The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

If there were truly peers far more outstanding than Shibuki, would Shibuki have become the leader?

Bloodline may sometimes be an advantage, but in the world of ninjas, strength and skill are ultimately what matter.

Just as Danzo always thought, if he hadn't hesitated back then, and had been more decisive than Hiruzen Sarutobi in stepping forward to cover the retreat, the position of Hokage would definitely be as ridiculous as his.

Long before Tobirama Senju raised that question, the position of Hokage was already 99% decided!

That question was merely Tobirama's final test for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo believed that one question determined the position of Hokage.

Actually not.

Rather, it was Hiruzen Sarutobi's overall performance that earned Tobirama Senju's approval.

Subsequent developments proved that Hiruzen Sarutobi truly lived up to the title of "Hero of the Ninja" and the trust placed in him by Tobirama Senju during the first one or two decades of his tenure as Hokage.

That's ability, that's the means.

However, there is no such person in Takigakure Village now.

Mizuno Satoru was naturally willing to take that gamble on Menma.

As someone personally raised by Mizuno Satoru, Shibuki could naturally understand the deeper meaning behind his grandfather Satoru's words.

The same applies to Fu.

Even so, the two of them still didn't have much trust in Menma.

But even out of respect for Mizuno Satoru, they were willing to try to accept Menma.

"I understand, Grandpa Satoru, Menma-kun, welcome to Takigakure Village."

Meeting Mizuno Satoru's hopeful gaze, Shibuki took a deep breath and nodded emphatically, turning his gaze toward Menma and extending his right hand.

Mianma also reached out and grabbed it directly.

"Yes, it is my honor, Lord Shibuki. Please believe me, I did not come to Takigakure with any ill intentions. This is for myself, and also for Takigakure."

In front of Mizuno Satoru.

Menma once again made his stance clear, his words resounding, his eyes revealing unwavering determination.

This also made the expression in Shibuki's eyes appear much calmer.

Shibuki was, after all, the head of a village. He was a bit weak, his reactions were indeed a bit slow, and his overall perspective wasn't that strong. But these were all measured against the standards of an excellent leader. The conclusion was drawn by comparing him with the leaders of Takigakure throughout history and with the leaders of other ninja villages. If compared with an ordinary ninja, Shibuki still had his merits.

Ultimately, evaluating something requires considering the reference point, the baseline conditions, the deeper meaning behind Mizuno Satoru's words, and the value demonstrated by Menma, especially his personal abilities.

It is still possible to understand and grasp the essence of the wood relatively clearly.

The only thing to worry about is the 'credibility' of Mianma.

But on this point, with Mizuno Satoru's endorsement, Shibuki was willing to take the gamble. He didn't believe Menma, which was impossible at this stage, but chose to believe his own grandfather, Satoru!

Only Fu, who was only a year or two older than Menma, looked at Menma with a slight wariness. After all, Menma was still an outsider, but Fu was doing so out of respect for Mizuno Satoru and out of trust in her grandfather Satoru.

Fu wouldn't voice any objections and would still choose to accept Menma's joining, but she would also harbor basic wariness towards Menma in her heart, somewhat like someone who had been bitten by a snake once and was afraid of a rope for ten years.

The example of hookah is still right there in front of us.

Menma could easily detect this hint of wariness. This was not only because Menma's perception allowed him to easily detect all special emotions and concerns, but more importantly, Fu's thoughts were so easy to see through that she had no guile at all.

It's no wonder they were fooled by hookah.

However, Menma didn't care at all. Not to mention Fu, even Shibuki probably had some doubts about him, and this was the most normal development.

He was, after all, an outsider, having just joined Takigakure Village.

Even with Mizuno Satoru's endorsement, it's impossible for people to immediately believe in you 100% right away; this isn't some 'fairy tale'.

Mianma believes in 'it depends on how it's done'!

I will have plenty of time and opportunities to deepen our trust in each other in the future.

These are truly capable partners I can cultivate and fight alongside.

"Then I won't bother you any longer. As for the remaining Rain Ninja, Shibuki-san, you don't need to worry. I will take care of them and then report back to Shibuki-san."

Mizuno Satoru was clearly on his deathbed.

I definitely need to leave some time for them to have a final conversation, so it's not appropriate for me to stay. Besides, I received some very interesting information from Amegakure, and Menma plans to go and see for himself.

To prevent accidents.

"Ah, then I'll leave it to Menma-kun."

Shemu nodded emphatically.

"So!"

After giving a slight bow, Mianma suddenly left his spot and sped off towards the eastern outskirts of the village.

After Menma left.

"Brother Shibuki, are we really going to trust that guy? After all, he's a rogue ninja from Konoha, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki at that..."

Fu couldn't help but turn to look at Shibuki and ask.

"Fu..."

Shibuki shook his head slightly, and just as he was about to say something,

“Wade through wood, lotus…”

Leaning against the cushions on the bed, Mizuno Satoru tremblingly raised his right hand at that moment, softly uttering those words.

Shibuki and Fu also turned around quickly and came to the position in front of Mizuno Satoru, kneeling down.

"Grandpa Wu, you said we're here!"

"From now on, the village is in your hands. Menma-kun is a trustworthy person. This is for your sake and for the future of our Takigakure village. Moreover, there is no such thing as perfection in this world. Every choice has its corresponding risks and drawbacks. Shibuki, this is the last decision I make for you. Of course, it can only go this far. The future will ultimately depend on you. Fu, the same goes for you. Don't be reckless anymore. Be meticulous and serious. Menma-kun will also be your companion from now on. Don't do anything reckless. I hope you can remember that everything must be for the sake of the village."

In Mizuno Satoru's heart, Shibuki and Fu were certainly very important, but the survival and interests of the village came first. After all, he had personally witnessed the era when Takigakure was founded.

Even though he was just a callow youth back then, over the decades, Mizuno Satoru had come to regard Takigakure Village as his everything. Without descendants or other relatives, Mizuno Satoru had nothing but the village in his heart.

Just like when he advised Shibuki to escape Takigakure, it was certainly for Shibuki's sake, hoping that Shibuki could survive, but it was also because he didn't want to see the village suffer from greater infighting. This could be considered a bit of the old man's 'selfish' intention.

"I know, I understand, Grandpa Wu. I will definitely shoulder the responsibility of the leader. Everything in the village is everything to me!"

Shibuki gripped Mizuno Satoru's withered right hand, covered in age spots, tightly, and spoke with the utmost determination.

Fu, who was standing to the side, was also crying her eyes out.

She knelt on the other side of the bed, gripping Mizuno Satoru's other hand tightly, nodding frantically and replying in a trembling voice, "I know, Grandpa Satoru, I know, don't worry."

This is the last moment that can be perceived.

"As for Shibuki and the others, treat them leniently if possible. Let Shuiyan die quietly, after all, he did contribute to the village..."

With difficulty, Mizuno Satoru turned his head and looked at Suigan, who was still unconscious and being held captive by the door. A complex look appeared in his cloudy eyes.

He once had high hopes for hookah, but unfortunately, everything turned out to be so cruel.

"Yes, Grandpa Wu, I understand."

Without any hesitation, Shemu nodded emphatically in response.

"That's good, that's good. The village... the future of the village..."

Mizuno Satoru's right hand, which seemed to be about to be raised, was suddenly replaced by a series of different scenes that flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern, representing the various memories of the past.

'Yes... it's time...'

The vision gradually dimmed.

The last vestige of life force has completely vanished.

"Kyouya, I still haven't been able to fulfill your request..."

The last thought that surfaced deep within my mind was immediately followed by a sinking consciousness into darkness.

Slowly closing her eyes.

The arm that then drooped down.

The moment when the last breath of life dissipated.

"Grandpa Wu!!!"

Following Fu's piercing cry.

The last elder of Takigakure Village who had experienced the war-torn era also passed away.

Menma, who had already passed away, was naturally unaware of Mizuno Satoru's death.

However, it was roughly predictable when the old man would pass away. The deathly aura that seemed to clung to his entire body was no joke. Normally, it would be normal for Elder Mizuno Satoru to die at any time. The fact that he had been able to hold on until now was entirely due to his willpower and his unwavering determination.

Mianma admires such an elderly person.

Or perhaps it should be said that the elders of other ninja villages in this world are all worthy of respect. Just as Takigakure has Mizuno Satoru, Sunagakure has Chiyo and Ebizo, and Kirigakure has Genji, only Konoha's F4 is truly hard to describe. Perhaps their excellence and brilliance were reserved for their youth. In their twilight years, they are no longer the young people they once were, and it is impossible for them to be compared with the elders mentioned above.

If Master Yuanshi and Chiyo were elders of Konoha, none of those trivial matters would have happened in Konoha, or at least one or two fewer of those messy incidents would have occurred.

But these are just hypotheticals.

The reality is still the reality we face.

"He's a very kind old man. Don't worry, Elder Wu, I won't lie to you. It's either my death or I will lead Takigakure to true glory. This world doesn't need so many ninja villages or so many countries; one is enough!"

Menma took a deep breath, glanced one last time at the house where Mizuno Satoru was, and then leaped away, quickly heading into the distance.

Unification is not a perfect solution.

It is impossible to say that there would be no more conflict once only one country or one ninja village remained in the world.

Wherever there are humans, the struggle will never end.

Driven by self-interest, love, and hatred, humans will always have reasons to fight each other. However, compared to the current chaos in the ninja world, where wars break out from time to time, it is at least much better.

The scope, scale, and intensity of the conflict will be limited to a certain extent, which is a direction that Menma wants to strive for.

Of course, you have to eat one bite at a time.

The road must be walked step by step.

Who knows, Menma might not even live to see that future, and might die at someone's hands.