This was precisely why Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and the others had chosen to remain silent about Menma's identity during the high-level meeting.
They all understood one thing very clearly discussing it was meaningless.
The bomb had already detonated.
At this stage, there were very few options left.
From a purely rational standpoint, the most effective solution would be to capture Uzumaki Menma as quickly as possible. However, everyone also understood that this was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Unless Orochimaru suddenly lost his mind and turned on Menma and even then, it would have to be a flawless betrayal such an outcome was practically impossible.
It was precisely because of this reality that Shimura Danzō was consumed with rage deep within the Root headquarters.
He had never imagined that Orochimaru would dare to openly defy him.
Even now, Danzō still had not fully recognized his own position. In his mind, Orochimaru was still that former subordinate who should obey his orders without question.
In a fit of fury, Danzō had even considered severing all ties with Orochimaru and ordering Root to hunt him down.
But reality was cruel.
After weighing the interests of all sides, Danzō had no choice but to swallow his anger.
The situation was no longer what it had been many years ago.
Back then, Orochimaru freshly defected had desperately needed Danzō's support in resources, intelligence, and manpower. But now, Orochimaru had grown into a figure of immense influence and terrifying strength.
Danzō could no longer control him.
On the contrary Danzō needed Orochimaru.
Whether it was Sharingan research, Hashirama cells, Wood Release experiments, or other forbidden studies, Orochimaru remained indispensable.
Danzō could not afford to cut him off.
Thus, the so-called "Darkness of the Shinobi World" could only curse Orochimaru in private, grinding his teeth in silent fury, while outwardly maintaining the fragile balance.
This was Danzō's limitation.
And it was not only him.
The other high-ranking officials of Konohagakure, along with nearly all senior jōnin, chose the same course silence.
They could not speak.
And they did not want to.
Konoha was no longer the Konoha of the past.
Everyone was treading on thin ice.
Once, the appointment of Namikaze Minato as Fourth Hokage had allowed the major ninja clans to glimpse a new dawn a future unlike any before.
But that dawn had been extinguished far too soon.
Minato had died just over a year after assuming office.
The shadow of the so-called "Konoha F4" once again loomed over the village.
This time, however, the death of the Third Hokage brought a strangely different sentiment.
Among the major ninja clans led by Nara Shikaku there was an unspoken sense of relief.
They longed for change.
They longed for a different Hokage.
Tsunade or Jiraiya either of them.
They firmly believed that if one of those two assumed the position of Fifth Hokage, Konoha could finally break free from stagnation and return to its true path.
"Jiraiya-sama… you must bring Tsunade-sama back…"
Konohagakure.
Nara Clan compound.
Shikaku sat quietly along the wooden corridor of his family courtyard, his gaze fixed on the distant Hokage Rock. A complex expression flickered within his eyes.
As a clan that had fully bound its fate to Konoha, the Nara did not wish to see the village descend into chaos.
For them and for ordinary civilians that would be nothing short of catastrophe.
And just as Shikaku's thoughts drifted
At the southwestern exit of the Land of Fire, along Tanzaku Street, another group was preparing to return.
Jiraiya and his companions had already located Tsunade and successfully persuaded her.
Just like in the original course of events, Jiraiya had taken Naruto out of the village in search of Tsunade. Along the way, they encountered Orochimaru, who had also come seeking her.
The same clash.
The same outcome.
Naruto's unyielding will and burning resolve had once again moved Tsunade's heart. In him, she saw the shadows of both her younger brother and her former lover.
"What's wrong, Naruto?" Tsunade asked with a faint smile, glancing at him as he lagged behind. "You still look down. Are Orochimaru's words really bothering you? That doesn't look like the Naruto I know."
"Ah? Grandma Tsunade. no, of course not!" Naruto waved his hands in panic. "I was just… thinking about something else."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"You really have zero talent for lying. It's written all over your face."
She reached out and tapped his forehead lightly.
Naruto froze for a moment, then slumped his shoulders with a bitter smile.
"Tsunade-san… do you think… Menma my brother can still come back to Konoha?"
He hesitated.
"Even though… even though he killed Shiranui Genma… but still…"
Menma had defected.
He had killed a special jōnin of Konohagakure in full view of the public.
By any standard of shinobi law, this was an unforgivable crime punishable only by death.
Naruto understood this.
But emotionally, he could not accept it.
Call it naïve. Call it hypocritical.
He still wanted Menma to come back.
He believed perhaps foolishly that Menma had merely been consumed by resentment, misled by misunderstandings, and ultimately manipulated by Orochimaru.
Yet Orochimaru's words during their last encounter struck him deeply.
Naruto wanted to deny them.
But deep down, he feared they were true.
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
"Then do what you want," she said decisively. "Isn't that your ninja way? Act according to your own beliefs, Naruto. Leave the rest to me."
She had the authority to say such words.
This time, she was returning to Konoha to assume the mantle of Fifth Hokage. As Hokage, she would possess the power to make decisions beyond rigid regulations.
Rules were rules.
But people could bend them.
Hadn't Orochimaru himself committed countless crimes? Killed innumerable Konoha shinobi? Even murdered his own teacher?
And yet
With a single word from Naruto, hadn't much of that been brushed aside?
That was the authority of a Hokage.
And Tsunade believed she possessed it.
"Yes," Jiraiya added, his expression unusually serious. "Naruto, don't hesitate. Do what you believe in. Tsunade and I will stand behind you."
Faced with their gazes
Naruto gathered all the courage he had.
He nodded heavily.
"Yes! Grandpa Jiraiya! Grandma Tsunade! I understand!"
Menma…
I'll bring you back.
Even if I have to break your legs… I'll still drag you home!
Naruto clenched his fists tightly, staring into the far distance.
For a brief moment, a faint golden light seemed to flicker within his blue eyes.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 194 ON PATREON.
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