Avengers of the Whirlpool Family.

Chapter 363: A Trial
The person who came was not someone else.

It was Uchiha Itachi who was confronting Menma a few hours ago and then chose to withdraw. It was obvious that the meeting between the two was deliberate. Menma looked at Uchiha Itachi who was coming, and his eyes narrowed slightly subconsciously.

If Menma had been deeply afraid of Uchiha Itachi before.

Now Menma looks at Uchiha Itachi with an almost condescending attitude.

It's not that I look down on Uchiha Itachi, or that I'm arrogant.

It's simply out of confidence in one's own abilities.

The Mangekyō Sharingan does have a very high restraining effect on the tailed beasts, but on the one hand, what is inside Menma's body is the Nine-Tailed Beast, not any other tailed beast; and on the other hand, the limitations of an ordinary Mangekyō Sharingan are still very obvious.

The most direct point is reflected in the consumption of pupil power.

Why can Obito easily summon and control the Nine-Tails?
And it's in a one-eyed form?
That's because Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan is no longer an ordinary Mangekyō. Although it has not reached the level of qualitative change, it has fused with half of White Zetsu's body and can neutralize it relatively perfectly, making it suitable for Wood Release Cells. Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan is much stronger than ordinary Mangekyō. And Obito does not need to worry about the most critical problem of pupil power consumption.

As long as Obito's chakra is not exhausted.

There is no problem of his Mangekyō Sharingan running out of pupil power.

Another crucial point is that Obito can summon the Nine-Tailed Fox, and it was also Madara's work, because the Nine-Tailed Fox was once Uchiha Madara's "summoning beast"!
Madara is very familiar with controlling the Nine-Tails.

They also left behind the necessary arrangements.

The combination of these conditions led to Obito being able to summon and control the Nine-Tails shortly after he opened his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Uchiha Itachi is certainly a rare genius in the Uchiha clan, and even in the entire ninja world.

However, compared with Obito who has full buffs, the gap is still very obvious.

Not to mention that Menma now has a full range of methods.

There are chakras of the other four tailed beasts in his body. Uchiha Itachi? He couldn't say he was 100% sure, but Menma was still confident that if nothing unexpected happened, he could kill Uchiha Itachi.

Therefore, when facing Uchiha Itachi.

Facial numbness is a natural psychological advantage.

"I almost thought I had misunderstood. If Itachi-san had come any later, I would have left immediately."

Menma smiled lightly and said to Uchiha Itachi who had a calm expression.

Itachi still had an indifferent look on his face, looking at Menma with cold eyes. Even though Menma raised his head first, he still didn't say anything, as if he was brewing something. Menma also looked unhurried. When he saw that Itachi didn't speak in a hurry, he raised his eyebrows slightly, then put his hands behind his back, and waited for Itachi to speak with a calm expression.

This is because someone invited me to come.

If the other party is not in a hurry, why should you be in a hurry?
Not to mention, this guy is also an important chess piece in Menma's plan. When they meet suddenly, Menma has to think about what attitude to adopt.

Fortunately, the silence only lasted about ten to twenty minutes.

Uchiha Itachi has always been a calm person.

Although Menma does not have much life experience and is not rich in life experience, he has the small social model in college in his previous life, the intrigues of small interpersonal relationships in some school clubs, and the 12 years of disguise and dormancy in this life.

At least it gave Menma enough confidence to calm down.

Before really seeing the 'opportunity'.

I won't take action.

patience?

At least this thing, Menma is definitely not short of it.

The reason why Itachi remained silent for so long was, firstly, that he really wanted to see what kind of person Menma was, with a slightly tentative intention, and secondly, he also wanted to carefully consider how to start the conversation.

Because he really had a lot of questions to ask Menma.

It's about facial numbness.

It is also about the Hidden Leaf Village.

It's more about his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.

Judging from Uchiha Itachi's various behaviors in the original work, the status of his younger brother Uchiha Sasuke in his heart must be greater than that of the people in the Hidden Leaf Village. Of course, this may seem too absolute.

But at least it is on the same level as Konoha.

In other words, Itachi at least would not say that he would sacrifice his brother for Konoha.

Everything he did after he defected was in the hope of seeing his brother become a hero of the Hidden Leaf Village and live surrounded by people.

Giving Shisui's eye to Naruto is the most powerful proof.

In the original book, he still had to worry about his brother's choices and future.

In this life, with the anomaly Menma, it’s even more impossible to say more.

"Uzumaki Menma, can you tell me why you had to defect from the Hidden Leaf Village? Was it really just because of the rejection and hostility in the past 12 years? Since you know your identity, you should know that there is a better way, right?"

Uchiha Itachi let out a light breath, looked at Menma calmly, and asked in a slightly low voice.

Hearing Itachi's question.

Menma was subconsciously stunned for a moment, because in Menma's estimation, shouldn't Itachi's first question be to Sasuke?

They were his beloved relatives, friends, brothers and sisters.

Based on Menma's understanding of Itachi, it would be unreasonable for him not to ask about Sasuke, right?

However, the moment this thought emerged.

A look of understanding emerged in Menma's heart.

Oh, that's right. From Itachi's perspective, 'I' am the one who knows nothing. How could I possibly know his love and care for Sasuke?
It is normal not to ask this question.

This is an approach that fits Itachi's current personality.

"Is there a better way? Haha, maybe there is, maybe not. I just follow my heart. I don't deny that those people's hostility and rejection are indeed part of the reason, but more importantly, I have long been disappointed with this village. Isn't Itachi-san the same? Otherwise, why would you exterminate your entire clan and leave Konoha? There are thousands of reasons for leaving, but disappointment definitely accounts for a certain proportion, no matter which side is disappointed with which side."

After figuring it out, Menma smiled lightly and spoke in a calm tone to Itachi's extremely serious expression.

"Disappointed? That's indeed a reason, but it sounds so empty..."

There was a hint of strangeness in Itachi's eyes, and he continued speaking softly.

The look in his eyes revealed a look of doubt and contempt.

This made Menma's face turn cold.

Who the hell are you, Uchiha Itachi! ?

"Why? As an S-rank traitor from the Hidden Leaf Village, are you going to question me on behalf of Konoha? Or is there another reason behind your leaving Konoha, Itachi-san?"

Those were the words that came out of my mouth almost subconsciously.

"!?" When Itachi on the opposite side heard it, his expression changed slightly, and a hint of doubt appeared in his dark eyes.

After Menma finished speaking, he felt a little regretful and was still a little impulsive, but there was no unnecessary change in his expression because he did not say anything substantial.

If I have to say something, it would be more like a tentative statement.

As long as Menma doesn't show any fear, it will be fine.

In fact.

Itachi also guessed so. After a moment of shock, a similar suspicion appeared in Itachi's eyes when he looked at Menma.

He didn't think Menma would know the truth.

What happened that night.

In such a large ninja world, apart from myself, there are no more than five people who know about it.

They just correspond to Konoha F4 and the guy who calls himself Madara.

It was impossible for these five people to tell Menma about the matter.

Even Orochimaru, who has a close relationship with Danzo, only knows the contents of the scale armor at most. Danzo would never publicize such a thing. Konoha also has to save face, not to mention that this is an important means for Danzo to control himself.

At least in Itachi's opinion, that's what the Dark Lord of Konoha thought.

so.

There was no way Menma could know these things.

One hundred percent testing myself!
Itachi calmed himself down almost instantly and thought silently.

"No, I'm just curious. You obviously have better choices, why do you have to be so decisive and not leave yourself any way out? After all, I was once a member of Konoha, and I was fortunate enough to witness the demeanor of the Fourth Hokage once. I just think it's a pity."

Itachi waved his hand and spoke slowly.

There was no further meaning revealed in his words.

Under normal circumstances, Menma would not be able to truly realize Itachi's intention. If one speculates from an ordinary perspective, one would instead think that this was a test from Itachi, because they are both traitors of the Hidden Leaf Village.

According to common sense, shouldn't we all be worried about being hunted down by Konoha?

Now Menma has become the person in power of a powerful force.

As a member of a terrorist organization, isn't it normal for Itachi to try out some Ma and seek other options?
This is the most reasonable speculation.

But it was also an answer that Menma knew was 100% wrong.

Itachi comes here.

Deliberately looking for myself.

There are only two intentions.

One is to confirm what his attitude towards Konoha is, and the other is to confirm the current situation of his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, and his relationship with him.

There is a plot reference to the original work.

Menma would naturally guess this easily.

In fact.

Even if this was not Itachi's full intention, it was not far from it. Itachi would never have known that this young man in front of him, who obviously did not have much life experience, could see him so clearly.

This is probably the biggest advantage of the 'perspective hang'.

But there is no need to pierce this membrane now.

People like Uchiha Itachi are too abnormal.

At least Menma couldn't understand Uchiha Itachi's thinking. For the peace of the ninja village, he slaughtered his entire clan including his parents?
What kind of brain circuit is this?

I'm sorry, I can't understand or accept it.

From Menma's perspective, Uchiha Itachi is a person with a serious mental illness, and the kind of person who is completely immersed in the fairy tale he has made up for himself.

In the original work, until the very end, it seems that before dying, he had a trace of regret towards Sasuke, but regardless of how much it weighs, just from the perspective of significance, it is shit.

Although Menma is not afraid of Uchiha Itachi, and is even confident that he can control him, he does not want to provoke such a "madman" unless it is necessary.

That's right.

In Menma's opinion.

People like Uchiha Itachi are lunatics.

On the contrary, Menma could understand Runtu's thoughts to some extent, 'My loved ones are all dead, what else do you want from me?'

Obito's actions are at least in line with the thinking of a "normal person".

Where is Itachi?

There is really no comparison.

What's more, there is the matter of Sasuke, and Menma doesn't want to do anything more to Itachi. Itachi's fate should be decided by Sasuke, and other people should not get involved.

"What a pity? That's really funny. If anyone else said this, it would be fine, but you? Uchiha Itachi, you should first recognize your own identity. I thought you came to me because we are both Konoha's traitorous ninjas. If not, please don't waste your time. I have no interest in a guy like you, not to mention that you are Sasuke's target. You should control yourself and don't make me angry!"

Menma deliberately sneered, looked at Uchiha Itachi with a very disdainful expression, and said sarcastically.

When Itachi heard Menma's words, his brows couldn't help but frown.

Logically speaking, this is indeed a very normal behavior of a young man, and it is very reasonable to have such emotional catharsis. Referring to the information collected before, Menma is indeed one of those people who expresses his emotions more directly and obviously in many occasions.

But I just don’t know why.

There was an indescribable sense of subtle disharmony in Itachi's heart. From Itachi's perspective, for a moment, he always felt that the person standing in front of him was not a teenager, but a calm and steady adult.

There is a sense of threat that one is seen through by the other party.

This made Itachi's heartstrings tighten.

"You're right. This really has nothing to do with me. However, the next question is related. Is Sasuke still with Orochimaru? Or is he with you, Menma-kun?"

Itachi took a deep breath, with an expression as if his true intention was revealed, and a sharp look in his pupils as he looked at Menma and asked in a low voice.

"What about Orochimaru's place? What about my place?"

Menma snorted and replied nonchalantly.

"Of course it's nothing with Orochimaru, but if it's with you, Menma-kun, I want to give you a piece of advice. Please don't interfere in the affairs of our Uchiha clan. This is just a problem between us brothers. I think this has no meaning and value to you, Menma-kun, and it will only cause trouble."

Uchiha Itachi looked at Menma with a cold expression, the chilling aura emanating from him was so nakedly threatening.

(End of this chapter)