For several days, Mū was fully occupied arranging the layout of Iwagakure.
The anbu had been officially established, with members personally chosen by Mū.
But that wasn't what mattered most to him. What he truly cared about was the construction of the shinobi academy.
After a few days of rapid work, the first academy of Iwagakure was finally complete. Mū's first order of business was to have the villagers tally those who wished to become shinobi.
The results weren't surprising, everyone who could extract chakra wanted to enroll.
Out of the population, three hundred children qualified.
For the civilians, becoming a shinobi was the only way to break free of their class and seize a future.
Mū had expected as much.
"The question is… who should serve as headmaster?" he wondered aloud.
If Ōnoki were older, perhaps he could take the role, but he was still far too young. Eliminated.
Ishikawa, the Tsuchikage, was another candidate, but he was already the leader of the village and preparing to retire. To saddle him with the academy would be unseemly.
After some thought, Mū made his decision.
He would take the role himself.
Mū would personally raise the next generation of Iwagakure's shinobi. Nothing was more reliable than doing it with his own hands.
---
The next day, Iwagakure's shinobi academy was officially founded.
On opening day, the entire village gathered.
"Today, under the direction of Lord Mū, selected, approved, and built under his guidance, the Iwagakure's First Ninja Academy is officially established. Now, Lord Mū will give a speech!"
Thunderous applause broke out as Mū walked slowly onto the stage.
He looked out over the children below, the citizens gathered behind them.
Clearing his throat, he began to speak.
"On this day, as we inaugurate our academy, I want to say this: the new generation of Iwagakure must embody the Will of Stone!"
"The Will of Stone is steadfast, unyielding."
"It is the resolve to stand immovable before powerful foes, like an unbreakable wall of rock. To never retreat, even a single step. It is to carry out your missions with solid reliability, finishing them in the most dependable way possible."
"It is a spirit passed down from one generation to the next. Like the layers of the earth, the old leave behind their knowledge and conviction, and the young carve their marks atop them. So the Will of Stone endures, as endless as the mountain ranges, ensuring Iwagakure will stand tall at the summit of the shinobi world!"
Below, the children's eyes gleamed with hope.
Even the adults, those who had survived the Warring States period, were visibly moved, as if a radiant path had just opened before them.
Applause roared once more, shaking the air.
"The Will of Stone, unyielding, immovable! Lord Mū, your words are perfect!"
From a distance, Ōnoki's small figure trembled with admiration. His eyes shone with pure worship.
Ishikawa, the Tsuchikage, also nodded in approval.
"As expected of Mū… I knew from the start this man could serve as the strategist of Iwagakure."
He turned to Ōnoki with a rare solemnity.
"Ōnoki, you must learn from your teacher. Learn his Dust Release, his gift for oratory, his wisdom, and above all, inherit his Will of Stone!"
The weight of his expectations was clear. Ishikawa had entrusted Ōnoki to Mū precisely because he believed this boy could one day shoulder the village's future.
Ōnoki nodded firmly.
There was simply too much to learn from his teacher.
In his eyes, no human being could be perfect, except for Mū.
His teacher was the exception. To Ōnoki, Mū was flawless.
"Alright, that's enough…"
Mū waved a hand lightly, smiling with satisfaction.
He knew that to these children, he would one day be revered as a god.
And in the history books of Iwagakure, his radiance would one day eclipse even that of the First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa.
After a pause, he continued:
"From today onward, you will study ninjutsu, taijutsu, theory, and all manner of skills in this academy."
"But remember, skills are only tools."
"The Will of Stone is your soul. In the years to come, you will face countless trials. Only by holding fast to this will can you become true shinobi of Iwagakure."
His words had barely fallen when a small hand timidly rose from the crowd.
Mū arched an eyebrow, then nodded.
"What is it? Speak freely, there's nothing to fear. Ask your question."
Mū valued open expression. For him, the right to question and criticize was a foundation of a strong village.
The boy stood up, his voice trembling:
"L–Lord Mū… if we meet an enemy we can't possibly defeat… are we still supposed to keep fighting?"
The question split the crowd instantly.
"Of course! That's the duty of a shinobi! Even if you're doomed, you fight, better to shatter like jade than live as clay. Kid, don't be a coward!"
"I disagree! These are children! You'd throw them away as if they were disposable?!"
"Hmph! We survived the Warring States era. Back then, even children strapped explosive tags to their chests and became human bombs!"
The debate raged, old ideals clashing with new.
Mū did not hesitate. He simply smiled, and his voice cut through the noise.
"The Will of Stone is not blind recklessness. It is the strength to remain calm under pressure, to think clearly in crisis, to find the way forward."
"If the enemy is too strong, retreating to preserve your strength is also wisdom."
"But your belief, your conviction, must never waver."
The boy blinked, half-understanding, then nodded and sat down.
Finally, Mū raised his hand once more.
"One last thing. I want to give this academy a motto."
He dragged a massive stone to the gates of the academy. Chakra surged to his fingertip as he carved the words himself.
Everyone held their breath, waiting.
"Our school motto will be simple seven words: 'Effort is never wasted, hardship brings success.'"
He turned, smiling as he explained:
"Every effort you make will be rewarded."
"And just as jade is shaped only by the chisel, through hardship and refinement, you will forge yourselves into true shinobi."
When the last stroke was carved, thunderous applause erupted once more.
The children's eyes burned with resolve, their hearts set on learning, and on carrying forth the Will of Stone.