After this period of experimentation, Menma had gradually grown accustomed to scenes like this. Back when he first started, facing his first human dissection, he thought he could handle it. In the end, however, he humiliatingly threw up.
At that moment, he truly understood the horror his medical school friends from his previous life had told him about regarding their studies.
Human experimentation really required immense courage.
Menma himself had to go through several rounds of vomiting and suppressing the nausea before he could barely get used to it.
As for Karin, Menma didn't plan to let her participate in human experiments so early. It was just a bit too bloody. He was forced to do it, but there was no need for Karin to go through that yet. Letting her handle some auxiliary experiments was enough. If she really had to touch this kind of stuff, it would be better to leave it for later.
'Looks like I need a transition period. I can't just adapt directly.'
Menma took a deep breath.
After adjusting his plan, he restarted the experiment.
The goal was constant, but the plan could be changed at any time; everything had to be adjusted according to the actual situation.
If possible, Menma naturally hoped to carry out his plans peacefully for the coming period, whether it was strengthening himself or building external forces. But obviously, things never developed according to one person's subjective will, especially for a "core existence" like Menma who stood in the eye of the storm.
His every move easily attracted the attention of others.
Not to mention that right now, he was living under someone else's roof. His actions were restricted by Orochimaru.
For instance, Orochimaru certainly didn't know about the pieces Menma had set up in the Hidden Waterfall Village, but it would be easy for him to pick up some clues. Ultimately, Menma still had to rely on Orochimaru in many aspects.
If nothing else, Orochimaru was needed to share the pressure from the Three Great Ninja Villages. Without a suitable hiding place, forget about getting stronger or building a force—Menma would probably have to play "hide-and-seek" every day, wandering all over the ninja world to prevent these villages from pinpointing his location.
Specifically, after the Fourth Raikage saw no openings in the Leaf and successfully negotiated with the Sand in record time to renew their alliance, he turned his spearhead fully toward Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
From Orochimaru's intelligence, it was clear that the number of Cloud ninja active in various countries had doubled or even more compared to before.
Menma naturally didn't need to fear these ordinary Cloud ninja. But if he were to fall into endless days of killing and fleeing, his so-called plans would become a massive joke.
If he couldn't even stabilize himself, what right did he have to talk about anything else?
This was exactly why Menma had decided to reach a necessary agreement with Orochimaru before leaving the Leaf. He really needed such a natural ally.
If possible, Menma wouldn't mind if this "special alliance" continued. After all, judging from the original story, the Snake Sannin's goals were quite pure, and they might actually be able to walk the same path.
Of course, there were many issues involved. Sasuke was just one of them. But fortunately, Menma still had plenty of room to consider and a certain amount of time.
There was no need to rush. Taking things one step at a time was the correct approach.
And in this atmosphere, time slowly passed.
Soon, a response came from the Third Tsuchikage of the Hidden Stone Village.
Onoki agreed to Menma's request to meet in a place far away from the Hidden Stone. Both parties could bring at most one attendant.
"Oh? The Lord Tsuchikage actually agreed?"
Hearing the news from Kabuto Yakushi, Menma raised an eyebrow, revealing a look of surprise.
After all, strictly speaking, Menma's request was a bit excessive. The guy was one of the Five Kage, old enough to be Menma's grandfather. To unilaterally agree to Menma's demand to meet in a location far from his village, with only one attendant... no matter how you looked at it, it seemed unreasonable.
Menma had thought the probability of Onoki angrily refusing was the highest. He didn't expect the old man to actually agree.
"Yes, Menma-kun. And the Lord Tsuchikage also clarified that the attendant he brings will be his son. You can decide the time and place, Menma-kun," Kabuto said with a smile.
This showed both sincerity and confidence.
As the oldest of the current Five Kage—over 70 years old—Onoki's Particle Style still awed the ninja world. In terms of comprehensive strength, the Third Tsuchikage might not match the Third Raikage of the past, but the ultimate destructive power of Particle Style was definitely at the Super Kage level.
Plus, the guy could fly. That was a massive buff.
With that kind of strength, and bringing his son—who was at least a Quasi-Kage or even stronger—it was natural to have such confidence. Unless he fell into a trap like the Third Raikage did, surrounded by thousands of ninja or caught in a powerful barrier, he really didn't need to worry about much.
It was confidence stemming from within.
"Is that so? Then, Kabuto-san, you pick a suitable location for me. And while you're at it, ask Orochimaru-san if he'd like to go out for a stroll. It would be a meeting of old friends, after all."
Menma thought for a moment, then nodded slowly and smiled.
These words surprised Kabuto.
"Eh? Let me confirm. You want me to choose the location, and then invite Lord Orochimaru to go with you to meet the Third Tsuchikage?" Kabuto looked at Menma with a trace of uncertainty.
"Yes, I'm sure. Just reply to Orochimaru-san like that," Menma said with a light chuckle.
Although the idea had just popped into his head a moment ago, the more he thought about it, the more he felt it was the right move.
Onoki might seem full of sincerity, but he was still a Kage. Menma couldn't go without any precautionary measures. Even if Menma was confident in himself, it wasn't enough. Orochimaru was the "best security guard" Menma could prepare for himself!
Only with him present could the balance of power between the negotiating parties be ensured.
Often, negotiations depended not just on sincerity, but on the strength held by both sides. Only equals were qualified to negotiate.
Weakness? That just meant you were destined to be swallowed whole.
And inviting Orochimaru served another purpose. Since he was Menma's most important—and currently only—ally, Menma didn't want to see any major rifts or misunderstandings develop between them.