Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 239 Script, Actors, Audience: Are You All Ready?
Deep within the base of Konoha's roots, the cold, damp air seemed to solidify.

The flickering torchlight cast distorted, swaying shadows on the rough stone walls, but it could not dispel the bone-chilling cold.

Yakushi Kabuto knelt on one knee on the cold ground, head bowed, reporting to Shimura Danzo, who sat in the shadows.

His voice was steady and clear, without any discernible emotional fluctuation.

"...In summary, the Star Country Ninja Academy currently implements a five-year education system, with annual expansion of enrollment. The students mainly come from war orphans and talented commoners, and recently, it has also absorbed some descendants of ninja clans from newly annexed territories. Its outstanding graduates, such as Kaguya Kimimaro and Morishita Toshito, have all reached the level of Chunin or even Special Jonin, and their potential is astonishing."

As the new generation of Star Ninja, Kimimaro and others often carry out missions outside and have some contact with ninjas from Iwagakure and Sunagakure, so it's not exactly a secret.

Even the information that Kaguya and Uzumaki clan orphans were living in the Land of Stars, as reported by Kabuto Yakushi, made Danzo somewhat satisfied.

"At the Star Village Jonin level, the known core figures currently include: Commander-in-Chief Uchiha Hikaru, whose strength is unfathomable and who is suspected of possessing the Mangekyou Sharingan; Minister of the Interior Uzumaki Kaoru, a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, who is skilled in sealing techniques and administration; Minister of Land Construction Gota, a master of Earth Release; and the Natsumi and Hotaru couple under the Ministry of Defense, former Star Village Jonin, both of whom are elite Jonin... As for the Star Village Anbu, I'm sorry, my level is not high enough."

"Militarily, after annexing the Land of Swamp, the Land of Darkness, and the Land of Snow, the Star Country's territory and population have increased significantly, its strategic depth has expanded, and its national strength has improved remarkably. Its regular ninja force now numbers over five hundred..."

Dou gave a detailed report on what he had seen and heard over the past year, covering everything from education and military affairs to the economy and domestic politics, in a clear and organized manner.

However, Danzo, sitting upright, showed no sign of satisfaction on his wrinkled face; instead, a hint of impatience flashed in his single eye.

"I have no interest in these superficial things," Danzo's cold voice interrupted him, like a dull knife scraping against a stone.

"What about Shura? What have you found out about him? His true identity? His purpose? The source of his power?"

Kabuto's heart sank slightly, but his expression remained respectful: "I am very sorry, Lord Danzo. Shura's whereabouts are extremely secretive, and he rarely makes public appearances, even in the Star Capital. His daily affairs are mostly handled by Uchiha Hikaru, Uzumaki Kaoru, and others. At the level I can currently access, it is impossible for me to get close to his inner circle, and information about him... is very scarce."

Danzo stared intently at Kabuto with his single eye, as if trying to see right through him.

Silence hung over him like an immense pressure.

After a long silence, Danzo spoke again, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "So, has the Land of Stars made any unusual moves toward Iwagakure recently? Any signs of large-scale military mobilization?"

Kabuto thought carefully for a moment and replied cautiously, "During my time in hiding, I did not observe any large-scale military operation plans by the Land of Stars against Iwagakure. There has indeed been an increase in small-scale conflicts and frictions between the two sides along the new border, but these are all within the scope of routine standoffs by the border patrol teams and have not escalated."

There was another suffocating silence.

Danzo's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, producing a monotonous tapping sound.

He clearly didn't get the information he most wanted to confirm or that would put his mind at ease from Dou.

"Fine." Danzo finally waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible annoyance: "You may leave. This mission has been tough, so I'm giving you a break to rest for a while. Until there are new orders, stay in the village and await further instructions."

"...Yes, Lord Danzo." Kabuto lowered his head, concealing a hint of coldness in his eyes.

Have a holiday?

Standby?

This is undoubtedly a form of house arrest.

Danzo, that old fox, eventually became suspicious of him and could not completely trust him.

He bowed respectfully, stepped back, and turned to leave the oppressive room.

When he stepped out of the Root base and felt the not-so-warm sunlight on the streets of Konoha again, he understood that he had temporarily lost his freedom, which also meant that Danzo was likely planning something he didn't want him to know or interfere with.

The following morning, at the Uchiha clan compound.

As dawn broke, the grass and trees in the courtyard were still covered with dew.

Uchiha Sasuke had been practicing taijutsu in the courtyard for a long time. His movements were swift and sharp, carrying a fierce determination that refused to admit defeat.

Sweat soaked his black hair, which clung to his forehead.

Uchiha Itachi stood quietly under the corridor, dressed in his Anbu uniform, watching his younger brother's hardworking figure, his black eyes revealing complex and unfathomable emotions.

There was relief, there was love, but also a deep-seated, unspeakable heaviness.

"Brother!" Sasuke finished his practice routine and, seeing Itachi, immediately ran over, his face filled with excitement and anticipation. "Are you free today? Practice with me! We have sparring practice at school today, and I'm determined to beat that Menma!"

Upon hearing the name "Menma," Itachi's eyebrows twitched slightly.

He had heard this name from Sasuke more than once; it seemed to be Sasuke's perceived rival and target within the class.

For someone to be so concerned about his proud and arrogant younger brother, and even to remain undeterred by repeated failures, this kid named Mianma must be quite something.

To some extent, Itachi was even grateful for this person's existence; he became an external driving force that spurred Sasuke to continuously grow stronger.

However, he was destined to disappoint his brother today.

Itachi gently shook his head, a perfectly measured hint of apology on his face: "Sorry, Sasuke. The Anbu still have many missions to handle today. Maybe next time, okay?" Sasuke's bright eyes dimmed slightly, his little lips pouted slightly, but he still nodded understandingly: "...Okay. Brother, you go ahead and do your work. I'll definitely defeat him on my own!"

Just then, her mother, Uchiha Mikoto's, gentle voice came from inside the house: "Itachi, Sasuke, breakfast is ready!"

The atmosphere at the dining table seemed warm, yet subtly somber.

Fugaku had already left home; recently, he had been busy with clan affairs and always left early and returned late.

While eating his rice ball, Sasuke asked curiously, "Mom, what has Dad been busy with lately? I never see him."

Mikoto smiled gently and wiped the rice grains from the corner of his mouth: "There are many things in the clan that Daddy needs to take care of. Sasuke, be good and don't distract Daddy."

Sasuke said "Oh," and then looked at Itachi, who was eating in silence: "Brother, are the Anbu missions very busy?"

Itachi's hand holding the chopsticks paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, then returned to normal, giving a soft "hmm" without saying anything more.

He just ate his meal silently, as if trying to swallow all his emotions.

After breakfast, the two brothers left home, watched by their mother.

Upon reaching the entrance to the clan compound, the two parted ways. Sasuke headed towards the Ninja Academy, while Itachi walked in the other direction.

However, Itachi did not leave immediately.

He turned into a small alley, and after confirming that no one was around, he disappeared quietly.

The next moment, he had silently appeared on a large tree beside the path leading to the ninja academy, his figure perfectly concealed by the dense foliage.

He wore the mask of the Dark Guard, his gaze following his younger brother's small, receding figure through the eye holes of the mask.

He watched Sasuke walk into the school, watched him meet up with his classmates on the training field, watched him start arguing with that blond-haired Naruto Uzumaki again, and watched him walk up to that black-haired, spiky-haired, lazy-looking boy and loudly challenge him.

'Is that Menma?' Itachi's gaze lingered on the boy for a moment.

It doesn't seem to have anything special about it, and the chakra feels quite ordinary.

But for some reason, whenever the boy occasionally looked around, Itachi always felt that there was a calmness in his eyes that was inconsistent with his age.
Just then, Menma on the training field seemed to unintentionally turn his head, his gaze accurately sweeping towards the general direction where Itachi was hiding.

Even from a distance, Itachi, hidden behind the mask, instinctively held his breath, a flicker of surprise crossing his mind: 'Was it my imagination?'

The mission was about to end, and he couldn't stay any longer.

Itachi gave Sasuke one last, deep look before disappearing from the tree and speeding towards the Hokage Building.

Shortly after Itachi disappeared, Menma on the training field frowned slightly and subconsciously touched the back of his right hand.

Just a moment ago, he did indeed feel a gaze that was extremely subtle yet filled with complex emotions.

At the same time, the engraving on the back of his hand also felt slightly warm.
It was Kabuto Yakushi who sent the urgent message through the chakra network he had created.

Menma's consciousness was connected to the imprinted network: 'Kou? What is it?'

His response at that moment was, in Kabuto's perception, naturally, that of Lord "Shura".

Kabuto's message was swift and clear: 'Lord Shura, I have returned to Konoha and reported to Danzo. However, Danzo does not fully trust me and has placed me under house arrest and surveillance under the guise of a vacation.'

'Danzo is inherently suspicious, so this is not unexpected,' Menma's consciousness responded calmly.

Kabuto continued his analysis: 'I suspect Danzo's actions indicate he's planning a major operation soon and doesn't want me, a potential destabilizing factor, to know or interfere. He's likely sending other, more covert spies into the Land of Stars. We need to strengthen our internal screening.'

Menma remained silent for a moment, his mind quickly flashing through the timeline of the original work and the recent unusual atmosphere in Konoha, especially the oppressive feeling of impending doom from the Uchiha clan.

"Okay, continue to lie in wait, observe the situation at the base, and report to me as needed." Menma added, "If there's danger, don't push yourself; retreat immediately. I'll arrange for someone to meet you."

Kabuto, not expecting such a promise, instinctively declined: 'My lord, I will try my best…'

"I promised Menma I would keep you safe." Menma's voice was steady, carrying an undeniable authority, yet it sent a shiver down Kabuto's spine, sending a warm feeling through him.

He really wanted to go see Menma right now, to see everyone at the orphanage, but given his current status... he couldn't!
"Understood, sir. I will be careful." After saying this, Kabuto Yakushi cut off the communication.

Back at the Konoha Ninja Academy, watching Sasuke bickering with Naruto, Menma's thoughts drifted to the Uchiha clan's territory.

'It's Konoha year 58 now, and the Uchiha clan massacre is this year. It seems that Danzo, that rat, can't hold back any longer.'

"Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi have prepared the script and actors for this 'Night of the Clan Extermination,' so I should also inform the audience to prepare to take their seats." Menma squinted, already starting to look forward to it.

[PS: Finished watching Blood Moon. No Infinite Tsukuyomi, no strange arrivals, no aliens. Disappointing. Going to sleep now. There will be another update during the day!]

(End of this chapter)