This seemed like a critical issue, yet perhaps not entirely pivotal.
Where did the core lie? It lay in a person's reputation, in their integrity.
Although Menma was also young in his previous life and didn't have much social experience, he wasn't completely naive. He certainly wouldn't pin his hopes on believing someone's words alone.
This world wasn't one that waved flags of righteousness and propriety; it was a world where interests were paramount.
Onoki's answer was important, yet also not that important. What Menma needed was merely reference data.
Onoki wasn't surprised at all by Menma's doubts. It was a question any normal person facing such a situation would think of.
Onoki was well prepared.
As soon as Menma finished speaking, Onoki replied directly: "The first question is no problem at all, Menma-kun. Given the relationship between the Five Great Ninja Villages today, does it really need further explanation? Angering the Leaf? Heh, in this old man's eyes, that's just a joke. Leaving aside whether the Leaf has the courage to attack, even if they do, compared to your value, Menma-kun, this so-called threat of war is laughable. You also don't need to worry about me handing you over. Value is one thing, but this old man's face and status are another. If I really did that, my time as Tsuchikage would be over. I am not that Third Hokage of the Leaf."
Onoki was indeed very direct.
There was no exaggeration. In his view, Menma, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, truly possessed such value. Even if it meant starting a full-scale war with the Leaf, so what?
The benefits versus the risks were already worth the Third Tsuchikage making up his mind.
That was the Nine-Tails!!!
Not to mention, Onoki really looked down on the Leaf. He didn't think this so-called dominant ninja village had that kind of resolve and courage, something which had been fully proven over the past few decades.
Finally, he deliberately took a dig at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After all, the Hyuga Incident back then was known to every household in the ninja world.
The weakness of the Leaf, or rather Hiruzen Sarutobi, was completely exposed at that moment—at least in Onoki's view.
That was the most foolish course of action.
A village's Kage, bowing to the threat of war from another village and handing over one of his own people? Wasn't that shaking the foundation of his rule, shaking the very roots of the village!?
Even if it wasn't their fault to begin with.
And even if they were in the wrong first... if it were Onoki handling it, he would absolutely fight to the end. If his own people made a mistake, only his own people could deal with it. Handing them over? What would that look like!?
In this regard, Onoki spoke with immense confidence.
"As for the second question, Menma-kun, isn't my coming here today the best answer? Furthermore, given your identity and your previous actions, this old man believes you aren't an insidious person. I am willing to give you unlimited, unreserved trust. This is the greatest sincerity I can offer," Onoki said softly, looking at Menma with a serious expression.
"As for the last question, Menma-kun, I can only say that I will always choose the course of action most beneficial to the Hidden Stone Village. Do you understand?"
Onoki paused slightly before continuing, his words causing Menma to raise an eyebrow.
After a brief silence, Menma nodded slowly. "Of course, I understand your meaning, and I can accept it. After all, your primary identity is the Tsuchikage of the Hidden Stone Village."
"Heh, it is best that you understand. So, Menma-kun, give me your answer. Are you willing to join our Hidden Stone Village?"
Onoki smiled lightly, clasping his hands behind his back. Despite his seemingly calm and breezy demeanor, in that moment, Onoki's heartstrings tightened.
Although Onoki had considerable confidence in persuading Menma before coming, and truthfully, there was no deception in any of his words—he sincerely invited Menma. He even thought that if Menma proved excellent enough to surpass all the next generation of his own village, the highest position wasn't out of the question.
Just as he said, he wouldn't doubt Menma without cause. His coming here was in itself a clear demonstration of his attitude.
But after actually seeing Menma and exchanging brief words, Onoki fully recognized the kind of character Menma possessed.
He couldn't say hope was slim, but it was far from his initial expectations. Because this was a matter of personal judgment.
Sure enough.
Menma didn't consider for too long. In fact, almost immediately after Onoki finished speaking, Menma shook his head.
"I am very sorry to disappoint your expectations, but I currently have no thoughts of joining any other ninja village. However, Lord Tsuchikage, it is not impossible for us to become partners in cooperation."
Upon hearing the first half of Menma's answer, Onoki's heart sank.
'As expected,' he thought.
He even began internally considering other plans and methods to deal with this Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
But the second half of the sentence made Onoki pause slightly.
"Partners in cooperation? What do you mean by that, Menma-kun?" Onoki asked, looking at Menma with interest.
Beside them, Orochimaru revealed a meaningful smile. This posture, this scene—it looked exactly like his meeting with Menma in the Forest of Death over two months ago.
"It means exactly what it says. I invite you, Lord Tsuchikage, to form an alliance with me. The target of this alliance is the Hidden Leaf Village," Menma said word by word, wearing a calm smile.
The Leaf.
The Land of Fire.
This was the primary reason for the outbreak of the three Great Ninja Wars over the past few decades.
Although other villages fought amongst themselves—Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud even beat each other's brains out in the Third War—in the vast majority of cases, the target of the other four great villages remained the Land of Fire and the Hidden Leaf Village, located in the most prosperous core of the ninja world.
To say he was 100% confident would be nonsense.
But Menma believed that as long as there were no major accidents, given that their interests aligned, this Third Tsuchikage would definitely be willing to unite with him.
There were various solutions to suppress a conflict. But the most direct and effective one was to present another, larger conflict to temporarily replace it.
Especially a conflict where the dawn of profit could be seen.
Then the previous conflict could be temporarily shelved and forgotten.