For a brief moment, Ajun's mind went completely blank.
His thoughts seemed to freeze.
His eyes wandered uncertainly between Menma and Shibuki, while his lips opened and closed several times. Countless questions crowded his mind, yet he found himself unable to voice even a single one.
Everything he had just heard lay far beyond the limits of his understanding.
Especially the part involving Jiraiya.
That was the one detail Ajun found hardest to believe.
Ironically, the deaths of Darui and the Kumogakure shinobi hardly registered in his mind. Compared to one of the Three Legendary Sannin, Darui was still relatively unknown within the shinobi world at this point in history. If he had fallen in battle, then so be it.
But Jiraiya…
That was an entirely different matter.
One of Konohagakure's legendary Sannin.
A shinobi whose reputation had shaken the Five Great Nations for decades.
A man who had survived countless wars and battles, earning his place among the greatest ninja alive.
How could someone as young as Menma possibly contend with a figure of that caliber?
Ajun simply couldn't accept it.
Yet…
If Menma were lying…
What purpose would it serve?
There was no reason to fabricate such a story before the leader of Takigakure.
Moreover, Menma had recounted the entire incident with remarkable composure, providing details that were both coherent and logically consistent.
None of it sounded like something invented on the spot.
Ajun could only glance at Menma before turning toward Shibuki, his expression filled with hesitation.
He wanted to ask whether his leader truly believed such an unbelievable story.
But the words never left his mouth.
Compared with Ajun's disbelief, Shibuki's reaction was only slightly calmer.
As Menma described every encounter he had experienced during his journey from Kumogakure's pursuit force to Kirigakure's hunters, and finally his confrontation with Jiraiya Shibuki felt goosebumps rise across his body.
The difference between the two men lay in one crucial point.
Ajun did not know Menma's true identity.
In his eyes, Menma was merely an exceptionally talented shinobi from the Land of Fire operating under the alias Accelerator.
Naturally, Ajun found it impossible to imagine such a person standing against Jiraiya.
Shibuki, however…
Knew the truth.
He knew Menma was the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
With Kurama's power at his disposal, Menma already possessed the potential to challenge even the strongest shinobi in the world.
Hadn't the Nine-Tails' attack on Konohagakure demonstrated the terrifying might of the strongest tailed beast?
Before this, Shibuki's greatest concern had been how much of Kurama's chakra Menma had truly mastered.
Now…
It appeared Menma had already reached the point where he could confront Jiraiya directly and withdraw safely.
The revelation shocked him.
But at the same time…
It filled him with confidence.
Because the stronger Menma became, the greater Takigakure's chances of surviving the inevitable day when his identity as Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki was exposed.
If that day ever came, conflict with one or more of the Five Great Shinobi Nations would likely be unavoidable.
Takigakure would need every ounce of strength it could gather.
Menma's growth represented the village's greatest hope.
After a moment of silence, Shibuki slowly nodded.
"I see…"
"This journey must have been far more dangerous than any of us anticipated."
A warm smile appeared on his face.
"You've worked hard, Ichi-san."
"But that isn't the real issue."
Menma looked at Shibuki and sighed softly.
"The problem is that my identity has already been exposed."
"The next investigations conducted by the major shinobi villages will almost certainly turn their attention toward Takigakure."
The moment he saw the expression on Shibuki's face, Menma realized that the young village leader had not yet grasped the true seriousness of the situation.
After a brief pause, he continued.
The room immediately fell silent.
"…What?"
Both Shibuki and Ajun froze.
An instant later, their expressions changed simultaneously.
However…
The conclusions each of them reached were entirely different.
Shibuki knew Menma's true identity as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki of Konohagakure.
Ajun, on the other hand, merely assumed that Menma's identity as "Accelerator," Takigakure's newest elite shinobi, had been exposed and that Konoha had also discovered Yūgao the Two-Tails' jinchūriki from Kirigakure had joined Takigakure.
Even from Ajun's perspective…
That was already disastrous.
Almost simultaneously, the two spoke.
"Did Jiraiya see through your disguise?"
"Were you careless and forget to conceal your identity?"
The questions overlapped.
Ajun instinctively turned toward Shibuki.
A trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.
A disguise?
What does Lord Shibuki mean by that?
Was Ichi-san disguised from the very beginning?
Although puzzled, Ajun wisely kept those questions to himself.
Menma simply shook his head.
"It wasn't that."
"When facing someone like Jiraiya, holding back isn't an option."
"If I refuse to use my true strength, I have no chance of fighting him."
"And once I use that power…"
"My identity naturally becomes impossible to hide."
His tone remained calm.
No matter how sophisticated a Transformation Technique became, it only altered appearance.
It did not change one's chakra.
Nor could it erase the characteristics of one's fighting style.
Ordinarily, Menma's disguise was sufficient.
Without close inspection, even experienced shinobi would struggle to see through it.
Even Jiraiya would have difficulty exposing such a flawless transformation through observation alone.
But battle…
Was an entirely different matter.
The moment combat began, deception became meaningless.
Could Menma defeat Jiraiya without using Kurama's chakra?
Impossible.
Could he refrain from using the Adamantine Sealing Chains if the situation demanded it?
Equally impossible.
And what about the Flying Raijin Technique that he had painstakingly mastered?
Or his Rasengan variants?
If Menma deliberately sealed away every one of his signature abilities simply to maintain his disguise…
His combat strength would immediately plummet.
Against Jiraiya…
That would be tantamount to courting death.
Even Darui had already pushed him into a difficult battle.
Trying to fight one of the Legendary Sannin while relying solely on ordinary jutsu would have been sheer madness.
Because of that, Menma had never entertained the illusion that he could conceal his identity once battle became inevitable.
A Transformation Technique was useful only under normal circumstances.
The instant a true fight began…
Everything would be exposed.
Unless someone possessed the ability to perfectly replicate another person's chakra signature, bloodline, and techniques
Like White Zetsu.
Only then could a disguise remain convincing in actual combat.
Menma had no such ability.
That was precisely why, when he chose to intervene on Sasuke's behalf, he had already accepted that exposing himself was unavoidable.
At best…
He could prevent Yūgao from revealing herself.
But now, looking back…
Even that precaution had accomplished very little.
In the shinobi world, suspicion alone was often enough.
Concrete evidence was merely a luxury.
Shibuki fell silent.
A bitter smile slowly appeared on his face.
"…You're right."
There was simply no avoiding it.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Shibuki leaned forward slightly.
"Then…"
"What should we do next?"
His voice had become noticeably more serious.
If Menma's identity as Konoha's Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and Yūgao's presence in Takigakure as the Two-Tails' jinchūriki were both exposed…
Then Takigakure would undoubtedly become the focus of multiple great powers.
Konohagakure would never willingly allow the Nine-Tails to remain outside its control.
Kumogakure, which had coveted tailed beasts for generations, would certainly covet both Kurama and Matatabi.
As for Sunagakure…
Shibuki wasn't particularly worried.
After years of decline, the Hidden Sand lacked the strength to threaten Takigakure on its own.
Kirigakure was geographically distant.
Its ability to project military force across such a distance remained limited.
The more complicated variable…
Was Iwagakure.
Previously, Menma had already explained to Shibuki that he possessed a certain degree of mutual understanding with the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
Although it was far from a formal alliance…
There was enough shared interest for cooperation to remain possible.
Menma understood Ōnoki well.
The old Tsuchikage had never been a man constrained by sentiment.
Throughout his long reign, he had repeatedly cooperated with questionable organizations whenever it benefited Iwagakure.
Even employing the Akatsuki as mercenaries had never troubled his conscience.
For Ōnoki…
Only the interests of Iwagakure truly mattered.
That pragmatism was exactly what Menma intended to exploit.
Shibuki had gradually come to understand that way of thinking after Menma explained it to him.
Even so…
The pressure remained overwhelming.
Even if Iwagakure chose not to interfere…
Takigakure would still have to contend with Konohagakure and Kumogakure.
Neither village could afford to commit its entire military because each had to remain wary of the other great nations.
Yet even a fraction of their strength represented an enormous threat.
If a powerhouse like Iwagakure would hesitate before facing simultaneous pressure from those two great villages…
Then Takigakure, whose military strength still lagged far behind the Five Great Shinobi Nations, had even greater reason to remain vigilant.
"Yes."
"We have to accelerate our plans."
"Before the Five Great Shinobi Nations can fully react, we must complete as many preparations as possible. Only then will we have the strength to respond when the inevitable confrontation arrives."
Menma took a deep breath before speaking with firm resolve.
The plan concerning the Three-Tails, Isobu, could no longer remain on hold.
Likewise, several other crucial objectives that he had already laid out would have to be advanced simultaneously.
Of course, doing so would inevitably increase the risk of exposing both his identity and Takigakure's movements.
But now was no longer the time to worry about that.
If they remained passive…
Then within a few months or perhaps even less the news of Menma's presence in Takigakure would almost certainly spread throughout the shinobi world.
Instead of waiting helplessly, it would be far wiser to seize this final window of opportunity, complete as many of his original plans as possible, and strengthen both himself and Takigakure before the storm arrived.
"I understand…"
Shibuki nodded solemnly before opening his mouth to continue.
"Then "
"Please wait a moment, Lord Shibuki."
Ajun suddenly interrupted.
His brows were tightly knitted as he looked toward Menma.
"There is one thing I still don't understand."
"You mentioned that your identity has been exposed and that the major shinobi villages will begin coveting Takigakure."
"If you're referring to Yūgao-san's identity… didn't you just say she hasn't actually been exposed?"
"As long as we deny everything, and the Five Great Nations continue to keep each other in check, wouldn't they hesitate to act against Takigakure without concrete evidence?"
Ajun voiced the doubt that had lingered in his mind ever since the conversation began.
Objectively speaking…
His reasoning was perfectly sound.
In the shinobi world, the powerful often needed no evidence when dealing with the weak.
However…
Takigakure occupied an unusually delicate position.
Its geographical location and historical significance made it a buffer that none of the Five Great Nations wished to disturb lightly.
A war against Takigakure could easily upset the balance among the great villages.
Even someone as aggressive as the Fourth Raikage had never launched an outright invasion of Takigakure simply to seize the Seven-Tails.
It wasn't because he lacked the desire.
It was because the political consequences outweighed the immediate benefits.
From Ajun's perspective, the situation was straightforward.
As long as Takigakure firmly denied every accusation…
And no irrefutable evidence emerged…
The Five Great Nations would remain cautious.
If one village attempted to move first, the others would almost certainly intervene.
Konohagakure.
Kumogakure.
Iwagakure.
Sunagakure.
Even distant Kirigakure.
None of them would willingly allow another village to destroy Takigakure and seize the Seven-Tails for itself.
Such was the reality of the political landscape.
If one side could not obtain the tailed beast…
Then it was preferable that no one obtained it.
Keeping the Seven-Tails inside Takigakure maintained the existing balance.
Who could say whether a declaration of war against Takigakure was truly about capturing a tailed beast…
Or merely an excuse to begin a larger conflict?
After hearing Ajun's words, Menma instinctively turned toward Shibuki.
After a brief silence, he spoke.
"Although it may be a little earlier than we originally intended…"
"I think the time has come, Shibuki-san."
"Ajun-san is someone both you and the late Elder Satoru trusted completely."
"If we truly intend to carry out our plans, we can't continue hiding the truth from him."
"The same applies to the other core members of the village."
"We cannot wait until the outside world exposes my identity before our own people learn the truth."
"If that happens, it will only damage the village's stability."
The atmosphere inside the room instantly became heavier.
"…Huh?"
Ajun blinked blankly.
He looked from Menma to Shibuki.
His confusion only deepened.
The outside world exposing his identity?
What exactly is Menma talking about?
Isn't he merely a shinobi from the Land of Fire?
Even if his background were somewhat unusual, wouldn't Konohagakure simply pay closer attention after he joined Takigakure?
Surely there couldn't be anything more serious than that…
Unless…
He has another identity?
Ajun's thoughts immediately drifted toward the Fire Daimyō.
Perhaps Menma had once been an elite guard serving the Daimyō directly.
Or maybe he possessed some secret status within the Land of Fire.
Unfortunately…
His assumptions remained completely off the mark.
Shibuki remained silent for several long seconds.
His expression became increasingly solemn.
Finally…
He turned toward Ajun.
After holding his subordinate's gaze for a long moment, he slowly nodded.
Ajun had always been one of the people Shibuki trusted most.
Although this revelation was arriving earlier than originally planned…
The situation had already changed.
As Menma had said…
His identity could not remain hidden forever.
Whenever he confronted a truly powerful opponent…
He would inevitably have to draw upon Kurama's chakra.
At that point, concealment would become meaningless.
Rather than allowing the village's senior leadership to discover the truth from outsiders…
It was far better for them to hear it directly from Menma himself.
That way, they would have time to understand and accept him.
In truth, Menma had already intended to reveal his identity to the trusted members of Takigakure's Barrier Team after spending more time working alongside them.
Unfortunately…
Events had overtaken his plans.
"You're right."
Shibuki nodded decisively.
The next instant
Before Ajun could react
Menma formed a seal.
"Release."
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke instantly erupted around him.
Ajun's pupils contracted.
For a split second…
A vague suspicion surfaced in his heart.
Could it be…?
Within moments, the smoke gradually dispersed.
The man standing before them had completely changed.
The mature appearance of "Accelerator" had vanished.
In its place stood a young boy with vivid crimson hair cascading to his shoulders, a youthful face, and features that clearly belonged to someone barely thirteen years old.
Even without knowing his identity…
Anyone could immediately tell that this was a completely different person.
"W-What…?"
Ajun's eyes widened.
His mind stopped working.
It wasn't that he couldn't comprehend the Transformation Technique.
As a veteran jōnin of Takigakure, he understood perfectly how it worked.
The problem was…
The face before him seemed strangely familiar.
Combined with everything Menma had just said about Konohagakure…
A single name suddenly flashed through his mind.
Before Ajun could fully process it, Menma spoke first.
"I'm sorry for concealing the truth from you until now, Ajun-san."
"'Accelerator' was only a disguise."
"My real name…"
"…is Uzumaki Menma."
"…Uzumaki… Menma?"
The name escaped Ajun's lips almost instinctively.
The surname Uzumaki alone carried extraordinary significance.
Ajun was no inexperienced shinobi.
As one of Takigakure's senior leaders and a veteran ninja in his forties, he naturally understood the reputation once held by the Uzumaki Clan.
Masters of sealing techniques.
Possessors of immense life force and chakra.
A clan whose name had once echoed throughout the shinobi world.
But…
That was only the beginning.
A Konoha missing-nin.
The son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
And…
The jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
Those were the identities that truly mattered.
Everything suddenly clicked into place.
Ajun finally understood every conversation that had taken place earlier.
He also understood why Menma possessed the strength to confront Jiraiya.
Because…
Standing before him was the jinchūriki of Kurama, the strongest of the Nine Tailed Beasts.
"W-Wait…"
"What did you just say?"
"You're… Uzumaki Menma?"
"The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki from Konohagakure?"
"The Fourth Hokage's son?!"
Ajun abruptly shot to his feet.
His eyes were fixed on Menma.
Shock filled every inch of his face.
He had imagined countless possibilities.
Yet this…
This was the one answer he had never considered.
Even after hearing Menma confirm it with his own mouth…
Ajun still found it almost impossible to accept.
His heart churned violently.
"Yes."
"I am Uzumaki Menma."
"Until now, only Shibuki-san, Fū, and the late Elder Satoru knew my true identity."
"I sincerely apologize for keeping it from you."
"My status is simply too sensitive."
"If it were exposed prematurely, every major shinobi village especially Konohagakure would immediately turn its attention toward Takigakure."
"As I said before, I won't deny that I came here with my own personal goals."
"But I also genuinely hope to restore Takigakure to greatness."
"Originally, Shibuki-san and I planned to reveal my identity gradually after completing several important arrangements."
"Unfortunately…"
"Events have overtaken our plans."
"My identity could be exposed at any moment."
"Which means we have no choice but to accelerate everything."
Menma spoke calmly, his tone carrying unmistakable sincerity.
His explanation was straightforward.
Nothing was exaggerated.
Nothing was concealed.
Ajun understood every word.
He understood the reasoning as well.
The only problem was…
The revelation itself was simply too overwhelming.
His mind understood.
His emotions had yet to catch up.
"T-This…"
"A-Accelera "
"No…"
"Menma-kun…"
"I…"
"It's just…"
"This is all too sudden."
"I need some time to process it."
Ajun rubbed his forehead helplessly.
His expression remained one of complete disbelief.
Menma smiled gently.
"I understand."
"My identity really is rather unusual."
"And, Ajun-san…"
"There's no need to address me so formally."
"I'm only thirteen years old."
"Just call me Menma."
In the past…
Maintaining the identity of Accelerator required him to behave as an adult.
Being addressed respectfully had been perfectly natural.
Now that the disguise was gone…
Standing before him was one of Takigakure's most senior and dedicated shinobi.
Menma felt it was only appropriate to show the humility expected of someone his age.
"…Very well."
Ajun hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding.
"…Then forgive my presumption…"
"Menma-kun."
Looking into Menma's sincere blue eyes, Ajun was reminded of his own son, who was only a few years younger.
The tension in his heart eased considerably.
After taking several deep breaths, his emotions gradually settled.
Only then did he fully understand the implications of everything Menma and Shibuki had discussed earlier.
Indeed…
With Menma's identity…
Evidence no longer mattered.
The moment Konohagakure learned the truth, it would move without hesitation.
Kumogakure would undoubtedly do the same.
Neither village would simply stand by while the Nine-Tails remained outside their control.
Yet at the same time…
Ajun felt an overwhelming sense of excitement.
Takigakure now possessed not one…
Not two…
But three jinchūriki.
Among them was even the jinchūriki of Kurama, the strongest of the Nine Tailed Beasts.
Such a lineup had never existed before.
Not even among the Five Great Shinobi Nations.
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