The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Just as Menma settled into his experimental routine, Otogakure began its final preparations for relocation.

This was also the order Orochimaru gave before he left.

With the Hidden Sound Village now exposed, it can no longer exist openly. After all, the Land of Rice Fields is too close to the Land of Fire.

Once Konoha has the time, even considering practical matters, they will definitely try to take action against Otogakure. After all, Otogakure is a force that Orochimaru has built up over more than ten years, and he won't easily give it up if it can be preserved.

Even though they lost hundreds of Sound Ninja to Konoha.

There are still several hundred ninjas in Otogakure. There are almost no Jonin among them, but the number of Chunin is still quite considerable.

These people were almost all devoted to Orochimaru. In their eyes, Orochimaru gave them everything, and most of them were willing to die for him. Therefore, the power they could unleash was not low.

Orochimaru will definitely make full use of this.

And this happened right after the final relocation work of Otogakure was completed.

Orochimaru returned here in a very disheveled state, accompanied by Kabuto Yakushi.

A reunion after many days.

"Hehe, it seems Orochimaru-san's trip has been quite unsuccessful."

Looking at the seemingly calm Orochimaru, Menma smiled slightly, crossed his hands in front of him, and said softly.

"Please excuse my poor performance, Menma-kun. But I was somewhat prepared, after all, Tsunade is also a disciple of Sarutobi-sensei and the granddaughter of the First Hokage. Oh, Menma-kun, you probably don't know this, but Tsunade has decided to return to Konoha to become the Fifth Hokage. And this time, I also met Naruto-kun."

Orochimaru, with an indifferent expression, spoke in the same nonchalant tone.

"The Fifth Hokage? That's to be expected. The only people who can become Hokage are Jiraiya and Tsunade. It can't be Danzo Shimura, can it?"

A faint hint of mockery appeared on Mianma's lips as he spoke.

"As for Naruto, Orochimaru-san, you don't need to test me anymore. Naruto is Naruto, and I am me. I no longer have any expectations for that younger brother. He is just like that Jiraiya, an utterly foolish guy."

It's not a lie, and there was no extra emotional fluctuation involved.

To Menma, Naruto is now just a stranger. If he doesn't block the way, everything is fine. But if he does block the way, Menma won't hold back. He no longer uses the filter of his past life to judge people in this life.

Everything depends on each other's choices.

This is the most reasonable and correct approach.

Orochimaru, with his vast life experience, could obviously see that Menma was not pretending at all. While he felt relieved, he also felt a little regretful.

After all, if there are any ties or concerns, there will certainly be some different kinds of trouble, but there will also be things that can be used to your advantage.

"Hehe, Menma-kun misunderstands. I just wanted to tell Menma-kun that Naruto-kun seems to still be obsessed with Menma-kun. Menma-kun should just be a little more careful about this."

Orochimaru said softly.

"Well, thank you for the reminder, Orochimaru-san."

With a numbed expression, he spoke calmly.

"However, Orochimaru-san came to see me right after returning. It can't be just to say these things, right? If there's something you want to say, just say it directly, Orochimaru-san. There's no need for this between us, is there?"

After a slight pause, Mianma continued.

"Yes, I do have something I need Menma-kun's help with. I've been quite busy lately and we're not very manpowery. I wonder if Menma-kun would be willing to help. Of course, I won't let Menma-kun do it for free."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed slightly as he stared directly at Menma, speaking in that familiar, hoarse tone.

(End of this chapter)

I need to take a day off for Qingming Festival.

As the title suggests, I'm going to sweep the tombs today, so I'll be taking a day off. I hope my fellow book lovers will understand.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 157 Orochimaru's Request

"Huh? Orochimaru-san actually needs my help? Well then, let's hear what it is about?"

Menma's eyes flashed as he pondered inwardly while looking directly at Orochimaru and asking.

"This is not a difficult task. I just hope that Menma-kun can go to this place at a specific time to meet up with my subordinates."

As Orochimaru spoke, he gestured to Kabuto Yakushi to place a simple map on the table in front of them. Kabuto then lightly drew a point on the map.

The moment I saw that geographical location.

A look of understanding appeared on Mianma's face.

"Near the Valley of the End in the Land of Fire, I've only recently defected from Konoha, and you want me to sneak back into the Land of Fire? Isn't that going too far, Orochimaru-san? The risks involved are no small matter."

Menma already knew exactly what Orochimaru needed him to do. To be honest, the plot had changed significantly in this life, and Menma was no longer sure if the plot developments would be the same as in the original work.

People and things that are not affected by oneself will of course not change, such as Tsunade returning to the village.

But if there are already people and things that have been affected by you, then it's hard to say.

The so-called butterfly effect describes a similar unfolding.

While mentally assessing the likelihood and risks of this event, Menma was also negotiating with Orochimaru.

Whether or not to do it is one thing.

What you get is another matter entirely.

Just as Orochimaru values ​​Menma highly, Menma sees Orochimaru as a walking treasure trove, inexhaustible and boundless.

Other aspects are probably a little better.

However, in terms of experiments and research, Orochimaru is currently the top figure in the ninja world, and Menma definitely cannot do without Orochimaru's support in this area.

"Hehe, Menma-kun is as cautious as ever. Don't worry, Menma-kun, I've made arrangements for this as well. There will almost never be any Konoha garrison troops on that side of the border, and Menma-kun doesn't need to go deep in there at all. He just needs to wait for the reinforcements. If my subordinates fail, Menma-kun won't have to take responsibility for the consequences. How about it?"

Orochimaru looked at Menma with a deep gaze and said.

"Well, if that's all there is to it, I don't have much of a problem. However, I'm quite interested in Orochimaru-san's reward."

Mianma smiled gently and said.

"How about the reward for the research results on your clan, including the physical research results of the First Hokage, Menma-kun?"

Orochimaru's eerily bright snake eyes stared intently at Menma, and the words he spoke made Menma's gaze sharpen.

He then laughed and said, "It seems Orochimaru-san knows exactly what I want. Well then, I won't say anything more. The deal is done. I will be at the designated location to meet you at the time Orochimaru-san requests. But as Orochimaru-san himself said, I'm only responsible for this part!"

Menma lightly tapped the location of the Valley of the End on the map and said.

This is the location of the final battle between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

It is also the place where the epic battle in the original work came to an end.

do not know why.

The moment Menma saw this location, a special force seemed to be pushing him forward.

'Perhaps this is where I should finally settle things.'

A deep look appeared in his pockmarked eyes.

The finalized negotiation results.

That was Orochimaru, who hurriedly left.

Regarding the current physical condition of this one of the Legendary Sannin.

Menma could still grasp something. Even without considering the plot references from the original work, at such close range, when Menma's immense perception spread out, he could still clearly sense the special corrupting aura emanating from Orochimaru's arms.

That negative effect spreads throughout the body.

Menma could foresee that Orochimaru's body had reached its limit.

In the original work, Orochimaru seems to be able to temporarily regain the ability to use his hands by changing bodies. The fact that Orochimaru can perform hand seals in later battles is the best proof of this. However, it is clear that this is only a temporary solution.

Changing bodies repeatedly will only exacerbate the negative effects.

In the end, Orochimaru was left with only that one path.

This is also the development that Menma wants to see. Menma needs Orochimaru to solve this problem in advance, not only because Menma doesn't have the time, but also because Orochimaru is the expert in this area.

Menma doesn't need to worry about being seen through by Orochimaru at all.

Because this is a blatant, overt conspiracy.

As long as Orochimaru can't find any other way, this is the future he has to embark on, and he can't refuse it.

This also happened after the negotiations concluded on that day.

The entire Hidden Sound Village then embarked on a massive relocation project.

Those who retreated first were Orochimaru, Menma, and others, along with research data, experimental materials, and other items that Orochimaru valued highly.

Then came the evacuation of personnel.

There hasn't been much activity from Konoha yet, but recently, Konoha ninjas have been frequently spotted appearing in various areas of the Land of Rice Fields. It's estimated that they've already pinpointed their exact locations and are just waiting for the final move.

If we don't evacuate now, then there really is no chance left.

Of course, it shouldn't be carried out in a grand manner, as that would easily attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. Orochimaru still needs to leave some people behind as bait to draw the main attention.

However, this is without any interference from others.

The evacuation operation also proceeded very smoothly.

It was under these circumstances that the Sound Four, who had once protected Orochimaru as he deployed the Four Purple Flame Formation in Konoha, set off again, heading towards the location of Konoha Village.

This time, they were to infiltrate Konoha again and bring someone back from Konoha for their Lord Orochimaru.

That person who haunted Orochimaru's dreams.

At the same time.

Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village)

The Uchiha clan's residence was already in a restricted area.

On this night.

A figure flashed over.