"Going out to find someone? If I'm not mistaken, Orochimaru-sama should be planning to look for Tsunade-sama, right?"
Menma looked at Orochimaru with a faint, knowing smile as he spoke.
"Indeed, nothing escapes Menma-kun's eyes," Orochimaru replied, narrowing his snake-like pupils slightly before smiling. "But don't misunderstand me, Menma-kun. It's not that I distrust you. There are simply certain matters that I must personally confirm with Tsunade."
"That's fine," Menma answered calmly. "As long as Orochimaru-sama acknowledges the contents of our transaction, what you choose to do afterward is naturally your own freedom, isn't it?"
Orochimaru's explanation—
Menma did not believe a single word of it.
But that did not matter.
Between people like them, genuine trust did not exist. If it did, it would be nothing more than the biggest joke in the shinobi world.
"Haha, that's reassuring to hear," Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Then how about it? Does Menma-kun have any interest in meeting Tsunade together with me? If fortune smiles upon us, my former teammate might even share some of her research. That could be of great help to Menma-kun."
Menma's eyes narrowed slightly.
But only for a moment.
The next second, he smiled casually and shook his head.
"No. I won't go. Over the next few days, I also need to go out. I have some matters of my own that need to be dealt with."
"Oh?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow faintly. "Menma-kun also intends to leave Otogakure at this time? That may not be very appropriate, don't you think?"
Orochimaru's tone was mild, but the meaning behind it was unmistakable.
Menma's expression instantly cooled.
"Why? Does Orochimaru-sama intend to restrict my freedom now?" Menma said slowly, his gaze turning sharp. "That would be quite different from what we agreed upon earlier, wouldn't it?"
He and Orochimaru were collaborators—nothing more.
Menma was willing to cooperate, even tolerate certain constraints in the short term, in exchange for resources and support.
But being completely controlled—
That was something Menma would never allow.
It wasn't merely a matter of practicality.
It was a line he would never cross.
The pressure around him subtly changed.
Chakra that was restrained but not released spread outward in faint ripples, carrying a sharp, dangerous edge.
Kabuto Yakushi, who had personally witnessed Menma kill Shiranui Genma without hesitation, felt that familiar aura again. His body stiffened unconsciously, and his expression became more serious than ever.
Orochimaru, however, remained calm.
"Why would Menma-kun think that?" Orochimaru replied with a light smile. "I'm quite satisfied with our cooperative relationship—at least for now. I merely wish to remind you that the shinobi world is far from peaceful at the moment. Not only Konoha, but Kumogakure and Iwagakure have also begun to move. And as far as I know…"
Orochimaru paused deliberately.
"Their target is you, Menma-kun."
He looked straight at Menma.
"The reason for that—I believe Menma-kun understands very well."
"Oh? So that's what this is about?"
Menma nodded slowly, as if suddenly enlightened, then chuckled softly.
"In that case, it seems I truly misunderstood Orochimaru-sama. Rest assured, I've already considered these issues. I won't be going far—just taking care of a small matter."
"I see," Orochimaru said. "That's good, then. Still, I advise Menma-kun to be careful. This stronghold will be abandoned soon, so it would be best if you returned as early as possible."
His words sounded casual—
But the warning within them was unmistakable.
"I understand," Menma replied indifferently. "It will only take a few days. I might even return before Orochimaru-sama does. Besides, we still have other means of contact, don't we?"
"Haha. As long as Menma-kun knows what he's doing, that's enough," Orochimaru said, nodding slowly. "Then I shall wish Menma-kun smooth travels."
"I'll accept Orochimaru-sama's good wishes," Menma replied, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Not long after, Orochimaru turned and departed, taking Kabuto Yakushi with him.
As Menma watched Orochimaru's retreating figure, a faint glint passed through his eyes.
"Menma… are we leaving here?" Karin finally spoke after remaining silent the entire time. She looked up at him and asked softly. "Where are we going?"
"Yes," Menma replied gently. "This was something I decided before leaving Konoha. There's an item I need to obtain as soon as possible. It will be a tremendous help to us right now."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"It's not far—west of the Land of Rice Fields, near the border with the Land of Waterfalls. At most, half a day's journey."
"The Land of Waterfalls?" Karin repeated, nodding, though she clearly didn't fully understand.
Menma didn't elaborate.
"Pack up. We'll leave this afternoon."
The two returned to the room behind them and quickly gathered their belongings. Shortly after Orochimaru and Kabuto departed, Menma led Karin out of Otogakure, heading toward his predetermined destination.
Takigakure.
One of the few shinobi villages outside the Five Great Nations.
Takigakure's status was second only to the major villages, for a very simple reason—it possessed a tailed beast. Decades ago, when the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, distributed the tailed beasts, one had been entrusted to Takigakure.
That alone was proof that Takigakure's strength at the time was truly second only to the Five Great Villages.
Otherwise, why had Kusagakure, Yugakure, or other minor villages not received such a share?
Kakuzu—the Akatsuki's treasurer—had originated from Takigakure, and the forbidden technique he relied upon, Earth Grudge Fear, was originally a secret art of that village.
Once, Takigakure had possessed the potential to rival the Five Great Villages, perhaps even become a sixth major power.
But over the decades, decline had set in.
Repeated shinobi wars, internal stagnation, and Kakuzu's defection all contributed to its downfall.
Today's Takigakure could still dominate weaker minor villages—but when facing the Five Great Nations, it had no choice but to lower its head.
The Five Great Countries still maintained absolute dominance over all smaller shinobi villages.
The reason these smaller nations continued to exist was not mercy, but balance.
As long as no single power possessed the strength—or the confidence—to conquer the entire shinobi world, these smaller villages served a purpose.
It was no different from the world Menma remembered from his previous life.
Why had colonial powers never fully integrated their colonies?
Was it because they lacked foresight?
Of course not.
It was because maintaining those regions in a dependent state maximized利益.
The same logic applied here.
The Five Great Nations deliberately allowed these smaller countries to exist—
As buffers.