Jun might be relatively better, only slightly worried about Menma's future intentions. After all, with Suien as a precedent, Jun couldn't help but be a bit cautious. Even though this was Elder Mizuno Satoru's recommendation, Jun hadn't been instructed by Elder Satoru in person; everything was said by Shibuki himself. The credibility was naturally high, but Jun still had to be on guard.
He was a confidant of the previous leader and grew up listening to stories about Shibuki's grandfather. In Jun's heart, he had to protect Shibuki's position as leader. Jun wouldn't allow anyone plotting to usurp the throne, even if it cost him his life.
Compared to Jun's thoughts, which still seemed somewhat unrealistic...
The worries of Taru, Fushimi, and the others were revealed tangibly.
Menma was so strong and possessed superb skills in other areas. Most importantly, it seemed Shibuki trusted Menma immensely now.
They increasingly suspected that Menma was an external aid invited by Shibuki to suppress them and seize the power in their hands.
This made Jonin like Taru and Fushimi feel bitter inside, but they didn't have much will to resist because they lacked the ability and means.
Shibuki was the legitimate leader of the ninja village!
Unless they had the guts to incite a rebellion like Suien, those petty tricks were just a joke in front of Shibuki. Even if Shibuki was a bit green, wasn't there still Jun? Not to mention there was now an additional Menma.
Moreover, even if they made up their minds to rebel now, would the people under their command truly follow them unwaveringly?
This had to be marked with a huge question mark.
What should we do...
Although Taru, Fushimi, and the others wore happy smiles on their faces for the successful deployment of the barrier, they were extremely conflicted inside.
The benefits of a ninja village were limited.
Now that a behemoth was entering, it was bound to squeeze the status and power of others, but they had no way to deal with it and could only sit and wait for their doom.
This taste was naturally unpleasant.
With the barrier successfully deployed...
After all the finishing work was completed...
Shibuki announced directly, informing the entire ninja village that from now on, the Hidden Waterfall Village also had a large-scale sensory barrier covering the entire village to protect the safety of its citizens.
Upon hearing this news suddenly...
Some Waterfall ninja and citizens knowledgeable in this area instantly revealed looks of great joy and cheered.
The remaining laypeople also understood the function and significance of this sensory barrier through the explanations of their companions or the village's public announcements.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, is it actually this thing!?"
"Wow, long live the Leader! Long live Lord Accelerator!"
"Hahaha, now our ninja village's security can be greatly improved."
"Amazing, truly amazing."
"I heard this is a jutsu only the Five Great Ninja Villages can deploy, right?"
"Haha, long live the Hidden Waterfall Village!"
The entire ninja village was instantly plunged into a wave of immense ecstasy.
For a ninja village, the most important thing is to bring a sense of security to the citizens. A super-large-scale sensory barrier served exactly this purpose.
At least in the future, there was no need to worry about external enemies infiltrating silently from time to time.
How could these citizens not feel happy?
This was closely related to their vital interests.
In this moment, whether it was "Accelerator" disguised by Menma or Shibuki as the leader, their prestige in the village rose to another level. Menma could be considered to have gained a preliminary foothold in the Hidden Waterfall Village.
So it can really be deployed successfully? Grandpa Satoru, it seems your judgment was correct...
In a special training ground far outside the village.
Fu soared high in the sky, the emerald green wings on her back vibrating gently. Looking at the transparent barrier that already enveloped the entire ninja village, a special gleam appeared in her pupils.
The Hidden Waterfall Village was her home.
Whether Menma's arrival brought danger was not yet visible.
But currently, he had tangibly brought visible benefits to the village, so his existence had meaning and value.
In this moment, Fu felt a sense of recognition for Menma for the first time.
Humans are sometimes very complex, and sometimes very simple and direct.
Whether to accept and acknowledge—the standard of judgment is just that simple.
Hidden Waterfall Village, Central Area, Administration Hall. The finishing touches on the barrier deployment were completely finished, but Shibuki, who had returned to the administration hall, still had a face full of joy.
Jun, following closely behind, certainly had other thoughts, but the joy on his face was also genuine. As a member of the Hidden Waterfall Village, Jun held a 100% approving and supportive attitude toward anything that could strengthen his own ninja village.
The only thing he insisted on was Shibuki's position as leader.
This was the most unshakable point in Jun's heart.
"Jun-san, future defense work must be closely linked with the Barrier Squad, ensuring timely adjustments and prevention. Strengthen the defense of all four corners as much as possible."
Shibuki looked at Jun with excitement and said.
With this super-large-scale sensory barrier, the previous defense model had to change. They could no longer use the traditional mode for defense; they must equip corresponding defense teams in coordination with the barrier to truly strengthen the ninja village's defense in all aspects.
"Yes, Lord Leader."
Jun bowed immediately in response.
"I'll continue to trouble you with the Barrier Squad, Accelerator-kun. Don't drop the work of the Defense Squad for now either. Coordinate well with Jun-san. From now on, the village's security issues will be entrusted to you two to handle together."
Shibuki nodded, then turned to look at Menma on the other side.
"Yes, please rest assured, Shibuki-san."
Menma smiled and replied.
The successful deployment of the barrier.
The joy in Menma's heart was no less than Shibuki's. This most critical first step meant Menma had preliminarily established his own prestige in the Hidden Waterfall Village. And this newly established Barrier Squad was his first batch of direct subordinates. Although there were only dozens of people, and their loyalty wouldn't be much better than Suigetsu's, it was ultimately a good start.
Menma naturally had reason to feel happy.
However, amidst the happiness, Menma still maintained a minimum degree of rationality and calm.
It was already March of Konoha Year 61. The time left for him wasn't much—at most two years. Not to mention that creating such a big commotion in the Hidden Waterfall Village this time also increased the risk of his exposure.
The Hidden Waterfall Village wasn't like other small ninja villages. Possessing a Tailed Beast, this village naturally attracted many gazes from the ninja world. Now, with a super-large-scale sensory barrier capable of covering the entire ninja village appearing out of thin air...
Menma didn't believe other ninja villages wouldn't pay attention.
At most, within a few days, the various nations of the ninja world would definitely learn of what happened here in the Hidden Waterfall.
Therefore, Menma had to heighten his vigilance and accelerate his pace.
"Changes to the village's defense are natural, but in my opinion, the defense on the borders also needs adjustment, Shibuki-san. Our village's successful deployment of a sensory barrier this time will definitely be known by people from other ninja villages. They will surely come to scout the situation. We must make necessary preparations in advance."
Menma paused, looking at Shibuki opposite him with a very solemn expression.
Not to mention that Shibuki, to improve the citizens' sense of security and his own prestige, had already announced the barrier matter directly to the entire ninja village... even without this, the commotion during the barrier deployment was simply too great.
If ordinary ninja could judge it, couldn't the major ninja villages?
Menma didn't believe there were no high-level spies from other ninja villages in the Hidden Waterfall.
It was just a matter of time.
Of course, if it were just a sensory barrier, the problem wouldn't be huge. But what Menma had to pay attention to was the exposure of his identity.
Menma also believed Shibuki should be able to understand the meaning in his words.
Almost as soon as Menma's words fell...
Shibuki understood instantly, and his expression changed slightly.
Only Jun didn't hear the implied meaning, as he still didn't know Menma's identity. Therefore, although Jun's expression was slightly serious, he wasn't truly very worried. After all, it was just a sensory barrier.
However, what Menma said did make sense.
Attention from the Five Great Ninja Villages still needed to be guarded against.
"Mhm, I also think Accelerator-kun makes sense. Border defense still needs adjustment, especially the police and reconnaissance forces towards the east, Lord Leader."
After nodding, Jun continued.
The so-called east.
That was blatantly referring to the Hidden Cloud Village. The Leaf had proven with decades of performance that they were indeed a ninja village with few desires; they hadn't initiated a single war. Basic defense was naturally necessary.
But to say how vigilant one needed to be... Jun felt it wasn't necessary.
But the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone were different. These two ninja villages, which both bordered the Hidden Waterfall to varying degrees, had more or less coveted the Hidden Waterfall in the past decades. The goal was direct: aiming at their village's Seven-Tails.
In this regard, the Hidden Cloud's intention was the most distinct.
It was only because the major ninja villages checked and balanced each other that no one was given a real opportunity. Otherwise, based on the Hidden Waterfall's rate of decline in past years, the Seven-Tails would have been lost long ago—either falling into the Hidden Cloud's grasp or captured by the Hidden Stone.
"Mhm, I will consider this aspect. Adjust the village's defense first. After the adjustments inside the village are complete, we will hold another meeting to discuss border defense."
Shibuki nodded heavily.
Menma's identity was top secret.
It was an existence that had to be guarded strictly.
Although Shibuki knew it would be hard to hide it permanently, he hoped to drag it out as long as possible.
As long as they could hold on until both Menma and Fu fully mastered the power of the Tailed Beasts and became perfect Jinchuriki, Shibuki believed their Hidden Waterfall Village would have the qualifications to negotiate with and challenge the other major ninja villages!