"It should count as our first proper meeting, Shibuki-san, Fu. I am indeed Uzumaki Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. I apologize for having to approach you under a false identity before, but my circumstances do not allow my real identity to be exposed carelessly. Otherwise, it would only invite unnecessary trouble."
Menma spoke with a faint smile, his tone calm and composed.
Originally, Menma's plan had been to infiltrate Takigakure gradually, build trust step by step, and slowly establish influence within the village before revealing his true identity at an appropriate time. However, now that Mizuno Satoru had personally chosen to "endorse" him, Menma naturally accepted the opportunity without hesitation.
Of course, he understood that this decision carried risks.
But in Menma's view, the potential benefits far outweighed the dangers.
Most importantly, he trusted Mizuno Satoru's judgment.
At present, Shibuki and Fu were the two most important figures in Takigakure. Revealing his identity before them now could drastically accelerate his future plans within the village. Naturally, that also meant the risks arrived earlier than expected, but for the time being, those risks remained manageable. After all, Konoha's sixty-first year was approaching quickly. With less than three years remaining before the events Menma remembered all too clearly, there was no way he could remain leisurely forever.
As for danger?
That depended entirely on whether the rewards were worth pursuing.
"You…? This…? The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki…?"
Shibuki's expression became utterly chaotic as his words tangled together incoherently.
Just moments ago, Menma had been introduced as a powerful ninja affiliated with the Fire Daimyō's Twelve Guardian Ninja. Yet now, that same person had suddenly become Uzumaki Menma the infamous Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and missing-nin of Konohagakure.
The abrupt revelation left Shibuki feeling as though he had been thrown into some bizarre dream.
This was no ordinary secret.
This was a revelation capable of shaking the entire shinobi world.
"Grandpa Satoru… what exactly is going on here?"
Shibuki turned toward Mizuno Satoru with a deeply bewildered expression. Fu beside him wore a similar look of disbelief.
"Haha… to put it simply, I wish to join Takigakure, Shibuki-san."
Menma stepped forward calmly and continued.
"The reason is equally simple. I cannot trust the Five Great Shinobi Villages. If I wish to survive, take revenge, and eventually achieve my ambitions, I need a village with sufficient strength to support me. Takigakure is the ideal choice."
His eyes remained steady as he spoke.
"Among all hidden villages outside the Five Great Nations, Takigakure possesses some of the greatest military potential. You possess a Jinchūriki like Fu, the Hero Water passed down through generations, and thousands of Taki shinobi. More importantly, your village has remained relatively independent within the shinobi world."
Menma paused briefly before continuing.
"Of course, I do not intend to simply use Takigakure. This would be a mutually beneficial relationship. I will help Takigakure become stronger than it has ever been before, while Takigakure lends me its strength so that I may stand against my enemies and carve out my own future."
His words were direct and completely honest.
Since he had already chosen to reveal the truth, there was no point in hiding half of his intentions anymore.
At least from the fragments Menma remembered from the original history and from his interactions with Shibuki and Fu during this period he believed the two of them were fundamentally sincere people. Once genuine trust was established, they would not betray easily.
Combined with Mizuno Satoru's support, this was the best possible opportunity.
There would not be another moment more suitable than this.
Shibuki's expression changed repeatedly as he listened.
He truly had not expected matters to develop this far. For a time, he did not even know how he should respond.
"Shibuki."
Mizuno Satoru slowly raised his head, his aged eyes carrying a solemn seriousness.
"This is the best possible choice for Takigakure."
"The shinobi world is becoming increasingly unstable. Another great war may erupt at any time. Menma-kun possesses strength, intelligence, and courage far beyond ordinary people. More importantly, he is the benefactor who saved both you and the village today."
His breathing became slightly uneven, yet his voice remained firm.
"Menma-kun is someone you can trust."
These words represented not only the old man's wisdom, but also his courage.
Because this was, without question, a gamble.
A gamble placed upon the future of Shibuki, Fu, and the entirety of Takigakure.
Yet from Mizuno Satoru's perspective, the logic was simple.
Without Menma's intervention, Shibuki would already be dead. Takigakure would have fallen into Shuiyan's hands, and Fu's fate likely would not have ended well either.
Rather than forcing Shibuki and Fu to face the increasingly chaotic shinobi world alone, Mizuno Satoru believed it was better to allow Menma into the village. Even if Takigakure's future eventually became intertwined with Menma's ambitions, it was still preferable to destruction.
After all, within the current generation of Takigakure, Mizuno Satoru could not find a single successor truly capable of carrying the village forward alone.
If such a talented individual existed, Shibuki would never have become the village leader in the first place.
Bloodline inheritance could provide advantages, but in the shinobi world, strength and capability always mattered more in the end.
Just as Shimura Danzō had once believed that, had he acted more decisively than Sarutobi Hiruzen during Tobirama Senju's final test, the position of Hokage would have belonged to him.
But that was never the truth.
Long before Tobirama asked that final question, the Third Hokage had already been decided in his heart. The question itself had merely been the final confirmation.
What truly determined the succession was Hiruzen's overall ability, judgment, and character.
And for the first decades of his reign, Sarutobi Hiruzen had indeed proven worthy of Tobirama's trust.
That was what true capability meant.
Unfortunately, Takigakure currently lacked such a person.
Because of that, Mizuno Satoru was willing to place his hopes on Menma.
Shibuki, who had been personally raised by Mizuno Satoru, naturally understood the deeper meaning hidden within his grandfather's words.
Fu understood as well.
Although neither of them fully trusted Menma yet, they trusted Mizuno Satoru.
And for that reason alone, they were willing to accept him.
"I understand, Grandpa Satoru."
Shibuki inhaled deeply before nodding with determination.
"Menma-kun… welcome to Takigakure."
He extended his right hand.
Menma immediately reached out and clasped it firmly.
"This is also my honor, Shibuki-san. Please believe me I truly hold no ill intentions toward Takigakure. Everything I do is for both my own future and the future of this village."
The sincerity in Menma's voice, combined with the conviction visible in his eyes, caused the tension in Shibuki's expression to ease slightly.
Although Shibuki lacked the decisiveness and political instinct of an outstanding Kage, he was not foolish. Compared to ordinary shinobi, he still possessed considerable judgment.
He understood the meaning behind Mizuno Satoru's decision.
He also understood Menma's value.
Especially his overwhelming strength.
The only remaining uncertainty was whether Menma himself could truly be trusted.
But with Mizuno Satoru personally staking his faith on the boy, Shibuki was willing to gamble once.
Not because he completely trusted Menma
but because he trusted his grandfather.
Fu, meanwhile, still looked at Menma cautiously.
She was only slightly older than him, yet after being deceived so thoroughly by Shuiyan, she could no longer trust outsiders so easily. Even if she accepted Menma's presence for Mizuno Satoru's sake, she still maintained a degree of vigilance toward him.
Menma naturally noticed this.
Not only because of his sensory abilities, but because Fu's thoughts were practically written across her face.
It was no wonder she had been manipulated by Shuiyan so easily.
Still, Menma did not mind.
Even Shibuki likely still held doubts about him. That was only natural. Trust was not built instantly.
This was reality, not a fairy tale.
Fortunately, Menma had confidence in one thing:
Trust could be earned over time.
These were comrades worth cultivating.
"Then I shall take my leave for now."
Menma glanced toward Mizuno Satoru, whose life force was clearly fading rapidly.
"There are still some remaining Ame shinobi outside the village. I'll deal with them personally and report back afterward."
Shibuki nodded immediately.
"I'll leave it to you, Menma-kun."
Menma inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Then excuse me."
With a flicker of movement, his figure vanished instantly from the room and sped toward the eastern outskirts beyond Takigakure.
After Menma departed, Fu finally turned toward Shibuki with lingering concern.
"Brother Shibuki… are we really going to trust him? He's a missing-nin from Konoha, and he's also the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki…"
"Fu…"
Shibuki shook his head slightly, intending to answer, but before he could continue
"Shibuki… Fu…"
Mizuno Satoru's weak voice interrupted them.
The elderly man, leaning against the cushions on the bed, slowly raised his trembling hand.
Shibuki and Fu hurried forward and knelt beside him.
"Grandpa Satoru, we're here."
"The village… will belong to you from now on."
Mizuno Satoru's breathing grew increasingly shallow, but his gaze remained clear.
"Menma-kun is someone worthy of trust. This is not only for your sake, but for Takigakure's future as well."
"In this world, no choice is perfect. Every decision carries risk. Shibuki… this is the final choice your grandfather can make for you."
His eyes slowly turned toward Fu.
"Fu… you as well. Stop acting recklessly. Think carefully before you act. From now on, Menma-kun is your companion. Don't create unnecessary conflict. Everything must be done for the village."
For Mizuno Satoru, Shibuki and Fu were precious.
But Takigakure came first.
He had lived since the village's earliest days. Over decades, Takigakure had become his entire life.
Just as he once advised Shibuki to flee earlier not solely to save the boy's life, but also to prevent the village from collapsing into full civil war.
Perhaps that was selfishness.
But it was the selfishness of a man who loved his village more than himself.
"I understand, Grandpa Satoru!"
Shibuki tightly grasped the old man's wrinkled hand.
"I swear I will protect Takigakure!"
Fu, tears streaming endlessly down her face, clung desperately to Mizuno Satoru's other hand.
"I understand too… Grandpa Satoru…"
These were his final moments.
"Shibuki… regarding the others… if mercy can be shown, then show mercy. As for Shuiyan… let him die quietly. No matter what, he once contributed to the village."
Mizuno Satoru slowly turned his gaze toward the unconscious traitor lying near the doorway.
Complex emotions filled his clouded eyes.
Once, he had held expectations for Shuiyan as well.
Unfortunately, fate had turned out otherwise.
"Yes… Grandpa Satoru. I understand."
Shibuki nodded firmly.
"That's good… that's good… The future of the village…"
Mizuno Satoru seemed to want to raise his hand once more, but his strength had already faded.
Countless memories flashed before his eyes like fading lantern lights.
The founding years of Takigakure.
The wars.
The sacrifices.
The hopes entrusted to future generations.
'Kyouya… in the end… I still failed to fully fulfill your expectations…'
That final thought passed silently through his mind.
Then
his consciousness sank into darkness.
His eyes slowly closed.
The last trace of life disappeared from his body.
His hand dropped weakly to the side.
"GRANDPA SATORU!!!"
Fu's heart-rending scream echoed through the room.
And thus, the final elder of Takigakure who had personally experienced the era of war passed away.
Menma, already far from the village by then, naturally knew nothing of Mizuno Satoru's death.
Still, he had already sensed that the old man's life was nearing its end. The deathly aura surrounding him had been unmistakable. The fact that Mizuno Satoru endured this long was already a miracle born from sheer willpower.
Menma respected such people deeply.
Not just Mizuno Satoru, but many of the elder figures from other hidden villages as well people like Chiyo and Ebizō of Sunagakure, or Gengetsu Hōzuki's surviving contemporaries in Kirigakure.
Only Konoha's elders were difficult to describe.
Perhaps they had once been great in their youth, but by old age, many had long since changed.
Still, reality remained reality.
'You were a remarkable old man, Elder Satoru…'
Menma inhaled deeply as he glanced back toward Takigakure one final time.
'Don't worry. I will not betray your trust. Either I die along the way… or I will absolutely lead Takigakure to true glory.'
'This world does not need countless hidden villages and nations.'
'One is enough.'
His figure shot forward through the forest.
Menma understood clearly that unification was not a perfect answer. Even if the world were united under one banner, conflict would never truly disappear. As long as humans existed, struggle would continue for profit, hatred, love, revenge, ambition.
But compared to the endless wars of the current shinobi world, it would still be far better.
Smaller in scale.
Less destructive.
More controlled.
That was the future Menma wished to create.
Of course, such ambitions could not be achieved overnight.
One step at a time.
One battle at a time.
Perhaps he himself would die before reaching that future.
Perhaps someone stronger would kill him first.
But that did not matter right now.
At present, there was only one thing Menma needed to accomplish:
Eliminate the remaining enemies and restore Takigakure's peace.
"Whoosh!"
His body streaked through the forest like a red flash.
Roughly ten minutes after leaving Takigakure, Menma's sensory field detected several rapidly retreating chakra signatures in the distance.
And behind them
another familiar chakra presence was pursuing relentlessly.
"Oh?"
Menma raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What a coincidence."
A burst of chakra erupted beneath his feet as he accelerated forward at astonishing speed.
Only minutes later, he caught up to the fleeing group.
The familiar chakra belonged to Suigetsu Hōzuki.
At that moment, the white-haired boy wore a savage grin filled with bloodlust, the battle instincts of the Hōzuki Clan fully on display.
Among the three fleeing shinobi ahead of him, two possessed chakra reserves barely at the level of ordinary chūnin.
Only the green-haired leader was somewhat stronger, though still far from jōnin level.
To ordinary shinobi, he might appear formidable.
But in Menma's eyes?
Even average jōnin were insignificant.
Naturally, this man posed no threat whatsoever.
Menma barely remembered the green-haired shinobi himself, but the sword in his hand immediately drew his attention.
'The Sword of the Thunder God… Tobirama Senju's blade.'
A faint interest appeared in Menma's eyes.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
"Clap!"
His hands came together in rapid succession.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
The technique was completed almost instantly.
His chest expanded slightly
"Puff!"
Several compressed spheres of razor-sharp wind bullets burst forth violently through the air, hurtling toward the green-haired man with terrifying speed.
The incoming pressure caused the man's pupils to contract violently.
This was no ordinary Vacuum Sphere.
The scale and destructive force completely exceeded standard Wind Release.
"Damn it!"
His expression twisted as he desperately swung the Sword of the Thunder God.
"Lightning Flash!"
Blue-white lightning erupted from the blade.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Several wind bullets were barely intercepted.
But the remaining attacks blasted through mercilessly.
"AAARGH!"
The green-haired shinobi was hurled backward violently.
"BOOM!"
His body smashed into the ground, blood erupting from his mouth.
Before he could recover
Menma's figure appeared instantly before him.
"Crack!"
Menma stepped down mercilessly onto the man's wrist, crushing the bones holding the Sword of the Thunder God.
"AAAAAHHHH!!"
The scream that followed was agonizing.
"Who… are you?!"
The green-haired shinobi roared with bloodshot eyes.
Menma ignored him completely.
Instead, he casually picked up the Sword of the Thunder God and inspected it with mild interest.
Then
his eyes turned cold.
"Slash!"
The blade flashed once.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed through the air.
The man's throat split open instantly.
His hands instinctively clutched at the wound as choking sounds escaped his mouth.
A few seconds later, the light faded from his eyes completely.
The renegade Konoha shinobi and Ame operative collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.
Only the unwillingness frozen within his widened eyes remained behind.
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