Dreams & Hopes
Book I - Stitch by Stitch
Chapter 7 - A New Order in the Leaf
Minato and Kushina looked at the full meeting room, filled with many clan heads, but also some ninja without a clan origin.
The talk and relaxation lifted into a professional air, as the Sandaime and his advisor, Kagetora Menma, entered the large and simple room.
Minato now carefully observed the Kagetora, after having found out about his bingo book entry, which was so much more disturbing than his own had been in the past…
"Kagetora Menma/ Rank - SS/ Threat assessment- Do Not Engage Under Any Circumstances!/ Affiliation- Konohagakure no Sato/ Skill assessment- only a full ANBU squadron of S-rank shinobi could defeat him./ Specialization- S+ ranked in Fuinjutsu and Kenjutsu, as well as an S-rank in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, with a natural immunity against Genjutsu, he is by far, the most dangerous shinobi in the elemental nations, as currently stands./ Kagetora Menma is the leader of the Zero Hour Division. He is also the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins. A Konoha elite group, which, while still recruiting, will house 21 mid S-rank to full SS-rank ninja, currently there are 7 confirmed commanders in the unit, Menma being the highest ranking one, as its leader./ Appearance - Menma is 14 years old, with facial scaring from fire, white hair, one golden-yellow eye and a puppet mechanic arm, as well as both legs. Menma also caries a blood red Katana, marked with his insignia, the seventh dragon./ Nicknames - Konoha's White Dragon/ The First Sin/ Dragon Priest of Wrath/ Wrath Eater/ Crimson Blade God/"
To hear of such power and prestige, the one he deemed a child, was far from such!
Menma, sat in the designated seat for a member of the Zero Hour Division.
"Welcome, council members, to the official, monthly meeting, we shall now hold full discussion on all village matters."
Menma leaned back into his chair, his black arm reflecting light, as well as giving him a truly imposing presence, this only magnified by his golden eye, and the eye patch that hid his missing one.
"What shall be the first order of business, my fellow councilors?"
Akimichi Chouza made a simple motion, gaining the attention of the entire room.
"The new police force has proven excellently formed and balanced, as we have managed to capture, all together, over a hundred and sixty spies."
Massive murmurs were held with this, and Menma nodded in content, even if he was bothered by the proof of previous bad handling and leadership.
"Has the information division, managed to acquire their loyalty and home village of the spies?"
Inoichi smirked confidently, posture proud.
"Yes, Menma! We have acquired the origin of each spy. Most of them, were from Kumo and Iwa, a very small amount was from Kiri, a staggering amount was from the newly formed Oto and an equal staggering number, came from Taki!"
Minato, was at first appalled at the sheer number of spies, as well as the disrespect shown to the Kagetora.
"Execute the spies, send only their heads, after careful inspection, back to their respective villages, with a message that spies might have once entered, but not anymore, and that there is no use lying in that spies they are not."
Menma spoke calmly, leading to the Yamanaka head nodding in acceptance.
"How has the new ANBU training and exchange program proven itself, Ibiki?"
The scared man leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"Like a wet dream of a teenage crush, Menma. The efficiency of our ANBU is up by 47%, and we haven't had a single death case in this and the previous month, as well!"
Everyone was deeply satisfied with the answer. Menma especially, seemed pleased.
"That is excellent news, Ibiki! Remind me that I owe you a drink for your help in the matter."
The man chuckled at Menma's relaxed banter, and nodded his acceptance to the reward.
Minato and Kushina immediately noticed that no one in the meeting used a suffix, yet it was not for disrespect, rather it was to make them all stand as equals.
"How has the new seal been working out? Have you been able to speed up the crop growth with it?" Menma's voice asked smoothly, his eye glowing in interest.
Chouza smiled widely as him and Aburame Shibi leaned forward, being the leaders of the Agricultural subdivision of the Food & Supply division.
"I still feel the need to congratulate you on the success of growing crops in Konoha, without insulting anyone of the Daimiyo court, especially the young noble of the Ksaige house."
Shibi said that with easy to hear awe, and Menma had to grin in pride.
"Thank you, Shibi, I am quite proud of that particular achievement."
Minato was shocked when he heard of that achievement, as he had attempted the same, only to miserably fail upon the noble.
He carefully listened on, intent on hearing what the seal was and did.
"As the council is aware, the seal I am talking about, is the newly created crop manipulation seal…" A screen was lowered, before on it was displayed the basic data and seal.
"The crop manipulation seal, or CMS for short, is a simple seal that I designed with the limited knowledge I possessed of nature chakra."
With a small pulse of chakra, the image shifted into a wall of text.
"Since the first blueprint of the seal, I have managed to acquire additional data from Jiraiya and the elder toad sages."
Another spike of chakra, and the image changed into a new seal image.
"The final form of the CMS. My greatest creation of non-war technology. A seal that naturally speeds up the growth of any plant life, by a minimum of three times original value, under same circumstances."
Menma rose, moving to stand in front of the screen.
"With this seal, Konoha will be able to speed up herb and crop production by 300%, without any loss in quality of aforementioned crops and herbs."
Immediately, one council member leaned forward.
"Menma, wouldn't such a speed up lead to issues with ground and nutrients in it?"
Menma smirked at that, always pleased when he could prove his worth.
"That is true, Omori. Such handling of the earth, would normally be counterproductive, but I am far from someone who doesn't think things through."
He spiked his chakra, and the image changed again.
"In Suna, they use a special jutsu for their public toilets, in order to deposit the excrement deep under the ever shifting sand. This is needed, as the sand shift normally reveals anything buried in the desert, and that isn't something that should be seen."
A chuckle passed through the entirety of the room.
"For a small favor and a discount, I have managed to acquire the jutsu for Konoha, and combining it with the up till this point used jutsu…'
Menma spiked his chakra again, revealing a detailed graph and explanation of the new jutsu.
'…And I have so, created a new, earth nutrient enforcing jutsu. It easily and safely allows nutrient infusion into even the most barren and rocky of soils."
Immediately, the entire room was in deep discussion, except for Ibiki.
"This jutsu could allow for peace talks between Konoha and Iwa, may I ask why there has been no attempted contact on the matter?"
Menma sighed, rubbing his exposed eye, before giving Ibiki a look of utter sadness.
"Unfortunately, the moment Iwa found out about the jutsu, they completely ignored all usage of agricultural value, and immediately jumped into discussion of how to use the jutsu to infuse poison into the earth and turn this place into a wasteland."
Heads were shaken in disappointment, and many were visibly angry.
"People are dying of starvation and malnutrition! They haven't grown their own crops since the Shodaime Tsuchikage! And Onoki still thinks only in the military aspect of all?!"
Inoichi was visibly livid, didn't help that his wife's family originated from Iwa…
Confusing, given their high lightning affinity.
"I understand your anger, Inoichi-san. I am personally infuriated by the arrogance and stupidity harming the citizens of Iwa… But it is not our choice, what is done there."
Grumbling was all that was heard from the council.
"There must be a way to reduce tension between us and Iwa! Maybe a trade agreement for cheaper food for clay?"
Menma looked at Chouza as he gave his thought, and seemed deep in thought.
"Your idea has merit, Chouza… but it will require some planning and time."
Calm and relaxed, the air in the room, was back there.
"Next is the first results of the new academy system and curriculum."
Immediately, the wall of data changed, revealing new information.
"It has currently been four months since the new curriculum, and already in the first month, there were some very noticeable changes. The academy students of year one are already in skill level, teamwork level, and overall assessment, above the previous systems year six."
This visibly surprised everyone, as they talked amongst each other.
"This has also led to a new balancing system, as first calculations show, that these year one's, when they graduate, will be on the same level as our current fresh Chuunin."
This had many people flabbergasted, as they couldn't comprehend the massive leap in skill that meant.
"Of course, this was balanced with the new psych evals that will be officially made mandatory…"
Menma nodded, happy that now there wouldn't be any more Danzo's and such in the shinobi lines.
"I am impressed with that astonishing data. I will have to hold a meeting with Hatake Kakashi, Maito Gai, Yuuhi Kurenai, Gekko Hayate and Umino Iruka. As they helped create the new academy curriculum."
Minato noticed Menma frown, and it even looked like he would speak up to contradict the Hokage, but fell silent.
"Alright, we talked about the agricultural advancement, counter espionage and new curriculum, it is time we discuss the most prominent issue."
Menma looked irritated, before nodding.
"As I have mentioned before, our medical situation is down in the recesses of hell. We have almost no combat medics, and our regular medics are at most, there in case of the sniffles."
Menma was brutally honest, and visibly irritated.
"Has the attempt to remedy that, helped at all?"
Menma visibly wanted to chew the Sandaime out, but withstood.
"I am sorry, Hokage-sama… The preemptive measures have proven almost completely useless."
The Sandaime gave a long, tired sigh. "Alright. I know you have pointed out an obvious solution to the issue. I am also aware that my personal issues with the solution have dragged this out."
The Sandaime slowly filled his pipe, before lighting it.
"You were right, only Tsunade herself can repair our medical branch and hospital…"
Taking a deep pull, he leaned back, and looked out the window in remorse.
"I officially give you permission to retrieve Tsunade, and bring her back to Konoha, by all means necessary."
Minato felt nervous at hearing that, remembering his attempt to keep Tsunade in Konoha…
His bones still twinged with pain, whenever he remembered that.
Menma nodded, before extracting the new file, the image shifting behind him.
"As you are all aware, shortly after the reinstating of the Hokage law, the village became home to many clans from the now genocide and racism infested land of water. I have hidden these fugitives of unjust prosecution, and now they are clans Konoha proudly displays, one of them a commander of one of the divisions, the Foxes sin of Greed, Momochi Zabuza. The many clans are happily living and calling this home, now, a proof of our new systems and laws, a proof of our hard work.'
Many of those seated, beamed in pride and happiness, obviously involved in all of the grand changes of Konoha.
'And we will not stop growing and improving, we have only just started the long process of making Konoha into the most beautiful and exquisite village that is in the elemental nations. We shall not stop until Konoha is a village of peace, and untouchable prosperity,
FOR THE GLORY OF KONOHA! WITHOUT WAR, ONLY WITH PEACE!"
Everyone rose, faces full of pride, as they struck at their chest, speaking loudly and clearly.
"FOR THE GLORY OF KONOHA!"
Menma stretched his neck, feeling the stress buildup release.
"I seriously need a couple of days in the 'tank'."
His posture relaxed even more when a new voice cut in.
"Nii-san!"
Menma turned to the child's voice, his eye glowing with happiness, and he easily caught the six year old missile, before placing her on his lap, beaming at her.
"Hello, my dear. How was the academy today?"
The small, white haired and golden eyed, girl beamed at him.
"So cool! Konohamaru found out he has a wind and fire element! He will soon start the level one exercises!"
Menma nearly winced at the loud volume of his sister, before he shook it off, migraine would not stop him from enjoying his sisters presence.
"That sounds incredible, my little white tigress. What were your elements?"
She seemed a bit disappointed, and ashamed, which confused Menma.
"I…I'm a water and lightning type."
Menma immediately understood.
"My little tigress, there is no need to be ashamed of your elements. Just because we do not share the same ones, does not mean we aren't still family!"
With those words, he kissed his sister's forehead lovingly, before giving her a dazzling smile.
Kushina was nervous at being summoned to the Hokage's office, and was now in the waiting room, expecting the Hokage's summons. "No need for the nerves, Kushina-sama. From what I managed to hear, Hokage-sama wanted to give you an employment offer."
Kushina immediately felt more relaxed, and smiled widely at the secretary.
"Kushina-san, would you kindly enter?"
The voice of the Sandaime sounded somewhat exhausted, but still strong.
"Hello, Kushina-chan. How are you doing? I hope this meeting didn't cut in with family time?"
Kushina was surprised by the slightly more warm welcome, but didn't question it.
"All is right… May I ask why you invited me, Hokage-sama?"
And with those words, the Sandaime pulled out a file…
"There is an opening in Menma's subdivision…"
-AN-
Holy crickets...
Chappie is up, rights still go to Masashi Kishimoto.
And I am still your friendly neighborhood writer, Nicholai Black.
