The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

The Opportunity for Chapter 194

They moved whenever they wanted.

Under Orochimaru's orders, the ninjas at the base quickly completed all the preparations for relocation. Except for a portion of the personnel who remained in the Land of Grass and went to other locations to establish new bases.

The remaining people also left the Land of Grass in batches, heading towards the southern part of the continent.

Mianma was among the first group of people to leave.

They followed Orochimaru and set off from the Land of Grass the day after the order was given, heading south.

Upon arrival in the southernmost region of the land of rivers.

They even sailed away from this continent, heading towards the southern sea frontier.

Destination.

Menma had learned from Kabuto Yakushi before setting off that, in order to obtain a more stable environment, Orochimaru had dispatched a considerable number of personnel, along with necessary supplies, materials, and data, to the Land of Tea, located on the southern coast, after the failure of the Konoha Crush plan.

Strictly speaking...

This is not an island nation.

Because in the farthest region extending northeastward, there are one or two small countries that are connected to the southeastern corner of the Land of Fire.

However, the land of tea is indeed located in the southernmost part of the entire continent.

Apart from that one narrow land passage.

Surrounded by the sea on three sides.

In addition, this country is not a very wealthy country, so it can be said to be isolated from the world. Orochimaru used some tricks to control the country's high-ranking nobles and politicians, and established his own base in the southwestern corner of the country. This time, he brought Menma, Sasuke and others to avoid the core areas of the continent and come here to temporarily avoid the 'storm'.

"This is really a great place. As expected of Orochimaru-san, every step he takes is so meticulous."

Stepping off the ship, this spot near the coast is Orochimaru's stronghold in the Land of Tea.

Of course, this is just an outpost.

This base has a relatively large depth.

Orochimaru clearly put in a lot of effort. Although it was to avoid enemy tracking and attacks, it can't be said that all the strongholds were the kind that could be abandoned and replaced at any time. Unless necessary, some important strongholds should be maintained for a long time.

Just like the kind of base that Karin, Guren, and others were in charge of in the original work.

Orochimaru still needs to establish some fixed hiding places.

"Hehe, after all, it's a matter of necessity, don't you think, Menma-kun?"

Orochimaru licked his lips and said with a chuckle in his hoarse voice.

"That is indeed the case, but I believe that day will eventually pass, and Orochimaru-san should have his own thoughts on it, right?"

Menma chuckled softly, looking directly at Orochimaru, and said meaningfully.

"Life is unpredictable, and nothing is certain, Menma-kun."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow and answered noncommittally.

"Well, that's certainly true."

Mianma replied in a nonchalant tone.

Then.

The group then headed towards a location deeper into the interior.

This outpost.

It is clearly a brand new building, but the interior space is incredibly spacious. In addition to the usual underground facilities, there is also a very large additional facility space above ground.

Orochimaru clearly intends to use this place as his main base for a long time to come.

More than a hundred of Orochimaru's subordinates also came with him.

Among them are Tayuya, the only remaining member of the Sound Four, and Guren, who only appeared in Shippuden in the original work, possesses Crystal Release, is equally loyal to Orochimaru, and even feels resentful and angry that she cannot become Orochimaru's vessel.

Oh, and there's a little guy with white hair too.

That's the one from the Hozuki clan, Hozuki Suigetsu, who later partnered with Sasuke in the original work. In terms of talent and ability, he can definitely be called a genius.

It must be said that Orochimaru's subordinates are indeed full of talent, each of them possessing the strength or potential to reach the level of elite Jonin to near-Kage, or even higher.

Including Kimimaro, who was sacrificed earlier.

And then there's Jugo, who's currently imprisoned in a special location, not to mention Kabuto Yakushi. To put it bluntly, if Orochimaru were given more time, he might actually be able to build the sixth great ninja village from scratch.

If Orochimaru's own personal strength can also be further improved.

However, Orochimaru's ambitions clearly do not lie here.

Supreme power and immortality.

That was Orochimaru's true intention.

He created his power base and cultivated these people, all for the sole purpose of serving these two goals.

Mianma knows this better than anyone else.

Even at the very end in the original story, Orochimaru never gave up on his ideas; he simply took a slight detour in his choice of path.

This is also why Menma is happy to continue cooperating with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, who took this path.

He was his best partner, at least until his core interests were touched and he truly turned against them.

Menma also hopes to do her best to avoid such a situation in the future.

However, it is clearly quite difficult.

After all, Sasuke is an unavoidable problem. Fortunately, there are still more than two years before the deadline, giving Menma plenty of time to deal with it.

At this stage.

Mianma still needs to focus on her own plans.

For example, the formation of a power base.

After such a period of infiltration and preparation.

There in Takigaku Village.

Menma already has a certain foundation; now all that's missing is a crucial opportunity that allows him to openly intervene in the internal affairs of Takigakure Village.

And this opportunity.

It appeared at the end of Konoha 60, just before the new year was about to begin.

"Oh? So that Jonin from Takigakure has really taken action? Tsk tsk, it seems that paying more attention to this guy was the right thing to do."

Outside of Menma's own private laboratory.

Looking at the intelligence that Yakushi Kabuto had specially arranged to be delivered.

A faint smile appeared in his pockmarked eyes.

To be honest, for a while at the beginning, Menma did not intend to tell Orochimaru what he had done in Takigakure.

Because that would be very disadvantageous to oneself.

This allowed Orochimaru to detect his actions.

Although Orochimaru might be able to guess some of your actions and even investigate certain things, that's different from you voluntarily confessing.

Therefore, at the beginning, Menma planned to act secretly on her own.

But he later discovered that this was completely unrealistic.

Because he did not have his own direct subordinates.

Let's not talk about doing anything else.

Even the most basic intelligence gathering was beyond Menma's capabilities.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 195 Before Departure (Third Update)

In such a world, if you can't even do the most basic intelligence gathering, what can you expect to accomplish?

Surely I can't do everything myself?

Leaving aside the issue of efficiency, the sheer amount of time wasted in this process is unacceptable to Menma. Therefore, Menma needs Orochimaru's help, or more precisely, the human resources under Orochimaru's command, which is what Menma currently needs.

Therefore, Menma had to tell Orochimaru his plan, but of course, he couldn't reveal everything; he still needed to strike a balance.

Menma's stated reason was to make full use of the power of these small ninja villages. Takigakure, as the village with the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, was naturally the first choice. Orochimaru may have been curious, or he may have had the same interests, or he may have had other intentions. When Menma asked for the support of relevant personnel,

After only a moment's thought, Snake Uncle decisively agreed.

After returning from Takigakure Village.

Menma gradually unfolded his plan by relying on Orochimaru's subordinates, and twice he also took time to go to Takigakure.

Taking advantage of the task.

While gradually figuring out some of the situation in Takigakure Village.

This also deepened his relationship with Shibuki, the new leader of Takigakure.

But all of that remained on the surface. Now, the opportunity has finally arrived to truly intervene and enter Takigakure Village.

'Does he covet the leader's position, and harbor ambitions deep within himself? What an astute fellow! This is a perfect opportunity for me.'

Menma's mind flashed to the image of a middle-aged Takigakure ninja with a dark turban tied around his head. After exhaling a breath of stale air, he strode forward toward Orochimaru's location.

Not long after.

Menma then arrived outside Orochimaru's private residence.

"Menma-sama."

When Orochimaru's subordinates, who were guarding the outermost perimeter, saw Menma arrive, they quickly bowed and greeted him.