The Iburi clan possessed a unique kekkei genkai that allowed them to transform their physical bodies into smoke.
In a sense, it resembled the Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique—granting near immunity to physical attacks.
However, the Iburi bloodline ability carried a fatal flaw.
They could not freely control their bodies once transformed into smoke. If struck by even a mild breeze, they would be scattered and vanish forever.
Because of this, the Iburi clan could only survive underground, in places untouched by wind—living in darkness, isolated from the world, scraping by on scarce resources.
Years ago, Orochimaru had saved them from extinction.
By implanting cursed seals, he granted them a measure of control over their smoke forms and extended their fragile lives.
In exchange, Orochimaru took several Iburi children away, promising to research them and unlock the secret of the clan—so that one day they could live freely under the open sky.
But the reality was far crueler.
Those children all died as test subjects in Orochimaru's experiments.
"Who are you?!" Gota, the clan leader, stepped forward. His massive frame shielded his people as he glared fiercely at the intruder.
From beneath his raccoon mask, Yamato spoke in a low voice: "He's the mysterious ninja who's been making waves across the shinobi world—codename 'Shura.' His strength is immeasurable."
"I don't care how strong he is!" Gota roared. "I won't allow anyone to slander Lord Orochimaru!"
With that, he turned into a mass of smoke and rushed forward.
The rest of the Iburi clan followed suit, transforming as well. In an instant, the entire underground chamber was engulfed in swirling mist.
"Ten'nyo," Menma called softly.
From the dark tunnel, a feminine figure drifted out, hovering protectively in front of him.
She waved the silk ribbons in her hands, whipping up a violent gust like a miniature tornado. The sudden wind tore through the chamber and scattered the Iburi clan's smoke forms.
Panicked, they hastily retreated.
"Damn you!" Gota's smoke form attempted to invade the mysterious woman's body, activating the clan's secret technique—Smoke Suffocation.
This technique allowed them to enter an enemy's body through the mouth or nose and burn their internal organs from within.
Against an unprepared opponent, it was lethal.
Even Kakashi had once been subdued by Gota using this very move—only surviving thanks to Yamato's intervention.
But as Gota circled the floating Ten'nyo, he froze in shock.
There was no opening.
No mouth. No nose.
No way in.
His sure-kill technique had completely failed.
"Impossible!" Gota exclaimed, stunned.
Without their secret weapon—and lacking formal ninja training—the Iburi clan's combat ability was pitifully weak.
"Wind Release…" Menma began, raising his hands as if to form seals.
At the words "Wind Release," Gota recoiled in alarm and pulled back at once.
Yet when he reached his people, he realized the masked man hadn't cast anything at all—his hands were merely held in position.
A feint.
Gota canceled his smoke form, his pupils trembling.
This man knew far too much about them.
"Wood Release: Silent Binding Technique!" Yamato acted, swiftly forming hand seals.
A diamond-shaped wooden stake erupted from the ground and shot toward Ten'nyo like a striking serpent.
Whoosh—
Several sharp wind blades suddenly flew out from behind Menma, slicing the wood into fragments before it could even reach her.
Yamato felt the chakra in his technique get devoured and looked up in shock at the second masked figure hovering behind Menma—one wielding a massive scythe.
'He can absorb chakra?!'
A chill ran through Yamato.
Wood Release's greatest strength was its ability to drain an opponent's chakra upon contact—allowing it to suppress even tailed beasts.
But now, he faced someone with the exact same ability.
'No… he might not even be human.'
As Yamato and the Iburi clan hesitated, Menma casually raised his right hand.
Ten'nyo ceased generating wind.
Menma turned toward Yamato. "Have you told them yet? What Orochimaru did to become a wanted criminal in Konoha?"
"..."
Yamato fell silent.
As a survivor of Orochimaru's experiments, he knew better than anyone the horrors committed in those labs—how many innocent lives had been sacrificed, including children.
Even Iburi children.
"Then allow me," Menma said calmly, stepping forward.
With Ten'nyo and the Death God floating behind him, his presence alone forced the clan to shrink back.
"Orochimaru, a ninja of Konoha, abducted fellow villagers for human experimentation. Countless died. The Third Hokage personally led a purge to stop him. Orochimaru was gravely injured and fled."
He paused, then added almost casually:
"Oh, and the children of your Iburi clan? They all died in his laboratories."
Gota staggered backward.
Instinctively he wanted to deny it, but Menma turned his gaze toward Yamato.
"Ask him. The boy who survived Orochimaru's experiments."
"Tenzo…" Yukimi looked at Yamato with trembling hope, searching for reassurance.
Behind the raccoon mask, Yamato froze.
Memories surfaced—of floating in experimental tanks, surrounded by other children, including a girl who resembled Yukimi, smiling at him through glass.
One by one, they disappeared.
Failed experiments. Disposed of.
Just like he should have been.
If Danzo hadn't discovered him, Yamato would have died as well.
His kind nature urged him to speak the truth.
But the training of Root left him torn.
Gota looked down at Yamato. Seeing his silence, he understood.
The truth was likely even more brutal than the masked man described.
His faith in Orochimaru began to crumble.
The Iburi clan had sworn loyalty to Orochimaru on the condition that he solve their fatal weakness. They had handed over five children—keeping only the youngest, Yukimi.
Orochimaru had promised those children would return safely.
If he was capable of slaughtering even his own Konoha comrades, what worth did his promises hold?
Yukimi's pleading eyes finally shattered Yamato's hesitation.
"…Those children… didn't survive," he whispered.
"No… it can't be…" Gota's world collapsed.
As the clan leader who had agreed to hand over their children—including his own son—he could not accept such a cruel reality.
"Then how about we make a little wager?" Menma suddenly said, mischief creeping into his tone.
"Let's bet… your entire clan's lives."
His voice was light, playful—as if proposing a game.
"I would very much like to add the Iburi clan's kekkei genkai to my collection."
Under the flickering firelight, the white three-eyed fox mask gleamed with an eerie, malevolent glow.
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