For a split second, his brain completely short-circuited.
Agun felt his head stiffen up. His eyes darted around, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to say something, but he didn't know where to start.
This was simply too far beyond his comprehension.
Especially the part about facing off against Jiraiya.
Agun found it incredibly hard to believe.
Conversely, he didn't care much about the death of Darui and the other Cloud ninja. Compared to Jiraiya, the current Darui really didn't have much fame; if he died, he died.
But Jiraiya was different!
One of the dignified Sannin of the Leaf.
A terrifying existence who had awed the ninja world for over thirty years.
And Menma, just a youngster, could face off against him? Agun was unwilling to believe it no matter what.
But to say Menma was lying?
It didn't seem necessary, did it?
Agun could only glance at Menma, then at his own leader, looking like he wanted to speak but stopped himself.
On the side, Shibuki's mood was only slightly better than Agun's.
The group of people Menma encountered on his trip...
And the glorious battle record described later... Shibuki felt goosebumps all over his body at this moment.
Unlike Agun's suspicion.
Shibuki believed Menma 100% on this point.
Because Agun didn't know Menma's true identity, still thinking he was just a powerful ninja from the Land of Fire.
Naturally, he didn't think the identity "Accelerator" that Menma disguised could contend with Jiraiya.
But from Shibuki's perspective...
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had that capital!
Wasn't the Nine-Tails' attack 13 years ago the best proof?
Shibuki was only worried before about the extent of Menma's mastery over the Nine-Tails' chakra. Now it seemed he could already clash head-on with Jiraiya!
Besides shock, Shibuki also felt deep joy!
Because the stronger Menma was, the more capable they would be to resist invasions from the Leaf and other ninja villages when Menma's identity was exposed in the future!
"Is that so? Then it was really hard on you this trip, Accelerator-kun."
Shibuki nodded with a look of emotion.
But due to his lack of political sensitivity, Shibuki didn't realize the crux of the problem for a moment.
"The hardship was nothing. It's just that with my identity exposed, the subsequent search by the three major ninja villages is very likely to lock onto us here, Shibuki-san."
Looking at Shibuki's expression.
Menma knew this young leader hadn't reacted yet.
After a slight pause, he continued.
"Huh!?"
Shibuki and Agun were both stunned.
Immediately after.
Both of their faces changed.
However, their thoughts were completely different.
Shibuki knew Menma's true identity, while Agun simply thought that Menma's identity as a Waterfall ninja was exposed, letting the Leaf side know about the Six-Tails Jinchuriki Utakata joining their village.
That was indeed a very bad thing.
"Did that Jiraiya see through your disguise?"
"Did you forget to take off your forehead protector, Accelerator-san?"
Shibuki and Agun spoke in sync.
But just a second later.
Agun looked at his leader with a look of doubt.
Huh? What do you mean by disguise?
Does our Accelerator-san have a disguise? Eh?
"Facing Jiraiya, I couldn't possibly hold back, Shibuki-san. Without using that power, I couldn't fight him. And once I used that power, my identity would naturally be exposed."
Menma shook his head lightly.
The more exquisite the Transformation Jutsu, the harder it is to see through, of course. Even for Jiraiya, unless he entered Sage Mode, it would be difficult to discern if Menma's disguised appearance was fake.
But appearance and body shape can change.
What about actual combat?
Not use Nine-Tails chakra?
Not use Adamantine Sealing Chains?
And not use other jutsu including the Great Spiralling Ring?
Fighting purely with other ordinary jutsu, the current Menma would at best be an ordinary Jonin. Fight Jiraiya!?
Even Darui earlier could have forcefully killed Menma.
Therefore, the so-called Transformation Jutsu could only fool people under ordinary circumstances. Once engaged in battle, the identity would naturally be exposed.
This jutsu is powerful, but also somewhat useless.
Unless someone can perfectly simulate another's chakra and other powerful jutsu, then the transformation would be meaningful.
Like White Zetsu!
Anyway, Menma couldn't do that.
Therefore, when Menma showed up to support Sasuke, he didn't think about hiding his identity at all; it was simply impossible to do.
At most, he just didn't let Utakata show himself.
But now it seems.
That was also largely meaningless.
Once they suspect you, they don't need any so-called evidence.
"That is indeed true..."
Shibuki was stunned at first, then shook his head gently with a wry smile.
"Then do we need to do something next?"
Shibuki leaned forward slightly, speaking with a grave expression.
If Menma's identity, along with the matter of Utakata joining the Hidden Waterfall Village, were all exposed, it was foreseeable that they would definitely encounter covetous eyes from the major nations next.
Especially the Leaf and the Cloud.
The Sand was already weakened, so no need to worry too much.
The Mist was relatively far away.
As for the Stone.
Menma had confessed to Shibuki before that he had a certain alliance relationship with the Third Tsuchikage. It might not be very solid, but it could be utilized a bit. This could be seen from Ohnoki unscrupulously using the Akatsuki organization in the original story.
This Third Tsuchikage wasn't picky; as long as it was beneficial to their Hidden Stone Village, Ohnoki wouldn't hesitate.
Menma wanted to borrow this point.
Shibuki also somewhat understood this through Menma's previous introduction.
But even so.
Cloud + Leaf was still a behemoth. While they couldn't possibly strike with full force as they needed to be wary of each other, this pressure was something even the Stone couldn't take lightly, let alone their Hidden Waterfall Village.
"Yes, we must also accelerate our pace. Before these great nations react, we need to make as many preparations as possible. Only when the necessary moment comes can we have the strength to respond!"
Menma took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
Not just the matter of the Three-Tails Isobu, which needed to be put on the agenda immediately, but another important plan also had to be carried out synchronously by Menma. Doing so would indeed increase the risk of his identity and tracks being exposed.
But now wasn't the time to consider these things.
Doing nothing meant that at most within a few months, or even shorter, the fact that he was staying in the Hidden Waterfall Village would definitely be leaked.
It was better to seize this last time point to complete the plans he had set before as much as possible, strengthening himself and the power of the entire Hidden Waterfall Village.
"Then..."
Shibuki nodded, and just as he was about to say something more...
"Um, please wait a moment, Lord Leader, Accelerator-san. I don't quite understand the identity exposure and other ninja villages' coveting you just mentioned. If it refers to Utakata-san's identity, didn't Accelerator-san say it hasn't been truly exposed yet? As long as we flatly deny it, generally speaking, with the major nations wary of each other, they are unlikely to attack us, right? Let alone attacking together."
Agun interrupted Shibuki directly, speaking with a look of doubt.
In this world, as long as there is suspicion, evidence is naturally not needed.
Do the strong need to prove anything to the weak?
The answer is no.
But also because of the Hidden Waterfall Village's special location.
And its special status over the years.
The Five Great Nations might beat other small and medium ninja villages to death, but only with the Hidden Waterfall Village would they be full of misgivings, not wanting to easily break the balance of the ninja world.
Even someone as violent as the Fourth Raikage.
Had never said he would attack the Hidden Waterfall Village.
He definitely had related thoughts—after all, it was a Tailed Beast—but never truly taking action explained a lot.
Therefore, Agun's statement, from a general perspective, made a lot of sense.
As long as they held their ground.
If the opponent had no evidence.
They wouldn't attack easily.
If anyone really lost their mind and wanted to attack directly, other ninja villages would definitely stop them. Stone, Cloud, Leaf, Sand, including the more distant Mist, would absolutely not sit back and watch a ninja village crush the Hidden Waterfall Village and take the Seven-Tails into their pocket.
It was this psychology.
Either I get it, or no one gets it.
Staying in the Hidden Waterfall Village was the best option.
Heaven knows if you are using this excuse to start a war against the Hidden Waterfall Village!?
Hearing Agun's words.
Menma also subconsciously exchanged a glance with Shibuki.
"Although it might be a bit early, I think it's time, Shibuki-san. After all, Agun-san is the person you and Elder Sō trust the most. To truly execute our plan, we can't hide anything from Agun-san. In the future, including others in the village, we can't wait for the outside world to reveal my identity. That would be detrimental to the stability of the people's hearts in the village."
After taking a deep breath, Menma looked up directly at Shibuki and said.
Eh?
Hearing Menma's words.
Leaving aside others, Agun was confused again.
Outside world reveal identity?
Accelerator's identity?
Isn't he from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire? Even if it's a bit special, at most the Leaf cares a bit, right? Their Daimyo has such a powerful person joining the Hidden Waterfall Village, but they would at most pay attention, right?
They shouldn't do anything drastic, right?
Does this person have other more mysterious, more important identities?
Agun began to ponder in his heart.
However, the direction of his thoughts was still wrong, and he was guessing directly toward the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
This was essentially a wrong guess.
Shibuki considered with a very solemn expression for several seconds, then finally took a deep look at Agun on the side and slowly nodded.
Agun was indeed the most trustworthy one.
Even if the timing was a bit early now.
But also because the situation had changed, it was time to confess.
Just as Menma said.
He couldn't always disguise his identity in important plans in the future, right? That was neither realistic nor in Menma's interest.
Especially when encountering powerful enemies.
Menma would inevitably use the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Then the identity would be exposed regardless.
Not letting these high-level officials in his own ninja village know and accept Menma bit by bit, and waiting until that time to accept it passively, would easily cause problems.
Menma himself planned to find a suitable time in the near future to confess his identity to the few Waterfall ninja in the Barrier Squad he currently approved of most.
These people, after his cultivation during this period, initially possessed trustworthiness.
"Indeed!"
After nodding, Shibuki spoke directly.
The next second.
"Ah!?"
Before Agun could react.
"Release!"
Menma formed hand seals.
Directly canceling the Transformation Jutsu.
"This is!?"
Facing it directly.
Watching the puff of smoke appear out of thin air.
In that moment, the thought of "could it be" surfaced in Agun's heart.
Less than a second or two later.
The white smoke completely dispersed.
Revealing Menma's true face.
Fiery red shoulder-length hair, a tender figure obviously ten years younger than "Accelerator."
With Agun's life experience, he could see at a glance that Menma had a youthful face of only early teens.
"Ah!? This!?"
Eyes widening instantly, Agun didn't know what expression to use to face this suddenly changed "Accelerator-san" for a moment.
It wasn't that he couldn't understand such a scene.
But his brain suddenly got stuck.
Most importantly, Menma's face was obviously somewhat familiar.
Plus the information related to the Leaf mentioned just now.
"!?"
The moment Menma's name surfaced in Agun's brain.
"I'm very sorry for hiding it from Agun-san all this time. Accelerator was just my disguised identity. Actually, my real name is Menma Uzumaki!"
Menma already spoke to Agun with a hint of apology first.
"Menma Uzumaki?"
The name was repeated almost instinctively from Agun's mouth.
The surname Uzumaki carried a lot of weight.
Agun wasn't a ninja rookie who knew nothing; he was one of the high-level officials of the Hidden Waterfall Village, a veteran Waterfall ninja over forty. The fame of the Uzumaki clan in the past ninja world was still huge!
Agun naturally wouldn't be unaware.
But this was only part of it!
Rogue ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Son of the Fourth Hokage, and most importantly, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
These were the core, most critical identity tags of the young man in front of him!
Also at this moment, Agun could finally understand the series of conversations between Shibuki and Menma earlier, and why Menma had the ability to fight against Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.
This was the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the strongest of the Tailed Beasts!!
Seemingly after repeating Menma's name.
Agun finally reacted with hindsight.
"Wait a minute? What did you say? Accelerator-san, you are Menma Uzumaki? That Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of the Leaf? The son of the Fourth Hokage!?"
He stood up abruptly from his seat, staring at Menma nearby with widened eyes, his face as shocked as it could be.
He had thought of many identities just now, but he hadn't thought in this direction.
The moment Menma said it himself.
Including after quite a while.
Agun still had an expression of inability to accept, his heart surging incredibly.
"Yes, I am that Menma Uzumaki. My identity was previously only known to Shibuki-san, Fu, and the late Elder Sō. Please forgive my concealment, Agun-san. My identity is truly too special. Once exposed, it's very easy to attract the attention of other nations' ninja villages, especially the Leaf. As I said before, I came to this ninja village, although I indeed have some selfish motives, I also hope this ninja village can become great again. The original plan was to wait until some arrangements between Shibuki-san and me were realized, and then slowly announce my identity to a small part of the village internally. But plans can't keep up with changes. Now my identity could be exposed at any time, so we need to speed up the pace!"
Menma nodded lightly, speaking slowly with a hint of apology.
Understanding was naturally possible.
The words were plain.
The person was right there in front of him, alive.
Agun could certainly understand and know the reason.
It was just that the impact of this matter was too great, so great that Agun's brain could understand clearly, but still couldn't quite turn the corner.
"This... Accelerator... no... that... Uzumaki-san, this is mainly... that. I... it's too sudden, so, a bit unacceptable..."
Agun patted his forehead, still speaking with a very shocked expression.
"Mhm, I understand. My identity is indeed a bit special. Oh, Agun-san, no need to use honorifics with me. I'm only 13 this year. You can just call me by my name."
Menma nodded and said softly.
Before, he was a seemingly 20-something adult, disguising his identity, and with similar status.
Using the honorific "san" with each other was fine.
Now that he had confessed.
The other party was a senior who had worked hard for the village and a high-level official responsible for comprehensive security work. In terms of attitude, Menma felt he needed to show a little more humility to be appropriate.
"This is... sigh... then I'll be presumptuous, Menma-kun."
Agun looked at Menma in front of him. After hesitating for a while, looking at Menma's sincere eyes and thinking of his own eight or nine-year-old son at home who was only a few years younger than Menma, he finally nodded and said softly.
And after this period of calming down.
Agun also sorted out his mood.
He could finally fully understand the meaning of the series of words discussed by Shibuki and Menma earlier.
Indeed.
Menma's identity was special to a boundless degree.
Once exposed.
What evidence was needed!?
The Cloud and Leaf would 100% swarm up directly!
But at the same time.
Agun felt further shock and joy at the fact that his own ninja village actually possessed three Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, including the ultimate existence of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
This was a super luxurious configuration that even the Five Great Ninja Villages had never had!!