The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

They left in a flash.

After a slight pause, Orochimaru smiled and shook his head, then followed closely behind.

The agreed-upon location to which we set off.

At the speed of Menma and Orochimaru, it would only take less than half a day to arrive.

Onoki, who was a little further away, also set off at a similar time.

the reason is simple.

The old man can fly.

It's a pure straight-line distance.

Even with just one person by his side, he felt no pressure whatsoever, being the longest-serving Shadow.

Onoki's chakra reserves are certainly no match for those of a true chakra freak or a Jinchūriki.

But they are still a terrifying existence far beyond ordinary ninjas.

The chakra consumption for flying such a short distance is negligible.

And just a few hours later.

Onoki then led his son, Hikari, across the long border of the Land of Earth and into the Land of Grass.

Before the agreed location.

Ōnoki had already vaguely seen the two figures standing there.

'Is that the swirling surface of the skin?'

The tall, slender figure that swept past on the left.

Onoki's gaze was also fixed on the boy with red hair draped over his right shoulder.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 184 Getting Straight to the Point

Almost at the same time that Onoki saw Menma.

Menma also saw Onoki flying towards them. Although he already knew that the Third Tsuchikage was a rare flying ninja in the ninja world, Menma's eyes still couldn't help but reveal a hint of envy after actually seeing him.

Not counting the battles of the cheaters.

At the Kage level, or even in the combat intensity of ordinary Super Kage gatekeepers, the ability to fly is truly a significant advantage.

The attack range and defensive maneuvering advantages gained from this are truly unmatched by ordinary people.

Unlike Deidara and Rasa, who had to ride or step on something, Onoki could easily soar through the sky, and taking one or two people with him wouldn't be a big deal.

This, combined with the destructive power of Dust Release.

Therefore, even at the advanced age of over 70, the Third Tsuchikage could still occupy an important position at the pinnacle of the ninja world.

"Haha, this must be Uzumaki Menma-kun. He truly lives up to the saying that heroes emerge from among the young. I haven't seen such an outstanding young man in many years. Compared to him, I feel like I'm really outdated."

As soon as it landed.

Onoki stepped forward with a smile, looking at Menma with obvious familiarity, and said this.

This is blatant; they make no attempt to hide their intentions whatsoever.

Even though Menma had anticipated this, he still couldn't help but twitch his eye slightly at this moment.

"No, no, Lord Tsuchikage, you flatter me. Compared to you, I am still just a greenhorn."

One shouldn't hit a smiling face, especially since Menma had already made up his mind to win over the Third Tsuchikage before he arrived. So he bowed and greeted him with a smile.

"Menma-kun, oh? Is it alright if I call you that?"

Onoki smiled and shook his head, first politely obtaining Menma's consent.

Then he continued, "At your age, I didn't have the strength and courage of Menma-kun. Menma-kun, you don't need to be modest. If this isn't considered excellent, then no one in the world can be called a genius."

Basically, compliments are free.

Onoki was desperately trying to put the slingshot on Menma's head.

Huang Tu, sitting to the side with an honest and simple expression, also seemed unfazed. Others might not know his father's personality, but surely Huang Tu knew it well?

This is a true realist leader.

Everything is based solely on whether it benefits one's own ninja village.

As long as it's beneficial.

No matter what it is.

Onoki was willing to do it, regardless of who the recipient was, the occasion, or the time. Who was Menma? He was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Huang Tu knew all too well how much his father craved mahjong.

And this is a boy who is only 12 years old.

In his father's own words, as long as he could persuade Menma to come to their own ninja village, he was confident that he could train Menma to become the true pillar of their Iwagakure village.

"Well, you could say that circumstances make people."

Menma, of course, understood the meaning behind Onoki's words and his intentions, but she simply brushed it off with a nonchalant attitude.

This caused a fleeting look of surprise to cross Ōnoki's eyes.

Menma's composure somewhat exceeded Onoki's expectations. However, when Onoki thought about his previous behavior, he suddenly realized that if he were really an extremely naive and ignorant boy, he would probably be buried somewhere long ago.

"That also requires someone with the will to seize the opportunity, doesn't it? Menma-kun, just like Orochimaru-kun, after so many years, Orochimaru-kun is even more charismatic than before."

Onoki first spoke meaningfully to Menma.

Then he turned to Orochimaru beside him and greeted him with a smile.

"Charm? Lord Tsuchikage, you're still as eloquent as ever. However, Menma-kun is different from me. I think Lord Tsuchikage understands that, doesn't he?"

Orochimaru chuckled softly in response.

The meaning of those words was almost entirely undisguised.

Ohnoki can also get it immediately.

Or to be more precise, the Third Tsuchikage was already mentally prepared when he learned that Orochimaru was accompanying Menma.

"That's natural. Orochimaru is Orochimaru, and Menma is Menma. I can tell the difference. So, I won't beat around the bush. Menma, I think you can guess my intentions this time. I am now officially inviting you to join our Iwagakure on behalf of the village. We can provide you with all the resources you want, and I promise that we will never have any prejudice or discrimination against you. If you are willing, I can personally take you as my disciple. Moreover, we have two Jinchuriki in our village who can use the power of the Tailed Beasts almost perfectly, and they can guide you in all aspects."

Therefore, after a brief exchange of pleasantries...

Onoki also got straight to the point.

"Yes, indeed, after learning from Orochimaru that the Tsuchikage intended to invite me to a meeting, I did guess that he had a similar intention. However, before I answer, would you be so kind as to answer a few questions for me, Tsuchikage?"

Menma wasn't surprised at all. Through the original work and his conversation with Orochimaru before setting off, Menma could basically grasp the personality of the Third Tsuchikage. To put it bluntly, he was a man of his word, and even in his old age, he never hesitated or wavered in his actions. He was just not as straightforward as the Fourth Raikage.

But in any matter, Onoki's decisiveness is second to none.

"Of course, feel free to ask, Menma-kun."

Onoki waved his right hand slightly, indicating his agreement without hesitation.

I'll invite you myself.

People have doubts.

This is only natural.

If he were to ask and the other party agreed without hesitation, Onoki would become suspicious.

Begin to suspect that something went wrong here.

"One question is, aren't you worried that inviting a Konoha traitor like me directly angers Konoha and leads to a full-scale war? If I join your village, and Konoha threatens war to force you to hand me over, what will you do? Another question is, I am, after all, from another village. You say I will be treated the same as everyone else, but aren't you really worried about my loyalty? I am a traitor, after all. And one last question is, if I refuse you here today, how will you treat me?"

Menma looked solemnly at the Third Tsuchikage opposite him and asked in a deep voice.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 185 Clarification and Response

This seems like a crucial issue, but it's not really that crucial.

What is the core of it?

It depends on a person's reputation and integrity.

Although Mianma was very young in his previous life and didn't have much social experience, even if he hadn't eaten pork, hadn't he seen pigs run?

He certainly wouldn't be so naive as to place his hopes on believing the words of just one person.

This world is not one that proudly proclaims morality and etiquette; it is a world obsessed with self-interest.

Onoki's answer was important, but not that important.

All that's needed for the dough is some reference data.

Onoki wasn't surprised at all by Masa's confusion; it was a question any normal person would have thought of in such a situation.

Ohnoki was prepared.

Just as Menma finished asking his question.

Onoki replied directly, "The first question is not a question at all, Menma-kun. The relationship between the five great ninja villages has reached this point. Do we need to explain it with other words? Provoke Konoha? Heh, in my old man's eyes, that's a joke. Let's not even talk about whether Konoha has the courage to take the initiative. Even if they do, Menma-kun, compared to your value, this so-called threat of war is a joke. You don't need to worry that I will hand you over. Value is one thing, but my face and status are another. If I really did that, my time as Tsuchikage would be over. I'm not Konoha's Third Hokage."

Onoki is indeed very direct.

There was nothing exaggerated about it. In his opinion, Menma, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, truly had that value. So what if it started a full-scale war with Konoha?

The potential gains and risks before him were enough to make the Third Tsuchikage decide on his course of action.

That's a nine-tailed fox!

Not to mention, Onoki really looked down on Konoha and didn't think that this so-called dominant ninja village in the ninja world had the determination and courage to do so, a fact that has been fully proven over the past few decades.

In the end, I deliberately mentioned Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After all, there was that eye-rolling incident back then.