Menma understood one thing with absolute clarity
He needed to establish a power of his own.
Even if doing so introduced numerous risks, complications, and unforeseen consequences, he no longer had the luxury of hesitation. At this stage, he could not afford to be selective. Strategic compromise was not weakness it was necessity.
However, there was one non-negotiable premise.
Any force he built had to belong to him alone.
Only under that condition would all subsequent risks remain manageable. No matter how complex the situation became, as long as ownership remained absolute, solutions could always be devised.
And that was precisely why Orochimaru represented a critical threshold.
An obstacle that could not be bypassed.
Before proceeding further, Menma needed to clearly understand Orochimaru's stance. Whether danger existed or not was secondary; what mattered was preparation. Acting based on assumptions or wishful thinking would only lead to failure.
That was a mistake Menma would never make.
"Personnel assistance…?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint glint of interest flickering within his golden, serpentine pupils.
The deeper implication behind Menma's request was not difficult to discern.
In truth, it was expected.
The relationship between the two had always been… unconventional.
To be precise, Orochimaru had been exercising remarkable restraint.
Menma's repeated displays of power had already exceeded Orochimaru's highest expectations. Under normal circumstances, such an anomaly a jinchūriki with abnormal knowledge, unusual growth rate, and access to forbidden information would have long since been captured and dissected for study.
Yet Orochimaru had refrained.
Not out of mercy, but out of caution.
Without sufficient certainty without at least seventy to eighty percent confidence he would not act recklessly against Menma.
The variables were too many.
The Sharingan, the potential connection to the Rinnegan, the existence of forbidden techniques such as the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fūjin), the chakra of the Nine-Tails, and fragments of intelligence related to both the Akatsuki and Konohagakure
None of these were things a twelve-year-old should possess.
And yet, Menma did.
To Orochimaru, Menma was not merely a collaborator.
He was a walking enigma.
A repository of secrets waiting to be unraveled.
And it was precisely this unknown factor that fascinated Orochimaru the most.
Even for that reason alone, assisting Menma carried value.
After all
Nothing was more enticing than the unknown.
"Of course," Orochimaru said at last, his expression settling into one of practiced sincerity. "As I've said before, Menma-kun… as long as you require it, I will provide whatever support lies within my capabilities."
"Then I'll accept your generosity," Menma replied with a faint smile.
With that, he rose to leave.
However, after taking a few steps, he suddenly paused as if recalling something important.
Turning slightly, his gaze fell upon Orochimaru's arms.
They appeared normal at a glance.
But Menma knew better.
"Ah, yes… Orochimaru-san. The matter from before should have been resolved by now, correct? If possible, it would be best to remove the lingering effects of that technique as soon as possible."
His tone remained calm, but the emphasis was unmistakable.
"After all… those are your hands."
For a brief moment, Orochimaru was taken aback.
Then, with a faint, inscrutable smile, he nodded.
"Indeed… there's no need for concern, Menma-kun. They are, after all, my own hands."
"That's good to hear."
Menma gave a slight nod before turning and leaving without another word.
The moment his presence disappeared
The atmosphere in the room shifted.
Orochimaru's expression darkened subtly, the temperature of the entire hall seeming to drop in an instant.
Standing below, Hōzuki Suigetsu felt a chill run down his spine.
He's angry… definitely angry.
Suigetsu swallowed unconsciously.
To casually bring up Orochimaru's sealed arms something tied directly to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the aftermath of the Konoha Crush was no different from touching a forbidden nerve.
That guy… he really doesn't fear death.
In Suigetsu's mind, Orochimaru was already the embodiment of terror.
And yet, Menma had spoken to him in such a manner calm, composed, completely unrestrained.
Combined with everything he had just overheard, Menma's presence rose sharply in Suigetsu's internal scale of danger.
"Suigetsu."
"Y-Yes, Orochimaru-sama!"
Startled by the sudden call, Suigetsu immediately straightened, forcing himself into a respectful posture.
"You heard our conversation, correct?"
Orochimaru's gaze locked onto him.
"You will accompany Menma-kun. I will assign additional personnel to support you. During this mission, all actions will be carried out under Menma-kun's command."
A brief pause.
"Do you understand?"
Suigetsu's eyes widened.
What? Me? Assist that monster?
For a split second, he genuinely questioned whether he had misheard.
"What's the matter?" Orochimaru leaned forward slightly, his voice turning colder. "Is there a problem?"
Suigetsu's expression stiffened instantly.
"No… no problem at all, Orochimaru-sama. I will follow your orders."
"Good."
Orochimaru nodded, satisfied.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Suigetsu withdrew his mood far from calm.
Once he had left
A figure emerged quietly from the shadows.
Yakushi Kabuto.
"Orochimaru-sama… are you truly intending to assist Uzumaki Menma in influencing Takigakure?" Kabuto asked, his tone measured but serious. "If things proceed as he intends… he may become difficult to control."
Menma's objective was hardly subtle.
Even without his later disclosures, the direction of his actions had already made his intentions clear.
Takigakure was no minor force.
Among the hidden villages beneath the Five Great Nations, it stood near the top. With the addition of the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki, its strategic value increased exponentially.
If Menma succeeded in gaining influence there
The implications would be significant.
The difficulty of such a feat was undeniably high.
But if he succeeded…
Kabuto could not ignore the possibility.
As Orochimaru's most trusted subordinate, it was his responsibility to raise such concerns.
"Control?" Orochimaru repeated softly, turning his gaze toward Kabuto.
A faint smile curved along his lips.
"Kabuto… it seems you've misunderstood something."
His voice remained calm, yet carried a subtle weight.
"Menma-kun and I are collaborators. There is no concept of 'control' between us."
He turned fully, his golden eyes gleaming faintly.
"On the contrary… if Menma-kun grows stronger, isn't that advantageous for us?"
A brief pause.
"After all, Konohagakure… the Akatsuki… and others these are enemies we may one day face together."
Kabuto fell silent.
For a moment, genuine confusion surfaced in his eyes.
Is this truly an alliance…?
Something about it felt inconsistent with his prior assumptions.
Yet Orochimaru showed no intention of elaborating further.
"There is no need to dwell on this matter," he continued indifferently. "Instead, make the necessary arrangements."
His tone shifted slightly.
"Have Tayuya select a group. They will accompany Menma-kun alongside Suigetsu."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, suppressing his thoughts.
"…Understood, Orochimaru-sama."
Even if uncertainties remained
Orders were absolute.
And for now, Menma Uzumaki…
Had begun to move pieces on the board that even Orochimaru was willing to support.
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