The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

"Yes, Chief."

Ah Jun immediately bowed and replied.

"I'll continue to leave the barrier team to you, Yifang-kun. Don't abandon the garrison work for now either. Coordinate with Ajun-san. From now on, the village's security will be the responsibility of the two of you."

Shibuki nodded, then turned to look at Menma on the other side and said.

"Yes, please rest assured, Mr. Shibuki."

Mianma replied with a smile.

The barrier was successfully set up.

Menma's joy was no less than Shibuki's. This crucial first step meant that Menma had initially established his own prestige in Takigakure. The newly formed Barrier Team was his first batch of direct subordinates. Although there were only a few dozen people, and their loyalty was not much stronger than Suigetsu's, it was still a good start.

Mianma naturally has every reason to be happy.

However, despite her joy, Menma still maintained a minimum level of rationality and composure.

It's already March of Konoha Year 61, and I don't have much time left. At most, I have two years. Not to mention the huge commotion I've caused in Takigakure this time, which has increased the risk of me being exposed.

Takigakure is no ordinary small ninja village. This village, possessing a tailed beast, naturally attracts much attention from the ninja world. Now, a super-large sensory barrier that can cover the entire village has appeared out of nowhere.

Menma didn't believe that other ninja villages wouldn't be paying attention.

Within a few days at most, all the countries in the ninja world will learn of what happened in Takigakure.

Therefore, Mianma must also be more vigilant and speed up his pace.

“The village’s defenses will naturally need to be changed, but in my opinion, the defenses on the border also need to be adjusted. Shibuki-san, the fact that our village has successfully set up a sensory barrier this time will surely be known to the people of other ninja villages, and they will definitely come to investigate the situation. We should make the necessary preparations in advance.”

Menma paused, then looked at Shibuki across from him with a very serious expression and said.

Not to mention that Shibuki had already announced the barrier to the entire ninja village in order to improve the public's sense of security and his own prestige, even without this announcement, the commotion during the barrier's setup was still far too great.

If ordinary ninjas can figure it out, how could the major ninja villages not?

Menma didn't believe that there weren't high-ranking spies from other ninja villages in Takigakure.

It's simply a matter of timing.

Of course, if it's just a perception barrier, the problem isn't too big, but Menma needs to be careful about exposing his identity.

Menma also believed that Shibuki should be able to understand the meaning behind her words.

It was almost exactly the moment Menma finished speaking.

Shemu instantly understood, and his expression changed slightly.

Only Ah Jun failed to grasp the implied meaning, since he didn't yet know Mianma's identity. Therefore, although Ah Jun's expression was slightly serious, he wasn't truly worried. After all, it was just a perception barrier.

However, what Mianma said does make sense.

We still need to be wary of the attention from the five great ninja villages.

"Yes, I also think what Yifang-kun said makes sense. The border defenses still need to be adjusted, especially the security and reconnaissance forces on the east side, Chief."

After nodding, Ah Jun continued.

The so-called east side.

That's clearly referring to Kumogakure. Konoha has proven over decades that they are indeed a ninja village without desires or ambitions. They have never started a war, so basic defenses are naturally necessary.

But when it comes to being overly vigilant, A-Jun doesn't think it's necessary.

However, Kumogakure and Iwagakure are different. They are two ninja villages that border Takigakure to varying degrees. Over the past few decades, they have had their eyes on Takigakure, with a very direct target: the Seven-Tails of their own village.

In this respect, the intentions of the Hidden Cloud Village are the clearest.

In other words, the major ninja villages were intertwined with each other, and none of them were given a real chance. Otherwise, given the rate at which Takigakure had weakened over the years, the Seven-Tails would have been lost long ago. It would have either fallen into the hands of Kumogakure or been captured by Iwagakure.

"Yes, I will consider that. We'll adjust the village's defenses first, and then we'll hold another meeting to discuss the border defenses after the village adjustments are complete."

Shemu nodded emphatically.

Menma's identity is a top secret.

It is something that must be strictly guarded against.

Although Shibuki knew it would be difficult to hide this permanently, he still hoped to delay it for as long as possible.

If they can hold out until Menma and Fu fully master the power of the Tailed Beasts and become perfect Jinchuriki, Shibuki believes that Takigakure will have the right to negotiate and challenge the other major ninja villages!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 233 Target: Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki!

Chapter 233 Target—Utaka, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki!

There may still be a lack of ambition.

However, they are more than capable of protecting themselves, because those ninja villages are unlikely to go all out against Takigakure. As the leader of Takigakure, Shibuki has a certain understanding of how strong a perfect Jinchuriki is.

That is definitely a powerful force comparable to the Five Kage.

Not to mention that Menma is the most powerful Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Thirteen years ago, the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha was known to everyone in the ninja world. Everyone knew how terrible Konoha was in that battle and how heavy the price they paid.

Therefore, time is what Takigakure Village needs most right now.

Once Menma and Fu grow up, even if Menma's identity is exposed, they won't be completely fearless, but at least they won't be in a situation where they are completely powerless to resist.

"Furthermore, starting today, the village's security will be increased by several shifts. Anyone acting suspiciously should be arrested immediately, and if they resist... show no mercy!"

Shibuki paused slightly, seemingly hesitating, but ultimately uttered his last words.

When A-Jun heard Shemu's words, he was not surprised at all. Instead, a faint look of relief appeared deep in his eyes. His leader had indeed grown up. If it were the Shemu of the past, he would never have given such an order.

It's not a matter of whether or not one has a broad perspective.

It's purely a matter of mindset and personality.

In the past, Shibuki did not truly regard himself as the village leader, which led to significant problems in his interactions with people and things.

This was something that Ah Jun had been very worried about.

Now it seems that their leader, Shemu, has grown a lot, which puts Ah Jun at ease.

"Yes, Chief!"

After bowing deeply in response, Ah Jun left immediately.

As the head of the garrison, A-Jun has to handle one of the most complicated administrative affairs in the village every day, second only to Shemu.

Ah Jun left, but Mianma deliberately lingered a little longer.

"Menma-kun, are you worried about your identity being exposed? Don't worry, although our Takigakure Village can't compare to the Five Great Ninja Villages, we do a pretty good job in terms of secrecy. At least we can ensure that your identity won't be exposed in the short term."

Shibuki assumed that Menma stayed because she was worried about her identity, so he immediately comforted her.

This is not just Shemu boasting.

Menma's joining Takigakure was a secret in itself, and he even disguised his identity. Currently, only he and Fu know about it in the entire village. It wouldn't be so easy for other ninja villages to steal secrets. It would be too easy for someone to obtain this information.

That would definitely mean there's a major problem on your side.

"Yes, there is such a problem, but I believe that Mr. Shibuki can handle it. I am staying because I have a request that Mr. Shibuki would like to grant."

Mianma nodded first, then changed the subject and spoke directly.

"Hmm? What is it? Menma-kun, please just say it. As long as it's within my or the village's capabilities, I will definitely agree."

Shibuki was taken aback for a moment, then spoke without hesitation.

If before, Shibuki only chose to trust Menma because of Mizuno Satoru's request, after today's barrier setup, he has begun to trust Menma himself. Unlike A-Jun, who is still wary of Menma, and Fu, who is still in the stage of 'non-violent distrust' of Menma, Shibuki truly believes that Menma can bring about a qualitative change to his village. He also genuinely hopes to work hand in hand with Menma in the future to create a glorious future for Takigakure. As long as Menma's requests do not exceed the limits of their village and are not matters of principle, Shibuki will support them 100%.

Shemu certainly possesses this level of magnanimity and decisiveness.

"Hehe, it's not a particularly big problem. It's just that I plan to leave the village for a while, maybe for half a month at most. I might bring one or two companions back to join the village. I need to inform Shibuki-san in advance and hope to get his permission."

Mianma smiled slightly and said this as if it were unintentional.

"Menma-kun's companions? Of course, that's fine. It's not even a requirement. Menma-kun's companions are people from our Takigakure Village. Menma-kun doesn't need to worry about that at all. Let alone one or two, we can have several."

Hearing Mianma's words.

Shibuki immediately smiled.

He had initially thought it was some particularly difficult request, but this wasn't even a request. Besides, from the very beginning, Shibuki knew that Menma couldn't possibly only have two people there; there must be a whole group of people.

Otherwise, how could Menma have escaped from Konoha?

I heard that Menma is also in contact with Orochimaru.

This further solidified Shibuki's belief.

In his view, this was because Menma had stayed in the village for a while longer and felt that the time was right, so he let others join in.

I understand, I understand.

Shibuki thought to himself with a sense of relief.

"Hehe, Mr. Shibuki may have misunderstood. The companion I'm going to invite this time has a very special identity. Perhaps it would be more appropriate for Mr. Shibuki to listen to his opinion before making a decision."

Menma could certainly see through Shibuki's inner thoughts.

He immediately waved his hand and said.

"Hmm? Special identity? Eh? What does that mean, Menma-kun?"

Shibuki was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding Menma's meaning.

"Ahem, well, someone with a similar identity to me."

Mianma coughed lightly, then continued.

"Similar in status to you?"

Shibuki first subconsciously repeated it, and then his expression changed drastically as if he had just realized it.

"Could he also be a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast from some ninja village?"

Shibuki stared wide-eyed at Menma and asked in a very surprised tone.

“Yes, Mr. Shibuki, the person I’m going to invite is Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki of Kirigakure. Utakata is currently on the run. I just received news a few days ago that I can now pinpoint his location, so I want to go and invite him!”