The night over Star City was as dark as ink, utterly silent.
Menma's figure appeared out of thin air atop the cluster of buildings in Star City's military base. The cold aura of Otogakure still clung faintly to his sleeves, gradually dissipating in the night air.
The convenience of the Flying Thunder God Technique allowed him to move effortlessly across the Ninja World, maximizing his efficiency.
Standing at the highest point, Menma removed his white three-eyed fox mask and gazed down at the reborn city.
After over a year of development, this once lifeless city, which is oppressed by nobles and Daimyo, had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Divided by the Yukawa River, the city was now split into two major districts.
East of the Yukawa River was the urban area where ordinary citizens lived. Lights flickered in the streets, and the expressions of passersby had shed their past numbness, now carrying traces of hope for a new life.
West of the Yukawa River lay the military and administrative zones, which also included experimental sectors, residential areas for families, and the future site of the Ninja Academy.
These structures, built with near-modern technology, drew inspiration from the architectural style of the Land of Fire. Their predominantly white and light-toned color scheme exuded solemnity and dignity.
The entire city was thriving, brimming with vitality.
After lingering on the rooftop for a moment, Menma teleported to the experimental zone.
Most of the laboratories in this area were underground, connected by elevators and passageways.
When Menma arrived at a certain laboratory on the third underground floor, a group of shadow clones in white lab coats were busy conducting research with various experimental equipment.
Each of them had their own role, overseeing scientific research across all industries in the Land of Stars… even handling national administrative affairs and the future education system.
As soon as Menma's main body appeared, the shadow clones immediately stopped their work and turned to look at him in unison.
"These are the latest research findings obtained from Orochimaru." Menma handed over samples of Shin's cloned cells and a scroll containing cloning technologies for the Sharingan to one of the shadow clones specializing in biological research.
He instructed his shadow clones, "Analyze the technology as quickly as possible and begin mass cultivation. Focus especially on Shin's cells… study their rejection-free properties. Strive to achieve perfect transplantation and replication of Kekkei Genkai. Also, don't stop researching the Sharingan. Aim to advance to the Three-Tomoe stage as soon as possible."
The shadow clones' eyes gleamed with excitement. They took the samples and scroll and immediately threw themselves into the intense task of analysis.
Menma nodded in satisfaction. With the assistance of these shadow clones, his faction could develop in all aspects, and the research in Ninjutsu Technology would far surpass that of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
In comparison, the Akatsuki was still operating in the shadows, unable to even eliminate Hanzo the Salamander.
After delivering the materials to the shadow clones in the laboratory, Menma left and headed to his residence in the residential area to rest.
Since he frequently traveled between Konoha and Land of Stars, he naturally had his own small house in Star City… right next to Kanon's house.
"You're back." The moment Menma landed in the courtyard, the sliding door of the engawa opened from inside.
Dressed in a kimono, Hikari sat on the tatami, half of her body tucked under a kotatsu, leisurely watching TV. When she saw Menma return, the corners of her lips curled up slightly, unable to hide her joy.
"Yeah." Menma sat down on the engawa. A faint, pleasant aroma drifted from the living room.
Originally, Menma had only treated this place as a temporary stop, a place to rest… living alone, with Kanon occasionally coming by to clean.
But some time ago, Hikari had insisted on moving in. Though they stayed in separate bedrooms, sharing the same roof had given the house a much livelier atmosphere.
Menma couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth, 'Having a woman at home really made a difference.'
"I'll warm up some food for you." Hikari rose from the kotatsu and headed to the kitchen.
Listening to the sounds from the kitchen, Menma stepped into the living room and sat on the tatami, sliding his legs under the kotatsu.
Winter was approaching, and the courtyard was already filled with the rustling autumn wind and falling leaves. The kotatsu was indeed cozy.
Before long, Hikari returned to the living room with a plate, setting a serving of warm food on the table before settling back into the kotatsu across from Menma.
The food consisted of sweet treats like mochi and rice cakes… comforting and filling. After a long day of work, Menma savored the peaceful moment.
"This afternoon, Kanon brought over a list, saying it was the first batch of admissions to the Ninja Academy, along with the teaching staff. She wanted you to review it." Hikari said, placing a scroll on the table.
Menma ate the mochi with one hand while unrolling the scroll with the other, his eyes scanning the list.
The Ninja Academy was a crucial cornerstone he had laid for the future development of Land of Stars.
For a nation to achieve long-term stability, nurturing talent was essential… and in a world with supernatural powers like the Ninja World, Ninjas were the talent.
In this world, almost nothing could be accomplished without the Ninja System.
He would personally serve as the Ninja Academy's headmaster, using shadow clones to fill some of the teaching roles.
Kanon's gentle personality made her well-suited to act as the vice-principal and a psychological counselor.
After all, at their core, Ninjas were killing machines. Aside from a few Medical-nin and research-oriented Ninjas, most would be trained in a military-style system… meaning their mental health needed attention.
Hikari, with her formidable strength and position as the Jonin Commander, would serve as the Ninja Academy's dean of discipline and head of security, responsible for the students' combat training and Ninjutsu instruction.
This would also allow the students to familiarize themselves with their future superiors early on.
At this stage, while other nations had their own Ninja Academies, the major clans still adhered to their centuries-old internal training methods.
The Ninja Academies in the Ninja Villages primarily trained civilian-born Ninjas or took in orphans with Ninja Talent. Menma's approach, by conducting nationwide screenings, was unprecedented.
The Land of Stars had selected thirty-seven children with Ninja Talent, ranging in age from six to sixteen. Menma planned to divide them into three classes.
Class A would educate those aged fourteen to sixteen. After at least two years of intensive systematic training, those who passed would graduate as Genin and join Land of Stars' newly established Ninja Army.
Class B would educate those aged ten to thirteen. After at least three years of intensive systematic training, graduates would also become Genin and enter the Ninja Army.
Class C would educate those under ten. After at least five years of intensive systematic training, graduates would become Ggenin and join the Ninja Army too.
Beyond these initial thirty-seven students, schools across Land of Stars continued to report new children with Ninja Talent. Each year, these children would be sent to the Ninja Academy for advanced training.
Future students would undergo a six-year standardized curriculum, with exceptionally talented individuals allowed to graduate early.
The former Hoshigakure would fade completely into history, replaced by Land of Stars' Ninja Army.
Once scientific ninja tools entered mass production, even individuals with minimal Chakra could become Genin, forming the basic soldiers of the Ninja Army… achieving qualitative change through quantity.
In addition to within the Land of Stars, Menma had also ordered his subordinates to issue some missions to traveling merchants. If they discovered children or orphans with Ninja Talent in other nations, they could bring them to the Land of Stars in exchange for rewards from the government.
For those with families, relocation to the Land of Stars would be subsidized, allowing them to settle and build new lives.
With so many small nations surrounding the Land of Stars, some plagued by chaos, famine, and disasters, this policy would greatly attract talented children from neighboring lands.
Menma's finger traced the names on the list one by one… until it suddenly stopped on one particular line.
'An orphan from Kumamoto City, Land of Stars… Kabuto?'