The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

next second.

With a single hand gesture, he made a mudra.

A crimson light flashed.

Menma and Naruto's figures simply vanished from the spot.

A few minutes passed after the two left.

"whoosh"

"whoosh"

"whoosh"

In the direction that Menma had just been looking, several figures also flew over at lightning speed. The leader was none other than Hatake Kakashi. When the group arrived, they saw the scene of devastation that clearly had taken place after a great battle, and there was not a single person in sight.

Kakashi and the others all looked grim.

"whoosh"

Not long after.

Another extremely burly figure flashed in, his signature 'oil' headband and conspicuous red outer robe revealing him to be Jiraiya. After settling everything at the main camp and leaving Abbot Shikaku behind, Jiraiya arrived.

Jiraiya, who was also very worried about Naruto, also set off to search for him.

At this moment, Jiraiya's aura was also extremely powerful and terrifying.

His face was also very different from usual, with a straight line appearing in his pupils and a noticeably frog-like appearance.

This indicates that Jiraiya has already entered Sage Mode.

On its shoulders stood Fukasaku and Shima, the two toad sages from Mount Myōboku who had previously assisted Naruto in battle.

Jiraiya and the others were able to find their way here so quickly.

This was also due to the notification from the two toads, Fukasaku and Shima, who had returned to Mount Myoboku.

But it was clearly a step too late.

"hateful!"

Looking at the empty scene before him, especially the blood on the ground, Jiraiya's expression turned extremely grim.

At this moment.

Jiraiya had already imagined the worst possible outcome.

"We're still a step too late. Sorry, Jiraiya. My wife and I didn't expect Naruto to be facing Menma Uzumaki alone..."

The toad on his left shoulder, Fukasaku, also spoke with a hint of guilt.

"No, it's not your fault, Master Fukasaku. In the end, it was Naruto who was too impulsive..."

Jiraiya sighed softly, shook his head, and said.

Actually, Jiraiya had a premonition long ago. Didn't Jiraiya know Naruto's personality?

That's a stubborn kid.

Once he's made up his mind about something, nothing can change it. Originally, Jiraiya wasn't going to teach Naruto so quickly. He planned to postpone teaching Naruto Sage Mode because he felt it wasn't an easy skill to master.

The reason I changed my mind later was that I saw Naruto's stubbornness and thought that I should make Naruto stronger as soon as possible.

Fortunately, Naruto is indeed very talented in Sage Mode training. His perception of natural energy is several times more acute and clear than Naruto's. What would take Naruto a long time to complete the first stage of training, Naruto can do in just a few days.

That's real talent.

Unexpectedly, Naruto, who had already mastered Sage Mode, was so easily defeated by Menma.

Moreover, the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Diamond Lock.

'Did Menma really inherit all of Minato and Kushina's talents? And that special Nine-Tails Chakra Mode? This kid is getting more and more terrifying...'

Jiraiya thought bitterly to himself.

The situation has completely spiraled out of control.

Whether it was Naruto's stubbornness or Menma's unexpectedly powerful performance, Jiraiya felt that the future was becoming a little bleak.

"Lord Jiraiya, what should we do next?"

Kakashi, sitting to one side, asked with a very anxious expression.

Kakashi still felt a certain degree of gratitude towards Minato and Kushina. After all, during the darkest period of Kakashi's life, the couple still gave him some attention.

Moreover, he was a subordinate personally led by Minato.

According to the usual practice of the ninja village.

Kakashi should be Minato's most trusted subordinate in Konoha, even closer than the so-called Shadow Guards.

The relationship between team leaders.

They're just a little less skilled than a master and apprentice.

However, subordinates usually address the Chunin or Jonin leading the team as "teacher," which shows the special nature of this relationship.

Kakashi already felt sorry for Minato and his wife when it came to Menma. If Naruto were to get into trouble now, and it turned out to be a case of brothers killing each other, even Kakashi would feel ashamed to face Minato and his wife.

Although not many.

However, Kakashi Hatake still had a tiny bit of conscience when it came to his own people. In the past thirteen years in Konoha, besides the Third Hokage and Jiraiya, he was the person who was closest to Naruto.

He genuinely didn't want to see anything happen to Naruto.

Especially death.

"Don't worry, Menma and Naruto are still brothers after all, they probably won't really kill you. Let's go back first and wait until tomorrow."

Jiraiya's lips twitched slightly. He took a deep breath to suppress his turbulent emotions and forced himself to remain calm as he spoke.

Menma won't kill Naruto?

He himself might not even believe that.

Kakashi is the same.

In Kakashi's view, Menma was completely blinded by hatred. Not to mention them, even Naruto would have been killed by Menma. Kakashi himself had witnessed the scene at the Valley of the End.

Although there is still a glimmer of hope since Naruto's body has not been found at the scene, Kakashi feels that it is all too late.

Jiraiya, of course, understood this as well.

But what can we do now?

Should they launch a direct assault on the stronghold? Leaving aside the fact that they're not prepared for an attack yet, even if they could force an attack, what would be the point if Naruto were truly dead? It would only disrupt their plans for nothing.

It would be better to proceed according to the established plan.

Ultimately, in Jiraiya's heart, the village was still more important than anything else, whether it was Orochimaru's defection, the death of Minato and his wife in battle, or anything else.

Jiraiya will always be the 'hero' that Konoha Village needs.

"yes..."

Kakashi could naturally understand the meaning behind it, and at that moment he could only nod silently in response.

"Let's go."

Then.

Led by Jiraiya, the group headed back towards their village's stronghold. During the journey back, Jiraiya made up his mind.

This time, we must do everything we can to solve the problem of the numbing agent.

This is a sacrifice that must be made for the sake of the village.

'Minato, Kushina, I'm sorry...'

A resolute look also appeared between Jiraiya's brows.

the other side.

Menma, who had successfully brought Naruto back to their base, was unaware that Jiraiya had completely let go of his last hesitation and was determined to eliminate him in this war.

Even if she knew, Menma wouldn't care.

After all, Menma never had any special feelings for Jiraiya from the beginning; if she did, it was all in the past.

In this world, aside from Naruto, Menma is indeed hard to kill, but as for others? Sorry, anyone who gets in his way must die.

Therefore, for Menma, Jiraiya's attitude is completely unimportant.

He just needs to do what he's supposed to do.

Although Menma isn't the kind of bloodthirsty, murderous madman who truly sees anyone as an enemy, he'll eliminate them completely.

But if it really hinders him, or threatens his enemies.

Mianma will absolutely not show any mercy.

This is especially true for powerful enemies. Releasing a tiger back into the mountains is tantamount to suicide. For someone like Jiraiya, whose heart is entirely devoted to Konoha, Menma would not hesitate at all.

"Whoosh!"

With a few quick maneuvers, they returned to the stronghold at lightning speed.

"Who goes there!?"

At the moment a crimson light burst forth.

The moment Menma appeared inside their base, the patrolling Takigakure ninjas immediately became alert and instinctively pulled out kunai, shuriken, and other ninja tools.

"Don't be nervous, it's me."

But only a second later.

As Yu Menma's calm words fell, a fiery red figure came into the view of these Taki ninjas.

"Menma-sama!"

The ninja from Takigakure reacted immediately and quickly knelt down on one knee to greet them.

Naruto, standing beside Menma, looked at the Takigakure ninja with a rather strange gaze. Although he had already heard that his brother had successfully taken control of the entire Takigakure village, seeing the Takigakure ninja bowing so respectfully to Menma still felt somewhat like a dream.

You should know that your older brother has only been away from Konoha for a little over a year, right?