Aggressiveness alone might not be enough.
However, when it came to self-preservation, it should be more than sufficient. After all, the great shinobi villages could not realistically devote all of their resources to dealing with Takigakure. As the leader of the village, Shibuki possessed a clear understanding of just how formidable a perfect jinchūriki truly was.
That was a force capable of standing on the level of a Kage.
Not to mention that Menma was the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails itself.
Thirteen years ago, during the Nine-Tails' attack on Konohagakure, the entire shinobi world witnessed the devastation that followed. Everyone knew how grievous Konoha's losses had been and how tremendous the price they paid was.
Therefore, what Takigakure needed most right now was time.
As long as Menma and Fū continued to grow stronger, then even if Menma's identity were eventually exposed, they would no longer be completely powerless. They might not become fearless, but at the very least they would possess the strength necessary to resist.
"There is one more matter."
Shibuki paused briefly before continuing, his expression becoming stern.
"Starting today, increase the village's security patrols. Double the surveillance. If anyone suspicious is discovered, detain them immediately. If they resist…"
A trace of hesitation flashed across his eyes.
"…then do not show mercy."
Ajun was not surprised by the order. Instead, a faint sense of relief appeared deep within his eyes.
The village leader had finally matured.
The Shibuki of the past would never have issued such a command.
It had never been a matter of lacking perspective or understanding the bigger picture. Rather, it was an issue of mentality.
For a long time, Shibuki had never truly viewed himself as the leader of Takigakure. That mindset had often caused problems whenever difficult decisions involving people or village affairs had to be made.
It was something Ajun had worried about for years.
Now, however, Shibuki had clearly changed.
Seeing this growth, Ajun felt considerably more at ease.
"Yes, Lord Shibuki."
After bowing respectfully, Ajun turned and departed.
As the captain responsible for village security, he was burdened with one of the heaviest workloads in Takigakure, second only to Shibuki himself.
After Ajun left, Menma deliberately remained behind.
Seeing this, Shibuki naturally assumed that Menma had something on his mind.
"Menma-kun, are you worried about your identity being exposed?"
Shibuki smiled reassuringly.
"You don't need to worry. Takigakure may not be comparable to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, but we are still capable of protecting our own secrets. At least for the foreseeable future, we can ensure that your identity remains hidden."
This was not empty boasting.
Menma's arrival in Takigakure had been handled as a top-secret matter from the very beginning. He had entered under a disguised identity, and aside from Shibuki and Fū, virtually no one in the village knew the truth.
For another village to uncover such information would not be easy.
If that secret somehow leaked, it would mean there was a serious problem within Takigakure itself.
"There is indeed some concern regarding that matter, but I trust Shibuki-san can handle it."
Menma nodded.
"However, that isn't the reason I stayed behind. There is something I would like to request, and I hope Shibuki-san will agree."
"Hm?"
Shibuki blinked in surprise.
"Whatever it is, just say it. As long as it is within my authority or within the village's capabilities I will do everything I can to help."
At first, Shibuki's trust in Menma had stemmed largely from Mizu no Satoru's recommendation.
But after witnessing Menma's accomplishments, especially today's barrier arrangements, Shibuki had gradually begun trusting Menma on a personal level.
Unlike Ajun, who still maintained a degree of caution, or Fū, who remained in a state of cautious acceptance, Shibuki genuinely believed that Menma could bring unprecedented change to Takigakure.
More importantly, he sincerely hoped to work alongside Menma in building a brighter future for the village.
As long as Menma's request did not violate the village's principles or exceed its capabilities, Shibuki was fully prepared to support him.
In that regard, he had never lacked courage or decisiveness.
"Haha, it isn't anything particularly difficult."
Menma smiled lightly.
"I plan to leave the village for a short period in the near future. At most, half a month. During that time, I may bring back one or two companions and invite them to join Takigakure. I wanted to inform Shibuki-san in advance and obtain your approval."
"Oh?"
Shibuki immediately relaxed.
"So that's all?"
He chuckled.
"Of course that's acceptable. That can hardly be called a request. Since they are your companions, then they are welcome in Takigakure. Whether it's one person or ten, there is no problem at all."
From the very beginning, Shibuki had never believed Menma was acting alone.
After all, how could a jinchūriki escape from Konoha without assistance?
Furthermore, there had long been rumors regarding Menma's connection to Orochimaru.
In Shibuki's mind, it was only natural that Menma would eventually bring his allies into the village.
That was completely understandable.
"Hehe, I think Shibuki-san may have misunderstood."
Menma waved his hand with a faint smile.
"The companions I intend to invite possess rather special identities. You may wish to hear who they are before making a final decision."
"Hm?"
Shibuki froze.
"Special identities? What do you mean?"
Menma coughed lightly.
"Ahem… let's just say their status is similar to mine."
"Similar to yours?"
Shibuki repeated instinctively.
Then realization struck him.
His eyes widened.
"You mean… another jinchūriki?"
"Exactly."
Menma nodded.
"The person I wish to invite is Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki of Kirigakure. He is currently a missing-nin. I recently received intelligence regarding his whereabouts, so I intend to contact him personally."
The moment those words left Menma's mouth, the atmosphere inside the room changed.
The Six-Tails Jinchūriki.
Utakata.
One of the individuals Menma had long planned to recruit.
As someone familiar with the future, Menma knew very well how valuable a jinchūriki truly was.
Even the weakest jinchūriki capable of cooperating with their tailed beast possessed combat power that far exceeded ordinary jōnin.
A Tailed Beast Ball alone was enough to devastate an entire battlefield.
Without Kage-level strength, one was not even qualified to confront such a power head-on.
For the sake of his future plans, Menma naturally had no intention of overlooking such an asset.
Back when he was still working with Orochimaru, Menma had already requested that Orochimaru's network search for both Utakata and the Three-Tails, Isobu.
At present, Isobu's whereabouts remained unknown.
However, Orochimaru had finally obtained reliable intelligence concerning Utakata.
Only a few days earlier, Kabuto had secretly delivered the information.
Now that Takigakure's barrier system had been completed, Menma intended to begin the next stage of his plans.
"The Six-Tails Jinchūriki defected from Kirigakure?"
Although he had already guessed the answer, Shibuki could not hide his astonishment.
"When did that happen?"
"As far as I know, several years ago."
Menma frowned slightly.
The exact timing was unclear even to him.
What was certain was that Utakata had not recently deserted Kirigakure. According to Orochimaru's intelligence, he had been living independently for quite some time.
Because he remained one of Kirigakure's most important strategic assets, the village had never stopped searching for him. Specialized hunter-nin and ANBU teams had spent years tracking his movements.
"Menma-kun…"
Shibuki rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Isn't this far too dangerous? A missing-nin from Kirigakure is already troublesome enough, but a jinchūriki? This…"
His expression became increasingly complicated.
Takigakure had already accepted Menma, the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails and a missing-nin from Konoha.
If they also accepted Utakata, then in the future they would potentially be antagonizing both Konohagakure and Kirigakure simultaneously.
Just imagining such a scenario made Shibuki's complexion pale slightly.
"Shibuki-san."
Menma shook his head.
"There are no outsiders here, so I'll speak frankly."
His expression gradually became serious.
"The moment Elder Satoru and you agreed to let me join Takigakure, there was already no turning back."
Menma met Shibuki's gaze directly.
"My identity will eventually be exposed. I cannot hide behind a false name forever."
A sharp light flashed within his blue eyes.
"I never concealed my intentions when I joined this village. My goal has always been clear."
"One day, I will settle my score with Konoha."
"That means confrontation is inevitable."
"Since that future cannot be avoided, then worrying about risks now is meaningless."
Menma paused before continuing.
"What we should be considering is not the danger involved, but the benefits."
"The Six-Tails Jinchūriki is not merely another shinobi."
"He is a strategic weapon."
"He is a force capable of changing the balance of power among the Great Nations."
"So tell me, Shibuki-san…"
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
"When compared to what we stand to gain, are those risks really unacceptable?"
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