Chapter 211: New Ninja Concepts, Conspiracy In The Land Of Snow
Sunlight pierced the clear, cold air, melting the snow from Star Capital last night.
The brand-new teaching building of Star Ninja Academy reflected a soft glow under the sunlight, and the playground echoed with the shouts of children training, full of vitality.
Kushina Uzumaki wrapped in a plain cape, stood by the wide corridor window of the teaching building.
On her ashen face, the characteristic cracks of Reanimation Jutsu seemed slightly faded in the sunlight, and those eyes with a strange gray halo gazed curiously through the glass window into a classroom with an open door.
Inside, Menma appeared in boy form, wearing his signature black-based red-trimmed miko robe, with a head of defiant black spiky hair, standing on the podium.
He had just used chalk to write two bold and powerful large characters on the blackboard—ninja.
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the dozens of tender, curious young faces below.
These were the children newly enrolled this year, from schools across the Land of Stars, as well as orphans gathered by Kado from outside.
In their eyes, there was innocence, expectation, and traces of their respective pasts.
“Today’s first lesson,” Menma’s voice was not loud, but it clearly reached every corner of the classroom: “Let’s talk about what a ‘ninja’ is.”
He paused, throwing out the core question: “In your hearts, or in your past understanding, what kind of person qualifies as a ‘ninja’?”
After a brief silence, the classroom atmosphere livened up.
A dark-skinned, stubborn-eyed boy suddenly raised his hand, his voice loud: “A ninja is someone with great power! Like Lord Shura, who can defeat all enemies! Protect us!”
His words were filled with worship and yearning for power.
Beside him, a little girl with sheep-horn braids, looking somewhat timid, instinctively shrank her neck and whispered hesitantly: “I… the ninjas I’ve seen… they… they killed so many people… so scary…”
She seemed to recall some bloody scenes, her little face turning slightly pale.
The atmosphere in the classroom became somewhat stagnant because of her words.
A boy wearing glasses, appearing more scholarly, pushed his glasses frame and said thoughtfully: “Ninjas carry out missions, protect the village…”
Menma listened quietly, without judging immediately.
He waited for the children’s voices to gradually subside before slowly speaking: “What you said is right, but not entirely right. That’s the traditional concept of a ninja.”
He walked to the blackboard, his finger pointing at the two characters “ninja”: “These traditional ninjas are indeed a group of humans who have mastered special power, that is, chakra. They possess physical strength, speed, and destructive power far beyond ordinary people.”
His gaze deepened, sweeping over the tender faces: “However, for a millennium, this immense power has been overly, even pathologically, concentrated on slaughter. Ninja clans, ninja villages, countries—for resources, for hatred, for so-called ‘protection’—have turned ninjas into tools of war. They strife against each other endlessly.”
He paused, and the classroom was pin-drop silent; even the boy who craved power earlier was captivated.
“This singular pursuit of power, this tradition of only knowing destruction and not construction,” Menma’s voice carried a heavy insight: “is precisely the root of the ninja world’s millennium of chaotic melee and tragic cycles. It is like a disease deep in the bones, distorting the essence of ninjas and hindering the development of all human society.”
He shifted tone, injecting a new hope: “And the ninjas of our Land of Stars must break this cycle. We must become new ninjas.”
“New ninjas?” The children repeated in unison, their eyes full of curiosity.
“Yes, new ninjas.” Menma affirmed: “The training of Star Ninjas is no longer just killing machines. We focus on all-round development of virtue, intellect, body, and beauty!”
He held up one finger: “Virtue is understanding why we fight. Not for some narrow family or ninja village, but to end the chaos and strife of the entire ninja world, creating a peaceful, serene world for all humanity. Guarding this hard-won peace is our highest mission.”
Next, a second finger: “Intellect is learning cultural knowledge, understanding the laws of the world’s operation. Besides ninjutsu, taijutsu, and illusion techniques, we must also study history, geography, mathematics, physics, etc. Knowledge is the foundation of power, and the wisdom to wield it.”
A third finger: “Body is forging strong physiques and exquisite combat skills. Power itself has no good or evil, but strong power is the indispensable cornerstone for protecting what we cherish.”
Finally, a fourth finger: “Beauty is cultivating perception and pursuit of beautiful things. Life should not only be battles and missions; art, music, appreciation of nature… these keep our hearts balanced and warm in a cruel world.”
Menma walked to the window, pointing to the vibrant city silhouette under the sunlight outside and the faint construction scenes in the distance: “Do you know how those huge dams, newly reclaimed fertile fields, and roads cleared of snow came about?”
The children all shook their heads.
“They are the masterpieces of earth style and water style ninjas!” Menma’s voice carried a hint of pride: “They no longer use power to kill or destroy, but to reshape terrain, build water conservancy, prevent floods from raging, and turn barren or unusable land into granaries that can feed millions!”
He continued with examples: “Fire style is not just a weapon to burn enemies. In cold winters, it can quickly melt accumulated snow, clear transportation routes, ensure the flow of supplies and personnel; when reclaiming wasteland, it can efficiently burn off vegetation and clear obstacles.”
“Lightning release,” his finger seemed to spark with electricity: “holds immense potential in precision mechanical processing and exploring new energy sources! And wind release can aid transportation and clean the environment.”
“And yin release in psychological counseling and therapy, yang release in life, medical, agriculture, materials, and other fields.”
“Every attribute of chakra and ninjutsu can find ways to serve human survival and prosperity!”
Menma’s gaze swept over these children representing the future of the Land of Stars: “Chakra and ninjutsu have no inherent good or evil. The key is what those who master them use them for. The path of new ninjas is to turn this power from a tool of slaughter into a cornerstone of construction, a shield of protection, an engine of development! Serving all human society!”
The children half-understood, but their eyes sparkled.
The vision Menma painted was utterly different from the ninja image they had heard of before.
No longer just cold missions and bloody slaughter, but possibilities full of creation, protection, and hope.
A brand-new concept, like a seed, quietly took root in these young hearts.
Outside the window, Kushina quietly watched all this.
Menma’s words hammered at her sealed memories.
She recalled her time at Konoha Ninja Academy.
What were the lessons taught to that group of children?
Shuriken throwing, three body technique, chakra refinement, and some ninjutsu hand seal sequences, human vital points diagram, tracking and counter-tracking techniques…
The core was only one: how to fight more effectively, infiltrate more stealthily, strike enemies more precisely.
Even the so-called “Will of Fire” ultimately focused on the specific, exclusive goal of “protecting Konoha.”
But Menma’s “new ninja” concept transcended the narrow boundaries of one country or one village.
His gaze was on the well-being of all humanity in the ninja world, on ending the root of chaos.
Chakra was no longer a symbol of slaughter, but a power for building homes and creating futures.
This vision, this redefinition of power’s essence, deeply shocked Kushina, even making her feel a twinge of inadequacy.
“Alright, that’s it for today, class dismissed.” Menma’s voice interrupted Kushina’s thoughts.
The children stood neatly to bow, exiting the classroom one by one with excited and thoughtful expressions.
Menma tidied the lesson plan on the podium.
At that moment, a figure appeared at the classroom door.
Uzumaki Kushina wore a sleek ninja outfit, her red hair neatly tied up behind her head.
She had her usual gentle smile, but a trace of gravity hid between her brows.
When she inadvertently glanced at Kushina by the window, her steps clearly paused, a flash of surprise and curiosity in her eyes.
This unfamiliar red-haired woman had a unique demeanor, strange patterns on her face, but for some reason, she felt a sense of familiarity.
“Lord Shura.” Kushina composed herself, striding into the classroom and bowing respectfully.
“Kushina, what is it?” Menma set down the lesson plan, keenly noticing her anomaly.
Uzumaki Kushina took a deep breath, speaking a bit quickly: “My lord, it’s about the agricultural cooperation project with the Land of Swamps and the Land of Shadows—there’s a problem.”
Her voice carried suppressed anger: “According to the previous cooperation agreement, we dispatched our most skilled earth style and water style ninja teams, spending vast time and chakra to transform the large flood-prone and swamp areas along the Ghost River downstream through both countries’ territories. The project progressed smoothly, initially reclaiming nearly 100,000 mu of arable land. As planned, these lands would build large cooperative farms to resettle refugees and poor farmers; we provide technology and some seeds, with output shared proportionally.”
She paused, her tone turning icy: “But! Just after the transformation was initially complete and the soil fertility test reports came out, the noble lords of the Land of Swamps and Land of Shadows tore up the agreement!”
“Oh?” Menma’s brows furrowed instantly, a chill flashing in his deep blue eyes.
“Not only did they unilaterally declare ownership of those lands as their personal property,” Kushina’s voice dripped with contempt: “they also sent their privately raised samurai and armies to brutally drive out all the refugees and poor farmers we organized to reclaim those lands! They even… used force, injuring many!”
“Even worse, they’ve now mobilized armies to surround our temporary camps in both countries! Claiming Star Ninjas are interfering in internal affairs, demanding our people withdraw from their territory immediately!”
Outside the window, Kushina heard clearly, anger rising on her ashen face.
The nobles’ actions were blatant betrayal and oppression!
Menma was silent for a few seconds, his fingers lightly tapping the lesson plan on the podium.
Sunlight fell on his young face, yet brought no warmth.
He looked out at the prosperous Star Capital, as if seeing the newborn lands downstream on the Ghost River coveted by greed.
“I understand.” Menma’s voice was steady with undisguised killing intent, making both Uzumaki Kushina and Kushina feel a chill.
“Maintain the status quo, ensure our people’s safety. Avoid direct conflict for now. I’ll arrange for someone to handle this.”
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Meanwhile, in the distant north, the capital of the Land of Snow, perpetually covered in ice and snow, had a completely different atmosphere.
Inside the grand yet coldly metallic palace, the light was dim.
Daimyo Fukazake Nutou of the Land of Snow wore chakra armor underneath and a thick luxurious garment with a fur collar outside, sitting on the seat symbolizing power.
He was tall, with a stern face, eagle-sharp eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, making dull “thud thud” sounds.
Below, Hiyuki Fubuki, who had just reported her border encounter defeat in the Land of Stars and the loss of a subordinate, knelt on one knee, head bowed low, her purple twin tails disheveled, chakra armor bearing faint scratches.
Her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible tension and frustration.
“…The opponent’s leader was Star Ninja Village jonin Natsuhi, very strong, proficient in a powerful purple chakra dragon ninjutsu. Also in their team was a bloodline limit ninja who used strange abilities to kill Yukina, and summoned a blood dragon to repel us… This subordinate is incompetent, please punish me, Your Highness!”
Fukazake Nutou listened, his face expressionless, merely waving a hand, his voice low: “Understood, you may go. This encounter is not your fault alone.”
Hiyuki Fubuki was relieved, bowing deeply: “Thank you, Your Highness!”
She then rose and quickly exited the cold great hall.
The hall door closed, leaving only Fukazake Nutou and a middle-aged man beside him in deep blue civil official attire, with a goatee and shrewd eyes.
His chief strategist, Shogetsu Ryunosuke.
“Ryunosuke,” Fukazake Nutou turned to the strategist inquiringly: “What do you know about this Land of Stars and that Star Ninja Village? Their national power, the village’s strength—what exactly is it?”
Shogetsu Ryunosuke bowed slightly: “Reporting to Your Highness, based on comprehensive analysis of messages from merchants and travelers I sent to the Land of Stars for trade, the Land of Stars has focused mainly on internal construction since its founding.”
He paused, adding: “Aside from last year’s large-scale military action annexing the Land of Demons, they have not publicly or massively expanded militarily against surrounding countries. Thus, intelligence on Star Ninja Village’s specific combat power ceiling, especially high-level forces, is very limited; outsiders know little.”
“Oh? Internal construction?” Fukazake Nutou raised a brow, evidently surprised: “A force founded by rogue ninjas, not rushing to expand but focusing on internal affairs?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Shogetsu Ryunosuke nodded: “And their internal construction is quite unique. Recently, they are leveraging Miko Miroku’s influence in the western ninja continent to actively pursue so-called ‘agricultural cooperation’ with the western Land of Swamps and Land of Shadows.”
“Agricultural cooperation? Ninjas farming?” Fukazake Nutou’s lips curled in mockery.
“Exactly.” Shogetsu Ryunosuke explained: “Star Ninjas dispatched a batch of skilled earth style and water style ninjas deep into the large plains and swamp regions along the Ghost River downstream through the Land of Swamps and Land of Shadows. Their goal seems to be transforming those perpetually flood-prone unusable wastelands and dangerous swamps into arable fertile fields.”
Fukazake Nutou’s eyes flickered, as if struck by an idea.
Shogetsu Ryunosuke continued: “According to the agreement leaked by Land of Shadows nobles, both countries’ nobles and daimyo originally handed these ‘worthless wastes’ in their eyes to the Land of Stars for cooperative reclamation, establishing large farms. Star Ninjas handle land transformation and some technical support, sharing output. It seemed like a win-win.”
His tone turned playful: “However, just as the land transformation showed results, those former mud pits and flood zones revealed fertile land… things changed. Greedy nobles saw huge profits and tore up the agreement!”
“They not only brazenly claimed these newborn lands as personal property, but drove out all the refugees and poor farmers Star Ninjas organized for reclamation, even using private soldiers for violent suppression. Now, they’ve sent troops to surround Star Ninja camps on-site, demanding withdrawal or considering it invasion. The conflict between both countries’ nobles and Star Ninjas has reached a boiling point!”
Fukazake Nutou leaned back, fingers lightly tapping the cold armrest, eyes gleaming with cunning schemes.
After a moment, he spoke slowly: “Ryunosuke, in your view… do we have a chance to intervene?”
Shogetsu Ryunosuke, as if anticipating the question, bowed immediately: “Your Highness is wise! This is precisely our Land of Snow’s opportunity to expand influence and gain real benefits!”
He analyzed: “The Land of Swamps and Land of Shadows have no organized ninja villages themselves, only a few small ninja clans retaining Warring States Period styles, scattered and limited in power, utterly unable to contend with Star Ninjas. What they need most now is strong military support to counter Star Ninja pressure and hold onto their ‘newly acquired’ lands.”
Shogetsu Ryunosuke’s eyes sharpened: “We can proactively offer military employment to both countries! Our Snow Ninjas provide force protection to help them resist Star Ninja ‘threats.’ Thus…”
He held up two fingers: “First, we can legitimately strike Star Ninjas, probe their weaknesses, blunt this emerging power’s edge; second, and most crucially, we can infiltrate military forces into the Land of Shadows, even the Land of Swamps.”
He lowered his voice temptingly: “Once our Snow Ninjas are stationed, controlling key points, combined with some ‘special operations,’ it’s entirely possible at the right time, under the banner of ‘protection’ or ‘maintaining order,’ to gradually incorporate the adjacent Land of Shadows into Snow Country’s territory! Giving this eternally harsh frozen land warm, fertile southern soils!”
Fukazake Nutou’s eyes burned with ambition.
Expanding south for arable land had long been his deep desire.
Shogetsu Ryunosuke’s plan perfectly matched his ambitions.
“Excellent!” Fukazake Nutou slammed the armrest and stood: “Ryunosuke, you’re in full charge of this! Go personally to the Land of Swamps and Land of Shadows to negotiate military employment with their daimyo!”
“As you command, Your Highness!” Shogetsu Ryunosuke bowed deeply.
“To ensure smooth negotiations and fully demonstrate our Snow Ninjas’ strength, to intimidate Star Ninjas and those wavering nobles…” Fukazake Nutou’s gaze turned outside the hall.
“Have Jonin Langya Xuebeng lead his elite squad with you. Tell them, if necessary, they can ‘help’ our employers ‘expel’ those pesky Star Ninjas. Make some noise… big noise.” The final words dripped with icy killing intent.
“Yes!” Shogetsu Ryunosuke’s eyes gleamed, accepting the order and departing.
In the cold great hall, only Fukazake Nutou remained.
He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, outside swirling snowflakes and endless snowfields.
His brother’s geothermal device still had no activation method, and Fūka Koyuki, possibly holding the key, was missing; for the Land of Snow to thaw this endless ice and snow was difficult.
Now, the Land of Stars’ annexation of the Land of Demons gave Fukazake Nutou another possibility.
Expand south, annex other countries, to gain arable land!
