely accept our ideals, they'll still be allowed to contribute—just not in positions of power. We're short on capable hands, and time is limited."
Kazuma nodded. "It'll take at least two to three years before your first generation of trained shinobi matures."
"The Lord is young," Yomaru said. "There's no need to rush."
Kazuma smiled faintly. "Yes. He has time—and as long as he's alive, he'll grow stronger. Tell him this: when his strength can no longer be hidden, when even the Five Great Nations begin to fear him—and he still doesn't falter—then I will pledge myself completely and bring others with me."
Yomaru watched Kazuma's back as he walked away and sighed. "Is it truly worth holding back your hand just because your heart isn't ready?"
Then he chuckled to himself. "We all live by the convictions we carry. He's right—his loyalty to the Fire Daimyō is no longer political. It's personal. Just as mine is with Lord Kimimaro."
By now, it had been over a year since Kimimaro was transmigrated into this world.
He was satisfied with the progress of the past two months.
The majority of Star Ninja and Taketori who had undergone formal training were showing promise, and even among the wandering ninja, there were those beginning to adapt. Some still needed more time—but that, too, was part of the plan.
Kimimaro planned to send Subaru and Hokuto back to the Land of Bears. With these promising young ninjas, the Hoshigakure—or Star Village—would soon become his true allies rather than a distant faction. He intended to integrate them gradually under his ideals.
The Taketori ninja, along with several wandering shinobi who had pledged loyalty to him, would be dispatched to the smaller western countries. Their mission was to aid civilians devastated by the recent conflicts and protect the weak from the oppression of daimyo and corrupt warlords.
Let the oppressed rise.
He couldn't build a perfect world yet, but he could at least begin with reform—borrowing the philosophy of liberation, even if not the revolution.
"Kimimaro, are you ready?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
This mission, however, wasn't just about escorting Subaru and Hokuto.
Suigetsu had been pestering him about gathering the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist. With several blades still scattered throughout the Land of Water, it was a timely opportunity to check in on Daikokuten Zen and the others who had remained stationed there.
There was also an important letter from Hyūga Hiashi.
Hanabi, currently under Kimimaro's protection, had not been attending the Konoha Ninja Academy. Instead, she had been training independently and growing rapidly in strength. Hiashi had requested that she be allowed to participate in the upcoming Chūnin Exams, and hoped Kimimaro could send her back to Konoha temporarily.
Hiashi's expectations for his daughter were understandable. Kimimaro, respecting that, agreed.
No one doubted Hanabi's ability to pass the exams.
Of the three Lava Release bloodline gene agents previously obtained through Kurotsuchi's cooperation, one had already been given to Guren. The second had been administered to Kimimaro himself, and the final one had been used to enhance Hanabi.
Lava Release was a powerful Kekkei Genkai, combining earth and fire nature transformations—both compatible with Hanabi, who was naturally attuned to fire as a shinobi from the Land of Fire and highly proficient in taijutsu. Though it was unconventional for a Hyūga, the new power synergized well with her Gentle Fist technique, giving her enhanced destructive potential.
As for the group leaving on this expedition, Suigetsu would accompany them for his sword-hunting, and they planned to bring Ranmaru as well—since he had inherited the Thunder Blade: Kiba. His visual prowess would also be useful for both reconnaissance and supporting Suigetsu's mission.
Back at their base in the Land of Vegetables, Karin would oversee internal intelligence affairs.
She had long accepted that she couldn't stay by Kimimaro's side all the time. Some responsibilities demanded her full attention.
"I'll send Fubo with you," Karin said. "She can take care of your daily needs."
"Is that necessary?" Kimimaro raised an eyebrow. "There are already plenty of us heading out."
"Don't forget something important," Karin reminded him. "Kazuma once spoke of activating that monk from the Fire Temple. I'm thinking… that boy is still Kazuma's son. He may not be able to stay indifferent."
Indeed, the boy she referred to was Sora—the pseudo-Jinchūriki implanted with Nine-Tails chakra by the Fire Temple's inner circle under Kazuma's orders.
"Kazuma's original plan is ruined, but Sora still carries remnants of the Nine-Tails' chakra," Karin continued. "If Fubo can use her Uzumaki healing ability and chakra control to safely remove that tainted chakra, it may destabilize him enough—mentally and spiritually—to make surrender more likely."
Kimimaro nodded slightly. "Understood. We'll adapt accordingly."
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