Ajun's situation was somewhat different from the others.
Compared to Dōran, Fūsui, and the other senior Taki shinobi, his concerns stemmed less from personal interests and more from caution regarding Menma's future intentions.
After all, Takigakure had already suffered once because of Shibuki's predecessor's trust being exploited. The rebellion led by Shibuki's former advisor had nearly pushed the village into chaos. Because of that precedent, Ajun could never afford to lower his guard.
Even if Menma's arrival had originally been approved by Elder Mizuno Satoru before his death, Ajun had never heard those instructions personally. Everything he knew came from Shibuki himself. While Ajun trusted his leader completely, that did not mean he would abandon vigilance.
He had grown up listening to stories about Shibuki's grandfather and the previous generations of Takigakure leaders. In his eyes, protecting Shibuki's position as village chief was a sacred duty.
Ajun would never tolerate anyone attempting to seize control of Takigakure.
Even if it cost him his life.
Compared to Ajun's somewhat excessive concerns, Dōran, Fūsui, and several others faced a much more immediate problem.
Menma was powerful.
Exceptionally powerful.
Not only did he possess overwhelming combat strength, but he had also demonstrated knowledge and abilities that far exceeded anything they had expected.
More importantly, Shibuki clearly trusted him.
As a result, many of them increasingly suspected that Menma had been deliberately brought into the village by Shibuki to strengthen his own authority and gradually suppress theirs.
The thought left a bitter taste in their mouths.
Yet none of them possessed either the courage or the means to resist.
Shibuki was Takigakure's legitimate leader.
Unless they were willing to launch a rebellion similar to the one that had nearly destroyed the village in the past, any political maneuvering would be meaningless.
Even if Shibuki was still inexperienced in certain areas, Ajun remained firmly at his side.
Now there was also Menma.
Furthermore, even if they truly chose rebellion, would their subordinates actually follow them?
Would ordinary Taki shinobi support another civil conflict after everything the village had already suffered?
The answer was obvious.
No one could guarantee such loyalty.
What are we supposed to do now…?
Dōran and the others maintained smiles on their faces while celebrating the successful deployment of the barrier, yet inwardly they were filled with unease.
The resources and influence within a ninja village were limited.
Whenever a powerful new figure entered the picture, it inevitably altered the balance.
Somebody would gain.
Somebody would lose.
Unfortunately for them, they lacked any means of changing the situation.
The sensory barrier was completed successfully.
After the final inspections and stabilization procedures were finished, Shibuki immediately announced the news throughout Takigakure.
From this day forward, Takigakure possessed its own village-wide sensory barrier.
A barrier capable of monitoring the entire village and significantly strengthening its security.
The moment the announcement spread, excitement erupted throughout the village.
Those familiar with sensory barriers immediately understood the significance.
The ordinary villagers soon learned as well through public explanations and discussions among the shinobi.
The reaction was overwhelming.
"So it really was a sensory barrier!"
"Incredible!"
"Long live Chief Shibuki!"
"Long live Menma-sama!"
"Hahaha! The village will be much safer now!"
"I heard only the Five Great Shinobi Villages possess barriers like this!"
"Takigakure is becoming stronger!"
Cheers echoed throughout the village.
For ordinary civilians and shinobi alike, safety was one of the most important foundations of daily life.
A village-wide sensory barrier represented exactly that.
Protection.
Security.
Peace of mind.
No one wanted enemy shinobi infiltrating the village without warning.
No one wanted another crisis to erupt from nowhere.
The barrier significantly reduced those risks.
Naturally, everyone celebrated.
As a result, both Menma who still publicly operated under the identity of "Accelerator" and Shibuki experienced a substantial rise in prestige throughout Takigakure.
For Menma, it represented his first true foothold within the village.
Far beyond the village limits, inside a secluded training ground.
Fū hovered quietly in the sky.
The translucent wings formed by the Seven-Tails' chakra fluttered gently behind her.
Her gaze rested upon the enormous transparent dome that now covered Takigakure.
A complicated light appeared in her eyes.
Takigakure was her home.
Whether Menma's arrival would ultimately bring fortune or danger remained uncertain.
However, one thing was undeniable.
He had already brought visible benefits to the village.
Benefits that everyone could see.
Benefits that everyone could enjoy.
That alone carried meaning.
For the first time since Menma's arrival, Fū felt genuine acknowledgment begin to form in her heart.
Human beings could be complicated.
Yet sometimes they were surprisingly simple.
Recognition often came down to a single question:
Had someone improved your life?
If the answer was yes, acceptance naturally followed.
Meanwhile, back in the village center.
Inside the administrative building.
Although the barrier deployment had already concluded, the excitement on Shibuki's face remained impossible to hide.
Ajun, who stood nearby, shared that happiness.
Regardless of his suspicions regarding Menma, anything that strengthened Takigakure was worthy of support.
His loyalty to the village was unquestionable.
Only one principle remained absolutely unshakable in his heart:
Shibuki's position as village chief.
That line could never be crossed.
"Ajun-san," Shibuki said enthusiastically, "the village's future defensive structure must be integrated with the Barrier Team. Patrol routes, response forces, and defensive deployments all need to be adjusted accordingly. The four directions surrounding the village should be reinforced as much as possible."
"Understood, Chief."
Ajun immediately nodded.
The existence of a sensory barrier fundamentally altered Takigakure's defensive strategy.
The previous methods could no longer remain unchanged.
Barrier detection and military response had to operate together.
Only then could the village maximize its defensive capabilities.
Shibuki nodded in satisfaction before turning toward Menma.
"As for the Barrier Team, I'll continue relying on you, Menma-kun. For now, don't completely withdraw from the Garrison Force. Continue working closely with Ajun-san. The village's security will depend upon both of you."
"Of course, Shibuki-san."
Menma smiled and nodded.
The successful deployment of the barrier pleased him no less than Shibuki.
This achievement represented much more than a defensive improvement.
It marked the beginning of his personal influence within Takigakure.
The Barrier Team had effectively become his first direct faction inside the village.
Although their loyalty was still limited and nowhere near unconditional, they represented a foundation.
Every great structure required a foundation.
This was his.
Naturally, Menma had every reason to be satisfied.
Yet despite his happiness, he remained calm.
Konoha Year 61 was already entering March.
Time was running short.
He had, at most, a few years remaining before major events in the shinobi world began accelerating toward their inevitable conclusion.
Furthermore, the successful deployment of such a massive sensory barrier had dramatically increased Takigakure's visibility.
This was both an opportunity and a danger.
Takigakure was not an obscure hidden village.
It was one of the few villages possessing a tailed beast.
The appearance of a village-wide sensory barrier would undoubtedly attract attention from every major power.
Menma was certain of it.
Within days, intelligence networks across the shinobi world would learn what had happened.
Therefore, he needed to accelerate his plans.
"The village's internal defenses must certainly be adjusted," Menma said after a brief pause. "However, I believe our border defenses should also be strengthened."
Shibuki immediately became serious.
Menma continued.
"Now that the barrier has been completed, the major villages will inevitably investigate. We should assume that foreign intelligence operatives will attempt to gather information regarding Takigakure's new capabilities. Preparations should be made in advance."
The moment those words were spoken, Shibuki immediately understood the deeper implication.
His expression subtly changed.
Ajun, however, interpreted the statement at face value.
Since he still knew nothing about Menma's true identity, he focused only on the military implications.
Nevertheless, Menma's assessment was perfectly reasonable.
The major hidden villages would absolutely take notice.
"I agree," Ajun said after a moment. "Particularly along our eastern sectors. Reconnaissance and border security should be strengthened immediately."
The eastern sectors.
Everyone present understood what he meant.
Kumogakure.
Throughout history, the Hidden Cloud had shown considerable interest in Takigakure's Seven-Tails.
Although Konoha remained the strongest village in the world, it generally did not aggressively pursue territorial expansion.
Kumogakure and Iwagakure were different matters entirely.
Both villages had previously demonstrated interest in Takigakure's strategic position and its tailed beast.
If circumstances had ever truly favored them, Takigakure might have already lost the Seven-Tails long ago.
The only reason it had survived was because the Five Great Villages constantly kept one another in check.
Otherwise, weaker villages rarely retained valuable assets indefinitely.
Shibuki nodded slowly.
"I'll consider the matter carefully. First, we'll complete the defensive restructuring within the village. Once that is finished, we'll convene another meeting regarding border security."
Menma's identity remained one of Takigakure's greatest secrets.
Shibuki understood that it could not remain hidden forever.
However, every additional day mattered.
As long as they could buy enough time for Menma and Fū to further master the power of their tailed beasts
As long as both jinchūriki continued growing stronger
Then perhaps, one day, Takigakure would possess the confidence necessary to stand as an equal before the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
And when that day arrived, the village would finally possess the right to decide its own destiny.