The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

"Alright, Jiraiya, let Danzo handle this matter for now. Orochimaru and Menma Uzumaki are both key rogue ninjas that Konoha needs to deal with right now, and we must deal with them before the other ninja villages can react. Especially Menma Uzumaki's identity, you should know how important it is to Konoha. Your most important task right now is to find Tsunade."

Mitokado Yan, sitting opposite, spoke first in a deep voice.

"Of course, Danzo, you can't overdo it. Konoha can't afford any more damage. Your Root team should prioritize gathering intelligence and then determine the appropriate plan. As for the One-Tailed Beast, it should still be jointly managed by the Anbu and the Interrogation Department. Root's tasks are still quite heavy, so don't allocate any more manpower to it."

"Yes, I think what Yan said makes a lot of sense. Jiraiya, don't be in a hurry. These things can only be officially dealt with after the Fifth Hokage takes office. Of course, if you are willing to take over the position of Hokage now, then that's another story."

Koharu, who was turning the bed, also spoke slowly.

Jiraiya frowned upon hearing the two advisors' words.

If he had to say something, Jiraiya certainly didn't want to see Danzo get involved in Menma's affairs, but given the current situation, it wasn't appropriate for him to say anything more. Fortunately, there were two advisors mediating the situation.

Jiraiya took a deep breath and slowly nodded, saying, "I understand. I will find Tsunade as soon as possible!"

Danzo would not have any objections.

In his view, timing was not an issue at all. As long as his roots took over, what to do next was entirely up to him!

He had already made up his mind to capture Menma again in the near future. As long as he could successfully control the Nine-Tails, no one in Konoha, or even the ninja world, would be able to defy his will. He was determined to correct Hiruzen Sarutobi's mistake and prove that his teacher had chosen the wrong person back then!

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was being held in Konoha Village.

the other side.

Menma, who had left Konoha, followed Orochimaru and his group, heading due north. After several hours, they crossed the border of the Land of Fire and entered the neighboring Land of Rice Fields.

This is one of Orochimaru's important bases.

The Sound Village, Orochimaru's most important power, exists within this country. In the past, it has been able to grow stronger thanks to Orochimaru's special training and the financial support of the Land of Rice Fields. Now that it has conspired with the Sand Village to launch a sneak attack on the Hidden Leaf Village, the true nature of the Sound Village and the people behind it will inevitably be revealed to the public. If Orochimaru does not take some necessary measures, the Sound Village may very well be destroyed.

No matter how cowardly Konoha is, it cannot tolerate a ninja village continuing to exist so brazenly, established by a rogue ninja who dared to launch a sneak attack on Konoha and even killed the Third Hokage.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 130 Goodbye Karin

In the original story, after the Konoha Crush plan...

The Sound Ninja gradually stopped appearing, most likely because Orochimaru broke them up and assigned them to other bases. Although a large portion of the Sound Ninja were just cannon fodder, cannon fodder still had their uses. Even using them to gather intelligence was meaningful. If it was just a small task, Orochimaru certainly wouldn't easily give up these subordinates.

After all, to put it simply, the subordinates Orochimaru trained were all incredibly loyal, even knowing they would die for Orochimaru, they were willing to do so. This can be seen in the original work by characters like Guren, Kimimaro, and the Sound Four.

Orochimaru does possess a certain personal charisma.

However, none of this has anything to do with the current state of noodle making.

His relationship with Orochimaru was merely one of cooperation.

As long as Orochimaru can meet his needs, the rest is Orochimaru's own business.

"This place is a bit simple, please don't mind it, Menma-kun. Lord Orochimaru needs to rest for a while, so please rest here for a few days. If you need anything, please feel free to ask me. If I'm not here, the Sound Ninja outside will also obey your orders."

Upon arriving at the Hidden Sound Village, Orochimaru immediately went to his most important laboratory to study how to deal with the problem of his hands. Menma's reception was temporarily handed over to Kabuto Yakushi. However, this was only a temporary measure. As Orochimaru's most important assistant, it was impossible for Orochimaru to leave Kabuto Yakushi at the beginning if he wanted to successfully solve the problem of his hands.

However, the surface texture is very clear.

No matter how much Orochimaru tries, it's all meaningless at this stage.

"Heh, of course that's no problem. After all, Orochimaru is injured, so I can understand. But shouldn't I bring my men along, Kabuto?"

With a calm expression, he spoke slowly and deliberately.

Having chosen to come to Orochimaru's side, Menma had some necessary expectations, including the possibility of a long-term battle of wits with Orochimaru. Menma was well-prepared for all of this, which shows he was no ordinary person.

He is a true, ultimate scientific research fanatic.

However, even so.

Menma still felt that in the crazy world of Naruto, Orochimaru was one of the people who could be talked to normally, while the others were all somewhat irrational.

The same applies to the people of Konoha who have been brainwashed by the so-called Will of Fire.

This is also why Menma decided to leave Konoha; after all, he didn't want to be assimilated by these people one day.

What he wants is a way to completely break free of these shackles.

"That's for sure. Please rest assured, Menma-kun, Karin has not suffered any injustice while she's with us. I'll have someone bring Karin over right away. Does Menma-kun have any other needs?"

Kabuto looked at Menma with a big smile and said.

"That's all. Go ahead and get busy. Orochimaru-san probably needs you more."

Mianma waved his hand and said.

"Ah, then I'll excuse myself. Menma-kun, please get some rest."

After bowing slightly, Kabuto turned and left the house, listening to his footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

A faint look of contemplation also appeared in Mianma's eyes.

'The Corpse Demon Sealing Technique? That really is a very mysterious technique. The Grim Reaper, and that so-called evil god... if I could, I'd really like to study them carefully. Perhaps this is the true essence of power in this world?'

After all, judging from the original story, long before the goddess of the rabbit arrived on this planet, there was already a power system unique to this planet. Not to mention special spaces like Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest, there are also special beings like Onmyoji in the human heritage. Unlike the samurai of that time who relied entirely on physical strength, Onmyoji can also use special powers similar to the chakra used by ninjas today.

Then there are also strange beings like the Grim Reaper and evil gods.

The peculiarities of this planet far exceed basic expectations.

'If possible, you must visit the three sacred sites; those are where you'll find secrets from a thousand years ago.'

Mianma let out a long, stale breath.

"Da da da da".

Not long after.

Meanwhile, crisp footsteps of varying frequencies echoed from outside the door.

There's no need to open the door.

It happened just the moment the person approached.

Mianma then detected that familiar aura.

Similarly, the newcomer could easily sense Menma's chakra aura.

Until the next second.

The red figures that came into view.

"Sorry, Karin, I'm late."

Menma looked at the newcomer and said with a gentle smile.

Karin, with barely suppressed excitement, rushed to Menma's side, grabbed Menma's collar tightly, looked up at Menma with her blood-red eyes, and gently shook her head, saying, "No, you're not late, Menma-kun."

Those were clearly spoken with a trembling tone.

This is enough to prove the turbulent emotions Karin was experiencing at that moment.

She was, after all, just a 12-year-old girl, and she had come to a completely unfamiliar place all by herself.

Over the past month.

Beneath Karin's seemingly calm exterior lies a heart full of fear and worry. Sometimes she worries that Menma is deceiving her and will eventually abandon her, while at other times she worries that something might happen to Menma.

Because after arriving here.

Through her own efforts, Karin gradually came to understand what Orochimaru was.

Karin would find it hard not to worry about Menma when doing business with someone like that.

Now, upon seeing Menma and feeling that familiar chakra, all worries vanished.

Even though Karin and Menma had only just met.

But for Karin, the moment she made that choice, she staked everything on him.

Menma instinctively put his arm around Karin's waist, gently stroking Karin's head with one hand, and said softly, "It's alright, I'm here, everything will be fine, you don't have to worry about anything anymore."

"Ok!"

Karin nestled tightly in Menma's arms, as if she could feel endless peace and security.

The room quieted down, and the Sound Ninja who had brought Karin there had already left. In the large room, at such a close distance, Karin and Menma could clearly hear each other's heartbeats and breathing.

As Karin gradually calmed down, she realized how unladylike she had been, and a blush instantly rose on her cheeks.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 131 Intelligence and Ideas

Karin gently broke free.

Sensing something, Menma naturally released her hands and took two steps back. The moment she left that embrace, Karin subconsciously felt a little lost, realizing this at that instant.

Karin herself felt embarrassed.

How could I be so unreserved?

Karin quickly took a deep breath to calm herself down, but she still looked quite shy as she gently stirred her hair.

Menma, seemingly oblivious, immediately changed the subject, asking, "Have you been here for the past month? Have they done anything to you?"

"Well, ever since Orochimaru took me away from Konoha, I've been staying here. I haven't been subjected to anything special, except that I was asked to have some blood drawn, and I'm not allowed to leave this area. That's about it."

Karin gently shook her head and said.

"Blood test?"

Even with his face numb, his brows furrowed unconsciously.

Orochimaru really has no patience whatsoever when it comes to scientific research. Once he sees something he wants to study, he doesn't want to wait at all.

Fortunately, it was just some blood.

"What? This won't work?"

When Karin saw Menma's expression, her face immediately showed a hint of nervousness, as if she was afraid that she had done something wrong.

"It's nothing, don't worry, it's just a small matter. But from now on, you'll stay by my side, Karin. Now tell me about your experiences over this period of time, and some information about this place."

Mianma gently shook his head and said softly.