No wonder Konoha has been able to quickly seize the initiative in various Ninja World Wars, even when the situation was initially unfavorable.

The Byakugan, a Kekkei Genkai with significant strategic meaning, is concentrated solely on Konoha, which indeed incites envy.

"Speaking of Konoha, it seems to be somewhat weakening lately. The once strongest Ninja Village, invincible and unrivaled, feels like it's declining."

The Jonin from the Land of Demons thought about Konoha's current situation and compared it with the Land of Demons, which had gradually grown stronger by leveraging the Third Ninja World War to accumulate technology and resources.

"But it would be better if Konoha continues to decline…"

◎

Smoke curled up.

In the depths of the dense forest, houses were neatly arranged, resembling a small village.

This is the residence of the Hidden Star Village.

There are no protective walls around, and many houses retain a rather old-fashioned style. From the traces, it seems the buildings here haven't been renovated for a long time.

Whether it's the important Ninja School or other facilities like hospitals, the equipment inside is also very outdated.

At the end of the village, a wooden building engraved with the word 'Star' serves as the residence for the Star Shadows of the Hidden Star Village throughout the years.

Currently residing in this house is the Third Hoshikage of the Hidden Star Village.

He sat cross-legged on the cushion, coughing lightly as if suffering from internal injuries.

Whenever he coughed, his elderly and wrinkled face became even paler.

His actions naturally aroused concern from a female Star Ninja nearby.

"Are you alright, Hoshikage-sama?"

She wanted to check the Hoshikage's physical condition, but the Third Hoshikage waved his hand, lacking some vitality.

"It's nothing serious, this old body of mine should still hold up. The power of the 'Star' is becoming increasingly overbearing, and at this rate, my old body won't be able to endure much longer."

The Third Hoshikage's tone was filled with unwillingness.

In the past, Hidden Star Village had made its mark in the Ninja Realm with the power of the 'Star', enjoying a moment of glory.

However, the increase in strength using the 'Star' would harm the human body. A few years ago, a powerful Jonin from their village died as a result of the Chakra's activity surpassing the human body's limits, causing his flesh to deteriorate after using the 'Star'. Since then, the method of using the 'Star' to grow stronger was completely banned by him.

Even Jonin could die suddenly after prolonged contact with the 'Star', not to mention the young ninjas of the new generation in the village.

Due to this reason, the Hidden Star Village's ninja forces weakened drastically, thus withdrawing from the main stage of the Ninja Realm.

This was a strategy of necessity; considering the future of the village over temporary strength was something necessary for a Hoshikage to concern himself with.

"How did it come to this?"

"It's probably the consequence of my prolonged exposure to the 'Star' when I was young."

The Third Hoshikage chuckled bitterly, as a ninja, his talent was actually quite ordinary.

However, by utilizing the 'Star', he could rapidly increase the Chakra within his body. At that time, he desperately integrated the power of the 'Star' into his body, surpassing numerous Jonin in the village.

Now, as he grows older, the alien energy from the 'Star' has completely riddled his body with holes.

He has to endure unimaginable pain day and night.

This is the price of becoming stronger through unscrupulous means.

"Is there no treatment for this?"

"It's useless, Natsuhi. Didn't your husband Hotarubi's death prove everything? A body corroded by the 'Star' cannot be treated with Medical Ninjutsu."

The female Jonin from Hidden Star Village named Natsuhi fell silent a little, her fists slightly clenched.

Years ago, her husband was the Jonin of Hidden Star Village, who died because his flesh atrophied and shriveled due to excessive exposure to the power of the 'Star'.

He was supposed to be the successor of the next Hoshikage, trusted by everyone in Hidden Star Village.

Because of the negative impact of this incident, the Third Hoshikage made the painful decision to ban all Hidden Star Village ninjas from coming into contact with the 'Star'.

Today, the 'Star' has been sealed by the Third Hoshikage, preventing anyone from accessing it.

"I understand, but we still need to be cautious of other people in the village. Recently, I've noticed some unusual places in the village."

Natsuhi sighed, then her expression became solemn with meaningful intent.

"Are you referring to Akahoshi?"

The Third Hoshikage seemed to know who Natsuhi was cautioning against.

Akahoshi is currently one of the foremost Jonin of Hidden Star Village, and an outstanding Jonin who has cultivated the village's secret technique—the Mysterious Peacock Method—to a high level.

But in his eyes, the Third Hoshikage only sees ambition and power.

Therefore, during the high-level meetings of Hidden Star Village this year, Akahoshi repeatedly proposed lifting the seal on the 'Star', allowing all the village's ninjas to once again acquire power from it.

But the proposal was outright rejected by the Third Hoshikage.

Since as a Hoshikage, one cannot only focus on immediate benefits while disregarding the life and death of the village's next generation, letting them become sacrifices to the 'Star'.

Though the 'Star' can bring tremendous power, its strengthening brings one closer to death.

The Third Hoshikage hopes this tragedy will not occur again within Hidden Star Village.

There have been so many tragedies involving the 'Star' over the years.

Especially figures like Akahoshi, a Jonin full of ambition, must be guarded against. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Yes, as far as I know, he's recently been involved with…"