Main World.
Winter, Year 28 of Konoha.
Mechanical Star, orbital shipyard.
The fleet set out.
Over a thousand interstellar warships streamed out of the orbital shipyard, their silver-white hulls gleaming coldly in the sunlight. The flagship, Lord of All Mechanisms, led the way, its ten-kilometer hull resembling a moving city of steel. Gun barrels bristled across it, carrier aircraft stood in formation on the deck, and marines waited inside. The fleet's destination-Iron Remains Star. At the coordinates Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had provided, it was the Life Planet closest to Mechanical Star. Though called a "Life Planet," it was actually nearly dead. Its chakra had been harvested too many times, its surface was covered in metal debris, and its native organisms were almost extinct. Only mechanical life-forms, cyborg tribes, and the Scavenger Alliance remained. There was no unified government, only survival of the strongest. Lost advanced technology lay hidden in the remnants of ancient interstellar wars. Its metal resources were inexhaustible, but rampaging war machines and mechanical viruses capable of corroding flesh and mechs were everywhere.
Sasori stood on the flagship's bridge. His 2.2-meter frame looked small before the enormous viewport, but there was light in his eyes. Not "radiance," but "data." Iron Remains Star's coordinates, terrain, ecology, civilizations, distinctive features, dangers-every set of data streamed through his mechanical eyes. This planet was the first stop in the Empire's expansion. Not the richest, not the strongest, not the most important. But it was the "closest."
"Three days until we reach Iron Remains Star," Tiegu's voice came from behind him. "The fleet's speed is steady. Energy reserves are sufficient, and ammunition is fully stocked."
Sasori nodded.
"Notify Yutian. We land in three days."
Tiegu lowered his head. "Yes."
Three days later.
In orbit above Iron Remains Star.
The fleet arrived.
Over a