"Our Four-Star Village."
Hashirama's shameless attempt to ingratiate himself made Tobirama's face darken.
Madara, following behind Menma, openly mocked him.
"Hmph, has-been. When did you become so spineless?"
"And you didn't even greet an old friend?"
Madara was furious that Hashirama had rushed into Konoha after arriving. Even though the Nine-Tails clearly saw him, Hashirama ran off as if he hadn't noticed!
"Madara, I don't have time for you right now. We'll catch up later."
Hashirama shook his head dismissively, turning to Tsunade and Guy behind him and shouting, "You guys bring your men over here quickly."
Seeing Hashirama's nonchalant attitude, Madara clenched and unclenched his fists, finally turning his head away in a wronged manner.
"You bastard, I knew we wouldn't get along!"
From behind, Tsunade approached with Shizune, Mori, Ibiki, and over a dozen other Elite Jōnin and elite chūnin.
Guy, on the other hand, walked over with Kurenai, the two gatekeepers of Konoha, and the eight Konoha ninja from Teams 3, 8, and 10.
"Menma, you've completely won. I never imagined that Jiraiya and even my grandfather would abandon Konoha and stand behind you."
Tsunade's face showed a sigh and a sense of loss. "Now we all surrender, and Konoha will forever be a thing of the past."
"And these ninjas—these are the dozen or so slots you offered. I hope you can keep your word..."
"I said I won't change my mind." Menma nodded nonchalantly.
Hearing his agreement, Shizune, Ibiki, and the other ninjas behind Tsunade visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Because there weren't enough villagers to go around, even Sarutobi Clan ninjas were being fiercely contested by other ninja clans. If Menma didn't acknowledge these spots, they might truly die.
Behind Guy, Kiba Inuzuka, Tenten, and the others looked at Menma and Naruto with complex expressions. Naruto also noticed the complexity in their eyes, and his mood darkened. He knew that a rift was inevitable between him and these former comrades; things could never be the same again.
However, Naruto quickly sensed something was wrong and asked, "Where's Hinata Hyuga?"
"Since everyone else is here, why isn't Hinata here?"
Hearing Naruto's question, Guy thought for a moment and said, "Hiashi Hyuga suddenly appeared and took her away."
"The Hyuga Clan must have prepared a spot for her."
"I see." Naruto didn't suspect anything and nodded without asking further.
Seeing this, Menma said to Kushina and Naruto, "Mother and Naruto, take them to register."
"No problem." Kushina nodded cheerfully, pulling Naruto along as she called out to Tsunade and Guy.
"You all come with me."
As the group left, Menma frowned, looking at Hashirama still standing before him. "Is there anything else?" he asked.
"Nothing!" Hashirama waved his hands dismissively, then asked cautiously. "I just wanted to ask, can I be involved in the destruction of Konoha?"
"After all, this is the village I built, and those villagers I abandoned. Everything started with me, so I should be the one to end it."
"You'll be involved?" Menma looked at Hashirama suspiciously, somewhat puzzled.
Hashirama understood Menma's meaning and waved his hands frantically. "I don't want to save the villagers who harmed you. I will use Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees to absorb everything completely, sparing no living being!"
Hashirama, who had completely sided with Menma, now only wanted to help Menma take the blame. After all, Menma was going to become the ruler of this world, and his reputation should be better.
Madara, who knew Hashirama very well, saw through his thoughts at a glance. He respectfully said to Menma, "Lord Menma, Hashirama wants to help you bear this infamy. Although these things are insignificant to the strong, you can leave these matters to me later."
Madara didn't care about these empty titles; as long as he was powerful enough, no one would dare to criticize him.
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you two."
Menma was too lazy to argue and directly handed the matter over to the two of them. In any case, Madara was now absolutely loyal to him, and even Hashirama couldn't stop Madara from carrying out his orders.
Hearing Menma's order, Hashirama's face lit up with joy. He not only wanted to shield Menma from the blame but also hoped to ensure the villagers died as painlessly as possible.
Just as Menma finished giving his instructions, he suddenly sensed something and looked towards the distant ruins. He glanced at Sasuke Uchiha not far away, who was scrutinizing his ears and head with a long face, a strange expression appearing on his face.
"Interesting, the same chakra fluctuations as Sasuke..."
Before Menma could investigate further, the crowd queuing to surrender suddenly erupted into chaos. At the same time, the sounds of fighting quickly arose, then abruptly ceased.
Zabuza Momochi and the others maintaining order were about to go and see what was happening when they saw Asuma Sarutobi, covered in wounds, carrying Konohamaru Sarutobi, rushing out from the crowd. Upon seeing Menma, he ran towards them at an even faster pace.
"Dare to run? You're asking for death!"
Seeing Asuma not stop but instead run even faster, Zabuza and the others immediately split up and attacked him.
Asuma dodged while shouting, "I'm not running away! I'm here to surrender!"
However, he shouted too late. After barely dodging Zabuza's Executioner's Blade (Kubikiribocho), he was stuck by Deidara's clay bomb, which blew off his leg.
But Zabuza and Deidara didn't attack again.
Asuma, carrying a terrified Konohamaru, stumbled and fell in front of Menma.
Looking at Asuma, Menma said expressionlessly, "Asuma, it's been a long time."
"Menma..." Asuma looked up at him, a flash of hatred and anger in his eyes, which then turned into deathly silence.
"I've come to surrender, just like the traitors of the Sarutobi Clan before me. I'll trade my life and head for Konohamaru's right to live."
Looking down at the resolute Asuma, Menma shook his head and said calmly, "Sorry, the Sarutobi Clan and the villagers of Konoha don't deserve to live."
"And those traitors you mentioned, they're already dead."
"What!?" Asuma stared intently at Menma, his face filled with rage. However, he quickly suppressed his anger, replacing his gritted teeth with pleading.
"Menma, I beg you, for the sake of my past guidance, for the sake of Konohamaru recognizing Naruto as his older brother, spare Konohamaru's life. He doesn't need to become a ninja, just let him live like an ordinary person. Please!"
Asuma pounded his head against the ground, crimson blood staining the earth.
Menma coldly stared at the man kneeling before him, his icy expression making the surrounding air seem to drop twenty degrees. Not far away, Zabuza heard Menma's refusal and suddenly let out a shrill laugh.
"Hehehe, I've already said it, you must die! So die, you Sarutobi Clan trash!"
Zabuza Momochi, his body glowing with the cloak of a Tailed Beast, suddenly appeared behind Asuma. The Executioner's Blade fell without hesitation.
Crack!
A jet of blood gushed out, and two heads, one large and one small, flew high into the air.
Meanwhile, from the distant ruins, a soft cry of alarm rang out.
"Konohamaru!!!"
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