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It was a move that killed two birds with one stone.
Menma could already guess Onoki's intentions for the meeting, so inviting Orochimaru along was the most logical play. Whether it held any deep significance didn't matter; the key was that it was the appropriate thing to do.
"Understood. Well then, if you'll excuse me."
Kabuto gave Menma a slightly odd look before turning and walking away.
Watching Kabuto's retreating back, a thoughtful glint appeared in Menma's eyes.
'I'm still woefully short on manpower...'
Menma couldn't help but sigh quietly in his heart.
Cultivating his own subordinates wasn't something that could be done overnight, nor could it be settled with a simple sentence. The things he planned to do next would involve immense risk—people would likely have to gamble with their lives.
Finding people willing to do that was hard enough. Even if someone agreed, Menma still had to trust them.
To put it bluntly, Orochimaru's method was the most practical: finding those in the vast ninja world who had hit a dead end or lost everything at a young age, and giving them hope and power.
Subordinates raised that way were the most loyal and trustworthy.
Kimimaro, Guren, the Sound Four... they were the best proof. Even Kabuto, who joined halfway through his life, was won over by Orochimaru's methods and personal charisma.
But that wasn't something the current Menma could replicate.
'I need to pick up the pace regarding the Hidden Waterfall... And other places, too. If possible, I need to make a play for them.'
Faces of key figures from the Hidden Waterfall—Shibuki, Fu, Suien—flashed through Menma's mind. He also thought of important supporting characters drifting on the fringes of the ninja world.
For example, the rogue Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata. He was a target worth pursuing.
Then there was the Three-Tails, Isobu, currently roaming free in the wild.
If possible, "recruiting" it and sealing it into Karin would massively boost their side's strength.
One by one.
Step by step.
These clear objectives needed to be completed in the shortest time possible. Only by acquiring and integrating these powers quickly could Menma expand his sphere of influence in the future.
Even if he was starting from zero right now.
'So, I really need to find time to make a trip to the Land of Water.'
Menma took a deep breath, his gaze shifting toward the island nation located in the eastern seas, isolated from the mainland.
---
On the other side of the base, in a special restricted area.
Orochimaru was currently guiding Sasuke through the first stage of his training. Upon hearing Kabuto's report, he first looked surprised, but quickly understood the situation.
A slightly eerie smile appeared on his pathologically pale face. "Heh, Menma-kun is as surprising as ever. Sometimes I can't help but want to cut him open just to see what kind of twelve-year-old boy could be so unique."
A look of intense covetousness flowed through Orochimaru's snake-like eyes.
He wasn't joking. He really had such thoughts.
Menma's performance had far exceeded definitions like "precocious" or "genius." If he didn't know for a fact that Menma was the son of Minato and Kushina, and that he had lived under Anbu surveillance in the Leaf for twelve years, Orochimaru would genuinely question the nature of Menma's existence.
Standing below him, Kabuto nodded involuntarily, a look of agreement in his eyes.
"So, Lord Orochimaru, how should I reply to Menma-kun?"
"Agree to it, naturally. I'm also quite curious why Onoki-san wants to meet Menma-kun personally. As for the location, let's choose the northern part of the Land of Grass. It's close to the Hidden Stone's border outposts, which should serve as a show of sincerity."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, speaking in his characteristic raspy tone.
"Yes, I understand, Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto bowed and turned to leave.
After conveying Orochimaru's decision to Menma, they arranged for a special messenger to be sent to the Hidden Stone Village.
This wasn't a meeting that required much negotiation. After the relevant information was sent over, the Hidden Stone quickly replied that the Third Tsuchikage had agreed.
The time was set for three days later.
The Lord Tsuchikage seemed even more impatient to meet Menma than anticipated. This made Menma mutter to himself in suspicion.
---
Just as Menma was preparing to meet Onoki, news of the battle at the Valley of the End began to spread across the ninja world in small circles.
It was a battle that took place near the border, after all. Although Sasuke Uchiha was currently just a Leaf Genin, his identity guaranteed him plenty of special attention. The fact that the Hidden Leaf had two individuals with such special identities defect in less than a month attracted the scrutiny of every village.
Of course, these villages only obtained partial intelligence. The specific details and final results would require deeper investigation.
However, there was one exception.
Obito Uchiha, assisted by Black Zetsu.
Although the vast majority of the hundred thousand White Zetsu were still dormant, the number of them active in the ninja world definitely exceeded four digits. With their help, plus the groundwork Madara had laid years ago, Obito was undoubtedly the person with the fastest and most accurate intelligence network in the world.
And the moment he received the report...
Obito nearly exploded with rage on the spot.
"Menma Uzumaki stole Kakashi's Sharingan!? And Kakashi almost died at his hands!?"
Obito whipped his head around, glaring icily at the White Zetsu who had come to report. His tone was freezing.
"My, my, of course it's true. Would I lie to you? That Menma Uzumaki is truly ruthless. Never mind Kakashi—he almost killed his own little brother, Naruto Namikaze, too. Tsk, tsk. It looks like his rage toward the Leaf has really reached its peak."
This particular White Zetsu clearly had a very distinct personality. Completely ignoring Obito's anger, he wore an exaggerated, comical expression on his face, clicking his tongue in wonder.
It was as if he found Menma's existence incredibly interesting.