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

Chapter 359 Reactions from all parties
Country of Fields, Village of Sound.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the rolling mountains a dark gold, giving this valley, located on the border of the Land of Fields and surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills, a tranquil yet slightly eerie cloak.

This place was originally just an ordinary village that focused on agriculture and lived a peaceful life. But ever since it was chosen by Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, as a secret base, it has undergone a tremendous transformation.

The low-lying farmhouses have been replaced by more functional and defensive rock and steel buildings. The air is no longer filled with the pure fragrance of earth, but also with a faint scent of disinfectant, herbs, and some other... indescribable odor.

Although Orochimaru's main research activities have shifted to the more advanced and strictly regulated laboratory in the Star Capital after his nominal "submission" to the Land of Stars, Otogakure remains his private domain for conducting certain gray or forbidden research.

After all, while the Star Kingdom's Shura provided him with unprecedented research resources and support, he also drew a strict red line on "experimental ethics."

The use of innocent civilians is strictly prohibited; only serious offenders are permitted.

This was undoubtedly a constraint for Orochimaru, who would stop at nothing to pursue "truth".

Therefore, Otogakure became his window for conducting some more "free" explorations in secret. By cooperating with the Land of Rice Fields and some small countries around it that lacked ninja villages, he "dealt with" those criminals or ninjas who were ignored, euphemistically calling it "waste utilization".

It was only because of Shura's words back then, "The biggest difference between you and Tobirama Senju is your bottom line...", that Orochimaru disdained using ordinary people as test subjects, or rather, he wanted to prove that he was stronger than the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju!
At this moment, in front of the gate of Otogakure (Hidden Sound Village).

Three ninjas stood there, dressed in the standard dark green vests of Kusagakure and wearing Kusagakure headbands.

The leader had short white hair, wore round-framed glasses, and had a gentle, scholarly look in his eyes behind the lenses. He also wore a harmless smile. This was none other than Yakushi Kabuto.

Behind him were two stern-faced and sharp-looking subordinates, clearly elite soldiers.

They had only been there for a few breaths when several faint whooshing sounds came from the village ahead!

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Three figures darted out from behind the gate and blocked the way for Yakushi Kabuto and his two companions.

The newcomers were all teenagers, around thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in uniform gray combat uniforms with short jackets over them, and wearing sound concealment headbands on their foreheads or arms. Their faces carried a cruelty and ferocity that did not match their age.

The leader, a young man with a faint scar on his face, glared fiercely at Kabuto and his two companions, especially at the Grass Ninja headbands on their foreheads. His tone was full of disdain and a sense of rejection.

"Hey! You trash from Kusagakure! This is our Otogakure territory! Get out of here if you don't want to die!"

The two Sound Ninja behind him also sneered and rubbed their fists together, clearly not taking these three "uninvited guests" seriously.

The two subordinates behind Yakushi Kabuto frowned, a cold glint flashing in their eyes. They subconsciously took a half-step forward, their chakra fluctuating slightly. Clearly, they were angered by the other party's rudeness and were preparing to teach these ignorant brats a lesson.

However, Kabuto gently raised his right hand, signaling his subordinates to remain calm.

His smile softened further, and he adjusted his glasses, speaking in a greeting tone:

"Please don't misunderstand, we mean no harm. We've come specifically to visit Orochimaru; we have important matters to discuss."

"Lord Orochimaru?!" Upon hearing Kabuto Yakushi address them by their full names, the three Sound Ninja boys' expressions changed drastically, like cats whose tails had been stepped on!
The scarred boy at the head of the group instantly flashed with anger, shouting, "You bastard! How dare you address Lord Orochimaru by his name?! You're asking for death!"

Before the words were even finished, the three Sound Ninja launched their attacks almost simultaneously!

Their figures swayed, pouncing on Yakushi Kabuto like cheetahs. The kunai in their hands gleamed coldly, and their faces wore cruel and excited smiles. They clearly intended to teach these "foolish" grass ninja a lesson in the most direct way possible!
"Tsk tsk tsk..." Kabuto Yakushi shook his head slightly, a helpless expression on his face as if he were watching ignorant children making a fuss. He muttered to himself, "What a... loyal pack of dogs. Unfortunately, what I hate most is dogs that bark at people."

He had no intention of making a move.

Just as the attacks of the three Sound Ninja were about to hit him, his two subordinates behind him moved!
Their movements were lightning fast, without any unnecessary frills, only precision and ruthlessness honed through countless trials!

Click! Click! Click!

With three teeth-grinding cracking sounds of bones breaking and shrill screams, the three menacing Sound Ninja boys collapsed to the ground, clutching their twisted and deformed legs, writhing and groaning in pain.

Kabuto's subordinates acted with great restraint, breaking their leg bones in an instant and rendering them unable to move, but without taking their lives.

After all, they came to "visit," not to massacre the village.

"waste!"

A cold female voice came from above.

Kabuto looked up and saw a red-haired girl standing atop the gate of Otogakure, which was constructed of thick logs and steel.

She was about fourteen years old, wearing a white sleeveless short jacket with a shimenawa rope casually tied around her waist, revealing her healthy wheat-colored skin and arms, and her face carried an arrogance and indifference that did not match her age.

Tayuya was one of Orochimaru's more capable subordinates.

The three Sound Ninja with broken legs on the ground saw Tayuya as if they had seen a savior, or as if they had seen an even more terrifying being. Their screams were suppressed, and they trembled as they called out, "Ta...Tayuya-sama!"

Tayuya didn't even glance at the useless person on the ground; her cold gaze was fixed directly on Kabuto Yakushi.

She gracefully leaped down from the several-meter-high gate and stood in front of Yakushi Kabuto, calmly meeting his gaze.

Although the bespectacled man in front of her looked refined, gentle, and had a friendly smile, Tayuya's intuition told her that he exuded a chilling aura, like a venomous snake lurking in the grass, and his danger was no less than that of the Orochimaru she revered.

"Lord Orochimaru wants to see you," Tayuya said succinctly.

"follow me."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked into the village, ignoring the three wailing Sound Ninja on the ground.

Kabuto Yakushi was unfazed by Tayuya's cold attitude and nodded with a smile: "Thank you for leading the way."

He gestured for his two subordinates to follow, while he himself followed Tayuya at a leisurely pace, subtly observing the layout of the inner part of Otogakure.

The low, sturdy stone house, the hidden ventilation openings, the occasional dull thuds or strange roars, the increasingly strong smell of disinfectant and formaldehyde in the air... he quickly recorded, analyzed, and stored all of this in his mind.

Tayuya led the three through seemingly ordinary village streets, eventually entering a building in the center of the village that had an inconspicuous appearance.

The interior of the building is a hidden world, with a downward staircase carved from rough rock winding its way down into the ground, where the light quickly dims, with only the lights on the walls providing illumination.

The further down you go, the more obvious the traces of human intervention become. The rough rocks are gradually replaced by smooth metal walls and heavy blast doors, and the air becomes colder and carries a mixed smell of metal and chemical reagents.

Finally, they arrived at a vast space deep underground.

This place resembles a giant circular arena, surrounded by metal walls tens of meters high, with crisscrossing steel corridors above.

At this moment, on a corridor bridge on the second floor, a figure is standing by the railing, looking down at the "performance" below.

It was the figure of a tall, slender woman wearing a loose-fitting kimono, with her back to them.

Although his face was not visible, Kabuto recognized him at a glance from his pale skin and the cold, slippery aura emanating from him, which was like that of a cold-blooded animal.

Orochimaru.

Moreover, unlike the last time they met, Orochimaru seemed to have undergone another "reincarnation," taking on a new female vessel, but his deep-seated evil and cold aura remained unchanged.

Tayuya quickly walked behind Orochimaru, knelt on one knee, and respectfully reported, "Lord Orochimaru, the person has been brought."

Orochimaru slowly turned around, revealing a beautiful but bloodless face. His golden snake eyes gleamed with interest in the dim light. He licked his lips and said in a hoarse but magnetic voice, "Go down."

"Yes." Tayuya stood up and silently retreated to the shadows of the covered bridge, standing with two of Kabuto's subordinates, but her eyes remained warily fixed on Kabuto in the arena.

Kabuto slowly walked forward to Orochimaru's side and followed his gaze downwards.

Below, in the arena, a brutal "cleanup" operation was underway.

A boy with orange-red hair and a distorted face, his body covered with eerie black curse marks, and several barnacle-like vents protruding from his back, was laughing maniacally as he tore apart one "failed experimental subject" after another with astonishing speed and strength.

"Kill...kill...kill!"

The boy, now transformed into a monster, laughed maniacally as he lunged at the other figures in the arena.

Those were the failed experiments of the cursed seal. They were also corrupted by the cursed seal to varying degrees, but almost none of them still maintained their human form.

The orange-haired monster smashed the head of a failed prototype with a single punch, splattering brain matter and blood all over the ground.

He didn't care at all, turned around, grabbed the leg of another failed product, swung it around like a rag doll, and slammed it hard against the wall.

boom!
Bloody.

The remaining few failed attempts scattered in terror, but the testing ground was sealed off, and they had nowhere to escape.

The orange-haired monster let out a gleeful roar and began hunting them down one by one.

Kabuto merely glanced at it indifferently, his gentle smile remaining unchanged, as if he were watching an ordinary play.

He turned to Orochimaru, his tone maintaining just the right amount of respect: "Lord Orochimaru, how have you been? Lord Shura sent me to inquire about the upcoming Chunin Exams in Konoha. How are your preparations progressing?"

Orochimaru crossed his arms, his golden snake eyes scrutinizing Kabuto Yakushi with great interest.

He was deeply impressed by this young man. Back in the Third Shinobi World War, he had noticed Kabuto Yakushi's talent for medical ninjutsu and his meticulous mind. Unfortunately, he was outmaneuvered by Danzo and Shura.

Now, Kabuto Yakushi has become the head of the Star Country's secret intelligence unit, responsible for the Star Country's intelligence network. He is Shura's right-hand man and "dirty glove".

The other party appears gentle and refined, but in reality, he is cunning, ruthless, and adept at disguise, making him an excellent subordinate.

Sometimes Orochimaru couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if this guy were his subordinate.

"Oh? Shura is actually interested in this kind of 'child's play' exam?" Orochimaru chuckled softly, his snake eyes flashing with calculation.

"I heard that Konoha has made quite a show of things this time. Takigakure, Kusagakure, Amegakure... even those barbarians from Kumogakure have sent delegations. What, is Shura planning to join in the fun too?"

Orochimaru had been secretly plotting revenge against Konoha, and the Chunin Exams were undoubtedly the perfect stage. He had initially worried that Shura would interfere, since the Land of Stars and Konoha didn't seem to have any immediate intention of going to war.

Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the bloody light of the arena below, and smiled, "Lord Shura believes this is a good opportunity for the younger generation to gain experience and observe the strength of the new generation in various ninja villages. The diplomatic team has already gone to the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Fire to negotiate, and I believe there will be results soon."

Orochimaru's interest deepened. He turned to face Kabuto Yakushi and asked in a hoarse voice, "So, you didn't come here in person just to deliver such a simple question, did you? Kabuto Yakushi, what exactly does Shura want?"

Kabuto Yakushi maintained his impeccable, gentle smile and said in a relaxed tone, "Lord Shura simply asked me to come and give you a heads-up so you can be prepared. After all, things might get a bit 'lively' then. He hopes everything can stay under control and... that the final result will meet everyone's 'expectations'."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru was slightly taken aback at first, then he thought of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, who had been resurrected using the Impure World Reincarnation technique, as well as the Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the First and Second Hokage in his own possession, and the identity of Shura...

If all these people appeared on the Chunin Exams stage...

"Hehehe..." Thinking of this, Orochimaru felt his entire brain tremble with excitement, and a low, suppressed laugh escaped his throat: "Exciting? Exciting? Very good... I'm really looking forward to it!"

"I can't wait to see what a wonderful expression my dear teacher will have!"

"Go back and tell Shura that I'm all prepared. Whatever he wants to do, the Sound Village will fully cooperate!"

"I will pass on the message." Kabuto smiled and nodded. "Then, I won't bother you any longer."

Orochimaru waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

Tayuya stepped forward, preparing to lead Yakushi Kabuto and the other two away.

As they reached the entrance to the passage, Kabuto suddenly stopped and turned back to ask, "By the way, Lord Orochimaru. That orange-haired boy... what's his name?"

"Jugo." Orochimaru said without turning his head, "A special individual with an innate ability to absorb natural energy. What, interested?"

"Just out of curiosity." Kabuto Yakushi smiled. "Well then, farewell."

The three of them followed Tayuya away.

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance in the metal passageway.

Orochimaru remained standing by the observation deck, arms crossed, his golden vertical pupils flashing with madness.

He had already begun to imagine what kind of expression his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would show on the day of the Chunin Exams, when the sky over Konoha was shrouded in shadow, the heroes of the past returned as the dead.

"Teacher..." Orochimaru murmured to himself, licking his lips, "I will repay you properly for the last lesson you taught me."

Meanwhile, the Land of Rain.

Deep within Amegakure Village lies the Akatsuki's secret underground base.

Unlike the gloom of Otogakure, this place is filled with cold steel, damp pipes, and the incessant dripping of rain.

Deep inside the base, in a spacious conference room, the light was dim, with only a cold beam of light shining down from the center.

Several Akatsuki members, dressed in black trench coats embroidered with red cloud patterns, sat or stood, scattered in the shadows of the conference room.

The atmosphere was oppressive and somber.

"Hey Hidan! Can't you be serious for once?!" Hidan brandished his massive, blood-red crescent scythe, the red blade gleaming with a bloodthirsty luster in the firelight.

"Wearing that swirling mask all day long, pretending to be a ghost, it's so annoying!"

The person being accused was a man wearing an orange swirling mask, with only his right eye showing.

He was wearing a black robe with red clouds from the Akatsuki organization, but his posture was loose and slouching, which was out of place with the serious atmosphere around him.

"Oh dear, Hidan-senpai is so fierce~" Tobi, also known as Uchiha Obito, said in an exaggerated tone.

Ah Fei even made a scared face with his hands: "I'm just a new intern, senior, please don't bully me~"

These words made Hidan even angrier.

He had only been a member of the Akatsuki for a short time and was looking for someone to establish his authority, so this annoying, joking guy became the perfect target.

But every time he tried to make a move, Itachi Uchiha stopped him.

"You bastard—" Hidan raised his scythe and was about to charge forward.

A pale hand rested on his shoulder.

"enough."

Uchiha Itachi appeared behind Hidan at some point, his voice calm and unwavering.

He was wearing the standard Akatsuki attire, but the collar was pulled up high, obscuring the lower half of his face.

What's most striking are his eyes; his three-tomoe Sharingan has been awakened, and his red pupils slowly rotate in the dim light.

Hidan's body stiffened.

This wasn't the first time he had experienced Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu; the feeling of having one's mind completely controlled was worse than death.

"Itachi, don't stop me!" Hidan gritted his teeth and said, "Today I'm going to teach this arrogant newbie a lesson!"

Tobi hid behind Itachi Uchiha, peeking out half his head: "Itachi-senpai, help me! Hidan-senpai is going to kill me!"

The performance elicited various expressions from the few people watching from a distance.

Ringo Amori leaned against a rock pillar, arms crossed, a senbon stick dangling from her mouth.

She was dressed in a Kirigakure-style ninja uniform, with an Akatsuki-style black robe with red clouds over it, and a ninja sword tucked behind her back.

Seeing Hidan get the short end of the stick, she revealed a mocking smile through her shark-like fangs.

Zabuza Momochi sat in the chair with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to the farce around him, but his slightly trembling eyelids betrayed that he was actually paying attention.

"Hidan." Itachi Uchiha spoke again, his voice still calm, but the speed at which his three-tomoe Sharingan rotated increased slightly.

Hidan felt a blur before his eyes, and the world suddenly turned upside down.

He saw himself raise the blood-red crescent scythe and bring it down on his own neck.

"Stop!" Hidan shouted in terror.

The illusion is lifted.

Hidan, panting heavily, realized he was still standing in the same spot, his scythe still firmly in his hand.

But the stinging sensation in my neck felt so real.

"It hurts!" Hidan glared at Itachi, but his tone had softened considerably.

"The Sharingan is amazing!"

Itachi Uchiha withdrew his Sharingan and closed his eyes again: "Next time I make a move at a meeting, it won't be as simple as a genjutsu."

Abi jumped out from behind Itachi, clapping his hands and laughing, "As expected of Itachi-senpai! So amazing!"

Hidan glared at him fiercely, but didn't say anything more.

He walked away dejectedly, stuck his sickle in the ground, and sat down.

Just then, footsteps came from the direction of the passage.

Everyone turned to look.

Payne walked at the front.

He wore a black robe with red clouds, his Rinnegan eyes glowed with purple light, and his steps were steady, each step carrying an aura of power, like a god looking down on mortals.

Pain was accompanied by Konan and Zetsu.

"leader!"

Upon seeing Pain appear, everyone in the conference room, including the arrogant Hidan and the mischievous Tobi, restrained themselves, bowing slightly or nodding in greeting.

Payne's gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on Zetsu beside him.

Zetsu's half-black, half-white body twitched slightly, and the black side spoke in a hoarse voice: "According to the latest intelligence, the scale of Konoha's Chunin Exams this year far exceeds that of previous years. In addition to the confirmed Takigakure, Kusagakure, Amegakure, and Otogakure villages, Kumogakure is also interested... The Land of Stars also seems to be sending a team to participate through some channel."

"The Land of Stars?" Zabuza Momochi scoffed.

Zetsu, with his white half-body, exclaimed in an exaggerated tone, "That's right! And, according to reliable sources, the genin team sent by the Land of Stars is very likely to include that... One-Tail Jinchuriki!"

"A Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast?!"

This news was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly attracting everyone's attention!
Even Itachi Uchiha, whose eyes had been lowered, raised them, his crimson Sharingan fixed on Zetsu.

Then, his gaze swept over Sasori, who was standing silently in the corner.

[Image credit: Tayuya]

(End of this chapter)