Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 288 Yin Jiuwei: Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Star City, early morning.

Sunlight streamed onto the clean and wide streets.

In stark contrast to the desolate and barren land of wind, this newly built city, situated on the former capital of the land of bears, is full of vitality and order.

The towering skyscrapers and technologically advanced buildings are arranged in a harmonious and orderly manner, the streets are lined with shady trees, and there is even a well-planned waterway system running through the city, bringing a touch of coolness.

Pedestrians hurried along, yet their expressions were serene, and a vibrant, upward-looking energy permeated the air.

Inside a typical house that blends Japanese and modern styles in the Hyuga clan's residential area.

Hyuga Hizashi put down the newspaper in his hand and sighed softly.

The front page of the newspaper featured an urgent announcement about the Wind Kingdom declaring war and the Star Kingdom entering a "state of war preparation."

The shadow of war eventually loomed over the land he had chosen to settle in.

"Father, when will I be able to graduate from the Ninja Academy?" Hyuga Neji, sitting opposite him, put down his chopsticks, his clear voice breaking the silence at the table.

At only seven years old, he possessed extraordinary talent and had experienced the night of his defection. His Byakugan already showed its sharpness, and the Ninja Academy's curriculum was far too simplistic for him.

He yearns for real-world experience and wants to prove his worth.

Looking at his son's stubbornly defiant glare, Rizashi was filled with mixed emotions.

He put down the newspaper, his tone gentle yet firm: "It will be soon, Neji. The situation has changed, perhaps... sooner than you think."

He didn't want his young son to experience the cruelty of war too early, but as a branch family member of the Hyuga clan who had escaped the 'cage,' war was the fastest way to grow and the fastest way to integrate the Hyuga branch family into the Land of Stars.

After saying goodbye to his wife and children and stepping out of the house, Riza took a deep breath of the cool morning air.

The Hyuga clan's territory faces the Uchiha clan's territory across the street. This deliberately arranged layout seems to imply a subtle balance and competition.

"Hizashi-senpai." A slightly tired but still clear voice came from beside me.

Hishi turned his head and saw Uchiha Shisui walking quickly towards him.

Shisui was wearing the dark blue uniform of the Star Ninja Police Force, with a standard Jonin vest over it. He had obvious dark circles under his eyes, but his gaze remained sharp and bright.

“It’s Shisui.” Hizashi nodded slightly, and the two naturally walked side by side toward the administrative building located in the city center.

"Judging from your appearance, you stayed up late again last night? You must be under a lot of pressure since the mobilization order was issued."

Zhi Shui rubbed his temples and gave a wry smile: "It's more than just stressful... Maintaining order in various counties, increasing patrols, monitoring suspicious individuals, cooperating with intelligence agencies to screen potential spies, and also having to transfer manpower to supplement the border patrol team... There's just too much to do."

“Yes, after all, the police department of the Star Kingdom doesn’t just manage one village.” As the deputy head of the police department, Hizashi’s temples throbbed as he thought about the scope of the police department’s authority.

At first, he and Shisui thought they were just managing the Star City, but after taking over, they realized how vast and complex the internal security situation was in a country with a population of over 16 million. The cases that the Konoha Police Department had to deal with were just sesame seeds compared to the Star Country Police Department.

Shisui smiled, then his voice lowered, tinged with worry: "Hizashi-senpai, I have a very bad feeling... This time, it's probably not as simple as a preparatory mobilization. The real war may be coming very soon."

The two walked in silence for a while.

They were all ninjas who had experienced the Third Shinobi World War and witnessed firsthand the brutality and ruthlessness of the war.

They were all too familiar with that oppressive feeling of an impending storm.

The atmosphere in the emergency meeting room on the top floor of the administration building was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

At this moment, a high-level meeting that will determine the fate of the Star Kingdom is being held here.

The attendees included the current core power structure of the Star Kingdom:
Vanilla Uzumaki, Hikaru Uchiha, En Miyagi, Kisame Hoshigaki, Shisui Uchiha, Hizashi Hyuga, Miroku, Nono Yakushi, Gota, Yohoshi, and several other heads of important departments.

The most eye-catching figure was the man with brilliant blond hair and a gentle, handsome face, sitting to the right of the main seat—Minato Namikaze.

"Please take your seats, everyone." Minato's gentle smile dispelled some of the tension.

"Yes, Lord Minato!" Uchiha Shisui, Hyuga Hizashi, and the others who had just entered bowed slightly to Minato.

For the higher-ups of the Land of Stars, the Fourth Hokage, who was "reincarnated" through the Impure World Reincarnation technique, already had a special status akin to that of an "emperor emeritus."

In particular, Uchiha Shisui and Hyuga Hizashi, after the initial shock, couldn't help but wonder about Shura's true identity.

However, out of reverence for Shura, everyone tacitly kept silent and did not bring up the topic.

When Menma was not in the Star Capital, most of the daily administrative affairs were actually handled by Minato Namikaze.

At first, Minato thought that this would be like when he was the Hokage of Konoha, where he would focus his main energy on ninja missions and village defense.

However, when he actually began to engage in the comprehensive administration of a country with a population of over 16 million and an ever-expanding territory, he deeply realized the weight and complexity of it all.

Every day, the sheer volume of documents submitted by various counties and government departments piles up, covering all aspects of politics, economy, military, diplomacy, and people's livelihood.

Fortunately, the Star Kingdom has an efficient and professional administrative system that far surpasses that of the Ninja Village era. The Ministry of Government and its subordinate departments are able to handle most of the daily affairs. The issues submitted to him are mostly major issues involving strategic decision-making, and they are usually accompanied by detailed analysis reports and multiple contingency plans, which greatly reduces his decision-making pressure.

Even so, Minato often felt a great sense of responsibility.

When faced with matters that are far-reaching and have far-reaching consequences, and which even he finds difficult to quickly weigh the pros and cons, he can only choose to temporarily set them aside and leave them to the shadow clones left behind by Menma, or wait for Menma to return and make a decision himself.

Minato once asked Menma why, since his shadow clones were all over the country, he didn't send out more shadow clones when handling government affairs.

Menma replied, "Of course I want my father to understand the differences between this country and other countries. Besides, I can't let my shadow clones handle everything. What if I'm not around?"

This experience of "proxy governance" gave Watergate a completely new and more profound understanding of governing a country.

At that moment, Minato Namikaze looked at Vanilla Uzumaki in the main seat and listened to her announce in a clear and calm voice, "The Land of Wind has officially declared war on my Land of Stars." He instinctively frowned.

War... this word carries too many heavy memories for him.

He personally experienced the brutality of the Second Shinobi World War and also led Konoha's defense and counterattack in the Third Shinobi World War.

He witnessed firsthand how countless ninjas and civilians lost their lives in the flames of war, how their homes were reduced to ashes, and how the chain of hatred continued link by link.

Deep down, he had a natural wariness and aversion to war.

What worries him even more is whether this conflict between the Land of Wind and the Land of Stars will become a huge powder keg, just like the conflict between the Land of Rain and the Land of Rain, and eventually ignite the Fourth Shinobi World War that will affect the entire shinobi world.
"According to Lord Shura's latest order," Vanilla Uzumaki's voice pulled Minato back from his thoughts, "the Land of Stars is now officially entering a state of total war!"

Her voice echoed in the silent conference room, each word carrying immense weight.

"All registered ninjas, as well as paramilitary personnel such as police forces, will be fully mobilized and placed under the unified command of Military Minister Uchiha Hikaru. The national economy, people's livelihood, and other aspects will be simultaneously transferred to wartime control."

Then, Vanilla picked up a document that had been prepared beforehand and began to read out the specific wartime decrees line by line:

"First, implement a unified grain control and distribution system, and give priority to ensuring the production and supply of the military and important strategic materials."

"Second, all non-essential entry and exit activities will be restricted immediately, and border control will be strengthened."

"Third, all chakra storage devices in the country will be allocated during wartime, with priority given to defensive barriers, communication networks, and military applications."

"IV. Curfews will be imposed in major cities and around important facilities. Specific times will be announced by local public security departments."

"5. Fully activate all underground civil defense facilities and formulate detailed plans for public evacuation and refuge."

"Sixth, all domestic newspapers, radio, television and other news media organizations must have all content published undergo 100% review by the Publicity Department of the Ministry of Government Affairs. The proportion of reporting on non-war-related social and livelihood news will be temporarily restricted."

"VII. Activate the highest-level counter-espionage contingency plan, with joint operations by secret police and the police force to severely crack down on all infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces." ...

Each law was clearly stated, outlining a harsh picture of total war.

The ministers present all had extremely solemn expressions, but they also had a strong desire for military achievements, especially the Uchiha and Hyuga clans who had just joined the Land of Stars.

Since its establishment, the Star Kingdom has engaged in military operations such as annexing neighboring small countries and annihilating the Snow Ninja, but the scale and intensity of those battles are completely incomparable to the upcoming all-out war with the Wind Kingdom, one of the five great nations.

This is the first truly significant test of a major power war since the founding of the People's Republic of China!

After hearing this series of decrees, Minato Namikaze's worries deepened.

These measures are undoubtedly intended to concentrate national resources on dealing with the war, but they will also have a huge impact on the lives of ordinary people and may even trigger social unrest.

He couldn't help but speak, his voice carrying a barely perceptible urgency:

"Vanilla...noodles...uh...Lord Shura, how long until he returns?"

During his more than one year of "acting rule," Minato witnessed firsthand the miraculous rise of the Star Kingdom.

Especially after annexing the Swamp Country, the Dark Country, and the Snow Country, he saw how those commoners who had been impoverished under the oppression of nobles and displaced by war were now allocated their own land in this new country, freed from heavy taxes and levies, and whose lives were improving at a visible pace.

The entire country was filled with a vibrant and upward-looking energy, a kind of hope that he had never felt even in Konoha, a hope belonging to the vast majority of ordinary people.

The new spirit of breaking with the old order and pursuing equality and development that this country, created by his son, has deeply moved him and Kushina.

From initial shock and confusion to gradual understanding and acceptance, and now, a strong desire is welling up deep within Minato's heart.

He wanted to protect this country and this hard-won, hopeful scene.

Uchiha Hikaru picked up the conversation and explained, "Lord Minato, Lord Shura is currently in the 'Death Sands' within the Land of Wind. He is suppressing the Ten-Tails there. It was because of this that he encountered the elite forces sent by Sunagakure, which led to the conflict and Sunagakure's declaration of war."

"Ten-Tails?!"

This unfamiliar word exploded like a thunderclap in the conference room!
Everyone, including Minato, wore expressions of astonishment and confusion.

Everyone present either came from various ninja villages or had extensive knowledge, so they naturally knew that the tailed beasts were considered the ultimate weapons by each village.

But in common knowledge, tailed beasts only have one to nine tails, so what is this suddenly appearing "ten tails"?
Minato Namikaze was even more shocked!
Because half of the Nine-Tails' chakra—the Yin Nine-Tails—is sealed within his body!

He almost immediately sensed the intense emotional fluctuations of Yin Jiuwei in his spiritual world!

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Behind the sealed gate, Yin Jiuwei's roar exploded in Minato's mental world, his huge fox face filled with disbelief and a near-panic rage.

'The Ten-Tails is long dead! It's impossible for it to reappear! Nonsense!!'

Minato suppressed the turmoil in his heart and urgently asked in his mind, "Kurama, does the Ten-Tails really exist?"

"..." Yin Jiuwei paused for a moment, then roared even more furiously: "That guy existed a thousand years ago, even longer than the Sage of Six Paths! But... but he was already..."

Its words abruptly stopped, as if realizing it had said too much, and it quickly changed its tune, emphasizing fiercely: 'Anyway, it's long dead! Vanished completely! How could it possibly reappear now?!'

Yin Jiuwei's words are three parts truth and seven parts falsehood.

It concealed the core secret that all nine tailed beasts originated from the ten-tailed beast, only vaguely mentioning the ten-tailed beast's antiquity and "death".

After all, although its relationship with Minato is much better than it was at the beginning, it is far from the level of complete trust and even cooperation against enemies, as it was during the Fourth Shinobi World War in the original work, when it allowed Minato to activate the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

Yin Jiuwei instinctively remained vigilant, unwilling to reveal too many secrets about the origins of their tailed beast origins.

However, even this vague and mixed information was enough to shake Minato Namikaze to his core!
A thousand years ago?
Is it even older than the Sage of Six Paths who founded the Ninja Sect?

How did Menma come to know about this terrifying existence that has left almost no trace even in legends?
Not only did he know about it, he was actually trying to capture it?!

Minato knew his son held many secrets, but this was just too much...

Just as the atmosphere in the conference room became unusually oppressive because of the words "Ten-Tail," an internal phone on the table in front of Vanilla Uzumaki suddenly rang, breaking the silence.

Vanilla immediately picked up the microphone: "I'm Vanilla Whirlpool."

A respectful report came from the other end of the phone.

As Xiangcao listened, the solemn expression on her face eased slightly. She put down the microphone, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, her voice carrying a hint of relief:
"Gentlemen, we have just received a report from the military district police..."

She paused for a moment and then said:
"Lord Shura, you're back."

The meeting was immediately adjourned.

Led by Uzumaki Vanilla and Uchiha Hikaru, all the high-ranking personnel quickly left the administration building and headed to the nearby military zone.

Before the magnificent main gate of the military zone, constructed of solid rock and metal, the Star Ninjas stood tall and straight, their eyes filled with reverence and fervor for the people about to arrive.

Mianma's figure stood there.

He was still wearing that black robe with red trim, his expression calm, as if he had just completed an ordinary trip.

In his arms, he held a little boy with red hair and dark circles under his eyes, who was looking around uneasily—Gaara.

Two women stood beside him.

One of them was Jingyin, who was holding a pink and white pig and looked a little nervous and curious.

The other is Tsunade, with dazzling blond hair, an impressive figure, and an undisguised look of curiosity and scrutiny as she examines the distinctive buildings around her that blend practicality and futurism.

Menma said to Tsunade, "Then let's part ways here. The Star Capital is quite large, and you are free to visit as you please, as long as you don't go into military restricted areas or other places that are explicitly prohibited. However, due to the current situation, there may be a curfew in effect. It should return to normal in a few days once things have been resolved."

His tone was calm, as if he did not want the war to significantly disrupt the normal operation and vitality of the country.

He already had a plan in mind to end the war quickly, and was even considering how to make the Wind Kingdom pay the price for this provocation, such as ceding some of its territory.

Just then, a group of high-ranking officials from the Land of Stars, including Uzumaki Vanilla, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Hikaru, Uchiha Shisui, and Hyuga Hizashi, arrived at the main gate.

"Lord Shura!" Led by Uzumaki Kaoru and Uchiha Hikaru, everyone bowed deeply to Menma, their attitude extremely respectful.

Uchiha Hikaru's gaze first fell on Gaara in Menma's arms, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

But when her gaze fell upon the blonde, excessively large-breasted, and beautiful woman next to Menma, an undisguised hostility instantly rose from her!

The Sharingan activated unconsciously, and the three tomoe even rotated slightly faster!

Who is this woman?

Why is he with Mianma?!

However, at this moment, Tsunade's shock was a hundred times stronger than that of Uchiha Hikaru!
She could understand why Uchiha Shisui and Hyuga Hizashi were here, but what she couldn't understand was the blond figure in the crowd!
Her gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, was fixed on that familiar yet unfamiliar, gentle and handsome face, and that signature radiant blonde hair...

"The Fourth...the Fourth Hokage?!" Shizune couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

[PS: I'm currently stockpiling chapters. I'll release a big batch when it's featured on the recommendation page on Thursday, guaranteeing at least 30,000 words. If I have more chapters saved up, I'll update even more.]

[PS: Today's illustration is a Sakura character drawn in an 80s style.]

(End of this chapter)