The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Kado also tried to escape from here, scrambling and crawling.

"Hey, where do you think you're going!"

But Gato was already targeted by Naruto.

We haven't even taken the first step yet.

Kado was immediately captured by Naruto with one hand and couldn't break free, his legs trembling.

"Don't kill me, don't kill me, ah, don't kill me!"

As they saw Menma walking closer.

While screaming loudly, and amidst Naruto's utterly shocked and disgusted expression, Gato suddenly became wet and lost control of his bladder.

"Is this guy really that timid?"

Naruto said in great surprise.

“Sometimes, what we call evil is just like this, Naruto. There’s nothing strange about it.”

Menma said in a calm tone.

"Oh? Is that so? But Menma, why were you so ruthless? These people were just hired by Gato, right? Why not just take them down? They weren't enemy ninjas."

Naruto nodded as if he understood, and the next second he noticed the crimson color all over Menma's body, as well as the corpses lying in pools of blood not far away. He frowned and said.

"Oh? Hmm, I didn't quite control myself just now, I really went a bit too far, I'll be more careful next time."

Mianma nodded slightly and said.

This compliant attitude, completely different from the previous one, surprised Naruto.

When he said those words, Naruto subconsciously prepared himself for Menma to refute him and planned to have a proper discussion with Menma.

But this sudden change in attitude from Menma.

This really caught Naruto off guard.

Is this a bad thing?

No, it should be said to be a good thing, right?

After all, Menma has accepted him, isn't that a good thing?

Is it a good thing?

At that moment, Naruto inexplicably felt that Menma was very, very far away from him.

When Naruto saw Menma, he felt a faint sense of familiarity deep down. This was something Naruto hadn't told anyone, not even Hiruzen Sarutobi, whom he trusted the most.

Even during the previous debate about whether to continue the mission, Naruto didn't feel that sense of familiarity had disappeared.

However, it is today, at this very moment.

Naruto felt that sense of familiarity had disappeared.

Menma in front of him seemed completely unfamiliar, but only for a moment. When Naruto looked at Menma, he felt that everything was the same.

This feeling, almost like an illusion, left Naruto with a vague, inexplicable sense of unease.

Menma, however, paid no attention to Naruto whatsoever.

"Mission accomplished. Take this guy to Kakashi-sensei. Once we confirm the final information, we can successfully complete this mission, and Tazuna-san and the others can finally rest easy."

A right hand extended straight out.

Like carrying a dead dog, he dragged Gato toward the bow of the ship, toward where Kakashi was.

Naruto seemed to wake up from a dream, shaking his head as if to shake off the nonsensical thoughts from his mind. He took small steps to follow Masaru's steps and returned to Kakashi's side.

Although judging from Gato's appearance, it was clear he wasn't a tough guy, Kakashi still used genjutsu to interrogate him as a precaution, and the final result was obvious.

This mission has nothing to do with the Land of Water or Kirigakure.

This was entirely the work of Kado alone.

Zabuza was also hired by Gato using his personal funds.

After confirming that Kirigakure had not extended its reach to the Land of Waves, Kakashi was completely relieved. After all, if Kirigakure had taken any action, Konoha would have had to take corresponding countermeasures.

Who knows, another round of the Ninja World War might be about to begin.

Often, even the smallest cause can trigger a war between two major powers.

"It seems there's no need to worry about what happens next. So, Kakashi-sensei, can I handle this guy?"

After Kakashi finished interrogating him.

Menma also stepped forward and pointed at Kado, who was trapped in the illusion and looked confused.

"Oh? Hmm, of course, you can do whatever you want with it, Mianma."

It only took a second.

Kakashi could guess Menma's intentions, and immediately nodded with a light smile, granting Menma's request.

He even pulled a sealing scroll from his pocket and tossed it to Menma.

In Kakashi's view, this was perfectly normal.

This includes previous acts of killing.

Kakashi didn't see anything wrong with it either. If someone stood in front of them with hostility and a knife, hindering their mission, then they were definitely enemies. Killing enemies was as commonplace for ninjas as eating and drinking.

On the contrary, it was Naruto's attitude and actions that were problematic.

Kakashi would find it inappropriate; a ninja can have a certain degree of kindness, but it should never affect their judgment.

Ultimately, it brings a negative impact on oneself and even one's companions.

"Okay, I'll be right back, Kakashi-sensei."

Menma took a step forward, and while Kakashi's genjutsu was still effective, he got the information he wanted from Gato and then dragged Gato back into the cabin.

"Let's go back first, Naruto. We'll leave this to Menma."

"Eh? Yes, Kakashi-nii-san."

Naruto, belatedly realizing what was happening, nodded subconsciously and followed Kakashi's steps, the two heading back towards the bridge.

After the two left.

The ship that had stopped earlier because of Kakashi and his companions' arrival also set sail again, but instead of heading towards the Land of Waves, it turned around and headed in the opposite direction.

The fastest sailing will take about an hour or so.

The ship arrived at a small island located directly north of the main island of the Land of Waves.

"Are you sure this is the place? You should know the consequences of deceiving me, Mr. Cardo."

After the ship anchored at the edge of the island.

Menma pushed Kado, who had regained consciousness but was still pale, out of the cabin and said with a cold expression.

Hearing Mianma's cold words.

Kado couldn't help but shudder, and hurriedly nodded, saying tremblingly, "Please believe me, Lord Mianma, the vast majority of my assets are here, and I have absolutely not deceived you."

"Okay, that's good. Let's go, you lead the way."

With a numbed expression, he nodded calmly.

"Yes, yes, please come this way, sir."

Kado spoke in a very obsequious tone, bowing and scraping.

The two were also one in front and one behind.

They strode toward the only magnificent building on the island.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 68 The Return Journey

The process of entering was very smooth.

If it comes out, then it will have taken quite some time.

Because Kado's assets truly far exceeded Mianma's expectations. Of course, this "exceeding expectations" refers to all aspects. First of all, Kado is indeed very rich. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is as rich as a country. Some small countries are not as rich as Kado.

However, Gato doesn't have a lot of real cash. A significant portion of his assets are real estate, distributed across many countries. Leaving aside the Land of Water, Gato also has assets in the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning. His actual cash assets on this island amount to less than 70 million ryo, which is equivalent to two 'Asuma'. This is definitely a huge sum, but it is still quite different from what Menma had expected.

But then he thought about it again, and since it was just extra income, Mianma was satisfied. He packed all the cash into a scroll and took the property certificates with him. Who knows, they might come in handy in the future?

Stepping out of Kado's vault, Menma's face revealed a long-lost, genuine smile.

As for Mr. Kado, Menma simply sent him on his way.

In a physical sense, it means to be on the road.

Then.

Menma boarded the same ship again and headed south, returning towards the Land of Waves.

This trip has made Mianma feel like she's made a fortune, and even if she has to share some of it, it's still more than enough to satisfy her.

Ten days later.

The bridge that was said to bring hope to the people of the Land of Waves was finally completed thanks to Tazuna's efforts, directly connecting the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves. This was also thanks to the news of Gato's death, which dispelled the fear in the hearts of the people of the Land of Waves, and the workers who had given up building the bridge due to cowardice all returned.

With both human and material resources gathered.

This bridge was able to be completed ahead of schedule.

Team 7 was also able to embark on their journey back to Konoha. Ten days ago, after defeating Gato, Menma had suggested that they could go back directly, but Naruto insisted on seeing the bridge completed.

Mianma simply reserved his opinion and said nothing more.

Let Naruto do whatever he wants. As long as it doesn't affect his core interests, Menma is too lazy to argue. From that day on, Menma has made up his mind that he will never interfere in those meaningless matters.

The key is to manage yourself well.

So it is.

Menma has put on an even deeper mask, and on the surface, it seems that Menma's personality has become more gentle.