Menma stood at the entrance of the stronghold, his expression completely frozen beneath his fox mask. Beside him, Kakuzu pulled back his cloak hood, examining the architectural complex before them with interest.
This... was the so-called "hidden stronghold"?
Just now, Menma had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport himself and Kakuzu back to the Land of Hot Springs, to their hotel room. This time, he hadn't called Hizashi, but instead brought Kakuzu to the headquarters of the [Cinder] organization, which Hizashi had spent a year building.
The result was...
Menma's gaze swept from the exquisite arched bridge over the artificial pond, past the meticulously trimmed pine and cypress trees, finally settling on the majestic main hall. The seven-story Japanese palace gleamed with the luster of expensive wood in the sunlight, and wind chimes hanging from its upturned eaves tinkled with the gentle breeze.
This was less like a terrorist organization's base and more like a daimyo's villa!
"Heh..." Kakuzu's laughter came from beneath his mask. He scanned the obviously valuable building materials. "It seems our organization's financial situation is quite good."
Menma silently pressed his mask. Although he had long known that Hizashi was exceptionally talented in business, this was just too much...
Did that guy misunderstand the word "hidden"?!
"So..." Kakuzu's voice carried a hint of teasing. "This is the headquarters of the [Cinder] organization, which strikes fear into the Five Great Nations? I have to say... it has unique taste."
Menma took a deep breath, deciding to skip this topic. "...Follow me."
——————
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Tanuma will be here to see you both shortly."
The maid, dressed in an elegant kimono, bowed respectfully and retreated. Menma, through his disguise using the Transformation Technique, silently watched this scene — was this something a terrorist organization could recruit?
But to maintain "Menma's" aloof image, he merely gave a slight nod. After a while, the Japanese sliding door was abruptly pulled open.
At the entrance appeared two ordinary-looking individuals. The middle-aged man wore a simple brown kimono, accompanied by a little girl with round-rimmed glasses. They had no distinguishing features and looked like any ordinary residents on the street.
With a ripple of Chakra, their Transformation Technique gradually faded. Hizashi reverted to his original appearance, and the "ordinary girl" transformed back into Karin, with red hair and red eyes. Her eyes widened excitedly, and her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she forcibly held back under Hizashi's stern gaze, merely bowing respectfully.
Menma also removed his second layer of disguise, revealing his iconic fox mask.
"Lord Menma, I apologize for making you wait." Hizashi bowed his head respectfully.
Just then.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host: You have established a Level 4 bond with the original character "Karin"!]
[Points gained: 400 points!]
Menma was not surprised by the system points gained; it seemed Hizashi had indeed taken good care of Karin. He was about to introduce Kakuzu and then discuss the stronghold with Hizashi, but Hizashi spoke first.
"Lord Menma, this must be the organization's newly recruited member, correct?" Hizashi turned his gaze to Kakuzu, who was cloaked beside Menma.
"Yes. The immortal ninja Kakuzu possesses strength sufficient to serve as a 'Kage' of the Five Great Nations. From today onwards, he is a member of [Cinder]."
He briefly explained Kakuzu's background but deliberately omitted his encounter with the First Hokage. When Hizashi heard that Kakuzu was over ninety years old, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
Kakuzu only spoke one cold sentence throughout. "I had thought joining [Cinder] would allow me to take on more high-value bounties... but seeing the organization's financial power, it clearly doesn't earn money that way. Regarding the source of funds... tell me in detail later."
Facing Kakuzu, who wanted to learn business management, Hizashi cautiously looked to Menma for approval. Menma knew that Kakuzu liked to earn and save money but disliked spending it, so he nodded, agreeing to the request.
Kakuzu's entire life could be summarized by the phrase: "The person died, but the money wasn't spent." In the long years of the original story, he painstakingly accumulated decades of wealth, almost without spending a single penny, only for it to be squandered by a certain spendthrift girl in a single night.
Afterward, just as Naruto was about to question Hizashi about the connection between this magnificent palace and the word "hidden," Hizashi seemed to anticipate it and spoke first.
"Lord Menma, you must have many questions about this place." Hizashi respectfully made a gesture to invite him, "But please, follow me first."
Passing through the main hall's ornate corridors, everyone arrived at a spacious backyard. Here, there were only a few inconspicuous work sheds, a stark contrast to the luxury of the front. Hizashi led them into one of these sheds, pushing aside the tool cabinets on both sides —
With a soft "click," a wide staircase hidden beneath the floor was revealed.
Naruto understood something... which meant... the luxurious building outside was just a facade?
Descending the stairs, the scene gradually became familiar. A spacious underground area, cold stone walls, intricate passages — somewhat resembling the "Root" organization's secret base in the anime. Hizashi explained in detail beside him.
"This place was actually completed not long ago. The basic structures for facilities like the training ground, laboratory, and archives are finished, but the equipment is still being configured. I will complete it as soon as possible."
He continued to add, "In various parts of the town, I have also set up multiple secret entrances leading here, all encrypted with specific sealing jutsu, accessible only to organization members..."
Faced with such meticulous arrangements, what more could Naruto say?
"...Well done."