The Land of Stars, eastern border city, Shimotsuke City.
As an important gateway connecting the Land of Birds and the Star City, Shimotsuke City's scale far exceeded that of an ordinary border town.
Tall city walls made of sturdy stone gave off a cold, hard sheen under the autumn sun.
The city gates were bustling with traffic. Caravans from all over the continent formed long lines, awaiting entry inspection.
The air was filled with the scent of livestock, goods, and a sense of orderly busyness.
Jiraiya and Ajisai blended into a medium-sized merchant caravan, slowly moving forward with the flow of people.
Jiraiya, with his long white hair tied back, casually observed their surroundings.
Ajisai looked around curiously, full of novelty for this city so different in style from Amegakure.
Their attention was soon drawn to the Land of Stars' personnel in charge of inspection at the gate.
They wore uniform dark blue uniforms with simple lines and armor plates, not traditional ninja attire, more like strictly trained public security personnel or border guards.
Their movements were deft, their expressions serious. Checking documents, registering information, issuing passes… the entire process was orderly and highly efficient.
What surprised Jiraiya most was their 'bearing'.
Their Chakra Fluctuations were generally not strong, even weaker than Konoha's average Genin. But each person's posture, walk, even their eyes exuded an indescribable sense of discipline and uniformity.
When standing guard, they were as motionless as statues, and when patrolling, their footsteps were in perfect unison, like parts of a precision instrument.
This high degree of organization and discipline was something Jiraiya had never seen in any other Ninja Village.
Accustomed to a free and easy life, he felt a hint of discomfort in this atmosphere.
'Star Ninja... truly unique, as the rumors say,' Jiraiya mused inwardly.
'Being able to defeat Sunagakure and Iwagakure while outnumbered wasn't just due to Shura, Uchiha Hikari, and a few other top-tier fighters. This terrifying discipline and execution force extending to the grassroots is their truly frightening aspect.' He recalled his experiences in the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
Ninjas from the Great Ninja Villages also received training, but emphasized individual ability and small team coordination more. This strict militarized management model was unheard of.
Soon, it was their caravan's turn for inspection.
A Star Ninja inspector who appeared to be a squad leader walked over. His sharp gaze swept over Jiraiya and Ajisai, lingering a moment longer on the Amegakure's forehead protector on Ajisai's brow and Jiraiya's seemingly casual yet powerful aura bearing.
He asked in a calm yet serious tone, "You two, please state your identities and purpose of entry."
Jiraiya laughed heartily, putting on the carefree, literary persona. He took out a copy of [Icha Icha Paradise] bearing his signature from his robe and handed it over. "Hahaha, Inspector! I am the bestselling author traveling various countries, 'Jiraiya'! This is my assistant, Ajisai. We've come from the Land of Rain. We heard the Land of Stars has unique scenery and novel customs, so we've come to gather material and seek inspiration!"
His face skin was extremely thick, so lies came easily.
Ajisai quickly cooperated, giving a slight bow, her tone carrying just the right amount of embarrassment and sincerity. "Yes, Inspector."
The inspector glanced at the book cover, carefully looked at Jiraiya's 'signature', and a subtle expression appeared on his face, as if he recognized the book.
But he quickly resumed his official business attitude.
He nodded, his tone softening a bit. "We have also heard about the internal turmoil in Amegakure. Recently, many Wandering Ninja and Ronin from various countries have entered the Land of Stars. We welcome law-abiding travelers, but must remind you both that the Land of Stars' laws and regulations are quite different from other countries. You must strictly comply."
He signaled a team member behind him to hand over two exquisitely made, hard plastic cards, [Temporary Passes], and two thin booklets with the cover title [Land of Stars Foreign Visitor Conduct Guidelines & Laws and Regulations Summary].
"Temporary passes are valid for one month. Be sure to go to the local police station to apply for an extension before they expire, otherwise it will be considered illegal stay," The inspector said, pointing to the booklets. "Please read these guides carefully."
"They clearly list prohibited behaviors within the Land of Stars, such as large-scale public gambling, misusing Ninjutsu to damage public property, etc., as well as the correct procedures for handling disputes or emergencies, like reporting to the local police station for professional law enforcement personnel to handle. Do not privately use force to resolve issues. Remember, this is not a place where force can be used arbitrarily."
Ajisai hurriedly took the passes and guides with both hands, thanking him repeatedly, and paid a not-too-high entry fee as required.
The entire process was standardized and clear, without a trace of harassment or bribe-seeking, which was somewhat unexpected for two people accustomed to extortion and shake-downs in various parts of the Ninja World.
Successfully passing the checkpoint, upon formally stepping into Shimotsuke City's interior, the scene before them made Ajisai unable to suppress a low exclamation of admiration.
Wide, smooth streets, clean to the point of being almost spotless.
On both sides of the streets stood neat and uniform, simple yet modern buildings, their glass reflecting sunlight.
Pedestrians and vehicles kept to their own lanes, orderly. Shops were everywhere, their goods a dazzling array. People's clothing was simple, but their faces were ruddy, their steps hurried, their eyes shining with a positive, upward vitality.
The entire city was filled with vigorous vitality and prosperity, a world apart from Amegakure's perpetual rainy, oppressive, dilapidated atmosphere.
"This place... is so prosperous, so clean!" Ajisai sincerely exclaimed.
Jiraiya, while casually flipping through the conduct guide, observed the street scene, equally shocked.
The guide's clauses were meticulous, covering everything from public hygiene and traffic rules to Ninjutsu use restrictions and dispute resolution procedures, revealing a highly legalized and finely managed social form.
This was completely different from the law of the jungle, chaotic norm of the Ninja World he knew.
He had traveled through many nations, but never seen a city like this.
As they walked, they saw a squad of four people in dark blue police uniforms with armbands on patrol.
These police were well-equipped with kunai gun-like weapons and communicators, their expressions serious. But the citizens around them didn't avoid or fear them. Some even actively nodded and greeted them, and the police would politely respond, the atmosphere harmonious.
"Eh? Are those the Land of Stars' police?" Jiraiya stroked his chin, thoughtfully. "I'd long heard the Land of Stars established a public security force different from traditional Ninja. It seems true. They seem... more focused on maintaining public order and law enforcement rather than carrying out assassination, sabotage, and other military tasks."
Ajisai also tilted her head in observation. "They don't seem... like just Ninja. More like a kind of... hmm, profession that maintains rules? Like the guards in Land of Rain's towns, though those guards were private soldiers hired by the noble lords."
As they walked and observed, they gained an initial understanding of the Land of Stars' social operation model.
Passing through the prosperous urban area, they reached the city's west exit, preparing to follow the wide road to the Star City.
Just then, a low rumbling sound approached from the distance!
The two looked toward the sound and saw, not far outside the city, two parallel metal tracks laid on a roadbed. A streamlined steel dragon composed of multiple carriages was roaring past at an astonishing speed!
The locomotive emitted faint white steam and faint Chakra light, its speed astounding!
"That... what is that?!" Ajisai's eyes widened. It was her first time seeing such a massive and swift vehicle.
Jiraiya also looked surprised. This speed far exceeded the fastest horse-drawn carriage or even the running speed of an average Genin!
"Hahaha! I can tell you two aren't locals of the Land of Stars!" A hearty laugh came from nearby.
A dark-skinned, spirited old man driving an ox-cart was merrily looking at them. The ox-cart behind him was piled with various daily supplies.
Jiraiya quickly inquired, "Old man, may I ask, what is that?"
The old man took out a pipe, lit it, took a satisfying puff, and introduced proudly, "That's a [Raiden]! A big machine powered by Chakra! It runs incredibly fast and can travel thousands of kilometers in a day! It can also haul loads of goods and people! Now many of our Land of Stars' big cities have these things… It's very convenient!"
Jiraiya sharply grasped the key point, frowning as he asked, "Old man, building these Raiden and tracks must cost a lot, right? And the tracks occupy land. What about the farmers whose land is expropriated... how do they manage?"
He knew full well that in other countries, land expropriation was often the trigger for popular resentment.
Hearing this, the old man gave Jiraiya an appreciative look. "Hey, you've hit the nail on the head! Whether the Raiden is expensive or not, this old man doesn't know, but land expropriation..."
He smacked his lips exclaiming with feeling, "It's a world of difference from when the Land of Bears' Daimyo and nobles were in power!"
"Back then, if the noble lords took a fancy to a piece of land, they'd send a few lackeys, expropriate it on the spot, and would we dare to ask the lord for money?! Us little folk dared to complain? A beating at best, family ruined, people dead at worst! Now, when the Land of Stars' government expropriates land, they compensate based on the land's annual output, a lump sum covering a full twenty years of silver! And they arrange new jobs for farmers who lose their land, either in factories or helping build roads and railways. In short, they give a way to live, letting people live stable lives!"
The more Jiraiya listened, the graver his expression became.
He didn't know how much strong financial support or efficient and clean administrative system this required, but such favorable compensation and resettlement policies were impossible in any other country. He knew those nobles best.
The Land of Stars' exhibited social governance ability was far deeper and terrifying than he had imagined.
Ajisai curiously asked, "Old man, are you heading back to your village?"
"Yes, yes." The old man pointed his pipe in the direction the Raiden had gone. "Our village is at the foot of Mount Gunma over there, not far from the railway. If you're going to the Star City, you can walk with my ox-cart. We can talk along the way, so it's not boring."
Ajisai looked at Jiraiya. Seeing his slight nod, she happily agreed, "Great! Old man, I'm Ajisai, and this is my employer, Jiraiya-sama. We're going to the Star City!"
The old man merrily introduced himself. "I don't have a big name. People in the village call me Old Man Yamashita, because I live at the foot of Mount Gunma!" (T/N: Yama also means mountain in Japanese.)
Thus, the three traveled together.
Jiraiya walked beside the ox-cart, seemingly casually continuing to chat with Old Man Yamashita, but actually inadvertently probing the actual situation in the Land of Stars.
"Old man, from what you say, after the Land of Bears... became the Land of Stars, commoners' lives truly improved?" Jiraiya asked, his tone inquisitive.
Hearing this, Old Man Yamashita's wrinkles smoothed out, his voice filled with heartfelt gratitude. "It's not just a little improvement! It's a heaven-and-earth transformation! Before, with the noble lords and Daimyo lord pressing down on us, life wasn't fit for humans!"
"We worked ourselves to death farming all year, after paying rent and taxes, the leftover grain was barely enough to survive! Disasters and calamities every now and then, people starving was common! Ever since Shura-sama and the Star Ninja came, drove away those leech-like noble lords, gave us poor folks land, reduced rent and taxes, and in disaster years the government reduces or exempts taxes, distributes relief grain! The government officials now are completely different from before too. No airs, don't bully people. During spring planting and autumn harvest, they even come down to organize everyone to plow and harvest together. If someone has difficulties, they truly reach out and help! This life now has hope!"
Ajisai listened, her eyes shining, hardly able to believe there was such a country that cared for commoners.
This place and the Land of Rain were two completely different worlds.
Jiraiya, on the surface, remained impassive, but his heart was full of turmoil. He had traveled many countries, seen too much suffering, and deeply understood the hardships of the bottom-level masses.
'The Land of Stars' approach completely overturned the traditional ruling model, tilting benefits toward the common people. What kind of courage and methods did that require?'
'What exactly was Shura's goal?'
'Merely to establish an ideal nation?'
Jiraiya instinctively felt things weren't that simple. After all, Shura was the [Child of Darkness] prophesied by the Great Toad Sage!
He believed there must be deeper, more dangerous schemes hidden behind this.
Evening, the sunset dyed the sky orange-red.
The ox-cart slowly arrived at the foot of Mount Gunma. A peaceful, harmonious small village appeared before them.
However, the scene at the village entrance was incongruous with this peace.
Dozens of villagers were gathered there, expressions anxious, discussing animatedly, an uneasy atmosphere permeating the air.
Seeing this, Old Man Yamashita hurriedly urged the ox-cart to speed up.
Just as they reached the entrance, a sturdy, dark-skinned young man came forward, his face anxious. "Old Man Yamashita! You're finally back!"
"Chief Oiwa, what happened?" Old Man Yamashita jumped off the cart and asked urgently.
The young man called Chief Oiwa gritted his teeth and said, "It's a band of bandits that drifted over from somewhere in the mountains! This afternoon they barged into the village, robbed several families' grain and livestock! And they said we have to gather 100,000 ryo and send it to the mountains within three days, or they'll slaughter the village!"
"100,000 ryo?!" Old Man Yamashita gasped sharply, his face instantly turning ghastly pale.
For an ordinary village, this was an astronomical figure, absolutely impossible to come up with!
The bandits were clearly making things difficult with malicious intent!
Just then, Jiraiya with great chivalry stepped forward, patted his chest, and declared loudly, "It seems everyone here is in trouble! But don't worry! With the Toad Sage Jiraiya here!"
The villagers all turned their eyes to this unfamiliar white-haired man, their gazes puzzled and carrying a flicker of hope.
Chief Oiwa cautiously asked, "This is...?"
Old Man Yamashita quickly explained, "Oh, this is a traveler we met on the road. Seems like... a Wandering Ninja from another country?"
Hearing 'Ninja', the villagers' eyes immediately lit up as if they had seen a savior.
Chief Oiwa even more respectfully said, "So it's a ninja-sama! Thank you very much for being willing to step forward! But..." He changed his tone. "We have already sent someone to report to the Kamio City's police station! We believe the police-sama will arrive soon to handle it!"
"Police?" Jiraiya and Ajisai exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes.
'Faced with the threat of bandits demanding ransom and threatening to slaughter the village, these villagers' first reaction wasn't to ask for help from a passing 'powerful Ninja', but to trust and wait for the government's 'police'?'
This trust and reliance on official power again overturned their perception.
Just then, in the sunset's afterglow, at the end of the dirt road outside the village, several swiftly moving figures appeared!
A half-grown child came panting from that direction, running while excitedly shouting, "Chief! Chief! Police-sama are coming! Police-sama are coming!"
Chief Oiwa and the villagers' faces immediately showed joyful and relieved expressions. They all stood on tiptoe, looking toward the intersection.
Jiraiya and Ajisai also looked intently.
Four figures were walking toward them with steady steps!
They wore the special Land of Stars' police uniform, their postures vigorous.
The leader was very young, about fourteen or fifteen years old, with medium-length black hair and a cold, stern face.
Beneath the police uniform, the collar of a dark blue clan clothing was visible, embroidered with a circle-flame clan emblem!
What made Jiraiya's heart shake even more was that the young policeman, currently slightly raised his head, looking toward Mount Gunma where dusk was deepening. In the crimson pupil, a single black tomoe slowly rotated!
Jiraiya's pupils abruptly contracted, his heart chilled: 'Uchiha?!'