Naruto: The Avenger of the Uzumaki clan

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An exceptional leader can inspire loyalty and respect, but only if they possess extraordinary abilities and undeniable charisma. These qualities create a lasting first impression—one that demands recognition. Without them, no one would willingly follow, let alone trust, such a leader with their lives.

This truth applies not only to allies but to enemies as well.

When Menma introduced himself to Takigakure as "Shirogane," his presence shook the shinobi of the village to their core. The sheer intensity of his aura left an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed it. In the shinobi world, raw power speaks louder than any words or actions. No ninja would pledge themselves to someone they deemed weak.

The same principle applies to Orochimaru.

Would a figure like Orochimaru attract followers through charm or benevolence? Certainly not. His influence stems entirely from his overwhelming strength and the fear it inspires. As the saying goes: If you're powerful and save someone, they'll dedicate their life to you. But if you're weak, your gratitude might not even earn you a glance.

Among shinobi, strength reigns supreme.

Without sufficient strength, one cannot command respect, let alone loyalty.

Menma understood this reality better than most. It was why he carefully orchestrated his moment to demonstrate his power to Takigakure's shinobi. First impressions mattered greatly. He wanted them to know—beyond any doubt—that he was strong enough to stand as a leader, a figure worthy of their acknowledgment.

But strength alone would not be enough.

Gaining recognition for one's strength is one thing; earning loyalty is another. For Takigakure's shinobi to follow him willingly, Menma needed to provide value—proof that under his leadership, they would thrive.

In the shinobi world, tangible benefits outweighed ideals or promises.

Most ninjas seek to maximize gains and minimize risks. Menma's strategy was to make them see that following him would bring undeniable advantages—both to the village and to themselves.

"Barrier? Shirogane-sama must be joking," Ajun said, his voice tinged with disbelief as he shook his head. "Takigakure could never create a barrier to cover the entire village. That kind of technique is exclusive to the Five Great Shinobi Nations. We don't have the resources, the knowledge, or the personnel to set up something so elaborate."

Ajun's words carried a note of frustration. As a loyal shinobi of Takigakure, he understood the importance of a defensive barrier. Yet, the village's limitations—both financial and technical—were all too apparent.

In another situation, Ajun might have thought Menma was mocking them. But the look in Menma's eyes, calm yet calculated, made him hesitate.

A spark of realization lit in Ajun's mind.

"Wait... could it be?"

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Menma's confident smile widened.

"Of course, I know Takigakure doesn't have a barrier like that right now. What I'm saying is—we can set one up. I have the knowledge and techniques required. It won't be something I can do alone, though. Takigakure may be smaller than the Five Great Nations, but it still requires multiple anchor points for a barrier of this scale. I can train a team in the basics of barrier setup and maintenance. Together, we'll create a sensory barrier capable of protecting the entire village."

Ajun blinked, stunned. "Are you serious?"

Menma nodded, his smirk unwavering. "Completely. I'll handle the core of the barrier myself, but we'll need skilled personnel for the anchor points. Once it's active, the barrier will detect any foreign presence entering the village. It will give Takigakure an early warning system—a defense most small villages can only dream of."

In the past, Menma lacked the expertise for such an intricate task. His knowledge of seals and barriers had been limited to the essentials—just enough to understand the Four Symbols Seal binding the Nine-Tails inside him. Complex defense systems had been far beyond his scope.

But things had changed.

Thanks to his inherited knowledge from Minato Namikaze, Menma now had a foundation in advanced sealing and barrier techniques. While much of this information was still theoretical, it was enough to create a sensory barrier. For a village like Takigakure, it would be revolutionary—even if not as refined as Konoha's.

This barrier wouldn't just bolster the village's defenses; it would also serve Menma's larger goal. By training and recruiting shinobi to implement the barrier, he could foster loyalty and secure his foothold in Takigakure.

"Shirogane-sama… can you really set up such a large-scale barrier?" Ajun's voice was tinged with awe and doubt. Menma's youthful appearance made it hard to believe he could perform such a complex jutsu.

"I wouldn't make such a claim lightly," Menma replied evenly. "As I said, I'll need assistance to establish the anchor points. Once the barrier is up, a team will have to maintain it with specialized equipment. I'll handle that part personally."

Ajun's skepticism melted into excitement. A village-wide barrier would drastically improve Takigakure's security and enhance their ability to detect threats.

"Let's inform Lord Shibuki immediately!" Ajun exclaimed, unable to hide his enthusiasm.

Menma followed him to the council building, where Shibuki, the village leader, sat awaiting their report.

After Ajun explained the proposal, Shibuki's eyes filled with a mixture of hope and caution. "If you can truly establish a village-wide barrier, Shirogane-san, Takigakure will dedicate every necessary resource. Our village has never had such an advanced defense system."

Shibuki's tone was serious, his gaze thoughtful. Even as he considered the logistics, he understood the immense value this barrier would bring.

"This will not only strengthen the village's defenses but also inspire confidence among our people," Shibuki said. "A safer village means a stronger, more unified Takigakure."

Menma nodded, appreciating the leader's foresight. However, he knew the process would be anything but quick. "It may take some time, Lord Shibuki. Takigakure doesn't currently have many shinobi skilled in barrier techniques."

Shibuki sighed but nodded in agreement. "Yes, we lack barrier specialists. We'll rely on your expertise to guide us. How many shinobi will you need for this project?"

"Twelve anchor points should suffice," Menma explained. "Each point will require a team of four shinobi rotating in shifts. I'll train the personnel in chakra control and barrier maintenance, but we'll also need specialized tools to sustain the system. I'll handle sourcing those myself."

Shibuki's lips curved into a faint smile. He trusted Menma's connections, even if the young man's ties to Orochimaru and the larger shinobi world occasionally gave him pause. "We'll allocate funding for this initiative. If it's for the defense of Takigakure, the treasury will support it."

Menma agreed, his mind already working through the logistics. Orochimaru could supply the necessary equipment, and his dealings with figures like Onoki had left him with more than enough resources. However, this was more than a financial investment—it was a strategic move to solidify his influence within the village.

Meanwhile, Ajun's mind remained preoccupied with a different concern. While he trusted Shibuki's judgment, he worried about Takigakure becoming entangled in the conflicts of larger nations. Menma's connections, though beneficial, carried risks.

"We must ensure Takigakure doesn't lose its neutrality," Ajun thought, resolving to address the matter with Shibuki later.

Menma, however, dismissed such concerns. In his eyes, Takigakure was already a piece on the chessboard of the shinobi world—whether they realized it or not. His ambitions ensured that it wouldn't remain a small, forgotten village for long.

Under Shibuki's orders, eighty shinobi were assigned to Menma's project. Most were chosen for their aptitude in chakra control, a vital skill for barrier techniques. Among them were both genin and chunin, eager to prove themselves.

Menma prioritized younger recruits, knowing they would be more open to his leadership. Older shinobi, with their ingrained habits and skepticism, were less likely to follow an outsider.

"If I want to establish a real foothold here," Menma thought, "I need to start with the youth. They're the future of Takigakure."

The first training session began in an open field on the village outskirts. Though Menma's practical experience was limited, his theoretical knowledge—derived from Minato's legacy—allowed him to teach with authority.

As the recruits gathered, Menma stood before them, radiating quiet confidence. His voice carried across the field as he addressed them.

"Today marks the start of something that will change Takigakure forever. Together, we'll create a defense system that will protect this village for generations to come. This won't be easy, but if you commit yourselves, we'll accomplish something extraordinary."

The shinobi listened intently, their doubts overshadowed by a growing sense of determination.

With time, Menma's presence in Takigakure would become undeniable. His strength and influence would grow, and soon, the world would take notice.

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