The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

"Well, thank you in advance, Orochimaru-san. However, I do have a small request. I would like to obtain some of Orochimaru-san's research results on the Sharingan and Yin Release chakra. I wonder if Orochimaru-san can agree to that?"

Mianma also responded with a smile.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 176 A Special Invitation

This was not originally part of Menma's current plan.

In his initial plan.

For at least the past year, all training plans and experimental goals have been focused on strengthening the body and activating cells. A powerful Sage Body like Hashirama Senju is Menma's guiding principle for progress.

But now that he has obtained Kakashi's Mangekyou Sharingan, which is one of Obito's, ahead of time, Menma feels that he still needs to change his plans.

The myriad phenomena of the universe.

This is a state that can only be achieved by planning and integrating both the physical and mental aspects.

Menma didn't know if he could reach the same level as Uchiha Madara.

But at least this is a direction I need to work towards.

In other words, I must devote the necessary effort and time to both aspects; it's just a matter of timing. Now that I have the necessary materials, and the valuable Mangekyou Sharingan at that, it's only right to bring forward this stage of the plan.

At worst, Karin will still be there to help me.

It is entirely possible to use both hands simultaneously.

Furthermore, Orochimaru would soon find out about the fact that he had taken Kakashi's Sharingan, so there was no need to hide it; he could just bring it up openly.

And these words from Menma.

This caused Orochimaru's expression to change slightly.

Sasuke, who was sitting to Menma's left, looked at Menma's profile with a strange expression the next moment.

"Huh? Menma-kun is also interested in the power of the Sharingan?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, and as he uttered those words in a soft voice, a slightly dangerous glint flashed in his pupils.

"No, let me correct Orochimaru-san. To be more precise, I am interested in the power of Yin Release. The Sharingan is the limit of Yin Release power, and it is also a bloodline limit, so it is naturally the most worthy of study. Don't you think so, Orochimaru-san?"

Mianma replied casually.

"Yes, I agree with that."

Orochimaru nodded in reply.

"So? What's Orochimaru-san's answer?"

"Hehe, of course, that's no problem. However, Menma-kun, a transaction requires an equal exchange. The compensation I've already paid should be more than enough. As things stand, I can only give you the most basic research data and results. If you need more content, then you'll have to offer something in exchange. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it can impress me."

Orochimaru stared intently at Menma with his long, narrow snake eyes, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

The moment it started, I immediately understood.

"That's natural."

Mianma wasn't surprised at all, and smiled and nodded in reply.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Menma is most willing to cooperate with someone like Orochimaru. Everything has set rules, and nothing will go wrong. Even if things eventually turn sour, at least the initial interactions will be very 'pleasant'.

"Oh, there's another matter I need to discuss with you, Menma-kun. Someone from Iwagakure has come over. The Third Tsuchikage seems to want to speak with you, Menma-kun. I wonder if you'd be willing?"

Just when Menma thought that this conversation between the two was about to come to an end.

Orochimaru's sudden words.

My face went numb with shock.

He had always seemed so calm and collected.

At this moment, when Menma heard that the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure had managed to find him through Orochimaru and hoped to have a face-to-face meeting with him, an obvious look of disbelief appeared on his face.

"Orochimaru-san, are you saying that this Onoki from Tenka-tsubo wants to see me? And that he's going through you?"

With a look of surprise, Mianma raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Yes, it's that Onoki-san. Hehe, I know what you're surprised about, Menma-kun. It's just that we had some cooperation with this Tsuchikage in the early years. After all, he was a traitor to the village. Without coordination from various parties, it would have been difficult to get to where we are today. Many of this Tsuchikage's ideas and actions are far beyond your imagination, Menma-kun."

Orochimaru's lips curled up slightly, as if recalling their previous pleasant collaboration, and he spoke with a faint smile.

Yes, this Third Tsuchikage does indeed enjoy cooperating with various rebel and terrorist organizations in the ninja world.

A knowing glint flashed in his pockmarked eyes, and he nodded slightly.

In the original work, through the words of the Fourth Raikage A, the various ambiguous relationships between the other four major ninja villages and the Akatsuki organization were directly revealed at the Five Kage Summit. Among them, Iwagakure was the ninja village that issued missions to the Akatsuki organization and used the Akatsuki organization the most.

Orochimaru was a rogue ninja from Konoha. With the idea that helping Orochimaru was tantamount to attacking Konoha, the Third Tsuchikage was actually capable of doing something similar, so it's quite normal for him to have connections with Orochimaru.

Not to mention that this was a collaboration between them, where each got what they wanted, so Menma didn't think the Third Tsuchikage had done anything wrong.

Everything is based on protecting the interests of their own ninja village.

From the perspective of Iwagakure Village.

That's absolutely the right thing to do.

The original work somewhat overestimated the status of the five great ninja villages and underestimated the power of the Akatsuki organization and its huge schemes.

"I see. Then Orochimaru-san, please reply to the Third Tsuchikage. I don't mind having a meeting with him, but I'll have to choose the location. Of course, I won't choose a place that would put the Tsuchikage in a difficult position."

Who are the enemies and who are the allies?

Mianma keeps a clear head about things, even though she has a little notebook in her mind.

He was well aware of the allure of being the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, but it was precisely because of this that he had more room to maneuver.

According to the description in the original work, this Third Tsuchikage is still 'conversable'.

Mianma doesn't mind spending some time and effort to create more foreshadowing; if it works, great; if it doesn't, it's not a big deal.

"Yes, no problem. I'll send someone to inform Lord Tsuchikage right away."

Orochimaru nodded in response, seemingly unconcerned.

"Orochimaru-san isn't worried at all?"

Mianma asked, seemingly a little surprised.

"Worried? What do you think I need to worry about, Menma-kun?"

Orochimaru didn't answer but asked a question instead.

The special meaning revealed in those snake eyes.

After giving Orochimaru a steady look, Menma suddenly laughed and said, "Well, there's really nothing to worry about. Well then, I'll stop here for today. I still have an experiment to finish, so please excuse me."

Menma stood up, then glanced at Sasuke, who had a calm expression.

Without waiting for Orochimaru's reply, he strode away.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 177 The Future Outlook (Third Update)

Menma left directly towards her residence.

Now that Orochimaru's reincarnation is confirmed, there's no need to worry about Sasuke anymore. Although there are some topics and arrangements to discuss, Menma really wants to reach a certain level of agreement with Sasuke, but now is definitely not the best time.

There's no need to rush.

They've already defected from Konoha.

There's plenty of time now.

No?

On the contrary, Menma himself needs to sort things out again, including the special invitation to meet with the Third Tsuchikage.

Without even needing to think too deeply, Menma could probably guess what Onoki's intention was in wanting to meet with him.

There's absolutely no need to belittle yourself.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, after defecting from Konoha, I became the greatest mobile treasure trove in the entire ninja world.

It was to be expected that they would target me.

Didn't we get similar information from Orochimaru's intelligence sources before?

However, somewhat unexpectedly, Onoki-san did not seem to intend to take any strong measures.

Or is this just a temporary smokescreen, used to deceive others?

Mianma paced back and forth, silently pondering to himself.

'Well, even if it requires special means, it's still necessary to meet with the Third Tsuchikage.'

Mianma stroked his chin, thinking to himself.

Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Rock Village.

This is definitely a ninja village whose strength is not much inferior to that of Konoha.

Especially after the Third Shinobi World War, with the deaths of Minato and his wife and the departure of the Sannin from their respective villages for their own reasons, the two major shinobi villages completely surpassed Konoha in terms of actual high-end combat strength.

Even now, with Jiraiya and Tsunade returning to their respective places, the Third Hokage has died in battle, and Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, has defected.

The high-end combat power of the two major ninja villages still firmly suppresses Konoha.

Tsunade is ultimately a medical ninja. No matter how strong her personal strength is, it is limited to the Kage level. She cannot be considered a particularly strong Kage.

In other words, there's Jiraiya to hold things together.

Jiraiya in Sage Mode can be considered to have barely crossed the threshold of Super Kage.

But even Jiraiya alone couldn't withstand the pressure from the two great ninja villages.

Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure, in his full Tailed Beast form, would be a serious problem for Jiraiya.

Matt Kayle can only be considered an exception in the end.

Before the seventh gate, one is still at the level of a Kage, at most a strong Kage. Only when one truly breaks through the eighth gate and opens the Eight Gates Formation, Might Guy, is an invincible existence.