Avengers of the Whirlpool Family.

Chapter 385 Respective Expectations

Everything still depends on how things unfold.

At this point.

Menma himself still has a relatively clear understanding. Anyway, it is already the 62nd year of Konoha, and it has entered the final countdown. If he does not take action, Obito and Nagato should also take action.

The next thing to compete is the means of speed between each other.

We need to continue negotiations with Shikaku.

There must be further inducement from the Hidden Leaf Village. With the information from Orochimaru and the information vaguely mentioned by Shikaku, it can be 100% confirmed that the Hidden Leaf Village is in cahoots with the Hidden Leaf Village. This is of course expected.

But Menma definitely does not want to continue fighting with Konoha and Iwagakure now. This is not in line with Menma's expectations.

Fortunately, it will take some time for the Iwagakure Village to fully digest the benefits it has obtained from the Kumogakure Village, and there is no way that the Iwagakure Village will attack them alone.

As long as it can stabilize Konoha a little.

It doesn’t take too long. If you take half a year or ten months, your preparations will be complete enough.

Therefore, some necessary strategies should be implemented as early as possible.

As for Naruto.

Menma would never let them meet. The filter thing was only there at the beginning, and it was all shattered afterwards. What about those former companions in the Hidden Leaf Village?
All we can say is that people have different ideals and cannot work together.

What they think and what they do is their business, and Menma will not indulge them.

Everything still depends on yourself.

Menma slightly bent the index finger of his right hand and tapped lightly on the table, looking at the scenery of his own ninja village outside the window. His eyes also became deep at this moment, and he quietly thought about his other arrangements.

And it was just as Menma himself guessed.

When Shikaku left, he was not at all as excited and happy as he had been in the office.

Although there is indeed a sense of relaxation to some extent.

But I am more worried about the future.

Menma's performance is already superb, but someone with rich life experience like Shikaku is even more sensitive.

How could Shikaku not see through Menma's disguise?

It's just under this disguise.

There is still some genuine feeling revealed.

On this point, Shikaku can still be sure, and it is based on this point that Shikaku has the corresponding confidence in his heart, not to mention the topic about Naruto that he mentioned casually later.

Shikaku could be absolutely sure that there was no water in the expression on Menma's face at that moment.

Then, combined with the seemingly insignificant but still useful "neighborhood intelligence" that Suo had investigated before, Shikaku was already nearly 99% sure that Naruto was definitely still alive.

Verify this information.

This is the biggest reason why Shikaku volunteered to come to the Hikari Village!
"Luckily Naruto is still alive. At least this isn't the worst possible situation..."

As Lu Jiu walked towards the place where his delegation was staying, he felt grateful in his heart.

The relationship between Shikaku and Minato is pretty good.

They have fought side by side several times.

In the first year that Minato came to power, Shikaku was Minato's most important right-hand man. It should be said that both publicly and privately, Shikaku was the most steadfast figure in Minato's faction. Unfortunately, Minato died in battle at such a young age.

It is also based on this point.

Menma's defection.

There is still some guilt in Shikaku's heart.

However, the Ino, Shika, and Chou clans have always been the most staunch Hokage-affiliated ninja clans. They would obey the orders of whoever was the Hokage 100%. At that time, they could not and dared not disobey the orders of the Third Hokage.

Unless Tsunade or Jiraiya can take the lead.

Only Lu Jiucai could possibly get involved.

And it's just a possibility.

The positioning of the Ino, Deer, and Chou clans in the place where they established their village in the Hidden Leaf Village has always been very clear and firm. This is also their way of survival and cannot be easily changed.

Therefore, Shikaku felt a certain guilt towards Minato in his heart.

The news of Naruto's death at Menma's hands only exacerbated this, and now it was confirmed that Naruto was still alive.

Shikaku felt completely relaxed.

"In this case, there is still some room for improvement..."

By the time Lu Jiu returned to the hotel.

Kakashi, Haiyi, Might Guy and others were already in Shikaku's room waiting for his return.

"Shikaku, how is it?"

The moment I saw Lu Jiu return safely.

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, it's Menma.

Once enraged, he may resort to ruthless actions at any time. Kakashi himself is the best proof of this. If nothing unexpected had happened, Kakashi would have died at the hands of Menma in the Valley of the End.

Shikaku still intended to have the most direct negotiations with Menma, but God knows what Menma's attitude would be.

"Well, I guess I have accomplished the most basic intention."

Lu Jiu came in front of the three people, sat down cross-legged, and spoke with a slightly relaxed look.

Seeing Shikaku like this.

The three of them had some idea in their hearts.

Following from that.

"Just now....."

Shikaku used relatively concise words to briefly explain the process of his conversation with Menma, as well as the most important result.

in the process of listening.

Kakashi, Haiyi and Kai's expressions also changed many times according to Shikaku's different descriptions. Especially when they heard Shikaku's speculation that a considerable part of Menma's words were deliberately acting, the expressions of the three of them became unprecedentedly solemn.

In their opinion, this should be the most dangerous signal, right?
But as Lu Jiu's subsequent description and most important personal speculation unfold.

The expressions of the three people gradually relaxed.

"I see, then it seems there is indeed a little hope..."

Haiyi nodded slightly and said in agreement.

"Is this really certain? Shikaku, could it really be all a lie?"

Kakashi still looked very worried and asked while looking directly at Shikaku.

"It's not impossible, but as Haiyi said, there is still a little hope. Although there is still no clear evidence, it is very likely that Naruto is still alive and in this Hikari Village."

Lu Jiu took a deep breath and made this most important judgment.

And it was at the moment when he heard Shikaku's words.

Kakashi, Haiyi and Might Guy all widened their eyes slightly in an instant, especially the former, who had an obvious look of joy and urgency on his face.

"Shikaku, are you really sure!?"

"Well, it's almost certain, but Menma may not let Naruto come to see us. Therefore, although you can tell Hinata and the others this news, you should also remind them not to get too excited or do anything irrational. You must remember that this is the Hidden Light Village and we can't act recklessly."

Lu Jiu was still a little worried that the little guys below might cause trouble.

Especially Hinata.

It was obvious that the girl was a very stubborn person, and Lu Jiu was afraid that she would do something extreme and directly irritate Menma.

If that happens, the loss will outweigh the gain. "Well, don't worry, Shikaku, we will pass it on."

Hearing Shikaku's second confirmation.

Kakashi's face also showed a look of relaxation and happiness.

If you must find the most reliable person from the Hidden Leaf Village.

Shikaku must be someone on the list.

His intelligence, his overall view, and his judgment have always been second to none in the Hidden Leaf Village.

And generally speaking.

If he is not sure, Shikaku will not easily make absolute statements.

Since Shikaku dares to do this, he is very confident. Kakashi will naturally feel very happy.

Don't worry about whether this is self-admiration or not.

Isn't this cheap self-salvation?

Anyway, in Kakashi's heart, Naruto is the only one who is worthy of his teacher Minato. If Naruto really dies in this battle.

Kakashi would really feel uneasy.

During that period of time, Hinata was not the only one who suffered inner torment. Kakashi was also suffering, but as an adult he was able to conceal it very well.

Now I can really breathe a sigh of relief.

Kakashi firmly believed that Shikaku would not deceive him about such a thing, and there was no need for that, right?
"Well, the next thing is to discuss some details. Haiyi, write a letter and send it directly back to the village, informing Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama of the general situation and confirming the key points."

The purpose of this mission.

It has basically been achieved.

The rest cannot be accomplished overnight.

The alliance between Uchiha and Senju will still take a long time to develop and may not be successful, let alone now.

But as long as the first step is taken, Lu Jiu will have the corresponding confidence to complete the next steps. Things have to be obtained through one's own efforts.

Of course, before that, he still needs to report to Tsunade in the village. Even though Shikaku has already obtained full authority, it involves the relationship between the two villages and Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Shikaku must be more cautious.

More importantly, the current easing does not represent future relations.

Just like in the interview.

Menma himself mentioned the issue of future opportunities.

Shikaku himself was also very clear about the significance of the Nine-Tails to the Hidden Leaf Village, but the current situation in the ninja world was indeed a little too special. The successive heavy losses of the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Mist Village were all the fault of their Hidden Leaf Village.

The establishment of the Hikage Village and the further expansion of the Iwagakure Village.

All of these made the situation faced by the Hidden Leaf Village become extremely delicate.

Shikaku is very clear about the wishes of his Lord Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya. The Nine-Tails definitely wants to be taken back, but is unwilling to fight to the death with Menma. This is not just a simple emotional issue, but also a contradictory psychology based on considerations of reality.

Does the Hidden Leaf Village really dare to say that it has a greater chance of winning against the current Hidden Light Village?

I'm afraid that's not possible.

Even Shikaku subconsciously felt that if it were a one-on-one fight, the probability of his own ninja village being defeated would be higher.

This is definitely not an exaggeration.

Yes.

It can be said that it is natural to make such a judgment.

"Yeah, I understand."

Hai nodded and said.

"By the way, those two people haven't taken any action in the past few days, right?

There was a gleam in Shikaku's eyes, and he spoke in a slightly low voice.

"Don't worry, Shikaku. We have been keeping an eye on them these past few days. They are basically just normal operations."

Hai Yi replied softly.

"We still can't let our guard down. I don't believe that Danzo sent these two people just for a visit. There must be some hidden mission. We must keep a close eye on them!"

Shikaku first nodded, then shook his head and explained in a very serious tone.

"Ok!"

Haiyi, Kakashi, and Might Guy all nodded in response.

They all knew what kind of ruthless character Danzo Shimura was and how dangerous the Root was.

And these guys really don't care about their lives.

All it takes is an order from Danzo.

They will really do anything.

After all, they are still companions from his own ninja village. Shikaku really doesn't want to see them make mistakes. To put it another way, if they really died, it wouldn't be a big problem. The only thing he is afraid of is that it will directly implicate the entire Konohagakure Village.

Whether or not you can succeed is one thing.

But whether there is a probability is another matter.

Lu Jiu was unwilling to see things being ruined by someone just when they were finally turning around.

These are two completely different things.

The four people completed the negotiation.

That is, everyone goes their separate ways to perform their own duties.

The message was given.

It was also through Shikaku's son, Shikamaru, that the little ones in the delegation learned that Naruto was still alive.

Kiba, Choji and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.

Hinata cried with joy.

"That's great, that's great, Naruto-kun, Naruto-kun..."

Those were already wet eyes.

Hinata covered her face and cried quietly.

"Hinata..."

On one side, there was a seat to accompany Hinata. This was Ino who came to the Hidden Light Village. She patted Hinata's shoulder gently and said with a complicated expression.

"Although this news can be confirmed, it is obvious that Menma will not let us see Naruto. Dad and the others also want to tell us not to act rashly. After all, we are not very clear about Naruto's current situation in the Hikari Village. Any rash actions may bring unpredictable dangers to Naruto."

Shikamaru took a deep breath and then spoke softly.

"this..."

Hinata, who was originally very happy, froze in an instant when she heard Shikamaru's words.

Can't see Naruto-kun?
Then what should I do?

Hinata's heart was overwhelmed with infinite impulse at that moment, but she restrained it at that moment.

She couldn't let her impulse harm her fellow envoys.

Menma was no longer the Menma they were familiar with.

Although Hinata really wanted to see Naruto and was even willing to risk everything, that was only for herself.

You absolutely cannot drag other people into this.

(End of this chapter)