This seemingly large-scale encounter...
Was actually a battle of intimidation. The bloodiest part was when Menma took down Hisashi Shigeru, and a bit of blood was shed with the deaths of diehards like Sanji and Raichi. As for the other Grass ninja, at most a few unlucky ones either died under the combined Earth Style of Menma and Urushi at the beginning, or were killed on the spot by Waterfall ninja who couldn't hold back in the subsequent skirmish. But the casualties of this battle...
Were already extremely minimal.
The Waterfall ninja side suffered only a dozen or so injuries, with only one unlucky person killed in action.
Of course, this was also because the battle ended very quickly.
If Hisashi Shigeru really had strength reaching the quasi-Kage level, or had some other backup means that forced Menma to spend more time to take him down, the battle between the Waterfall and Grass ninja would definitely have entered a white-hot stage.
Don't look at how readily and decisively these Grass ninja surrendered now; as long as Hisashi was still alive, they wouldn't possibly submit. There was a fundamental difference.
One was a matter of the situation.
The other was a matter of confidence.
And once the Waterfall and Grass ninja killed each other too much, causing the death toll to rise linearly, it would be very detrimental to Menma's subsequent plans. After all, even if not now, Menma would definitely push for the complete merger of the Hidden Grass and Hidden Waterfall Villages one day in the future.
If the ninja of the two villages had stained their hands with too much of each other's blood, such a merger would appear extremely difficult, or even impossible to realize.
Power could indeed suppress it forcefully.
But that would definitely be a powder keg that could explode at any time.
That wasn't a situation Menma wanted to see.
Over more than a decade, there hadn't been much conflict between Waterfall and Grass ninja. Menma didn't hope that his mistake would cause the conflict to expand directly to an irreconcilable degree.
Trading the smallest casualties for the most successful result.
Was the best development in Menma's plan.
Just as those Grass ninja were all bound and temporarily detained and driven to another side...
In a corner on the southwest side.
Karin, who had been specially dispatched by Menma to scout another area, also received the news from Menma's side and returned at high speed.
After all, although the Land of Grass wasn't very big...
There were still a few passable roads.
Menma had to consider things more comprehensively.
The area he was responsible for waiting in was indeed the road with the highest probability, but what if Hisashi Shigeru just wanted to do something special?
Therefore, having Karin scout separately from him was most appropriate.
Anyway, with his and Karin's sensory abilities, they could completely lock onto the enemy's position far in advance before the other side discovered them.
Such an arrangement could completely keep the situation under his control.
"Menma, Agun-san is here!"
Karin, who flashed to a close point, spoke immediately after stabilizing herself.
"Eh? Is it Agun-san?"
Menma was slightly stunned subconsciously.
Because in the original plan, there was no arrangement for Agun to bring people over.
Instead, another trustworthy Jonin from the village was supposed to lead the team. After all, Agun was the Jonin in charge of the Hidden Waterfall Village's Defense Squad and the person Shibuki trusted most. He wouldn't leave the village easily.
Just as Karin's words fell.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
From the distant position on the east side, several figures sped over. The familiar figure leading them was none other than Agun.
The moment Menma saw him, he immediately swayed his body and went up to meet him proactively.
"Agun-san, why did you come personally? Didn't we say before to let Yono-san lead the team?"
Looking at the travel-worn but obviously joyous Agun, Menma asked with a smile.
"Lord Shibuki was still a bit worried that you wouldn't have enough manpower here, Menma-kun, so he asked me to bring more people over. But looking at it now, it was superfluous. Menma-kun's plan was a great success!"
Agun said with a chuckle.
The few Waterfall ninja following Agun also bowed slightly to Menma: "Lord Menma."
Just as Agun said himself.
At the beginning of the plan.
Whether it was Shibuki or Agun, they actually weren't that at ease. Especially Agun, who always felt that dealing with a Hidden Grass Village would be extremely difficult.
But he didn't expect.
At Hozuki Castle.
Menma's first step was so smooth.
As a ninja of the same era, although Mui indeed didn't have much fame in the ninja world, Agun was relatively familiar with him. Mui could be considered a rare genius figure in the Hidden Grass Village in recent years.
His personal strength was definitely top-notch among Jonin.
More than a decade ago, he almost became the leader of the Hidden Grass Village.
Such a character.
Was actually willing to cooperate with Menma. When Agun received the news, he was both happy and worried.
Still that sentence.
Menma's age was there. Agun, not familiar with the detailed situation, naturally worried whether Menma would be deceived by Mui!?
This wasn't something completely impossible.
Based on this, after repeated consideration, Agun personally requested Shibuki to let him lead the team to assist Menma. Trusting or not was one thing; what to do was another. Their Hidden Waterfall Village was already almost completely bound to Menma—glory together, loss together. Agun had to ensure Menma's plan could be executed smoothly.
And looking at it now.
It was hard to say if Mui had a deeper conspiracy.
But Hisashi Shigeru's death was a solid fact.
This meant annexing the Hidden Grass Village was close at hand. How could Agun not feel happy!?
He also felt a deeper sense of admiration for Menma.
Not everyone had such courage and execution ability.
Menma could do this.
And most importantly, Menma possessed that powerful strength.
That was enough to gain others' recognition, even respect.
"Haha, can only say luck was also not bad. Originally didn't think this Lord Hisashi would come out personally. It seems heaven still favors us. Since Agun-san came personally, then the Grass ninja here will be temporarily handed over to Agun-san to guard. I have to leave for the Hidden Grass Village immediately. As long as we master the Hidden Grass Village as soon as possible, we can occupy the true initiative!"
Menma first nodded with a smile.
Then changed the topic, speaking with a slightly serious expression.
"Mhm, I understand. I will definitely guard these people well. Please rest assured, Menma-kun."
Agun said with a solemn face.
As one of the few existences in the Hidden Waterfall Village who knew Menma's overall plan for the village, Agun knew very well that although the plan had been very smooth up to this step, the final step was still crucial.
They weren't here to inflict heavy damage on the Hidden Grass Village or anything.
But to make the Hidden Grass Village their power.
Uniting to resist the invasion of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud Villages that was likely to arrive soon. The previous plan steps were indeed important prerequisites; without achieving them, the follow-up couldn't be discussed.
But if they failed at this final step.
No matter how smooth it was before, it would be meaningless.
They must make those more than three thousand Grass ninja willing to obey their orders.
Even though Agun knew very well that if everything went so smoothly, the status of this Menma-kun before him would become completely different from the past.
Some situations he didn't want to see might happen in the future.
But Agun couldn't avoid it either. He could only take one step at a time.
Because the survival of the Hidden Waterfall Village was the most important core bottom line issue.
They couldn't start guarding against Menma now, or even start an internal strife for power and profit, right? Leaving aside whether they had the qualification and ability, just this external environment alone didn't allow them to do so.
Agun wasn't a fool.
He wouldn't do such a stupid thing as self-weakening, or even self-destruction.
Besides, if he really wanted to do something, he had to discuss it with his Lord Shibuki first.
Instead of acting alone.
"Mhm, I definitely trust Agun-san. Then, let these people stay here. One is to facilitate guarding these Grass ninja, and the other is because I still have to go to the Hidden Grass Village after all. It's not suitable to bring too many people over now. We can't further stimulate the Hidden Grass Village; it's more appropriate to be steady now. Anyway, Mui-san will be there by then, so everything should still be under control."
Menma paused, then continued.
In the initial arrangement, the plan was to swallow the Hidden Grass Village directly at the end, changing the name and surname of the entire ninja village. But when it came to actual operation, Menma felt it was unrealistic. If there were no external threats, it would be completely fine to use forceful means. Even if the Grass ninja weren't used to it, time could be used to slowly change their thinking. As long as life was the same as before, or even better.
Menma believed any normal person wouldn't resist.
But such a method required time, starting from a year or a half, and more importantly, it required a relatively stable external environment, with absolutely no threats from other forces.
Obviously, neither of these points could be met.
Don't forget, the reason Menma proposed this plan was that the external threat was becoming increasingly severe, and there was little time left for them to prepare.
Therefore, forcefully annexing the Hidden Grass Village was unrealistic.
Menma was now planning to let Mui become the new leader of the Hidden Grass Village, and then coordinate from the middle. Tentatively, it could be considered integrating the power of the two ninja villages in the name of an alliance. This certainly wouldn't be as convenient as completely merging into one, but it had the advantage of not further stimulating the hearts of the Grass ninja.
He could use the power of these Grass ninja more assuredly.
This point was the most important currently.
Agun could also get the deep meaning in Menma's words immediately. His face seemed to have a subtle little change at that moment, but it returned to normal after just a second. He nodded with a smile and said: "Mhm, everything will be done as you say, Menma-kun!"
"Then!"
After Menma bowed slightly in greeting.
"Let's go, Suigetsu, Karin."
"Yes!"
"Mhm!"
He directly led Karin, Suigetsu, and the few direct subordinate Waterfall ninja from the Barrier Squad he brought out first, speeding toward the direction of the Hidden Grass Village.
Agun watched Menma's receding figure, his hands subconsciously clenching slightly, but then slowly releasing.
"Is this the future you want? Elder Satoru, what exactly should I do to be correct?"
A trace of self-mockery appeared in Agun's pupils. At this moment, Agun truly felt a bit mentally tired, even a bit lost.
Menma, who had already left, naturally didn't know the complex inner feelings of Agun who remained in place.
Menma's goal had always been direct and firm.
He wanted to survive!
Wanted to live freely and happily.
And on this basis, if he could realize his dream and create a future belonging to himself, that would be even better!
Whether it was the Hidden Waterfall Village.
Or the Hidden Grass Village.
Menma would try his best to do better. As for the rest, let nature take its course. Menma wouldn't force it excessively, but once it fell into his hands, Menma wouldn't reject it either.
Everything depended on himself, as well as the current situation.
It didn't really depend on any single person.
One hand alone couldn't clap, after all.
And just as Menma sped south all the way, approaching the Hidden Grass Village rapidly...
Mui had already led his son Muku, and a part of his most loyal subordinates, one step ahead back to the Hidden Grass Village.
Outside the main gate.
Looking at the familiar scenery of the Hidden Grass Village.
A look of emotion also appeared in Mui's pupils.
Since becoming the master of Hozuki Castle, he hadn't returned for nearly ten years.
Returning to the village this time, there really was a feeling that things were still there but people had changed.
Muku beside him also had slightly complex emotions in his heart. Actually, don't look at the appearance; Muku seemed to be only two or three years older than Menma.
But that was actually Muku's appearance from eight years ago. Since being swallowed by the Box of Ultimate Bliss, his appearance had stayed at that moment. Strictly speaking, his actual age was in his twenties now.
He once lived in the Hidden Grass Village for a considerable time.
His childhood was here, his school days were here.
Most importantly, there were memories with his mother.
'Mom, I'm back.'
A look of extremely deep reminiscence appeared in the depths of Muku's eyes, and he said silently in his heart.
"Let's go, the time should be about right."
Mui exhaled a breath of turbid air slowly, speaking softly.
Because of the detour.
The current Mui hadn't received the news from Menma yet. Although judging from the time, by the time Mui arrived at the Hidden Grass Village...
Menma should have already successfully killed Hisashi.
But Mui didn't know.
Before arriving at the Hidden Grass Village.
The only thing he knew was that Hisashi had already led a team away from the Hidden Grass Village.
Then the thing he needed to do was very simple: take advantage of the time Hisashi wasn't in the ninja village to forcefully subdue the entire Hidden Grass Village.
Subdue those who could be subdued; those who couldn't would be handled according to the situation.