In the northernmost region of the continent.
There is a protruding area surrounded by sea on three sides. This is the rare "unclaimed territory" in the entire ninja world. It borders the Land of Earth to the west, the Land of Grass and Land of Fire to the south, and the Land of Frost and Land of Rice Fields to the east. More than twenty years ago, the Five Great Nations reached an agreement to specifically designate this area as a zone not under the jurisdiction of any single nation.
The reason for such a zone was to establish an "international prison" here to detain various heinous criminals. But in reality, this is an exclusive area used by the Five Great Nations for mutual compromise.
Not all "international criminals" are actually detained here. Only those who have committed grave crimes but do not involve major secrets of their own villages, and are unsuitable to be handled independently, are sent here.
This is the famous Hozuki Castle (Blood Prison)!
Mui.
He is the warden of Hozuki Castle, selected by the Five Great Nations after many negotiations and compromises. The vast majority of prison guards here come from the Hidden Grass Village, but a small portion are recruited by Mui himself from across the ninja world, and a very few are ninja from the major nations.
The existence of these people is to form a delicate balance here, but that's about it. Strictly speaking, the so-called Hozuki Castle is a product of political compromise, and not a particularly important one at that. To use a precise term, Hozuki Castle is like a chicken rib (tasteless to eat but wasteful to discard) for the Five Great Nations.
Anyway, as long as no major problems arise.
The Five Great Nations won't really pay too much attention to this area.
Therefore, Mui is not only the nominal but also the de facto supreme commander of this special prison city.
I dare not say 100%, but at least 70-80% of the guards in this prison city will obey Mui's orders.
"Is this Hozuki Castle? The scale is really quite large..."
Standing on the cliff outside Hozuki Castle, looking at the giant stone castle in the distance, in terms of scale, this prison is comparable to some towns. Menma's spreading massive sensory power could accurately detect the chakra fluctuations numbering in the four digits inside. For a prison, this can be said to be very exaggerated.
"Suigetsu, Karin."
Menma turned his head to look at Suigetsu and Karin on the side, calling out softly as their eyes met.
"Yes! Lord Menma."
"Mhm, don't worry, Menma!"
Both nodded immediately in understanding.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Immediately after.
The two led three or four Waterfall ninja each, flashing away in different directions, leaving Menma alone standing side by side with Mui.
Mui turned a blind eye to the actions of Suigetsu and Karin.
What Menma wanted.
Mui was very clear.
But for Mui, he currently had only one obsession in his heart: to let his son walk out of that damn Box of Ultimate Bliss alive. What did the rest matter to him!?
Not to mention, this was originally the content of his agreement with Menma.
As long as Menma could help him open the Box of Ultimate Bliss, he would be willing to assist Menma. And if it didn't work, Mui would definitely not make it easy for Menma.
"Let's go, Mui-san. I think you must be impatient already, right?"
Menma looked at Mui's cold profile and said with a light smile.
Mui glanced at Menma indifferently, then stepped forward, striding toward Hozuki Castle first. Menma followed behind Mui at a leisurely pace.
"Lord Mui!"
"Lord Warden!"
Seeing Mui return.
The guards at the city gate immediately bowed one by one, each showing a look of extreme respect on their faces. Mui had commanded this Hozuki Castle for more than ten years. Relying on excellent personal skills, a strong command style, and most importantly, top-tier Jonin strength, he had long formed a one-man rule situation in Hozuki Castle.
These subordinate guards dared not disobey any of Mui's orders.
Mui maintained that look of indifference, passing quickly through the city gate. These guards were long accustomed to it.
Would they not know their Lord Warden's personality?
As for Menma following beside Mui.
These guards were sensible enough not to ask any questions.
In this Hozuki Castle, Mui was the true "King"!
Walking in, Menma didn't say much to Mui along the way. Instead, he looked around this special prison city with interest. It must be said that from a general perspective, Hozuki Castle was heavily guarded. Not only was it surrounded by sea on three sides, but on the high walls, a guard stood every few meters. The entire Hozuki Castle was also enveloped under a massive barrier.
Unless using space-time ninjutsu, no one could infiltrate silently.
The only passable route was the entrance Menma just came through, but not only were there more than a dozen guards responsible for security there, Menma's detection could also accurately perceive the special mechanisms and traps arranged around.
Unless possessing top-tier Jonin or even quasi-Kage level strength, it was impossible to break in. And even if one could do that...
That bit of time was enough for other security personnel in the city, especially Mui the Warden, to react.
Because of this, this place was hailed as the place with the highest defense coefficient outside the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Compared to the previous Hidden Waterfall Village, there really is no comparison...
Menma shook his head secretly while looking.
Not to mention the geographical advantage here.
In Menma's plan.
If everything went smoothly.
This Hozuki Castle couldn't be given up. It could serve as a perfect strategic pivot point. The only issue was the pressure it needed to bear, not to mention the distance from the Hidden Waterfall Village, even the distance from the Hidden Grass Village was awkwardly far.
Most importantly, it was closest to the Land of Earth and the Hidden Stone Village.
Once Ohnoki had the intention...
He could dispatch heavy troops to surround it directly, or even easily uproot this place.
Mhm, there are still many difficulties. That old man is absolutely not a guy who can be conned. truly an old fox...
Menma shook his head slightly helplessly in his heart.
His ambition shouldn't expand limitlessly for now; let's take the step in front of him well first.
Menma, thinking silently.
Followed Mui straight to the innermost location of Hozuki Castle. When arriving outside an iron gate specially set with a special barrier...
Menma could already sense a chakra fluctuation from inside that made his heart palpitate a little.
"Release!"
Mui formed seals with both hands.
Opening this barrier.
Creak!
After pushing open the iron gate in front of him, a dim, deep stone staircase came into Menma's view. Subsequently, a dark, cold aura rushed toward him.
This blatantly palpable dangerous aura.
Even Menma...
Couldn't control his heart tightening at this moment!
Is this the aura of the Box of Ultimate Bliss!?
"Let's go, it's right below!"
Mui was obviously used to this aura, leading the way with an unchanged expression.
Menma followed closely without any hesitation.
He wasn't worried about Mui playing tricks at all.
Not only because he didn't think Mui would break the contract here, but also because Menma had ample confidence in his own strength.
The two descended the stairs.
Seemingly gentle steps, but actually at a very fast pace. But even so, it took the two fully ten minutes to reach the bottom location—an extremely vast space.
A strange energy fluctuation seemed to flow all around.
Those gradually stirred heartstrings.
For a split second.
Menma felt his state of mind become a bit unstable. Various emotions suddenly surged in his heart. Startled for an instant, Menma immediately adjusted himself, calming his state of mind.
Filled with joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, is it the Box of Ultimate Bliss!? It really has some tricks.
Menma took a deep breath, raising his eyelids to look at the giant iron box not far away, thinking secretly in his heart.
"This is the Box of Ultimate Bliss passed down through generations in our Hidden Grass Village. Menma Uzumaki, it's time for you to fulfill your promise!"
Mui stepped close to the Box of Ultimate Bliss, turned to look at Menma behind him, and said in a very low tone.
"Heh, no problem, Mui-san. I just hope you can also remember what you promised me."
Menma smiled lightly, also pacing forward, slowly raising his right hand.
Hum!
While speaking, he instantly exploded the Nine-Tails' chakra!
Boom!
As that scorching crimson chakra ravaged this space, sensing the violent and powerful aura transmitted by this chakra...
Mui was startled at first, then deep joy flowed in his pupils.
This is it!
This is the kind of chakra needed!
To truly open the Box of Ultimate Bliss!!
"Ah, rest assured. I, Mui, do what I say!"
Mui also took a deep breath, staring straight at Menma, nodding heavily.
"That's good then!"
After Menma nodded with a smile.
Boom!
The next second.
The Nine-Tails chakra on Menma's body surged further. A giant chakra hand manifested, pressing directly on the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Directly injecting massive Nine-Tails chakra.
Hum!
The moment it poured into the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Hum!
The Box of Ultimate Bliss trembled violently.
Faintly revealing a wisp of purple halo!
This clearly palpable extraordinary energy fluctuation.
"!?"
Mui's eternal iceberg expression was moved at this moment. Just this initial feeling gave Mui a sense that the Box of Ultimate Bliss could definitely be opened this time!!
Good guy, it really is a big eater. Since you can eat so much, I'll satisfy you properly!
Menma, who could clearly sense the Box of Ultimate Bliss in front of him rapidly devouring the Nine-Tails chakra he released.
His eyebrows raised slightly subconsciously.
Even though only tens of seconds had passed.
The chakra he transported was already beyond the reach of most ordinary Kage-level powerhouses!
But Menma could clearly perceive that this Box of Ultimate Bliss seemed to have just started its appetizer!
No wonder the Hidden Grass Village couldn't open the Box of Ultimate Bliss for so many years. With this chakra demand!
In the current ninja world, really only Tailed Beasts could satisfy it!
And just as the Box of Ultimate Bliss began to tremble.
Emitting extraordinary energy fluctuations.
Within a minute.
"What's going on!?"
"Hm!? The Box of Ultimate Bliss is vibrating!? Mui!?"
"Has it finally opened!?"
"Who is that young man!? How can he have such massive chakra!?"
In the deep staircase passage from before.
Four figures wearing different masks flashed in rapidly. These four were the high-level personnel of the Hidden Grass Village's "Castle Faction." The moment they sensed the unusual movement of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, they rushed over quickly. Now seeing the different posture of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, each showed a look of shock while a wisp of surprise surged in their hearts.
Because no matter how you looked at it, this posture was a precursor to the Box of Ultimate Bliss opening!?
Naturally, these four so-called Hidden Grass elders would notice Menma, who was transporting a large amount of chakra to the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
This surging chakra fluctuation.
Was completely not at a level humans could possess, right!?
Still came, huh?
Mui, upon seeing the arrival of these four, had a fierce look flash deep in his eyes, but immediately suppressed it.
Moving his figure slightly, he seemingly inadvertently blocked the position between the Box of Ultimate Bliss and the four elders.
"This is a distinguished guest I invited to assist in opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss, named Menma Uzumaki. Regarding his identity, I think the four elders shouldn't be unfamiliar."
Mui maintained that indifferent look, speaking calmly.
"What!? Menma Uzumaki?"
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!?"
"The Leaf's rogue ninja?"
"Son of the Fourth Hokage!?"
Hearing Mui's words, the four were subconsciously shocked and quickly took a few more looks at Menma.
Before, it was just a glance, with their attention almost entirely on the Box of Ultimate Bliss. Now the four elders truly observed Menma in detail.
This look truly confirmed Menma's identity.
"This hair color, this face, and especially this chakra... it is indeed that Menma Uzumaki!"
"Haha, Mui, well done! With the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the chakra to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss is no problem!"
The four showed further joy because if Menma's identity was genuine, it meant the Box of Ultimate Bliss they longed for could finally be opened!!!