Everything that needed to be said had been said.
Every attitude that needed to be shown had been shown.
The rest depended on Onoki himself.
Menma couldn't make the decision for the Third Tsuchikage.
"Just like you, Menma-kun, before I answer, I also have a question for you. Why did you choose to leave the Hidden Leaf Village so decisively? Although your past days were indeed not very good, given your identity and your brother, Naruto Namikaze—is that his name? If you two brothers joined forces, there is a high probability that the future of the Leaf could fall into your grasp. At that time, wouldn't you be able to do whatever you want? Was it just because of resentment?"
Onoki stared intently at Menma with a probing look, speaking word by word.
The Third Tsuchikage's question genuinely stunned Menma for a moment.
He truly hadn't expected Onoki to be interested in this question.
Even Orochimaru, standing to the side, pricked up his ears at this moment.
Although he had heard the reason once before, he wanted to hear how the current Menma would answer.
"Although it might sound pretentious, I must say that if that were the case, by then, I wouldn't be me anymore. Lord Tsuchikage, what I pursue doesn't exist in the Leaf. And that brother of mine... the path he chose is far different from mine. Resentment certainly exists—it was the initial motivation and reason. But ultimately, it's because here is different, Lord Tsuchikage."
After taking a deep breath, Menma raised his head and looked at Onoki with a very serious expression.
Then he patted his chest.
"You wouldn't be you anymore? Heh, that really is a slippery answer, Menma-kun. However, I like it. This old man agrees to your request for an alliance. Menma Uzumaki, let me see what your ideal truly is. Don't disappoint me."
Onoki raised an eyebrow, looking at Menma with a meaningful expression.
This answer was within expectations, but the probability wasn't very high.
After Onoki uttered those words, a look of uncontrollable surprise and suppressed excitement appeared on Menma's face.
Meeting Onoki's deep gaze, Menma nodded heavily and said, "That is only natural, Lord Tsuchikage. I won't disappoint my 'ally,' because we share common interests."
"Haha, that's best then, Menma-kun. We can discuss the details later. The ninja world won't be too peaceful from now on."
Onoki laughed heartily.
Buzz!
Immediately after, he formed a hand seal.
Light-Weight Rock Technique.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Taking Kitsuchi with him, they floated into the air together.
"Well then, let's stop here for today, Menma Uzumaki-kun. I look forward to our next meeting."
Onoki smiled slightly.
Then, with a flicker, he took Kitsuchi and flew rapidly toward the horizon, disappearing into the distance.
Watching the retreating figures of Onoki and Kitsuchi, the smile on Menma's face quickly faded, replaced by a faintly grim look in his eyes.
It was as if the joy just now had been fake.
"Heh, Menma-kun doesn't look very happy? Didn't the Lord Tsuchikage agree to your alliance invitation? Isn't your intention achieved?"
To the side, Orochimaru walked lightly to Menma's side, wearing a faint smile and speaking in his usual raspy tone.
"Agreed? Heh, Orochimaru-san, can you really not tell, or are you playing dumb? Was Lord Tsuchikage really swayed by me? Isn't the answer obvious? In your eyes, Orochimaru-san, I shouldn't be that stupid, right?"
Menma turned his head, looking at Orochimaru with an indifferent expression.
Alliance?
What did he have right now to be allies with someone like that?
His relationship with Orochimaru wasn't exactly equal, let alone with the leader of one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Menma had at least that much self-awareness.
In the end, it was almost certain that the Lord Tsuchikage intended to use Menma.
Whether it was the Leaf or the Akatsuki.
Or even speculating with a bit more malice, this Lord Tsuchikage might be planning to snatch the Nine-Tails directly if Menma gave him an opening.
Menma could see this clearly.
Of course, this didn't mean the Lord Tsuchikage was deceiving Menma.
Rather, it belonged to a flexible personal bottom line.
If Menma did well, Onoki could lead the Hidden Stone to reap the benefits without effort. If Menma did poorly, or if dangerous omens appeared, this Lord Tsuchikage would definitely act immediately to cut his losses.
So what if Menma saw through it? This was a naked open plot.
Unless Menma was willing to flip the table directly—but he was the one who proposed it, so how could he slap his own face? Not to mention Menma currently didn't have the spare energy to do so.
A superficial alliance was still an alliance!
"Heh, I was presumptuous. However, Menma-kun didn't come away empty-handed, did you? At least your initial goal should have been achieved."
Orochimaru smiled lightly, speaking pointedly.
A unique glint shone faintly in his snake-like eyes.
Menma raised an eyebrow and smiled freely. "Well, I suppose I gained something. Otherwise, my subsequent arrangements would have been greatly set back. If that happened, perhaps you would be happy to see it, Orochimaru-san?"
Then he made a small, probing counter-attack, both openly and covertly.
Orochimaru maintained his unreadable expression and said, "We are allies, Menma-kun. Why would you think that?"
"Allies? True enough. Well then, since things are finished, let's go back, Orochimaru-san. There are many things to do next."
Menma smiled meaningfully, then exploded his chakra underfoot. With a flicker, he sped back the way they came.
Orochimaru smiled lightly as well.
Then with a twist, he followed close behind Menma's steps.
---
At the same time.
Having already left the Land of Grass and stepped onto the road back to their own village, Onoki and his son Kitsuchi were talking.
Just after crossing the border line...
"Father, did you agree too hastily? In my opinion, that Menma Uzumaki isn't worth investing so much attention in. Moreover, considering the other ninja villages, especially the reaction and movements from the Leaf, wouldn't the most reasonable approach be to act quickly and seize the Nine-Tails for ourselves?"
Kitsuchi asked with a look of doubt, speaking in a very deep and resonant voice.