While Sasuke was being trained by Sato Sayun, Uchiha Hikari, who should originally have been training him, was sitting inside the Land of Stars' administrative building, attending a military meeting.
The vast conference room was located at the very top of the administrative building. A huge floor-to-ceiling window let sunlight pour in unobstructed, illuminating the entire room until it was bright and clear.
The sunlight first fell on the seat in the center that symbolized the supreme authority of the Land of Stars, then spread forward, lighting up the long tables arranged in two rows and every person seated behind them.
At that moment, Menma, dressed in a black formal suit, sat upright in the ruler's seat. His posture was casual, one hand propping up his cheek while the other tapped lightly and rhythmically against the armrest.
On Menma's right sat civilian officials such as Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Fuka, Oyashiro En, Gota, and Miroku.
On Menma's left sat military ninjas such as Uchiha Hikari, Uchiha Shisui, Izumi Uchiha, Inabi Uchiha, Hizashi Hyuga, and Kisame Hoshigaki.
Even Gato, Kakuzu, and Yakushi Nonō were seated below, either occupying prominent positions among the many officials attending the meeting or heading a department of their own.
Even Orochimaru had sent a Shadow Clone to sit in. At that moment, it was seated in a corner, observing Menma at the highest seat with great interest, its golden pupils filled with excitement and curiosity over the Fourth Shinobi World War that was about to erupt.
Namikaze Minato stood up, holding a list as he reported to Menma, "After more than half a month of mobilization, all departments of the Land of Stars and the government offices of each county have completed preliminary wartime mobilization. Military armed forces such as the Star Ninja Army, the Konoha Military