The night in the City of Stars was as dark as ink; ten thousand sounds had faded into silence.
Menma's silhouette flickered into existence atop the sprawling complex of the military base. A lingering, cold aura from the Hidden Sound Village clung to the folds of his robes before slowly dissolving into the night air. The convenience of the Flying Thunder God Technique allowed him to traverse the corners of the shinobi world with ease, pushing his efficiency to its absolute limit.
Standing at the highest vantage point, Menma removed his white, three-eyed fox mask and looked down upon the reborn city.
After more than a year of development, this city—once bled dry and left soulless by the oppression of nobles and Daimyos—had completely transformed. Using the You River as a boundary, the city was divided into two major districts.
To the east of the river lay the civilian residential blocks. Lights flickered on in succession, and the faces of the pedestrians no longer carried their former numbness; in its place was a burgeoning longing for their new lives.
To the west lay the Military and Administrative Districts, housing laboratories, residential quarters for personnel, and the site of the future Ninja Academy. These structures, built with modern architectural flair and inspired by the aesthetics of the Land of Fire, were primarily finished in solemn, pale tones of white.
The entire city was flourishing, radiating an aura of vibrant vitality from every corner.
After lingering on the roof for a moment, Menma flickered toward the Research District.
The primary laboratories in this area were located underground, connected by a network of elevators and tunnels. When Menma reached the third basement level, he found a group of shadow clones clad in white lab coats surrounding various pieces of experimental equipment.
They each had their roles, overseeing scientific research for every industry in the Land of Stars, as well as state administration and the future educational system.
When the original body appeared, the shadow clones immediately ceased their work and turned toward him in unison.
"These are the latest research results obtained from Orochimaru."
Menma handed a sample of Shin's cloned cells and the technical scroll for cloning the Sharingan to a clone responsible for biological research.
"Analyze these techniques as quickly as possible and begin large-scale cultivation. Focus specifically on Shin's cells and their non-rejective properties. We need to achieve the perfect transplantation and replication of Bloodline Limits. Do not stop the Sharingan research either; aim to break through to the three-tomoe stage soon."
The clones' eyes flashed with excitement. They took the samples and scrolls, immediately immersing themselves in the intense work of analysis.
Menma nodded in satisfaction. With the assistance of these shadow clones, his power would not only develop across all sectors, but his research into ninjutsu and technology would eventually far surpass that of the Five Great Nations.
In comparison, the Akatsuki was still developing in the shadows, having not even managed to eliminate Hanzo of the Salamander yet.
Having delivered the materials, Menma left the lab and headed toward his house in the residential district to rest.
Since he traveled frequently between Konoha and the City of Stars, he maintained a small courtyard here, situated right next to the Uzumaki mother and daughter.
"You're back."
As soon as Menma landed in the courtyard, the sliding shoji door of the veranda opened. Uchiha Hikari sat on the tatami mats, half her body tucked into a cozy kotatsu as she watched television. Seeing him return, the corners of her lips curled up slightly, unable to hide her inner joy.
"Yeah," Menma replied, sitting down on the veranda. A faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from the living room.
Originally, Menma had treated this place as a mere stopover—a place to sleep. He had lived alone, with Uzumaki Kushina occasionally coming by to clean. Some time ago, Hikari had insisted on moving in. Though they occupied different bedrooms, living under the same roof gave the house a genuine sense of life.
Menma couldn't help but feel a touch of sentiment; having a woman in the house truly changed the atmosphere.
"I'll heat up some food for you," Hikari said, rising from the kotatsu and heading toward the kitchen.
Listening to the sounds from the kitchen, Menma stepped into the living room and slid his legs under the kotatsu.
Winter was approaching. Outside, the autumn wind whistled through the courtyard, sending fallen leaves dancing. The warmth of the kotatsu was a welcome comfort.
A moment later, Hikari returned with a tray, placing a plate of warm food on the table before tucking herself back into the kotatsu opposite him. The meal consisted of sweet glutinous rice cakes and snacks. Eating them brought a warmth to his stomach, allowing Menma to enjoy a rare moment of peace after a long day of work.
"Kushina brought over a list this afternoon," Hikari said, placing a scroll on the table. "She said it's the first enrollment list for the Ninja Academy, along with the faculty resources. She wanted you to look it over."
Menma ate a rice cake with one hand while opening the scroll with the other, his gaze sweeping over the names.
The Ninja Academy was the cornerstone Menma had laid for the future development of the Land of Stars.
For a nation to enjoy long-term stability, the cultivation of talent was paramount. In a world of transcendent powers, "talent" meant shinobi. In this world, one could say that nothing could be accomplished without a shinobi system.
Menma would personally serve as the Headmaster, using shadow clones to fill several teaching positions. Uzumaki Kushina's temperament made her the perfect fit for Vice Principal and student counselor.
After all, a shinobi was, at their core, a tool for killing. Aside from a few medical or research ninjas, most would be trained under a military model. Their psychological health required close monitoring.
As for Uchiha Hikari, her immense strength and position as the Jonin Commander made her the ideal choice for Dean of Students and Chief of Security. She would be responsible for combat training and ninjutsu instruction. It would also serve as a way for the students to become acquainted with their future superior.
Currently, while the various Hidden Villages had academies, the shinobi clans still maintained their own internal training methods passed down for centuries. Most academies only trained civilians or orphans with talent.
Menma's method of screening the entire nation was unprecedented.
Thirty-seven children with shinobi talent had been selected from across the Land of Stars, ranging from six to sixteen years old. Menma planned to divide them into three classes:
Class A (Ages 14–16): At least two years of high-intensity systematic study. Upon graduation, they would become Genin and join the newly formed Star Shinobi Army.
Class B (Ages 10–13): At least three years of intensive study before joining the army as Genin.
Class C (Under 10): At least five years of systematic study before graduation.
Beyond these thirty-seven, schools across the Land of Stars continued to report new children with potential. Every year, they would be sent to the Academy for advanced study. These future students would undergo a six-year curriculum, though exceptional talents would be allowed to graduate early.
The old "Hidden Star Village" would vanish into the river of history, replaced by the Star Shinobi Army.
Once scientific ninja tools entered mass production, even those with meager chakra could become Genin—the foundational soldiers of a military force where quantity would eventually create a qualitative transformation.
Furthermore, Menma had ordered his subordinates to issue tasks to traveling merchants: if they found orphans or children with shinobi talent in other lands, they were to bring them to the Land of Stars in exchange for a reward. If a family moved together, the government would provide subsidies to help them settle.
Surrounded by many small, chaotic nations plagued by famine and war, this policy would allow the Land of Stars to absorb a vast amount of talent from its neighbors.
Menma's hand moved down the list, finger tracing the names one by one.
Suddenly, his finger stopped.
An orphan from Kumamoto City, Land of Stars... Kabuto?