The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Sasuke also paused.

"Peng!"

Having abandoned any further pressure on Neji and Shino, he moved swiftly and arrived directly beside Menma.

Tayuya, who had also heard Menma's words, immediately unleashed a burst of chakra from the soles of her feet and returned to the position behind Menma.

Shikamaru, who had just narrowly escaped death, breathed a sigh of relief at this moment. Neji and Shino were only slightly better off than Shikamaru, since they had already fought a fierce battle before coming here and were clearly injured to varying degrees.

It might be okay in a fully optimized state.

Now, in this case...

Sasuke in Cursed Seal Mode 2 was truly dominating both of them.

It was only because Neji's Rotation and Shino's Parasites formed a strong enough defense that they were able to defeat them long ago. If the fight had continued, Sasuke could still have defeated or even killed them.

"Let's go, there's no need to waste any more time. There will be other opportunities in the future."

With a numbed expression, he spoke calmly.

"Hmph, whatever."

Sasuke also exited the Cursed Seal Mode, his pupils regaining their clear black and white. He snorted lightly and said with an indifferent expression.

"Ah."

Menma nodded slightly, glancing at Hyuga Neji who was flying over from not far away.

"Snapped!"

With a clap of both hands.

A massive amount of chakra extracted in an instant.

"Water Release: Great Explosive Water Wave Technique".

A wide-range, restrictive water escape technique that is used directly.

The water surged and enveloped all the Konoha members in front of them, forming a natural, azure barrier.

At the same time, they are separated.

"whoosh"

"whoosh"

"whoosh"

Menma, Sasuke, and Tayuya each leaped away, quickly flying towards the border.

They barely managed to avoid the Dark Guard members covered by the Water Escape Technique.

Just as Menma and the other two were about to give chase after them, they were already getting further and further away.

"Stop chasing, we're already at the border. Let's stop."

Ding Zuo's deep, resonant words.

This also caused the members of the Dark Guard to stop in their tracks.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 174 Going Against Each Other (Third Update)

There's no point in pursuing them.

Of course, this was a judgment made by Dingza based on the inability to see any possibility of success; Menma's strength had already far exceeded previous estimates.

Just based on the strength they've just demonstrated.

Dingza thought to himself that he might have to swallow his own clan's red pill to have the power to match him, and even then, he would only be able to match him, and might not actually be able to defeat Menma.

Red pill, 100% chakra boost.

This is already a terrifying improvement in itself.

But compared to the Nine-Tails, it's nothing.

God knows how much more Nine-Tails chakra Menma can release.

Twelve years ago, everyone in Konoha Village realized the power of the Nine-Tails. Even the blocking force led by the Third Hokage had difficulty stopping the Nine-Tails' rampage. Even now, Menma is only borrowing the Nine-Tails' chakra and is not directly transforming into the Nine-Tails.

But even he, Akimichi Choza, wasn't among the top ninjas in the ninja world.

Not to mention that they are about to leave the border of the Land of Fire. Continuing to pursue them would involve even more risks. They have already suffered heavy casualties here, so it is really not suitable to continue the pursuit.

Naruto stared blankly at Menma's departing figure once again.

This time, it seems to be no different from the last time.

But Naruto was clearly more desperate than before.

Menma's coldness and decisiveness pierced Naruto's heart.

At least last time, Naruto thought everything could be salvaged, but today, when he felt the chilling killing intent emanating from Menma, he realized something was wrong.

It felt as if everything I saw had turned incredibly gloomy.

An indescribable pain.

It was at this moment that Naruto's heart was completely filled with emotion.

Looking at Naruto, whose face was gloomy and whose whole demeanor had become incredibly somber, Dingza couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

It's unbelievable that brothers would come to this.

This can truly be described as a cruel twist of fate.

And it was at this very moment.

It was rare for someone as kind and gentle as Choza to harbor even a hint of resentment towards the Third Hokage who had already sacrificed himself.

If they had just revealed Menma's identity back then, things would be very different now.

As Shikamaru approached, he saw Naruto, who always presented a cheerful, optimistic, and positive demeanor, reveal such an expression, and he subconsciously sighed.

Even if it's just sesame seeds, it's fine.

Sasuke it may be.

Both of them were clearly so resolute in their departure.

From the very beginning of the pursuit, Shikamaru clearly realized that their mission was likely one that could never be accomplished.

But it was an order, and also because of his friendship with Naruto.

Shikamaru accepted the order anyway.

And this is the final result.

can only say.

That's life, I guess.

"Naruto..."

Having completed his initial treatment and regained his basic mobility, Kakashi walked slowly and laboriously to Naruto's side. Looking at Naruto, who was filled with endless desolation and even seemed dazed, Kakashi's face showed a complex expression. He gently patted Naruto's shoulder, wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn't utter a word.

Even Kakashi didn't expect things to turn out this way.

It's not that Kakashi is as naive as Naruto.

Kakashi felt that no matter how resolute or ruthless Menma was, he would only take revenge on them at most. Even if he wanted to destroy Konoha, Kakashi would probably consider it to be within the 'normal' range. But why would he be willing to kill Naruto?

This was truly beyond Kakashi's expectations.

They are brothers after all!

"Kakashi-nii, why has Menma become so resolute? Or has he always been like this, and it's all an act in front of us?"

Naruto looked at Kakashi with a sorrowful expression and said in a very distressed tone.

He once genuinely believed that it was just a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding that could be resolved.

It was a misunderstanding amplified after being manipulated by Orochimaru.

But now it seems...

This doesn't seem to be the result of being misled, but rather comes from Menma's true inner thoughts?

Just thinking about Menma's eyes, which were filled with icy killing intent, makes me want to scream.

Naruto was overwhelmed with grief.

Is this the inevitable outcome between brothers?

Hearing Naruto's question.

Kakashi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

comfort?

At this moment, it seems useless and superfluous.

go along?

That would be an even more foolish thing to do.

Silence, only endless silence can describe this moment.

As if even the heavens themselves were in harmony with the scene, the raindrops began to fall softly.

While cleansing the earth, it also further permeated Naruto's heart.

Tears?

rainwater?

At this moment, even Naruto himself couldn't tell anymore; his heart was now completely cold.

'Mom, Dad, what should I do correctly?'

Naruto closed his eyes, and the pain on his face intensified at that moment.

"Let's go back, Naruto."