"Boom--"
A deafening roar tore through the clouds above Konoha. A giant, silver-white steel ship hovered a hundred meters in the air. The wingspan extending from both sides of the ship was wider than the entire Hokage Rock. The four large, gold-plated characters " Firmament One " on the ship gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the pale blue ion flames emitted from the stern made the grass on the ground bend over.
"Everyone, stand still! Azure Dragon Corps, line up and board the ship!"
The roar of Tenmei, the commander of the Azure Dragon Army, exploded with Chakra. Wearing a black outfit and a red cloak embroidered with Azure Dragon dragon's head, he stood with one foot on the bottom of the boarding ladder, his right hand resting on his katana at his waist. His gaze swept over the neatly lined-up ninja below. The entire force of over 20,000 was utterly silent, save for the clatter of ninja boots on the metal ladder. Each ninja bore the dual emblems of Konoha and the Azure Dragon Corps on their foreheads. These Azure Dragon Corps warriors were at least Jonin. With the popularization of Shinobi World education and the open dissemination of research, pharmaceuticals, and Ninjutsu, Jonin- level Chakra was now Shinobi World. Elites were Kage Level and Super Kage Level, geniuses were Immortal Level, and super geniuses were all striving for the High Immortal Level, yearning for the Golden Core Immortal Venerable Level.
"First Squadron, Wind Release ninjas, board first and be responsible for maintaining order on board!"
"Second Squadron, Lightning Release ninjas, pack your equipment and conduct a final pre-departure check of the energy bay wiring and all sealing facilities!"
"The medical team will bring up the rear, distributing the Chakra -nourishing medicine into portable scrolls! Ensuring the soldiers' physical condition and medical support."
As Tenmei shouted out commands, he patted the shoulder of a burly man carrying a giant axe beside him. " Senju Jirō, when we get to Mars, don't just focus on eating. Use your Earth Release to reinforce the base's foundation, you hear me?"
The chubby guy called Senju Jirō scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, "I know, Commander Mei, but the research team said the temperature on Mars is low, I wonder if we can roast sweet potatoes there..."
"If you dare mention food again, I'll throw you off the ship!" Tenmei laughed and kicked him. He looked up and saw three figures walking in the distance. He immediately stopped joking and raised his hand to signal the team to stop boarding.
Tsubasa walked in the middle, the hem of his white battle armor cloak swaying gently in the wind. Tian Yu clung to his arm, chatting and laughing. A large, emerald-green Katsuyu perched on Tian Yu's shoulder, its Katsuyu occasionally brushing against her cheek, as if whispering secrets. Beside Tian Yu, Princess Kaguya wore a simple, plain-colored long dress, her long silver hair cascading to her waist. Her steps were so light they seemed to be walking on clouds. Passing ninjas instinctively held their breath, not daring to release their Chakra —it was a reverence etched into their blood.
" Commander Mei Ming, let the team continue boarding the ship. Don't delay the departure time." Tsubasa waved with a smile, his voice carrying a gentle Chakra fluctuation, which relaxed the tense atmosphere around him.
Tenmei nodded, but couldn't help glancing at Princess Kaguya and Tian Yu a few more times. He lowered his voice and asked Tsubasa, "Big brother... are they really going to Mars together? I heard that this ancestor's goal is the tomb of the Ōtsutsuki Ōshiki on Mars. After more than a thousand years, can it still be found? Is that place reliable?"
"More reliable than you." Princess Kaguya's voice suddenly broke in, her gaze sweeping indifferently over Tenmei. "Don't use your limited perspective to judge the strength of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. Once we reach Mars, you just need to focus on your own tasks."
Tenmei was taken aback and was about to retort when Tsubasa pulled him back. "Alright, alright, little brother, the legion is waiting to board the ship." Tsubasa patted Tian Yu's hand. " Tian Yu, once we're on the ship, help the medical team check the prescriptions for those herbal medicines. The environment on Mars is unique; ordinary warming medicines might not work. Keep an eye on the soldiers' health."
"No problem, Father~" Tian Yu's voice was soft as she leaned against Tsubasa's arm, "But the wind and sand on Mars are strong, won't they mess up my hair?"
"No, I'll use Senjutsu to create a protective shield for you." Tsubasa smiled and ruffled her hair, then turned to Tenmei and said, "Let's go to the bridge first. We need to confirm the coordinates of the Mars base with the Mars research team before setting sail."
The three of them walked up the suspended stairs. The passageway inside the ship was spacious enough to accommodate dozens of people walking side by side. Various data were displayed on the screens on both sides. Researchers wearing white research coats hurried past. When they saw Princess Kaguya, they were all stunned for a moment, then quickly lowered their heads and quickened their pace.
"The research team said they've already grown various vegetables like Xiaobai and carrots at the Mars base, but the yield is too low; it can only supply the researchers themselves." Tsubasa looked at the greenhouse photos on the screen. "I don't know if the cold- and storm-resistant ironwood seed varieties I cultivated can withstand the harsh Mars environment. Once we get to Mars, we just need to plant them and use Senjutsu to accelerate germination, but we'll have to find a good place to plant them first."
" Mars is all red soil, where's the good place?" Tenmei followed behind, frowning. "Besides, the daytime temperature is over thirty degrees Celsius, and the nighttime low can drop to over minus one hundred degrees Celsius. Even if you used Senjutsu to modify plants, can they withstand such temperature changes?"
"Ironwood trees are originally plants from the deserts of the Land of Wind. They are very resistant to temperature differences, and with my Senjutsu enhancement, there won't be any problems." Tsubasa stopped and pointed to a Mars map on the screen. "This is Mercury Valley. There is underground ice at the bottom of the canyon, which can be used as a water source after it melts. Moreover, the canyon can block some of the wind and sand, making it suitable for establishing the first tree-planting area."
Princess Kaguya suddenly stopped, her gaze falling on a photograph in the corner of the screen—the ice cap of Mars' north pole, with a black rock edged with strange patterns. "That's the direction of the Ōshiki tombs," she said, her voice lower than usual. " The Ōtsutsuki's tombs are all built on the planet's energy nodes, and Mars ' energy node is beneath the north pole ice cap."
"Energy nodes? Are they related to the will of the planet?" Tsubasa asked.
"Hmm." Princess Kaguya nodded. "Our Ōtsutsuki Clan plants trees to extract the planet's essence, which requires finding an energy node first. However, it's not the right time yet. You all build the base first, and I'll go to the North Pole myself."
"No!" Tenmei immediately objected. "The environment on Mars is too dangerous. Even if you are Princess Kaguya, it's not safe for you to go to the North Pole alone. At least two squadrons should be sent with you!"
"No need," Princess Kaguya said calmly. "My affairs are none of your concern."
"But—" Tenmei wanted to say more, but Tsubasa stopped him. "Little brother, let's not talk about this now, it's almost time to set sail." Tsubasa said to Princess Kaguya, "The temperature in the Arctic is much lower than in other places, I've prepared a Senjutsu amulet for you, it can protect you from the wind, sand and low temperatures, take it."
He took out a talisman drawn with Immortal Power runes from his pocket and handed it to Princess Kaguya. Princess Kaguya looked at the talisman, then at Tsubasa, remained silent for a few seconds, and finally reached out to take it and put it in her pocket.
Inside the bridge, the captain was speaking with the ground command center. Upon seeing the three enter, he immediately stood up. " Immortal Venerable Tsubasa, Kaguya, Commander Mei, everything is ready, and we are awaiting departure."
"Let's set sail." Tsubasa nodded.
The captain pressed the button, and a clear voice came over the loudspeaker. "Attention all personnel, Firmament One is about to set sail, destination Mars, estimated journey time thirty days. All personnel, please return to your cabins, fasten your seatbelts, and refrain from practicing Ninjutsu within the space carrier to avoid interfering with the ship's rune energy system."
"Buzz--"
A tremendous roar resounded again, and the massive ship slowly rose into the air. The scenery on the ground grew smaller and smaller until it became a blue planet. Tsubasa walked to the porthole and watched the Blue Star gradually disappear into the distance, feeling a sense of emotion—this was his first time visiting a completely unfamiliar planet.
"What are you thinking about?" Tian Yu walked to his side, pointing to the starry sky outside the window. "There are so many stars, much brighter than the stars in the Shinobi World at night."
"I'm thinking about the Shinobi World," Tsubasa said softly. "What if something happens to the Shinobi World after we leave?"
"We have Tenchu and Mother, and the Seven Kage too. They're all very strong ninjas," Tian Yu said softly. "And Father, didn't you say that once the Ultra-Long-Distance Space Teleportation Array is built, we can go back anytime?"
"Yes, that's right, but setting up Ultra-Long-Distance Space Teleportation Array will take more than half a year." Tsubasa smiled and rubbed Tian Yu's cheek.
Tenmei walked to the porthole, looked at the starry sky outside, and suddenly laughed, "I never thought I'd be able to go to space one day, and even station troops on Mars. If this happened during the Warring States period, nobody would believe it." He patted Tsubasa on the shoulder, "Big brother, once you've built the space teleportation array, I'll be the first to bring my family to Mars, so they can see the red soil of Mars."
"If your family comes, can they withstand the Mars environment?" Tsubasa asked with a smile.
"If you can't handle it, use Ninjutsu to protect yourself. As my family, how could you not have seen space and Mars?" Tenmei said confidently.
Princess Kaguya didn't come closer. She stood in the corner of the bridge, looking at the starry sky outside the window with a complicated expression. No one knew what she was thinking; only the amulet in her pocket occasionally emitted a faint fluctuation of Immortal Power.
For the next month, Firmament One sailed smoothly and at high speed through space. Life on board was very structured. The ninjas trained in Taijutsu every day to adapt to the weightless environment, the medical team worked with the Tian Yu to adjust the formulas for various medicinal soups, and the research team contacted the Mars base daily to confirm the latest environmental data.
Every day, Tsubasa would nurture the ironwood tree seeds with his Immortal Power. Under the blessing of the Immortal Power, the seeds slowly turned pale green, and fine Immortal Power patterns appeared on their surface. Tian Yu, on the other hand, would check the ninjas' bodies with the medical team every day, occasionally complaining that the air inside the ship was too dry and not as comfortable as on Earth.
Every day, Tenmei would walk around the various cabins to check on the soldiers' condition. Sometimes he would train with them, and occasionally he would chat with the researchers, asking about things on Mars. What he cared about most was the Mars sandstorms. Every time the researchers mentioned that a sandstorm could cover the entire planet and last for months, he would frown and ponder what kind of Ninjutsu could be used to resist such a natural disaster.
Princess Kaguya spends most of her time in her cabin, occasionally going to the bridge to check navigation data, but more often she sits by the window, gazing at the starry sky, lost in thought. She only speaks a few words when Tsubasa and Tian Yu come to see her.