Although Menma currently appeared to be relying on others, the situations surrounding Orochimaru and Takigakure were fundamentally different.
Shibuki and Orochimaru were completely different types of leaders.
Likewise, the forces they commanded were worlds apart.
To put it simply, if Menma truly wished to gain influence within Takigakure in the future, there would still be opportunities. Through careful planning, political maneuvering, and the gradual accumulation of prestige, it would not be impossible to slowly build his own power base within the village and eventually obtain significant influence over its affairs.
With Orochimaru, however, such thoughts were little more than fantasy.
Almost every subordinate under Orochimaru's command was either personally recruited, cultivated, or completely loyal to him. The moment Menma attempted to win over any of those individuals, Orochimaru would likely learn of it immediately.
That was why Menma had never entertained the idea of taking over Orochimaru's forces.
From the very beginning, he had viewed Orochimaru as both a stepping stone and a mutually beneficial ally.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
"This isn't a problem at all."
Shibuki waved his hand casually.
"Do you require anything else? Additional personnel perhaps?"
Menma chuckled softly and shook his head.
"That won't be necessary for now. However, I will need a larger research facility, some specialized equipment, and a steady supply of basic experimental materials if possible."
"That's simple."
Shibuki answered immediately.
"Make a list and give it to Ajun-san later. As for the facility itself, there is an abandoned training ground in the northern district of the village. I'll assign it directly to you."
For Shibuki, such requests were trivial.
Just as Elder Mizuno Satoru had said before his death, Menma's arrival represented both a risk and an opportunity for Takigakure.
The risk was obvious.
Menma's identity alone was enough to attract the attention of the entire shinobi world.
He was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
He was a missing-nin from Konohagakure.
And he was the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Should the news of his affiliation with Takigakure become public before the village possessed sufficient strength to protect itself, disaster would undoubtedly follow.
Shibuki understood that reality very clearly.
At present, Takigakure could not compare to any of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Even the weakest among them, Sunagakure, still possessed military strength that vastly exceeded Takigakure's.
If Sunagakure were willing to mobilize its forces regardless of the consequences, it could field tens of thousands of shinobi.
Takigakure could not match such numbers.
The gap became even larger when comparing them to Konohagakure, Kumogakure, or Iwagakure.
Yet risks and opportunities always coexisted.
Menma's value was equally extraordinary.
The Nine-Tails was widely acknowledged as the strongest of the nine tailed beasts.
Furthermore, Menma himself possessed talent far beyond that of ordinary shinobi.
During the era of Hanzō of the Salamander, Amegakure had managed to stand on nearly equal footing with the Five Great Nations despite being much smaller. Hanzō's personal strength alone had granted his village immense autonomy and deterrence.
If Menma could eventually become a perfect Jinchūriki and master Kurama's power completely, then together with Fū, Takigakure would possess two Jinchūriki.
At that point, the dream of becoming the Sixth Great Shinobi Village might no longer be impossible.
In the shinobi world, truly exceptional individuals could alter the fate of an entire nation.
Provided they were strong enough.
Furthermore, from Shibuki's perspective, Menma clearly possessed followers of his own.
Tayuya, Suigetsu, and the others had displayed impressive abilities during the recent battle.
Naturally, Shibuki assumed they were Menma's personal subordinates.
He had no idea that they actually belonged to Orochimaru.
"Then thank you, Shibuki-san."
Menma bowed slightly.
"You are too kind."
Shibuki smiled.
Menma then turned toward Karin.
"Karin, speak with Ajun-san later regarding the laboratory arrangements."
"Understood."
Karin nodded immediately.
Among all the people around him, Karin was the only one Menma trusted without reservation.
She understood his ambitions better than anyone.
Takigakure was not merely a refuge.
It was both an ending point and a new beginning.
Although Karin was still young and far from fully independent, she had matured considerably compared to the frightened girl Menma had first met.
Now, Menma could confidently entrust important responsibilities to her.
"Then we'll take our leave for now, Shibuki-san."
Menma stood.
Shibuki nodded in return.
"Safe travels."
With that, Menma and Karin left the administrative building.
Several days passed.
Menma deliberately delayed his departure.
Having officially joined Takigakure, it would have been inappropriate for him to leave before attending Elder Mizuno Satoru's funeral.
For the time being, he continued operating under the identity of "Fang."
During the funeral ceremony, nearly every shinobi in Takigakure saw Menma for the first time.
The battle several days earlier had already spread throughout the village.
At present, excluding Fū, Menma could arguably be considered one of Takigakure's strongest combatants.
Naturally, opinions regarding his arrival varied.
Some welcomed him.
Others remained cautious.
A few viewed him with outright suspicion.
Menma was fully aware of all of it.
However, he neither cared nor felt anxious.
Acceptance could not be achieved overnight.
Trust was something that required time.
One step at a time.
After Mizuno Satoru's funeral concluded, Takigakure gradually returned to its normal rhythm.
At least on the surface.
Everyone resumed their duties.
Under Shibuki's orders, Menma and Karin were assigned a residence, an exclusive training area, and a fully equipped laboratory.
Although Takigakure could not compare with the Five Great Shinobi Villages in military power, its economic foundation was surprisingly strong.
After all, Takigakure had once acquired the Seven-Tails from the distribution of tailed beasts during the era of the First Hokage.
Such a feat required both influence and wealth.
The village's prosperity had long been one of its greatest strengths.
As a result, providing Menma with research facilities and supplies was a simple matter.
Only after everything had been settled did Menma finally prepare to return to the Land of Tea.
There was still one important discussion waiting for him.
A discussion with Orochimaru.
At Takigakure's main gate, Menma looked toward Karin, who now wore the village's forehead protector.
"Karin, the laboratory is in your hands for now."
His tone was serious.
"Continue focusing on cellular activation research and physical enhancement experiments. Don't worry about resources. Even if we require rarer materials, I'll obtain them from Orochimaru-san."
He paused briefly.
"When I return, we'll begin the next phase."
Karin nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, Menma. I'll have everything prepared."
"I know you will."
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
Then chakra burst beneath his feet.
"Let's go."
In an instant, he shot forward.
Tayuya, Suigetsu, and the others followed immediately.
Karin remained standing at the gate until Menma's figure completely disappeared into the distance.
Only then did she turn and return to the village.
The timid and helpless girl from before was gone.
Little by little, Karin was beginning to walk her own path.
And she understood better than anyone how important her work was to Menma's future.
Moving south at full speed, Menma's group retraced their original route.
Their return journey was even faster than before.
By the time they arrived at Orochimaru's hidden base in the southern region of the Land of Tea, news of Takigakure's events had already reached Orochimaru days earlier.
Aside from Suigetsu, who still maintained some independence, most of the shinobi accompanying Menma were fiercely loyal to Orochimaru.
Reports had naturally been delivered.
Menma neither attempted nor desired to stop them.
He still needed Orochimaru's support.
More importantly, he wanted their alliance to continue.
Reliable allies were rare in the shinobi world.
And in many ways, Orochimaru was one of the most dependable partners available.
Provided one remained useful.
Otherwise, forming an alliance with a snake was always dangerous.
The familiar underground chamber remained as dimly lit as ever.
At the far end sat Orochimaru.
His pale face was illuminated by flickering light.
The same golden snake-like eyes.
The same unsettling smile.
"Hehe…"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Although I already knew Menma-kun was talented, I didn't expect things to proceed so smoothly. It seems Takigakure may eventually fall into your hands."
Menma remained calm.
"Orochimaru-san overestimates me."
He shook his head.
"Takigakure is still the strongest hidden village outside the Five Great Nations. Controlling it won't be easy."
"But you've already taken the most important step."
Orochimaru's smile deepened.
"I have faith in your abilities."
"Then I'll accept that blessing in advance."
Menma replied evenly.
Orochimaru leaned slightly forward.
"So you're here to say farewell?"
Although phrased as a question, it sounded more like a statement.
"That's right."
Menma nodded.
"I've troubled Orochimaru-san long enough. Continuing to stay here would only become inconvenient."
He paused.
"However, physical distance doesn't change our alliance."
His gaze sharpened.
"As long as your requests fall within my capabilities, I won't refuse. Whether it concerns research, Konoha, or even the Akatsuki."
The room fell silent.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
A faint smile remained on his lips.
He neither agreed nor disagreed.
Menma wasn't surprised.
If Orochimaru could be persuaded by words alone, he wouldn't be Orochimaru.
The reason their cooperation had worked so well until now was because their interests aligned.
Nothing more.
The moment their interests conflicted, Orochimaru would become one of the most dangerous enemies imaginable.
After all, this was a man who had betrayed his own village, experimented on countless people, and even turned against his teacher.
Menma had never forgotten that reality.
Which was precisely why he came prepared.
Without another word, Menma removed two scrolls from his clothing.
One ordinary scroll.
One sealing scroll.
He tossed both toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru caught them effortlessly.
Ignoring the sealing scroll for the moment, he opened the ordinary one first.
As his eyes moved across the contents, a rare expression appeared on his face.
His pupils narrowed.
A strange light emerged within those golden eyes.
After several moments, Orochimaru slowly raised his head.
A deep smile spread across his face.
"Hehe…"
"Menma-kun truly gives me a new surprise every time we meet."
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