The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Mizuno Satoru looked at Menma with a smile, as if they were old friends meeting again.

As Satoru Mizuno said, many times, lies are not completely exposed at the beginning; it is only a single slip-up that can lead to a chain reaction.

Not to mention an elderly man like Satoru Mizuno, whose life experience is extremely rich.

"Hehe, since you've already been seen through, why bother pretending? Besides, I believe Elder Wu will still make the same judgment, won't he?"

Mianma, of course, didn't believe in this so-called intuition.

There must have been something I did that gave me away, allowing others to see through my 'false identity'.

But that doesn't matter anymore.

From the moment Mizuno Satoru didn't expose himself in front of Shibuki, everything was already destined.

Moreover, as mentioned before.

This is a dying man.

There's no need to worry too much about Mianma; Shiki is not this Elder Wu.

"untie!"

Menma immediately deactivated his transformation technique.

That boy who had been restored to his former self.

When that red hair came into Mizuno Satoru's view.

"Who are you!?"

Although he was prepared, at this moment, Mizuno Satoru still widened his eyes, after all, Menma was quite famous in the ninja world.

Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Son of the Fourth Hokage.

He also defected from Konoha Village.

As one of the high-ranking members of Takigakure, how could Mizuno Satoru not recognize him?

"Please forgive me for using this method, Elder Wu. After all, you should know my current situation and understand why I did this."

Menma looked at Mizuno Satoru with a calm expression and said.

"I see. You really are amazing, Ichi... no, Menma-kun..."

A look of utter shock appeared on Mizuno Satoru's face. He had guessed countless identities of Menma, but he never expected that the 'young man' in front of him would actually be a 12-year-old boy.

"If Shibuki had half of your intelligence, wit, and courage, I wouldn't have anything to worry about."

Mizuno Satoru looked at Menma with a complicated expression, then shook his head and said with a very emotional tone.

This is truly a case of people being completely incomparable.

There were really no other candidates, and Shibuki's identity was quite special; otherwise, Shibuki really wouldn't be suitable to be the leader of a ninja village.

Or to put it another way, for smaller ninja villages, like the Hidden Star Village or the Hidden Hot Spring Village, Shibuki might be okay, but for a village like the Hidden Waterfall Village, which is already considered a top-tier (T2) village in the ninja world and also possesses a tailed beast, Shibuki's personality really wouldn't be enough.

"Hehe, Lord Shibuki has a kind and gentle character, which makes it easy for him to gain the recognition and respect of many people. Elder Wu doesn't need to worry too much."

Mianma smiled gently and said.

This isn't entirely a compliment.

A leader's charisma is judged by many factors, although Shibuki is indeed far from being an excellent leader.

But Shibuki has such a personality.

In a peaceful era, in a harmonious ninja village, he could still govern effectively, and people would still like this kind of mild-mannered leader, provided there were no external threats.

Otherwise, human instinct will still drive them to follow those stronger who can protect them; this is the nature hidden deep within every human being.

"Can Namenma-kun save that child's life? Can he allow Takigakure to continue to exist?"

This sudden change in art style.

These are the words spoken by Mizuno Satoru.

This startled Mianma.

But only a second later, Menma realized: "I think Elder Gou has misunderstood. I do have some intentions towards Takigakure, but it is not what you are worried about. I did not come for destruction, but for the future, Elder Gou."

Heaven and earth conscience.

Menma truly had no intention of killing Shibuki, or even destroying Takigakure. Shibuki was his most favored first 'base candidate'. Moreover, if he wanted to infiltrate and eventually achieve complete control over Takigakure, he would need Shibuki's cooperation.

Just like in the ancient country where Menma lived in his previous life, when powerful ministers forced the emperor to abdicate, it was best to ensure that the emperor could enjoy his old age in peace.

That's what a smart person would do.

If someone were to actually die, the consequences would be immense, unless one is truly powerful enough to ignore all problems.

However, firstly, Menma currently lacks such power, and secondly, Menma is not a ruthless person, nor does she feel the need to do so.

Wouldn't it be better to have a peaceful transition?

The moment Mizuno Satoru heard Menma's words.

The weight that had been hanging over my heart finally lifted.

Mizuno Satoru believed he had a good eye for people, just as he had previously thought that Suien was completely incompetent.

When Mizuno Satoru's eyes met Menma's, he could see the sincerity in Menma's pupils.

Of course, this could also be a disguise, but if that's the case, Mizuno Satoru can only accept his fate. Does he have any other choice?

the answer is negative.

He had no choice but to believe Mianma.

It also means choosing to trust your intuition.

"Then I'll leave Takigakure to you, Menma-kun."

Mizuno Satoru bowed slightly and spoke in a very solemn tone.

Mianma also bowed solemnly in return.

"Please rest assured, Elder Wu, from now on, Takigakure will also be my ninja village."

Mianma replied firmly and resolutely.

To grow bigger and stronger.

This is Menma's expectation for Takigakure Village, and also Menma's own plan.

Therefore, Menma Zetsu had no intention of deceiving Mizuno Satoru. If Takigakure didn't become stronger, his plan would be difficult to implement. Even for his own sake, he would do his utmost for the development of Takigakure.

Therefore, the only question is whether Menma can do it, not whether Menma will do it or even deceive Mizuno Satoru.

This is a fundamental difference.

"Then, Elder Wu, you should rest and recuperate. I'll go with Lord Shemu to deal with those insects in the water pipe."

Menma bowed again.

With a swift movement, he left the spot.

And that was after Menma left.

Mizuno Satoru's eyes became noticeably unfocused, as if he could feel his life force rapidly slipping away.

At this moment, even moving a finger seemed exceptionally difficult.

'No, I can't die yet, I can't die yet, I have to hold on a little longer, please, let me hold on a little longer...'

As Mizuno Satoru slowly closed his eyes, his face seemed to grow even more withered at that moment.

A faint aura of death seemed to emanate from his entire body.

Elder Wu's aura had also noticeably weakened.

It was as if they were reaching the end of their lives.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 212 The Battle Begins

Menma, who had already departed, was unaware that Elder Mizuno Satoru was on the verge of death, clinging to his last breath. His previously energetic appearance was clearly a final burst of energy before death.

The doctor had also advised that if he rested properly, he might be able to prolong his life for another day or two, or even longer. However, the huge emotional turmoil he had just experienced had cost this elder his last bit of life. Otherwise, if he could have held on a little longer, as long as Mizuno Satoru had personally intervened, the other Takigakure ninjas remaining in the village would have chosen to stand on Shibuki's side.

It was precisely because Mizuno Satoru knew he could no longer do it.

This is why we chose to entrust everything to Menma.

It's not that we don't have a choice, it's that we have no choice.

Menma could guess this to some extent, but he still thought that this elder was deliberately trying to curry favor with him. Menma was a sensory ninja, but he was not a medical ninja and could not accurately judge Mizuno Satoru's lifespan.

Not to mention that sometimes a person's will can hold out for a while at the last moment, so it's natural for people to make mistakes in judgment.

Menma was convinced that Mizuno Satoru had deliberately sent him to intimidate the crowd, but whatever the reason, the result was the same.

Menma's mind was also filled with thoughts of what to do next.

It took us almost an hour to get here.

Judging by the timeline, even with the previous delays, Suigan should have led that group directly to the vicinity of Takigakure Village by now.

Although it was a little different from what I had expected.

However, the conversation with Shibuki, and especially with Elder Satoru, went much more smoothly than Menma had imagined. This first step can be considered a success.

'Next, we need to get rid of this hookah guy.'

They arrived at the entrance of Takigakure Village, right in front of the main gate.

An immense pervasive sense of perception.

Mianma could clearly 'see' that in the distance, Shuiyan was leading dozens of her subordinates, flying rapidly towards them.

And in that location at the main entrance.

Shemu was already standing at the forefront, leading his only dozen or so most loyal subordinates.