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Takigakure had recently weathered a rebellion, one led by Shisha, a formidable shinobi whose skills had left a lasting impression. Though the uprising had been quelled, the scars remained, and the village's leader, Shibuki, had undergone a visible transformation. Known for his gentle and compassionate nature, Shibuki had developed a hardened edge. Yet, for those like Ajun, vigilance was more critical than ever. The rebellion had been a reminder: complacency could be fatal.
Of course, Ajun kept these thoughts to himself. Speaking them aloud would only sow unease among the villagers. Moreover, Menma owed Takigakure a debt for it's aid, and most still mistakenly believed he was the help from Fire Daimyō. Only Shibuki and Fū knew Menma's true identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Even Ajun hadn't uncovered the truth.
"Heh, I've rested long enough," Menma said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. His tone carried a quiet determination. "My affairs are in order, so it's time I contribute more to the village."
Ajun returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're too kind, Shirogane-san," he replied, using Menma's alias. Despite the courteous tone, suspicion lingered. Why was Menma so eager to involve himself? Was there a hidden agenda?
Shaking off the thought, Ajun reminded himself that doubt without evidence was dangerous. Shibuki and Elder Mizuno had vouched for Menma's presence. They wouldn't have brought him into the fold without good reason. Still, Ajun resolved to remain cautious.
"If you're ready, here are the tasks you'll need to familiarize yourself with, Shirogane-san," Ajun said, placing a stack of documents before Menma and gesturing toward a nearby table piled with scrolls. "These reports will be your starting point."
Administrative duties were no less vital than combat in the functioning of a shinobi village. And at the core of all responsibilities lay the most critical task: defense. For a small village like Takigakure, ensuring its safety was paramount. Without stability, unity would crumble.
This principle wasn't unique to Takigakure—it underpinned the five great shinobi villages as well. The difference was scale. The five great nations wielded influence far beyond their borders, often encroaching on smaller villages. In contrast, villages like Takigakure focused on protecting their immediate surroundings. Even larger minor villages like Kusagakure and Yugakure faced limits, with the great nations quick to quash any aspirations of dominance.
Takigakure's secluded location offered some reprieve. Nestled far from major battlefields, it avoided the attention Kusagakure or Yugakure often attracted. This relative isolation granted the village a measure of autonomy, but the ever-shifting dynamics of the shinobi world meant that peace was never guaranteed.
As the leader of Takigakure's garrison squad, Ajun bore the heavy responsibility of overseeing the village's security. While Shibuki managed broader border defenses, Ajun's focus remained on the village's immediate protection. The reports he handed to Menma, though important, were far from critical—they were a deliberate test.
Menma accepted the documents with a calm expression and began reading. As he scanned the reports, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He understood Ajun's intent. This was a classic initiation tactic. No matter how competent or charismatic an outsider might seem, trust had to be earned step by step.
'Fair enough,' Menma thought, his smirk deepening. 'No one hands over authority on a silver platter.'
Menma appreciated the logic. Leadership wasn't about waltzing in and commanding respect—it was about proving your worth through action. For now, his focus wasn't on power. It was on laying the groundwork, building trust, and earning recognition from key figures like Ajun.
To do that, he needed results.
Village defense was the perfect starting point. If Menma could demonstrate tangible improvements to Takigakure's security, he'd not only solidify his position but also lay the foundation for his broader plans. Several ideas were already brewing in his mind, though most required further development.
But one plan—fortifying the village's defenses—was ready to be implemented. And it was time to act.
Menma knew he needed to tread carefully. Any misstep could raise suspicions or create misunderstandings—something he couldn't afford.
"Ajun-san," Menma began, glancing up from the documents on the desk before him. "Would it be possible for me to review the village's defensive layout and personnel assignments?"
Ajun, seated at the head of the room, paused, his expression neutral. Menma's request wasn't unreasonable—Shibuki had appointed him as the deputy leader of the garrison. But it was unusual for a newcomer to request access to sensitive information on their first day, even one with Menma's authority.
After a moment of consideration, Ajun sighed and nodded, pushing aside his doubts. Shibuki's trust in Menma weighed heavily in his decision. "Of course, Shirogane-san," he said with a polite smile. "You'll need to familiarize yourself with these details soon enough if you're to lead our defenses."
Ajun reached into a nearby drawer and retrieved a scroll, tossing it toward Menma. With practiced ease, Menma caught it mid-air and unrolled it. A faint smile flickered across his lips—this was easier than expected. He had prepared for resistance, given how critical a village's defense plans were to its survival. Takigakure's defensive secrets were not something shared lightly, especially with an outsider.
Still, it was clear that Ajun, at least to some extent, was willing to trust him.
Menma's eyes scanned the scroll, his expression becoming increasingly serious. His intentions were not malicious; he wanted to evaluate Takigakure's defenses and identify areas for improvement. But voicing this outright might have seemed presumptuous. He preferred to see how far Ajun's trust extended before revealing too much of his own hand.
One day, they'll uncover my true identity, Menma thought to himself. But by then, I'll have solidified my position. The key is to reveal just enough at the right time.
Ajun might even be the ideal person to confide in when the time came. Menma's first priority, however, was to prove his worth through actions, not words.
As he delved into the scroll's contents, Menma felt a pang of disappointment. Takigakure's defenses were far from what he had expected. Once considered one of the strongest hidden villages outside the Great Five, Takigakure was now a shadow of its former self. Its defense layout was functional but outdated, its personnel stretched thin—a stark reminder of the village's decline over the decades.
Takigakure had once been entrusted with the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, by Hashirama Senju himself—a testament to its former strength. In its prime, the village might have rivaled weaker major nations like Sunagakure or Kirigakure. But that potential had never been realized. Without producing another Kage-level ninja, Takigakure had remained a minor power, never earning the title of a true major village with its own "Takikage."
Instead, years of internal strife and the loss of key figures had steadily eroded its strength. Now, it barely held its position, relying heavily on Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, to maintain even a semblance of relevance. Without her, Takigakure would have likely faded into obscurity, much like many other minor villages.
Even now, Menma noted, Takigakure's defenses paled in comparison to the smaller but more innovative Otogakure under Orochimaru's leadership.
This is worse than I thought, Menma mused, setting the scroll aside with a sigh.
Ajun, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "Now that you've reviewed the layout, Shirogane-san, I assume you have a good understanding of our current structure. I was thinking you could—"
"Ah, no rush, Ajun-san," Menma interrupted with a polite smile, raising a hand. "I'm still getting acquainted with everything here. It wouldn't be wise to jump into strategic discussions before I've had the chance to meet all my colleagues and understand their capabilities. Let's give it a little more time."
Ajun blinked, momentarily surprised by Menma's response. He had expected eagerness, perhaps even an attempt to seize control. But Menma's measured approach caught him off guard.
"That's… a reasonable approach," Ajun said after a pause, clearing his throat. "It's always best to fully assess a situation before making changes."
"Exactly," Menma replied, his tone calm but firm. "That said, I do have some observations I'd like to share, if I may."
Ajun raised an eyebrow but gestured for Menma to continue.
"Our village lacks a perimeter detection barrier," Menma began, his voice taking on a more serious edge. "Without it, we're vulnerable to infiltration. Wouldn't you agree, Ajun-san?"
Ajun's expression darkened slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. Before he could respond, Menma pressed on.
"It's a critical gap in our defenses. A properly maintained sensory barrier could alert us to any intruders the moment they cross our borders. This kind of measure isn't just for larger villages. Even smaller settlements have begun implementing them."
Ajun's brows furrowed as he considered Menma's words. The idea was sound, and the absence of such a system had long been a sore point in Takigakure's defensive strategy. But implementing a detection barrier required resources and skilled personnel—luxuries Takigakure didn't have in abundance.
"That's… a valid point," Ajun admitted cautiously. "But it's not something we can implement overnight. Such barriers require both manpower and specialized knowledge, which—"
"I understand," Menma interrupted gently. "I'm not suggesting we install one tomorrow. But we should start laying the groundwork now. I've studied similar systems in other villages. I can help design a basic barrier tailored to Takigakure's current capabilities."
Ajun's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Menma. "You've studied sensory barriers?"
"In my travels," Menma said simply, his tone neutral but confident. "It's not as complicated as it seems. With your approval, I can draft a preliminary plan for Shibuki-san's review."
Ajun leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he nodded slowly. "Very well, Shirogane-san. I'll give you the chance to prove your ideas. But I'll be watching closely."
Menma smiled faintly, inclining his head. "That's all I ask, Ajun-san."
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