"So, the most important aspect of constructing a barrier is the stable output and regulation of chakra. Everything begins from that foundation."
Standing before dozens of gathered Taki shinobi, Menma spoke calmly while drawing several chakra flow diagrams across a large board positioned behind him.
"If chakra control is insufficient, then no matter how advanced the Barrier Ninjutsu itself may be, the structure will eventually collapse. Therefore, the first phase of training will focus entirely on improving chakra control. Those who fail to meet the minimum requirements will be eliminated from the program."
His gaze swept across the assembled shinobi before continuing.
"After that, everyone will familiarize themselves with the theoretical framework of Barrier Ninjutsu and the operation of sensory formations. Only when you fully understand the principles involved will we proceed to practical exercises."
The crowd listened attentively.
Menma's current objective was not to immediately select personnel.
Before screening candidates, they first needed to understand what a barrier actually was, how it functioned, and what responsibilities would be required from those maintaining it.
Without understanding the fundamentals, any selection process would be meaningless.
Fortunately, most of the young shinobi gathered here were highly motivated.
Unlike many veteran Taki shinobi who had gradually become accustomed to Takigakure's decline, these younger ninja still possessed ambition.
They still dreamed of restoring the village's former glory.
Some even hoped to see Takigakure one day stand alongside the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Such aspirations were not uncommon among young shinobi.
Every hidden village possessed ambitious youth who wished to see their homeland become stronger.
Many dreamed of witnessing the day when their village would earn recognition equal to the Five Great Nations.
Not some self-proclaimed title lacking legitimacy.
But genuine recognition through strength.
A village powerful enough that the entire shinobi world would acknowledge it as a major military force.
That was the dream hidden in many hearts.
As a result, anything capable of strengthening the village naturally attracted their attention.
The proposed sensory barrier was precisely such a project.
Not only would it significantly improve Takigakure's defenses, but it also represented entirely new knowledge that had never existed within the village before.
For ambitious young shinobi, such opportunities were naturally appealing.
Of course, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm.
Among the eighty selected shinobi, Menma could already identify several individuals whose interest in Barrier Ninjutsu was minimal.
Some preferred offensive ninjutsu.
Others focused on taijutsu or genjutsu.
To them, barrier techniques seemed dull and impractical.
Menma understood this mentality perfectly.
During future evaluations, these individuals would naturally face greater scrutiny unless they displayed exceptional talent.
There was, however, one special exception.
Suigetsu.
The white-haired youth stood among the crowd with an expression that practically screamed boredom.
Unlike the others, Suigetsu had not been selected by the village.
He was brought here personally by Menma.
Originally, Shibuki had wondered why Menma had only brought a single subordinate despite having connections to far larger organizations.
Menma naturally could not explain that most of the people surrounding him were associated with Orochimaru.
Instead, he simply offered a vague explanation and allowed the matter to fade away.
As far as Menma was concerned, Suigetsu represented the only truly reliable subordinate currently at his side.
Although Suigetsu's personality was hardly ideal for leadership, Karin already had separate responsibilities.
That left Suigetsu as the most practical choice available.
Even if the arrangement felt somewhat forced.
Once the day's lecture ended, the gathered Taki shinobi gradually dispersed.
Only Suigetsu remained behind.
The moment everyone else departed, he immediately approached Menma with a helpless expression.
"Menma-sama, I really don't think I'm suitable for leading this group. To be honest, most of this barrier stuff goes in one ear and out the other."
His face carried an unmistakable look of suffering.
After spending enough time around Menma, Suigetsu had already gained a decent understanding of his personality.
Generally speaking, Menma paid little attention to minor issues involving etiquette or attitude.
As long as fundamental principles weren't violated, he was surprisingly tolerant.
Objectively speaking, Suigetsu even admitted that Menma possessed the qualities of someone destined for greatness.
Unfortunately, that realization did nothing to change his own ambitions.
His greatest wish remained exactly the same as before.
Freedom.
Preferably very far away from Orochimaru, Menma, and anyone else who enjoyed controlling people.
More importantly, Menma gave him the same dangerous feeling Orochimaru did.
His instincts constantly warned him not to underestimate the blond youth.
Suigetsu trusted those instincts.
Very much.
Menma could naturally sense some of Suigetsu's thoughts.
However, he wasn't particularly concerned.
As long as Suigetsu continued working with him, everything else could be dealt with later.
Whether Suigetsu could eventually become completely loyal remained uncertain.
But keeping him around was still worthwhile.
"It's fine."
Menma smiled.
"I don't need you to become a barrier specialist."
Suigetsu visibly relaxed.
Then Menma continued.
"I need you to become the leader of this team."
The relaxation instantly vanished.
"You are the only person who came here with me. You understand my plans better than anyone else. This project is extremely important to the future of Takigakure, and I need someone I can trust overseeing it."
Menma's tone remained calm.
Yet for some reason, Suigetsu felt an ominous chill run down his spine.
Trust?
He didn't believe a word of it.
The more Menma emphasized trust, the more Suigetsu felt trapped.
Still, he couldn't openly object.
For now.
Thus, he could only force out a smile.
"Understood, Menma-sama."
Internally, however, he was already imagining countless escape plans.
The moment an opportunity appeared, he fully intended to take it.
After all, he still had his own dreams.
He still intended to inherit the legacy of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Menma suddenly spoke again.
"When things stabilize here, I'll help you pursue your goals."
Suigetsu froze.
"I don't care whether you're looking for a person, a sword, or something else entirely. If it's within my ability, I'll assist you."
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
"Orochimaru-sama and I aren't the same. Effort deserves reward."
Suigetsu's pupils contracted.
At that moment, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
Did Menma know?
Did he somehow know about the Seven Ninja Swords?
About Mangetsu?
About his ambitions?
When their eyes met, Suigetsu immediately looked away.
His heart was no longer as calm as before.
A seed had been planted.
Menma noticed the change immediately.
Of course, he never expected Suigetsu to become loyal overnight.
That would be unrealistic.
But people needed hope.
Sometimes suffering itself was not the worst thing.
Endless suffering without visible hope was what truly broke people.
A skilled leader understood how to offer just enough possibility to keep others moving forward.
Menma was still learning.
Still growing.
Still discovering what kind of leader he wanted to become.
Fortunately, Suigetsu was still young.
Compared to older shinobi hardened by years of experience, younger people were often easier to influence.
Moreover, Suigetsu's ambitions were hardly impossible.
He wanted to surpass Hōzuki Mangetsu.
He wanted to gather the Seven Ninja Swords.
He wanted to become the greatest swordsman of Kirigakure's modern era.
From Menma's perspective, none of those goals were unattainable.
"Haha. That's enough for today."
Menma patted Suigetsu's shoulder.
"Get some rest. Your normal security duties are suspended for now. Focus entirely on the barrier project."
"Yes, Menma-sama."
Suigetsu bowed and departed with mixed emotions.
Watching him leave, Menma eventually turned and returned to his laboratory.
Training the future Barrier Team was important.
But Menma's own studies were equally critical.
Although he had confidently proposed constructing a village-wide sensory barrier, the reality remained that the project carried significant risks.
A barrier covering an entire hidden village was no ordinary undertaking.
Any mistake could lead to failure.
An unstable core node.
Insufficient chakra synchronization.
Improperly trained operators.
Countless variables existed.
And failure was unacceptable.
This project represented Menma's first major contribution to Takigakure.
It would directly influence his future prestige within the village.
Therefore, every detail had to be perfected.
One month passed.
Then another.
As training continued, time flowed swiftly.
Meanwhile, events throughout the shinobi world continued unfolding.
One development attracted particular attention.
After months of internal deliberation, Sunagakure finally selected its Fifth Kazekage.
Unlike the original timeline, where Gaara's transformation and growing reputation eventually led to his appointment, events here unfolded differently.
Without Naruto's influence, Gaara had not undergone the dramatic personal growth that originally changed the opinions of Sunagakure's leadership.
Furthermore, his age remained a significant obstacle.
As a result, the village's elders temporarily looked elsewhere.
The final choice became Maki.
A trusted subordinate of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Although Maki's individual strength did not truly reach Kage-level standards, Sunagakure's circumstances left few alternatives.
With the support of Chiyo and Ebizō, he ultimately ascended to the position of Fifth Kazekage.
His first major act was reaffirming Sunagakure's alliance with Konohagakure.
The decision created considerable discussion throughout the shinobi world.
After all, alliances between major villages always attracted attention.
Yet most hidden villages merely observed from the sidelines.
Treaties alone meant little.
History had repeatedly proven that agreements between villages lasted only as long as mutual interests remained aligned.
True stability was built upon power.
Not paper.
Only Kumogakure responded more aggressively.
Under orders from the Fourth Raikage, additional forces were deployed near the borders of the Land of Hot Water.
For decades, Kumogakure had viewed Konohagakure as both its greatest rival and its most tempting target.
Whenever opportunities arose, the Raikage was rarely willing to ignore them.
Meanwhile, in Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki remained as calm as ever.
Neither Sunagakure's leadership transition nor Kumogakure's military adjustments were significant enough to disturb the old Tsuchikage.
From Ōnoki's perspective, these developments were merely small ripples on the surface of a much larger world.
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