Avengers of the Whirlpool Family.

Chapter 431: Hidden Steps
"It seems that Menma-kun doesn't trust the Third Tsuchikage at all. Is he naturally wary? Or did that old fox reveal something that Menma-kun saw?"

And it was just when this light ninja had just left.

Suddenly.

In the far left corner of this office, at this dusk hour, in the shadow area where light and shadow cannot be reflected.

A familiar and extremely cold hoarse voice followed suit.

next second.

A slender and straight figure also slowly stepped out from inside.

Menma turned his head with a calm look and looked at Orochimaru who appeared in front of him very naturally. There was no surprise on his face. Not to mention Menma now, a long time ago, no one in this ninja world could hide from his perception and enter the range covered by his Kagura's mind's eye.

Orochimaru himself is also very clear about this.

Therefore, he never played any tricks and just sneaked in so 'openly'.

"Heh, do you even need to ask this? Will Orochimaru-san still trust those people?"

There seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in the corners of Menma's eyes, and he spoke in an indifferent tone.

Trust between major powers?
That's a joke.

Even the five major countries in the original book.

Probably the only ones who truly trust each other are Konoha and Sunagakure, and that is based on the extremely deep personal friendship between Naruto and Gaara. What about the other three ninja villages?

Do you mean that Oonoki, Ai, or Mei Terumi will truly trust Naruto and Konoha! ?
After all, it was because they had a common enemy before the war, and after the war they chose to come together because of common interests, as well as the threat of Naruto and Sasuke's dual Six Paths-level power.

Between countries.

There is absolutely no possibility of eternal friendship.

Some are simply unchanging interests.

If there is interest, then the cooperation can continue. If there is a conflict of interest, even the deepest relationship will end in a fallout.

There is no one in this world who truly cares only about feelings and not interests.

Not without.

But there are really very few.

"Haha, that's true."

Orochimaru licked his lips, and a strange look appeared in his snake eyes.

"So, Orochimaru-san came all the way to visit again. Did he make any breakthroughs in his research?"

Menma asked, looking at Orochimaru with a calm expression.

This scientific research fanatic in the ninja world generally would not leave his laboratory easily unless it was necessary.

Menma had felt this deeply when watching anime in his previous life, not to mention the close contact and understanding he had in this life.

Menma was almost 100% certain that Orochimaru's life was either spent on research or on the way to research or searching for research materials.

Everything he did was for supreme power and eternal life.

The reason for having such a goal is to be able to better study and uncover the truth of this world.

This is a process that continues to repeat itself over and over again.

Therefore, in a sense, Menma still admires people like Orochimaru, who have the courage and motivation to explore all the truth.

"Well, I need to come to Menma-kun for something."

Orochimaru said with a faint smile.

"Wow? At this time when the three-year period is about to end, Orochimaru-san actually has time to come to me. It seems that this matter is really important."

It's July.

It is already this point in the second half of the year.

Orochimaru's Reincarnation Technique also brought him back to a time when he could change his body.

Although from the current point of view, everything about Orochimaru seems to be normal.

But what is the actual situation.

Even if there is no reference to the original plot.

Even with such close perception, Menma could "see" everything clearly.

When Orochimaru heard Menma's words, his expression changed slightly, but after only a second, he quickly returned to normal.

"It's because the time is almost up that I need to discuss some important matters with Menma-kun."

Orochimaru stared at Menma and spoke word by word with a seemingly calm expression, but in fact, it was obvious that he was extremely tense inside.

Snake's first instinct!

Although there is no clear evidence.

But this time I saw Menma.

Orochimaru could clearly feel that Menma had undergone another earth-shaking change.

It seems to be an evolution on the whole level of life.

Orochimaru couldn't help but tremble in his heart.

He was 100% sure that the current Uzumaki Menma had at least reached the level of the former First Hokage, Uchiha Madara. No, maybe even a higher level! ?

because.

When Menma turned his eyes to him just now, and the moment their eyes made contact, Orochimaru's breathing couldn't help but hold, and he felt as if his soul was seen through.

"Important things? Haha, then Orochimaru-san, just tell me about it."

Menma raised his eyebrows, changed to a more comfortable position, leaned back on the chair, and said lightly.

He could probably guess what Orochimaru was going to say.

"Can I ask Menma-kun a question first? Has Menma-kun changed in this period of time?"

Orochimaru licked his lips again.

Originally, he had not intended to ask, but in the end, he could not resist his desire any more, and his pair of snake pupils seemed to flash a different kind of light at this moment, staring straight at Menma, and his tone seemed to become a little anxious.

"Huh? Orochimaru-san is worthy of being called the number one scientific research maniac in the ninja world. Yes, I went out for a while ago and encountered some interesting things that really helped me a lot. What? Are you interested, Orochimaru-san?"

Menma smiled slightly, and there seemed to be a hint of danger in his eyes as he looked at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Snakes are one of the most dangerous creatures.

Even without any evidence.

But Orochimaru had a feeling that he couldn't continue asking, otherwise, something might happen that he didn't want to see or should have been unacceptable.

A moment of biological instinct.

Orochimaru suppressed the throbbing in his heart.

"Haha, if you want to say I'm interested, then of course I'm interested. But since this is Menma-kun's personal matter, I can't ask more. I just want to ask, does the promise Menma-kun made before still count?"

Orochimaru looked directly at Menma and said those words.

at that moment.

Orochimaru himself didn't notice that his tone actually contained a hint of caution.

It was as if the Menma in front of him had become a being that he would never easily offend.

"Promise? Oh, I see. It's about assisting Orochimaru-san in his research. Of course, this is what I said and I will naturally fulfill it. Over the past two years, I think I have contributed a lot to Orochimaru-san's research. The Sharingan, the Byakugan, the Sage Body, and the Tailed Beasts. I should have never broken my promise, right?" Menma was stunned at first, then he chuckled and said.

"Well, that's natural. Menma-kun's credibility is obvious to all. So, today I would like to ask Menma-kun for help and provide some of your hair and blood to assist in my next round of research. I wonder if Menma-kun is willing to do so?"

Orochimaru softened his tone and spoke slowly.

"Blood and hair?"

Menma narrowed his eyes slightly.

Now and before.

There is indeed a world of difference.

The entire life level has changed. Even the smallest cells will be very different from those of ordinary people.

Orochimaru's personal strength.

Now, Menma really doesn't take it seriously anymore.

But the level of scientific research is absolutely unique.

He was able to research even forbidden techniques like the Corpse Reincarnation Technique. Orochimaru was able to improve the Impure World Reincarnation Technique created by Senju Tobirama many times, turning it from a semi-useless technique that was simply used in conjunction with the Multiplicative Explosive Talisman Technique into a truly powerful forbidden technique.

These are the best evidence to demonstrate Orochimaru's scientific research technology.

Just because others can't research something doesn't mean Orochimaru can't do it.

This is Orochimaru's ability.

But this hesitation lasted only a moment.

next second.

Menma said with a smile: "No problem, it's just some blood and hair. As I said before, I have always been supportive of Orochimaru's research."

What's wrong with giving it to Orochimaru for research?
The upper limit of some things is just there.

After all.

If I am not a member of the orthodox Uzumaki clan.

If I were not the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

To reach this point today is as difficult as climbing to heaven. Seriously speaking, this is a world that values ​​bloodline.

Do not!
It can even be said that the world of many so-called hot-blooded comics is a world that emphasizes identity and bloodline. Without the corresponding identity and bloodline, your limit is set.

The world of Naruto.

The limit of mortals is Might Guy.

However, his limit still needs to be exchanged for the price of his life, excluding this special case.

The real pinnacle is Jiraiya in Sage Mode and the Third Raikage.

Super shadow level.

It is the level that ordinary humans can touch.

leftover.

Bloodline determines everything.

Without bloodline, you cannot cross that level and it is impossible for your life to complete a true evolution.

So what's wrong with letting Orochimaru do his research freely?
Menma doesn't need to worry about the threat from Orochimaru at all.

On the contrary, it can further squeeze Orochimaru's surplus value.

"It's just research data. I hope Orochimaru-san can give me a copy when the time comes."

After a slight pause, Menma continued.

"Oh? Of course, I have no problem with that at all."

Orochimaru had already prepared himself to be rejected by Menma, but he didn't expect that Menma actually agreed.

Does this mean he is not afraid of me at all? Or does he have other intentions?

Obviously, Menma agreeing was the result he wanted to see most.

But after he really agreed to it, Orochimaru started to have wild thoughts.

"So that's all we have to say, Orochimaru-san?"

Menma naturally doesn't care what Orochimaru is thinking.

Things are different now.

Menma, who had just escaped from the Hidden Leaf Village two years ago, still needs Orochimaru's protection. If a real fight breaks out, he can only barely protect himself. Almost all the control is in the hands of Orochimaru, and Menma needs to use various means to reach a delicate balance with Orochimaru.

But now it's completely different.

Orochimaru is just a chess piece in Menma's hand, and he can manipulate him however he wants.

This is a world where strength is paramount.

When it became apparent that an insurmountable chasm had appeared between the two of them, Menma was already able to look down on Orochimaru from a superior position.

Attack and defense have changed.

The initiative is firmly in Menma's hands.

"No, this is just something I thought of on the spur of the moment. The point is that I got some interesting things from Konoha and wanted to share them with Menma-kun."

Orochimaru shook his head slightly, and a hint of weirdness seemed to be faintly revealed in his snake eyes. As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his arms, swung it with one hand, and threw it straight over.

Menma caught it with his backhand and spread it out. When he saw the contents recorded inside with a hint of curiosity, Menma's eyes subconsciously condensed slightly.

"Should I really say that you are worthy of being Orochimaru-san? You are still able to detect Konoha's movements as clearly as ever."

Menma slowly turned his head and looked at Orochimaru with a puzzled look.

This scroll clearly records the movements of the top leaders of Konohagakure Village during this period of time.

You read that right, this is the movement of the top management.

And Menma could guess where this movement information came from.

He is none other than the Dark Lord of Konoha. In this world, as a high-ranking ninja village leader, no one is better than Danzo in selling out the interests of his own ninja village.

"Hehe, these are just some foreshadowings left in the early years. How about it, Menma-kun? Are you still interested in this information?"

Seeing that Menma's expression didn't seem to change much, Orochimaru asked tentatively.

"Well, it's to be expected. If there were no small movements, it would be strange. After all, I am the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Menma said with a hint of mockery.

"However, this does give me a more accurate reminder. Tell me, Orochimaru-san, what do you want me to do for you? You wouldn't come all the way here to share such a small thing with me for no reason, right?"

Menma's eyes turned slightly deeper as he looked at Orochimaru, and he spoke meaningfully.

What kind of person is Orochimaru?

Menma felt that he understood it very well.

Because in a sense, Orochimaru is the purest kind of person in this world. His goal is always consistent and has never wavered, no matter what he faces or when.

Orochimaru will not change his position.

"It's very simple. I only have one request, and that is that I hope Menma-kun won't interfere in the issues between me and Sasuke-kun!"

(End of this chapter)