The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

the other side.

Shibuki, Menma, and Fu arrived outside the house where Mizuno Satoru was recuperating, with Mizuno half-dead and half-alive.

At close range.

Funa could clearly sense the familiar chakra fluctuations coming from inside. When the door was pushed open, she saw the familiar, aged figure of Mizuno Satoru inside.

The last trace of doubt and worry in Fu's heart completely disappeared at this moment.

But the next second, when Fu saw Mizuno Satoru's obviously withered and aged face, especially his breath as thin as a mosquito's thread, her heart couldn't help but tremble.

He quickly took two steps at a time and approached.

"Grandpa Wu, it's me, Fu. I've come to see you."

Fu, kneeling before Mizuno Satoru's bedside, her eyes brimming with tears, called out softly with a deeply worried expression.

"Oh? It's Fu. You silly girl, how could you be so easily deceived?"

It was obvious that they had sensed the arrival of Fu, Shibuki, Menma, and the others.

The slowly opening eyes of Mizuno Satoru, the smile that appeared on his face, were unlike his previous bout of lucidity, which seemed perfectly normal, even as if he had recovered. At this moment, a deathly aura was clearly emanating from Mizuno Satoru.

There's no need to mention any particularly skilled sensory or medical ninjas.

Anyone with a normal mind could see that Mizuno Satoru was nearing the end of his life.

He barely managed to hold on by relying on his own strong willpower.

It was so that he could see Fu, Shibuki, and the others one last time.

This is also to clean up any remaining loose ends.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have trusted that bastard Shuiyan. Grandpa Wu, I disturbed your rest. Please rest well and let Uncle Qingmu take good care of you. You will definitely recover. You'll have to come and see my cultivation results then."

Fu's voice was clearly trembling.

At this moment, Fu felt endless fear and sorrow.

Even though Shuiyan had told her about Shemu's various conspiracies, the version Fu heard and understood was that Shemu had been bewitched by outsiders and that Elder Wu had been imprisoned. All she needed to do was help Shuiyan wake Shemu up and then rescue Elder Wu.

But now, it is Shuiyan who colluded with outsiders to deceive her, not Shemu.

But more importantly, Mizuno Satoru was not imprisoned, but had truly reached a dead end.

This person looked frail and seemed on the verge of death.

Fu was very scared, really scared.

"Silly girl, everyone dies eventually. I'm already nearly 70, which is a long life for a ninja. You should be happy for me, don't cry. You're a grown woman now, and the village will depend on you and Shibuki in the future. Don't let me down."

With a kind expression, Mizuno Satoru gently stroked Fu's little head with his outstretched right hand, which was almost skin and bones, and spoke with endless gentleness.

"Grandpa Wu, I... Waaaaah..."

Mizuno Satoru's words sounded like his last words.

Fu could no longer contain her grief and cried with tears streaming down her face.

"Shiki, you too. This is a lesson you must remember. Never, ever make the same mistake again. You must discuss it with Fu, Jun, and the other villagers. Don't show any weakness. Be strong, understand?"

The more they talked, the more...

It was obvious that Mizuno Satoru's voice was becoming increasingly weak.

"Yes, I remember, Grandpa Satoru. I will definitely protect Takigakure Village."

Shibuki, also with a sorrowful expression, knelt down and nodded emphatically, replying in the most resolute tone.

"And then there's Yotsuji... no... Menma-kun, we're counting on you for Takigakure. Although you're younger than Shibuki and Fu, I believe... cough cough... you'll definitely be the right one. Shibuki and Fu, from now on, whatever questions or confusion you have, just listen to Menma-kun's judgment. This is also Grandpa's last request to you."

These words were spoken by Mizuno Satoru with almost all his might.

Not only Shemu, but Fu was also startled.

Menma, who had been standing at the back, was completely stunned.

For a moment, he even thought that the old man had revealed his identity because he wanted to get rid of him here.

But it only lasted for less than a second.

This thought was immediately dismissed from his mind. Not only was it unrealistic, but the other person didn't seem like such a fool. More importantly, at the moment when Menma's eyes met those of Mizuno Satoru, he seemed to understand what the old man wanted to do.

He wanted to use his identity and his words to pave the way for Mianma.

Having lived for nearly 70 years, how could Mizuno Satoru not guess Menma's intentions even though it was their first meeting?

Ultimately, Mizuno Satoru valued the preservation of Takigakure Village more.

At least in Mizuno Satoru's view, this is the best choice for him under the current circumstances. As for what the future outcome will be, Mizuno Satoru has no control over it.

You can get the gist of it in that instant.

"untie!"

Then.

It was amidst the identical expressions of shock on the faces of Shibuki and Fu.

The transformation technique was directly canceled.

A striking red fringe and a youthful face.

That restored youthful demeanor.

The moment they saw it, Shibuki and Fu subconsciously forgot their sadness. They simply couldn't believe that the powerful 'young man' they had just seen was actually just a teenager.

Fu is a little better.

Shibuki is the leader of Takigakure Village.

It was almost at the moment I saw his pockmarked face.

They immediately recognized Menma's identity.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, you're Uzumaki Menma, a rogue ninja from Konoha!?"

With a look of utter surprise, Shibuki raised his voice and said.

Fu also widened her eyes instantly because of Shibuki's words, staring straight at Menma.

This boy!?

He's a Jinchūriki too? And the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, the strongest tailed beast?!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 217 The Most Important Step

"This should be considered our first meeting, Lord Shibuki. Fu, I am indeed Uzumaki Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I am very sorry that I had to meet you two in that manner before, since my identity cannot be revealed yet, otherwise it could easily cause unnecessary trouble."

Mianma chuckled softly and said in a clear voice.

Menma's original plan was to infiltrate Takigakure this time, gradually gain control of the village, and then reveal his identity at an appropriate time. Now that Mizuno Satoru had the intention to "help" him, Menma naturally accepted it without hesitation.

As for whether there will be any problems or risks involved.

Menma wasn't blind to the risks, but the advantages ultimately outweighed the disadvantages, and most importantly, Menma believed that Mizuno Satoru was a smart person.

Shibuki and Fu are the two most important people in Takigakure Village today.

If we can reveal our true identities to the two of them in advance, the subsequent progress of the plan can be greatly accelerated.

Of course, the corresponding risks have also been brought forward a little, but for now they are still limited to Shibuki and Fu, and are still within a controllable range. After all, it is almost Konoha Year 61, and all things considered, there are only two years left. Menma can't help but feel a little bit of urgency.

Whether or not to take risks depends on the potential returns.

"You? This? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Me?"

Shibuki became incoherent for a moment, as if he couldn't accept what was happening before him. Wasn't this a representative of the ninja power under the command of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire? How did he suddenly become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?

Thinking about Menma's many identities, Shibuki felt as if he had embarked on a wondrous journey through the world.

This person is truly a heavyweight.

"Grandpa Wu, what exactly is going on?"

Shibuki looked at Mizuno Satoru in the back seat with a blank and incredulous expression, and Fu had a similar look.

"Hehe, to put it simply, I intend to join your village, Lord Shibuki. The reason is simple: I don't trust the other great ninja villages, and I want revenge and to realize my ambitions. I need to choose a ninja village with relative strength, and Takigakure is my choice. Takigakure has always been a place in the ninja world, second only to the Five Great Ninja Villages. It also has a Jinchuriki like Fu, and special items like the Hero's Water. The number of Takigakure ninjas is also three or four thousand, which can help me. Of course, I'm not saying that I'm openly using Takigakure. It's a process of mutual assistance between us. I will help Takigakure reach the level of the Six Great Ninja Villages, or even higher and stronger. In return, Takigakure will lend me its strength so that I can fight against, and even take revenge on, my enemies."

Menma stepped forward, looking at Shibuki and Fumi with an extremely solemn expression, and said.

If you're going to lay your cards on the table, you should lay them on the table completely.

Based on the limited plot fragments in the original work and their interactions over this period, Menma believes that Shibuki and Fu are the kind of people who can be trusted once you truly open your heart to them.

Not to mention the endorsement of Satoru Mizuno.

This is why Menma, upon realizing Mizuno Satoru's intentions, immediately revealed his true form without any hesitation.

There has never been a better opportunity.

Listening to Mianma's words.

Shibuki's expression shifted rapidly. He truly hadn't expected things to unfold this way, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

“Shibuki, this is the best choice for our Takigakure. The situation in the ninja world is becoming increasingly unpredictable. It wouldn’t be surprising if a new ninja war broke out at any time. Menma-kun’s strength and wisdom can help us. And don’t forget, Menma-kun is our benefactor, especially for you. Shibuki, Menma-kun can be trusted.”

Mizuno Satoru forced himself to sit up straight and looked at Shibuki with an extremely serious expression.

This is the wisdom of the elderly, and even more so, their courage.

Because isn't this also a gamble?

The gamble is on the future of Shiki, Fu, and even the entire Takigakure village.

But as Mizuno Satoru said, if it weren't for Menma, Shibuki would already be a cold corpse, the entire Takigakure would fall into Suien's hands, and Fu's fate might not be much better.

This might seem a bit unreasonable.

But according to Mizuno Satoru.

Rather than letting Shibuki and Fura face the turbulent changes in the ninja world, it would be better to let Menma join in, even if Menma were to lead the future of Takigakure.

After all, in such a large village as Takigakure, Mizuno Satoru really couldn't find a single trustworthy junior.