The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

That's known to everyone in the entire ninja world.

Konoha, or rather, Hiruzen Sarutobi's weakness, was exposed at that moment, at least in Onoki's opinion.

That's the most foolish thing to do.

The shadow of a ninja village.

If we succumb to the war threats from other ninja villages and hand over our own people, wouldn't that be undermining the foundation of our rule and the very foundation of the entire ninja village?

Don't say that it wasn't their fault at all.

Even if I was truly in the wrong first.

If Onoki were to handle this himself, he would definitely fight to the end. When one's own people make a mistake, only one's own people should deal with it. What would happen if it were handed over to others?!

In this respect, Onoki spoke with just as much confidence.

"As for the second question, Mr. Menma, isn't my presence here today the best answer? Moreover, given your status and your previous actions, I believe you are not the kind of treacherous person. I am willing to give you my complete and unreserved trust, which is the greatest sincerity I can offer."

Onoki looked at Menma with a serious expression and said softly.

"As for the last question, Menma-kun, I can only say that I will only choose the approach that is most beneficial to Iwagakure. Do you understand?"

After a slight pause, Onoki continued speaking.

This also caused the pockmarked man's eyebrows to twitch slightly.

After a brief silence.

Menma nodded slowly and said, "Of course I understand what you mean, and I can understand it, after all, your primary identity is the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure."

"Hehe, it's best that you understand. So, Menma-kun, give me your answer: are you willing to join our Iwagakure?"

Onoki smiled slightly, placing his hands behind his back. His seemingly calm demeanor actually made his heartstrings tighten at that moment.

Before coming, Onoki was quite confident that he could persuade Menma. In fact, every word Onoki said was sincere; he was genuinely inviting Menma. He even said that if Menma was good enough to surpass all the next generation of young people in his village, then the top position was not something he couldn't consider.

Just as he himself said.

He wouldn't suspect Mianma without reason.

He came here.

It is itself a clear statement of attitude.

However, after actually meeting Menma and having a brief conversation with her, Onoki fully understood what kind of personality Menma had.

It's not that the hope is slim, but it's far from what we initially expected.

Because this is a matter of personal discretion.

as predicted.

Menma didn't think for long, or rather, she should say after Onoki finished speaking.

Menma shook his head and said, "I'm very sorry to disappoint you. I currently have no intention of joining any other ninja village. However, it's not impossible for us to have a cooperative relationship, Tsuchikage."

At the moment of hearing the first half of Menma's reply.

Onoki's heart sank.

The secret passage read, "Just as I thought."

They even started to consider other plans and methods to deal with Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

The second half of the sentence that was heard.

This made Onoki pause for a moment, slightly taken aback.

"A cooperative relationship? What do you mean by that, Menma-kun?"

Onoki looked at Menma with great interest and asked.

Orochimaru, standing to the side, also revealed a meaningful smile, because this situation and this scene looked exactly like his meeting with Menma in the Forest of Death more than two months ago.

"It means exactly what it says. I invite Lord Tsuchikage to form an alliance with me. The target of this alliance is Konohagakure."

Menma spoke with a calm smile, word by word.

Leaf.

The Land of Fire.

This is the main reason why the three Shinobi World Wars broke out over the past few decades.

Although other ninja villages also fought each other, during the Third Shinobi World War, the Iwa and Kumo ninja even fought to the point of brain damage.

However, in most cases, the other four major ninja villages still set their sights on Konoha Village, the Land of Fire, located in the most prosperous core area of ​​the ninja world.

To say I'm 100% certain...

That's definitely nonsense.

However, Menma believed that barring any major unforeseen circumstances, the Third Tsuchikage would definitely be willing to join forces with him if their goals and interests aligned.

There are various ways to suppress a conflict.

But the most direct and effective solution is to temporarily replace this one with an even bigger one.

Moreover, it's the kind of conflict where there's a glimmer of hope for profit.

Then the previous contradiction can be temporarily set aside and forgotten.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 186 The So-Called 'Alliance' (Third Update)

Menma is an ultimate realist.

What he believes in now is the exchange of benefits.

This is the strongest relationship.

It's not that Menma doesn't trust others, but it depends on the situation. Right now, the only person Menma can truly entrust everything to is Karin. As for others, let alone whether Menma is willing or not, you have to consider their wishes, right?

Therefore, Menma knew very well that if he simply rejected Onoki, he could foresee that the Third Tsuchikage and his vast Iwa ninja force would become one of his greatest enemies in the future.

Nine-tailed.

A wild Jinchūriki.

If I were the leader of any ninja village, I wouldn't be able to resist either. As long as we successfully capture him and replace him with a Jinchuriki, the strength of the ninja village can reach a new level.

No one could resist such a temptation.

Unless they are simply not strong enough.

Does Iwagakure seem to be weak?

Onoki was excessively frank this time; his answer to the third question just now already revealed his entire attitude.

"Together we deal with Konoha?"

Onoki narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Menma with a thoughtful expression.

This was a development that Ohnoki had never imagined before.

It's not that I couldn't have imagined it.

Instead, it's viewed from Onoki's perspective.

Menma is just a 12-year-old boy.

From a joint perspective, neither seems very reliable.

But for some reason, at this moment, seeing Menma's confident look, Onoki suddenly felt that this might not be a bad thing after all.

However, there is still a major premise here, which is that Onoki must see the benefits that his own ninja village can gain.

To put it bluntly, this Third Tsuchikage is the type who doesn't act unless he has a clear objective, and when he does act, he won't act until he sees the benefit.

They joined forces to fight against Konohagakure.

This seems to involve some kind of profit motive, but who is Onoki? A Tsuchikage who has ruled Iwagakure for over forty years, what storms hasn't he weathered?

Onoki saw through Menma's thoughts almost instantly. Alliances require many conditions, but the most basic and important one is that both sides are equal or close in status and have common goals or interests.

But looking at it now...

It was all because of Konoha.

Onoki didn't feel the need to form an alliance with Uzumaki Menma. Moreover, to put it bluntly, Onoki didn't think Menma was qualified to form an alliance with him, since he represented Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Nations.

He commands a force of 15,000 to 16,000 Iwa ninja.

There are also two Jinchuriki who are Tailed Beasts.

Currently, Menma is almost completely outnumbered and unable to fully unleash the power of the Nine-Tails, so the two sides are not on the same level.

The previous attitude of equality stemmed solely from Onoki's appreciation of talent and his desire to demonstrate sincerity.

"No, Menma-kun, we don't need an alliance. We, the Hidden Stone Village, don't need allies."

Onoki placed his hands behind his back, gently shook his head, and said calmly.

The meaning is clearly evident between the lines.

Mianma, however, was not in a hurry at all.

"Hehe, Onoki-san, don't be in a hurry. Konoha is certainly the most important target, but I have other bargaining chips. If, after hearing this, you are still unwilling to form an alliance with us, then just pretend I never said anything, how about that?"

Menma looked at Onoki with a faint smile and said.

"Huh?"

Onoki was taken aback at first, then a look of interest appeared on his face. He looked at Menma with a smile and said with a faint smile, "Then I'm all ears. I wonder what other bargaining chips Menma-kun has up his sleeve."

This clearly indicates a change in attitude.

But it is also a matter of course.

The Third Tsuchikage has made his attitude perfectly clear in his answers to the three questions just now.

Mianma understood perfectly well and didn't take it to heart at all.

After smiling.