Menma watched the direction Yakushi Kabuto had disappeared, a solemn glint flickering in his eyes. Closing the door behind him, he returned to the dim room and approached the table. There, he unrolled the scroll Kabuto had tossed to him before leaving.
As his eyes scanned the contents, Menma's expression darkened.
It was a complete outline of the Konoha Crush Plan—the joint invasion strategy devised by the Hidden Sound and the Hidden Sand.
Everything was there.
The covert alliance between the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and Orochimaru.
The scheduled full transformation of Gaara into Shukaku.
The infiltration paths prepared for the elite Suna and Oto forces already hidden near Konoha.
The exact timing of their coordinated surprise attack.
This scroll recorded every essential piece of the operation.
"So this is how you're trying to restrain me… Orochimaru-san."
A faint malicious chakra shimmered across Menma's brow as his thoughts grew darker.
An invitation he had not expected.
One that clearly deviated from his original plans.
Originally, Menma intended to slip away from Konoha amidst the chaos and observe the village's downfall from afar. He had no interest in who triumphed or perished—not even Orochimaru. That man would not die easily.
But now, whether he liked it or not, he was being dragged into this grand "feast."
"Well… that's fine. I'll at least put on a spectacular performance before I leave."
Exhaling slowly, Menma looked toward the pitch-black night beyond his window and clenched his fist.
Meanwhile…
In a concealed region several kilometers away from the Hidden Leaf, Kabuto Yakushi—having left Menma behind—arrived at a rocky formation with practiced familiarity. Behind the boulders lay a hidden entrance.
Descending the cold, narrow staircase, he reached the lowest chamber.
Only a single oil lamp illuminated the underground room.
Orochimaru stood amidst his forbidden research, utterly absorbed.
Severed limbs, preserved organs, and bloodstained tools lay scattered across the experiment table. Any ordinary person would collapse or vomit at the sight.
But Yakushi Kabuto simply approached calmly.
Scenes like this had long become routine for him. After spending ten years as Orochimaru's most trusted assistant, witnessing the core of Orochimaru's experiments—human experimentation aimed at achieving stronger power and immortality—was nothing new.
Kabuto did not speak immediately. Orochimaru despised interruptions. Instead, he stepped beside him and began assisting wordlessly.
Only once the final preparations were complete did Orochimaru pick up a towel and casually wipe away the blood splashed across his face and hands. His slit-pupiled eyes turned toward Kabuto.
"Kabuto… well? How did it go?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Sunagakure has confirmed their plan to unleash Shukaku at the designated time. They have also agreed to deploy several thousand elite troops to the predetermined location. However, they still question whether we can ensure their forces successfully infiltrate the outskirts of Konoha."
After a brief pause, Kabuto continued in a composed tone.
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, a trace of scorn flickering in his serpentine eyes.
"Sand is the same as always. They lost their backbone over a decade ago. But it doesn't matter. As long as they follow the plan. When necessary, reveal only what is needed. I will speak with the Fourth Kazekage again."
His mocking smile widened.
Sand had lost all three of the previous Great Ninja Wars, weakening themselves further each time.
Once, the gap among the Five Great Villages—aside from Konoha—was minimal.
But now?
Sunagakure had fallen far behind.
Yet Orochimaru preferred it that way. A strong ally would be… inconvenient.
This was why he chose the Hidden Sand instead of the far stronger Kumogakure or Iwagakure—both of whom were, in recent years, rapidly approaching Konoha's level.
Kabuto bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
"And what of the other matter?" Orochimaru asked, his tone sharpening. "Did our other ally agree to participate?"
Menma.
In Orochimaru's mind, Menma's value far outweighed that of Sunagakure.
The boy's potential—and what Orochimaru might eventually gain from him—was too significant.
Kabuto nodded.
"As you predicted, Lord Orochimaru, Menma-kun did not reject the offer, though he remains cautious."
"Oh? Cautious?" Orochimaru tilted his head. "Tell me."
Kabuto relayed their earlier conversation with precise detail.
Orochimaru's smile deepened, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips.
"Hahaha… a reasonable reaction. But as long as he joins us, that is enough. Then place Menma-kun with you during the operation, Kabuto. Allow him to shine… especially in front of my beloved teacher."
He licked his lips again.
"I can't wait to see the expression on Hiruzen-sensei's face."
Kabuto bowed once more.
"As you wish, Lord Orochimaru."
The pieces were moving.
Every force was now in motion.
And in the Hidden Leaf Village—after more than a decade of peace—disaster once again crept silently toward its heart.
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