Main World.
Year 29 of Konoha, spring.
Above Iron Remains Star, in orbit.
Several months had passed. Iron Remains Star was still Iron Remains Star-gray-brown earth, native soil covered in metal fragments, and mountains of enormous abandoned machines and Starship wreckage. But some things had changed.
The Empire's Flag stood atop the highest ruins, a red sun on white, with a golden character for "abundance" embroidered in the center. The temporary camp stretched beneath it, growing from a cluster of tents into a military base with alloy walls, watchtowers, barracks, warehouses, and repair shops. The recruitment station had been removed. Not because no one came, but because those who came had already joined the army. Fifty thousand. This had not been "conscription," but "selection." Fifty thousand had been selected from hundreds of thousands of the Machine Race, cyborgs, and scavengers. Those who could fight, obey orders, and showed potential. As for the rest, those meant to mine mined, those meant to repair repaired, and those meant to farm farmed. Iron Remains Star did not need everyone to be a soldier. It needed everyone to work.
Toyotomi Yinglang stood on the bridge of the flagship Lord of All Mechanisms, his moon-white Kariginu gleaming coldly in the light filtering through the viewport. He held a thick report, his gaze moving slowly across the pages. Everything Iron Remains Star had contributed to the Empire over the past few months was written there.
"We recovered twenty-three pieces of black technology. Seven are intact and usable, while sixteen are damaged and awaiting repair." Sasori's voice came from behind him. "Of the seven intact pieces, two are weapons, three are energy devices, and two are armor materials. The sixteen damaged pieces will take time to repair, but they're no less valuable than the intact ones."
A