The bloody scent in the shrine of the Land of Demons had yet to dissipate when earth-shattering news swept through the western part of the Ninja World like a storm: the Land of Demons' Daimyo, Hama Shun, and his subordinate nobles had been slaughtered to the last by a mysterious rebel force.
And the priestess Miroku, the living symbol of the Land of Demons' millennia-old faith, publicly announced that she would lead the entire Land of Demons to join the rebellious Land of Stars, a country that had been founded less than a year ago but had already stirred up chaos across the western continent!
Wherever the news spread, it was like pouring boiling oil into a frozen lake, sending shockwaves in all directions.
In the ruined capital of the Land of Demons, the air between the broken walls still carried the mixed stench of smoke and blood.
Terrified citizens huddled under collapsed roofs, staring blankly as groups of unfamiliar Ninjas marched into the city.
They wore deep blue uniforms so dark they were almost black, moving swiftly and with strict discipline, their sharp eyes lacking the usual arrogance or indifference most Ninjas showed toward civilians.
These Hoshi-Nin quickly took over the remnants of the city's defenses, setting up checkpoints at key locations like the collapsed gates and damaged walls, their efficient and silent actions declaring the complete collapse of the old order.
Following the Ninja forces were waves of capable officials dressed in Land of Stars' civil uniforms.
Carrying scrolls, ledgers, and measuring tools, they strode past the surviving officials, who watched in fear, and swiftly occupied the lavish mansions and government offices once belonging to the Daimyo and nobles.
Most of these mansions had been destroyed or looted during the chaos, but the officials paid no mind, setting up temporary tents beside the ruins and working tirelessly through the night under lamplight.
They took census, surveyed farmland, recorded losses, tallied the population, and took control of the remaining supplies in the government warehouses… like a precise and efficient machine, forcibly integrating the war-torn Land of Demons into Land of Stars' radically different system.
The Land of Stars, this newborn country, had expanded like a voracious beast, swallowing the vast territory of the Land of Demons in an instant.
The population of the Land of Stars also skyrocketed: its original 1.2 million people, combined with the Land of Demons' nearly 2 million citizens, brought the total to over 3.2 million.
A mid-sized nation that could no longer be ignored had taken shape on the Ninja World's map!
Though still far from the tens of millions in the Five Great Nations, among the surrounding smaller countries, it now stood out like a crane among chickens.
What made the rulers of neighboring countries lose sleep even more was the immense influence that Miroku herself represented.
As the spiritual leader of the Land of Demons, she held near-sacred prestige among many faith-aligned small nations in the western part of the Ninja World.
Land of Stars' proclaimed ideals, like 'abolishing noble privileges', 'equality between Ninjas and civilians', and 'uniting strength to end the era of chaos', spread like wildfire among the oppressed commoners and discontented minor Ninja Clans.
Countless eyes turned toward this land rumored to have 'no nobles and no harsh taxes', planting seeds of unrest.
Land of Stars' ideology and system seeped silently into the small countries still tightly controlled by their Daimyo and noble lords, like an invisible tide.
The news spread like a hurricane through the neighboring minor nations… those small countries wedged between the Five Great Nations, constantly fearing annexation. Their Daimyo and nobles panicked as they realized the Land of Stars reach showed no signs of stopping.
The Land of Birds, the Land of Snow, the Land of Vegetables, the Land of Swamps-
Time slipped by quietly amid silent expansion and tense preparations.
At the beginning of the New Year of the 56th Year of Konoha's Calendar, a light snow covered the village.
As evening fell, the smoke of cooking fires rose, mingling with the aroma of meals from every household, bringing a trace of warmth to the cold air.
In Naruto's home, the rare sight of smoke rose from the chimney.
Warm yellow light spilled through the window, illuminating the richly prepared dishes on the table: steaming miso soup, golden crispy tempura, tender and flavorful beef stew with potatoes, and a large plate piled high with pan-fried dumplings.
"It's time to eat, Naruto." Menma had long shed all traces of his Shura disguise.
At this moment, he was wearing an ordinary dark blue turtleneck suit, and his short black hair looked much softer under the light.
"Let's eat!" Naruto eagerly grabbed his chopsticks, his bright blue eyes sparkling, his small face brimming with pure joy.
His cheeks puffed out, stuffed full of fried dumplings, as he mumbled excitedly, "Menma, your dumplings are the best!"
Menma sat across from Naruto, sipping his soup unhurriedly. Watching Naruto's sunny, cheerful smile, the tension that had gripped him all year seemed to ease slightly.
A faint, genuine smile tugged at his lips: "Slow down. No one's going to take it from you."
"Hehe." Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, his golden hair shining under the light. His blue eyes gleamed as he said, "Because eating New Year's dinner with Menma feels amazing! It's like-"
His excited words cut off abruptly. For just a moment, the brightness in Naruto's smile dimmed, but he quickly shook his head, forcing another big, slightly goofy grin, "Ah! It's like being with family!"
In the past, Naruto could only watch enviously as others enjoyed happy family gatherings. But ever since meeting Menma, Naruto felt like he had finally found someone who made him feel at home… filled with joy and warmth.
Menma silently observed the pure, almost desperate longing in Naruto's eyes, as well as the faint, barely noticeable loneliness hidden beneath that smile.
Deep in his dark eyes, a complicated mix of emotions flickered… pain, a fierce determination to protect, and an unshakable resolve.
He picked up a cup of tea beside him, taking a small sip to steady the turbulent thoughts in his heart.
This meal was a joyful one for Naruto, who devoured the feast like a whirlwind. In contrast, Menma's eating was far more refined.
Knock, knock, knock!
Outside, three measured, steady knocks sounded at the door.
"Coming, coming!" Naruto immediately sprang up like a coiled spring, rushing to pull the door open.
A gust of cold air rushed in, carrying fine flakes of snow.
Standing at the door was an old man, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Dressed in his white and red Hokage robe over thick homewear, his graying beard neatly trimmed, he held a carefully wrapped gift box in his hands. His face has his usual kindly smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth.
He looked like nothing more than a doting grandfather delivering a New Year's gift to his grandchild.
"Grandpa Third!" Naruto exclaimed in delight, stepping aside enthusiastically, "Come in, come in! It's freezing outside!"
"Haha, Happy New Year, Naruto." Hiruzen chuckled as he stepped into the warm house. His gaze swept gently across the room before finally settling on Menma, who had risen to his feet. Deep in his eyes, there was a fleeting, unreadable scrutiny.
Hiruzen could recite every detail of the background of Menma, the orphan, who often played with Naruto, by heart.
And precisely because Menma was also a Konoha's Orphan, Hiruzen had allowed them to spend time together.
"Oh, Menma's here too. Happy New Year." Hiruzen said warmly.
"Happy New Year, Hokage-sama." Menma bowed slightly, his movements precise, his attitude respectful… flawless in every way.
His lowered eyelids perfectly concealed all emotion.
"Good, good. Happy New Year to you both." Hiruzen handed the gift box to Naruto, who was practically vibrating with excitement, "Here, Naruto. A New Year's gift for you."
"Wah! Thank you, Grandpa Third!" Naruto happily took the box and couldn't wait to hold it in his arms, his little face full of pure joy.