"We'll be on Mars in three days." That day, the captain announced on the bridge, "News from the Mars base indicates there are no sandstorms recently, making it suitable for landing."
"Great!" Tenmei jumped up. "I can't wait any longer! Let's land here quickly, build the base as soon as possible, plant the trees, and make Mars a habitable place for ordinary people!"
"Don't rush, Tenmei," Tsubasa said with a smile. "After landing, we'll first go to the Mars base to meet up with the research team, confirm the location of the planting area and the teleportation array, and then let the legion begin construction."
"I know, I know, I'll listen to you." Tenmei waved his hand, but in his heart he was already calculating which squadron should go to Mercury Valley to scout the terrain first.
Three days later, the Firmament One space carrier finally arrived in the airspace above Mars.
When the red planet appeared on the screen in the bridge, everyone stopped what they were doing and crowded to the porthole to look. Mars is smaller than Earth, and the entire planet is red, its surface covered with craters and canyons. The ice cap at the North Pole looks like a white gem set in the red planet.
"That's Mars? It really is all red soil." Tenmei looked at the screen and clicked his tongue. "Even drier than the deserts of the Land of Wind."
"The atmosphere is also very thin, and the surface appears red due to the abundance of hematite," the research team leader explained. "We are now landing on the Black Tortoise plains near the Mars base, which is a natural and suitable landing site."
The captain piloted the Firmament One, slowly approaching Mars. As they drew closer, the details of the Mars surface became clearer—the massive Mercury Valley stretched for thousands of kilometers like a gaping scar; the Black Tortoise plains were covered with black rocks that gleamed coldly in the sunlight; and in the distance, towering mountains reached into the clouds, their peaks shrouded in sandstorms.
"Prepare for landing! Activate the anti-gravity rune system!" the captain's voice rang out.
Pale blue ion flames erupted from the bottom of Firmament One, slowing its descent and allowing it to gently land on the red plain. With a thunderous boom, the moment the super space carrier touched the ground, red dust was kicked up, forming a small sandstorm.
"Landing successful!" A cheer erupted from the bridge.
Tenmei was the first to rush down the suspended ladder. As soon as his feet touched the red Mars soil, he frowned. "Why is this soil so hard? It feels like stepping on stones." He squatted down and scratched the ground with his fingers. The red soil particles were very fine, but as hard as cement.
" The Mars soil is dry, so it's very hard, and it contains a lot of iron oxide, which is why it's red," the research team leader said, following behind with a measuring instrument. "The surface temperature is currently 32 degrees Celsius, and it's still rising. It will drop to below -100 degrees Celsius tonight, so everyone please take care to keep warm."
Tsubasa and Princess Kaguya descended the suspended stairs. Tian Yu stood beside Tsubasa, curiously touching the red soil before quickly withdrawing her hand. "It's so cold, and the soil is so hard, it hurt my hand!"
"Just bear with it, it'll be fine once we get to the base." Tsubasa smiled and rubbed her cheek, then looked up at the Mars base in the distance—a cluster of white buildings surrounded by a transparent protective shield, inside which were green plants, making it look like a greenhouse.
"Let's go, let's meet at the base first." Tenmei waved his hand, instructing the legion's ninjas to keep watch around the landing area, while he led Tsubasa, Princess Kaguya, and several captains toward the Earth Flow.
The gravity on Mars is much weaker than on Earth, making walking feel light and easy, and you can jump very high with just a little effort. After walking for about half an hour, they arrived at the base entrance. A gap opened in the protective shield, and a researcher in a white lab coat ran out with an excited smile on his face, " Immortal Venerable Tsubasa, we've finally waited for you! I am the person in charge of the base, Uzumaki Hyōmei."
" Tenmei, commander of the Azure Dragon Corps." Tenmei extended his hand and shook hands with Professor Uzumaki Hyōmei. "How's the situation at the base?"
"Everything is fine, except we're short-handed. The vegetables in the greenhouse are just enough for our own consumption, and the sandstorms have been quite strong lately. The rune shield has had to be repaired several times already." Professor Li led them into the base. "There's oxygen inside, and the temperature has been adjusted to Earth's level, so everyone can relax a bit."
Stepping into the base, the temperature was indeed much warmer, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of vegetables. The researchers at the base all gathered around, looking at Tsubasa and Princess Kaguya with curiosity, especially Princess Kaguya, whose long silver hair and unique aura made everyone want to take a second look.
"Mr. Tsubasa, have you prepared your ironwood seeds? We've already selected a plot of land in Mercury Valley. The underground ice reserves are abundant; once it melts, it can be used as a water source." Professor Li handed Tsubasa a map. "However, the wind and sand there are very strong. There was even a small sandstorm yesterday, so please be careful when you go."
"No problem, my ironwood trees can withstand sandstorms." Tsubasa took the map and examined it carefully. "I'll go over tomorrow and plant a patch to try it out."
"That's wonderful!" Professor Li exclaimed excitedly. "If ironwood can survive on Mars, there's hope for oxygen on Mars, and sooner or later we'll be able to purify the Mars atmosphere."
That evening, a simple welcome party was held at the Mars base. The food consisted of Xiaobai and carrots grown in the greenhouse, as well as various delicacies brought from Blue Star. Although everyone's food was limited, everyone ate very happily, especially the researchers at the research base. After eating compressed food on Mars for many years, they were so excited to finally taste the delicacies of the Shinobi World that they shed tears of joy.
"Starting tomorrow, the legion will split into three parts," Tenmei said to the captains, holding a map. "The first part will follow Immortal Venerable Tsubasa to Mercury Valley to plant trees, protect their safety, and help melt the underground ice. The second part will follow me to build the first military base on Mars. The third part will follow the medical team to set up supply depots and fortifications around the base to protect against sandstorms and other potential dangers."
"Yes!" the captains answered in unison.
Princess Kaguya did not attend the welcome party. After finishing her meal, she left the base alone and headed towards the North Pole. Tsubasa wanted to see her off, but she refused, saying, "I can manage on my own. You've already given me the amulet, so don't worry about me."
Watching Princess Kaguya's figure disappear into the red soil, Tsubasa sighed helplessly, turned around and returned to the base to check the condition of the ironwood seeds with Tian Yu.
The operation officially began early the next morning.
Tsubasa led five hundred ninjas and ten medical-nin towards Mercury Valley. Along the way, they saw many strange rocks, some like pillars and some like mushrooms, all formed by wind and sand erosion.
" Mercury Valley is just ahead," the researcher said, pointing to the distant canyon. "It's very windy inside, so everyone, use Ninjutsu to protect yourselves when you get off the bus."
The group stopped at the mouth of the canyon. Tsubasa, flying in the sky, immediately felt a strong wind—although there was no sandstorm, the wind carried red soil particles that stung their faces. "Everyone, use Earth Release to create a barrier around us to block the sandstorm," Tsubasa shouted.
Five hundred ninjas each performed Hand Seals, " Earth Release: Earth Wall Barrier Technique!" A pale yellow Earth Release barrier unfolded at the mouth of the canyon, blocking the wind and sand, and the temperature inside also rose slightly.
" Tian Yu, help me get the seeds out," Tsubasa said to the Tian Yu on the ground.
Tian Yu took out a box from her spatial ring, containing ironwood tree seeds. The seeds had turned dark green, and the patterns on their surface were even clearer. Tsubasa took the seeds, Hand Seals, and slowly released his Immortal Power: " Senjutsu - Descent of the Tree Realm!"
The pale green Immortal Power enveloped the seeds, and he scattered countless seeds on the crimson earth. As soon as the seeds touched the red soil, they began to sprout immediately—the tender shoots broke through the soil and grew rapidly. In just a few seconds, they grew into trees that were tens of meters tall. The leaves of the trees were dark green and covered with a layer of fine hairs that could block the wind and sand.
" The Senju Clan's Wood Release is amazing!" exclaimed a researcher nearby. "Is this the power of Senjutsu? It can make plants grow so fast!"
"Ironwood trees naturally grow fast, and with the added boost of High Immortal, they can grow to ten meters tall in just three seconds," Tsubasa said with a smile. "However, once the Immortal Power is gone, they'll need water. You'll have to take good care of this forest from now on. Now you can start melting the underground ice."
The ninjas immediately sprang into action. After Hand Seals, they pressed their hands to the ground and unleashed various Ninjutsu! However, they did not release destructive Ninjutsu; instead, they channeled Chakra into the ground to melt the ice. Soon, water seeped from the ground, nourishing the Root of the ironwood tree.
Tsubasa continued to plant ironwood trees on vast stretches, and soon a magnificent ironwood forest stretched across Mars, centered on Mercury Valley.
Meanwhile, construction also began on Tenmei's side. He led more than 10,000 ninjas to build Mars base on the plains near the main base. After the ninjas Hand Seals, they pressed their hands to the ground and chanted " Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart!" One earthen wall after another rose from the ground, forming a huge circle, changing the Mars landscape. Various large buildings sprang up, and a large military base capable of withstanding earthquakes and sandstorms gradually took shape. Meanwhile, the Lightning Release ninjas set up power energy devices in various places, converting Lightning Release Chakra into electrical energy to supply the base's energy. Wind power was used to generate a continuous power supply, and various sealing runes were installed and arranged throughout the base, making the entire base gradually become futuristic and advanced.
"Hurry up! Try to get the first military base built tonight!" Tenmei shouted, joining the construction himself—after Hand Seals, he pressed his hands on the ground, and infrastructure structures rose up one by one.