---
Ajun was cautious, perhaps overly so, but he had his reasons. The memory of Shisha's betrayal lingered heavily in his mind, a stark reminder that trust, once broken, could have devastating consequences. He knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down—not now, not ever. Even though Elder Mizuno had recommended Menma, the message had come through Shibuki, not directly from the elder himself. While Shibuki's word carried weight, Ajun's vigilance was unshaken.
As a confidant of Shibuki's grandfather, Ajun had grown up listening to stories of unwavering loyalty and leadership. Those tales had shaped him into the man he was today—a man who would protect Shibuki's leadership at any cost. To Ajun, the stakes were clear: no one would usurp the leader's position, not while he drew breath.
Yet not everyone shared his sense of duty. Senior ninjas like Fushimi, while competent, were driven by self-interest more than loyalty.
Menma's arrival had unsettled them. His power was undeniable—far beyond that of an ordinary ninja—and his influence was growing quickly under Shibuki's trust. To Fushimi and the others, it felt as though Menma was a weapon—a tool for Shibuki to solidify his rule and diminish their influence.
"What should we do?" someone murmured, his voice low and uncertain.
Fushimi didn't answer immediately. His eyes darted toward the gathered villagers, their joyous faces illuminated by the announcement of the new sensory barrier. "We wait," he said finally. "We watch."
Rebellion was a dangerous thought, one neither of them dared entertain fully. Shisha had tried—and failed. The risks were too high, and the loyalties of their subordinates too uncertain.
So, they plastered on smiles and nodded along as the villagers celebrated, hiding their turmoil behind masks of approval.
---
Shibuki stood at the forefront of the gathering, his voice steady as he addressed the crowd.
"From this day forward, Takigakure will be protected by a large-scale sensory barrier encompassing the entire village. This barrier will ensure the safety of our people and serve as a deterrent to those who might wish us harm."
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
"Long live Shibuki-sama!"
"We're as strong as the Five Great Nations now!"
The sensory barrier was more than a security measure—it was a symbol of progress, a tangible step toward Takigakure's growth and protection. The villagers' cheers rang through the air, their trust in Shibuki cemented further.
Menma, standing quietly under the guise of Ichi, observed the scene. The barrier's success had elevated his status within the village, a preliminary step toward his deeper integration into Takigakure's structure. However, he knew the risks of such visibility. The barrier would draw attention—not just from the villagers, but from the outside world.
---
High above the training grounds, Fū hovered, her green wings shimmering in the sunlight. From her vantage point, she could see the translucent barrier encasing the village. Her bright orange eyes sparkled with awe.
Takigakure was her home.
Whatever Menma's true intentions might be, she couldn't deny the tangible benefits he had brought to the village. To Fū, actions spoke louder than words, and Menma's contributions had earned her acknowledgment—perhaps even a flicker of trust.
---
Back in the government hall, Shibuki addressed Ajun with renewed determination.
"Ajun-san, the barrier has given us a significant advantage, but it also comes with responsibilities. Coordinate with the Barrier Team to fortify the four cardinal points of the village. Those will be the first to be tested."
Ajun nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Understood, Shibuki-sama. I will ensure the defenses are impenetrable."
Shibuki then turned to Menma. "Shirogane-san, your expertise will be critical in ensuring our security. Work with the Barrier Team to fine-tune their operations. Funatsu will oversee the Garrison Squad, but the burden of this village's safety rests on all of us."
Menma inclined his head. "You can count on me, Shibuki-san. The barrier is just the first step—we must also prepare for external threats. Kumogakure and Iwagakure are likely to take notice of this development."
Ajun added, "The east border, especially. Kumogakure has always had its eyes on Nanabi."
Shibuki's face darkened. He had long been aware of the precarious balance Takigakure maintained with the Five Great Nations. "We'll address the borders after we've secured the village. Call a council meeting for tomorrow. I want everyone prepared."
---
Aggressiveness was still lacking, Shibuki thought. But their defense should suffice. No major village would risk everything to attack Takigakure, not while they had the perfect Jinchuuriki, Fu. Her power was comparable to that of a Kage.
And then there was Menma—the Nine-Tails' Jinchuuriki. Everyone in the ninja world remembered the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha thirteen years ago, the devastation it wrought, and the price Konoha had paid to subdue the beast.
What Takigakure needed most was time. If they could buy enough time for Menma and Fu to grow stronger, even if Menma's identity were exposed, Takigakure wouldn't be defenseless. They would no longer be easy prey.
"Starting today, double the security patrols around the village," Shibuki ordered, his voice firm. "If anyone suspicious appears, arrest them immediately. If they resist… don't hesitate to eliminate the threat."
Shibuki paused, the weight of his words sinking in. But as he straightened his posture, his resolve was clear.
Ajun, the leader of Takigakure's defense forces, offered a rare approving nod. His young leader had grown. The Shibuki of old would never have issued such decisive commands.
"Yes, Lord Shibuki!" Ajun bowed deeply and left to relay the orders. Despite the garrison's complex structure, Ajun was confident in carrying out his leader's command.
When Ajun was gone, Menma remained behind, his gaze steady.
"Menma, are you worried about your identity being exposed?" Shibuki asked. "Don't be. Takigakure is good at keeping secrets. Only Fu and I know who you really are. No one will find out so easily."
Shibuki's confidence wasn't unfounded. Menma's arrival in Takigakure had been tightly controlled, and every effort had been made to disguise his presence.
"There's always a risk," Menma acknowledged, "but I trust your measures. That's not the main reason I stayed behind, though."
Shibuki tilted his head. "What is it?"
"I have a request."
Shibuki's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Of course, Menma. If it's within Takigakure's means, I'll do whatever I can."
Shibuki's tone was sincere. Though Menma had come to Takigakure on Elder Mizuno recommendation, Shibuki now trusted him based on his own observations. Unlike Ajun, who remained cautious, or Fu, who hadn't fully warmed to Menma, Shibuki believed in the strength Menma could bring to the village.
Menma offered a small smile. "It's a simple request. I plan to leave the village for a short time—half a month at most—and when I return, I might bring one or two companions with me. I need your permission for that."
Shibuki's face brightened. "Companions? Of course! Menma, your friends are welcome in Takigakure. They'll be treated as members of the village. Whether it's one or more, don't worry about it."
Shibuki's response was immediate. In his mind, Menma's allies were expected—after all, how else could Menma have escaped from Konoha? He had even heard rumors about Menma's connection to Orochimaru, though he never pressed for details.
However, Menma's smile faded, and his expression grew serious. "There's a misunderstanding, Shibuki. The companion I want to bring has a very… special status. You should hear me out before agreeing."
"Special status?" Shibuki frowned, sensing the gravity of Menma's words.
Menma hesitated for a moment before speaking. "This person is… like me."
Shibuki blinked. "You mean… another Jinchuuriki?"
"Yes," Menma confirmed. "The person I want to bring is Utakata, the Six-Tails' Jinchuuriki from Kirigakure. He defected from the village some time ago, and I've recently located him. I want to bring him here."
Shibuki's face paled. "Utakata? The Six-Tails' Jinchuuriki from Kirigakure? Menma, if we take him in, Kirigakure will come after us."
Takigakure already faced risks by harboring Menma, Konoha's Jinchuuriki. Adding another Jinchuuriki from Kirigakure seemed like an invitation for disaster.
"When did he defect?" Shibuki asked, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Several years ago," Menma replied. "Orochimaru's network confirmed it. Kirigakure has been hunting him ever since."
"Menma, this is too dangerous," Shibuki argued, his anxiety evident. "We're already under enough pressure. Another rogue Jinchuuriki will only draw more attention to us!"
Menma's gaze hardened. "Shibuki, we've already crossed a line by taking me in. Konoha won't forget that, and they'll come for me eventually. Takigakure can't stay in the shadows forever. If we wait, we'll be overrun when the time comes. Adding Utakata's power gives us a fighting chance."
Shibuki clenched his fists, his mind racing. Menma's words carried weight. The path Takigakure had chosen was dangerous, but avoiding conflict would only delay the inevitable.
Finally, he exhaled deeply and met Menma's gaze. "I understand, Menma. If you believe Utakata can help us, then I trust you. Bring him here. But be careful. We can't afford to expose ourselves too soon."
Menma nodded, his resolve unshaken. "Thank you, Shibuki. I won't let you down."
As Menma left the room, Shibuki leaned back in his chair, his thoughts heavy. Takigakure was entering a dangerous game, but if they could secure allies like Menma and Utakata, they might just have a chance to survive—and perhaps thrive—in a world dominated by the Five Great Nations.
---