The answer given

---

"You must have met Gaara from Sunagakure by now, right, Menma-kun?" Kabuto's voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let me be direct: he's crucial to this plan. As the One-Tail Jinchūriki, I'm sure you understand his significance better than anyone. And here's something not widely known yet—the Kazekage himself will attend the Chūnin Exams. When the time comes, he will act alongside Lord Orochimaru. So, what do you think? Does this strike force meet your expectations, Menma-kun?"

Menma offered a cold smile, already recognizing the familiar pieces falling into place.

"A Jinchūriki, elite troops, and the Kazekage? Sounds formidable." His voice was measured, but beneath it lay the memories of a different timeline. "It seems Orochimaru has been planning this for quite some time."

According to the Sound and Sand strategy, Gaara would unleash Shukaku in the heart of Konoha, spreading chaos. Meanwhile, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and Orochimaru would target the Third Hokage directly. Their combined assault would coincide with an elite force striking from outside the village, all designed to hit Konoha when its defenses were scattered and weakened.

The destruction that Shukaku could cause was enormous. If the Kazekage and Orochimaru managed to take down the Third Hokage quickly, Konoha's fall would be almost inevitable. Even if total annihilation wasn't achieved, the village would be crippled, its influence diminished.

And, of course, there was someone within Konoha who would likely allow the chaos to unfold.

Kabuto hadn't named him, but Menma knew well enough that Shimura Danzo would be involved. In the original timeline, it wasn't explicitly stated, but it was obvious—only Danzo had the resources and motivation to manipulate Konoha's defenses and let the Sound and Sand forces strike unnoticed.

Danzo stood to gain the most from Hiruzen Sarutobi's death.

'Defenses are rarely breached from the outside,' Menma thought. 'Most are undone from within.'

In the original timeline, the plan fell apart because Gaara's transformation was interrupted, and Naruto defeated him. Orochimaru also killed Rasa, likely when the Kazekage began to regret their alliance, and impersonated him to push the plan forward. Those missteps caused the collapse of the entire operation.

And now, in this life, Menma could already predict Rasa's fate. Orochimaru would almost certainly kill him again.

Menma wasn't going to interfere with that part of the plan—if Rasa hesitated, his death would only ensure the operation's success. Without Sunagakure's support, Orochimaru couldn't execute the Konoha Crush plan alone.

'I need Konoha to be thrown into chaos for my own escape.' Menma mused. 'If Rasa wavers, Orochimaru will handle it.'

Gaara, however, was another matter. Menma would evaluate the situation when the time came, but for now, he could tell that Orochimaru's interest in him was growing.

"So, Menma-kun," Kabuto pressed, his smile widening slightly, "Can I get your answer? Will you join Orochimaru-sama's plan? This is your chance to settle those grudges you've been harboring for all these years."

Menma narrowed his eyes, carefully considering the question. This wasn't just an offer—it was a test. He knew that despite his previous actions, Orochimaru wanted a concrete display of his loyalty. His role in the plan needed to be clear, and Orochimaru had taken note of Menma's potential.

But Menma could also see the underlying motive. 'He's testing my willingness to commit…' he thought.

Menma's smirk returned, cold and calculating.

"Orochimaru's gone to great lengths, and it would be foolish to decline." Menma's tone was matter-of-fact, though his gaze remained sharp. "But let me be clear—I'll only move when Konoha is in complete disarray. If the initial assault falters or you try to deceive me with half-measures, don't expect me to take any unnecessary risks. I'm not interested in half-hearted schemes."

For Menma, this was more than just an opportunity to settle scores. His desire to leave a lasting mark on Konoha before his departure had been growing, and Orochimaru's plan was a convenient way to stoke that ambition.

Menma's priorities had shifted. This world was now his reality. There was no room for justice or mercy here—only survival and personal ambition.

The old Menma, who might have hesitated, was gone. The current Menma had fully embraced the path he had chosen. He would protect only those who truly mattered to him. Everything else was expendable.

Without further hesitation, Menma gave his answer.

"I'll join you."

Kabuto's smile widened. It was exactly the response he had expected.

"I knew Menma-kun wouldn't disappoint. Here," Kabuto said, producing a scroll from his robe and tossing it to Menma. "This contains the core details of the plan. Of course, there will be adjustments in the coming weeks, but I'll keep you updated."

Menma caught the scroll effortlessly and nodded.

"I'll act when the time is right. Make sure Orochimaru knows that."

"Of course," Kabuto replied smoothly. "Thank you for your cooperation, Menma-kun."

With a slight bow, Kabuto turned and disappeared into the darkness. In mere seconds, his presence vanished completely, as if he were never there.

---

Menma watched as Yakushi Kabuto vanished into the distance, his sharp gaze narrowing in thought. He turned back, re-entering his room, and made his way to the table where Kabuto had casually tossed a scroll. Unrolling it, Menma's eyes scanned the contents.

It was exactly as Kabuto had claimed: an overview of the joint combat plan between the Sound and Sand Villages.

The scroll detailed the alliance between Orochimaru and the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, including Gaara's complete transformation into Shukaku and the timing of the coordinated surprise attack by elite forces from both villages. These forces had already infiltrated strategic positions near the outskirts of Konoha.

The scroll outlined every key aspect of the Konoha Crush operation.

"Is this really necessary to keep me in line, Orochimaru-san?" Menma thought, the faint flicker of a malevolent aura flashing across his brow.

This invitation was unexpected.

It had been beyond Menma's original plans. He had intended to exploit the chaos to escape Konoha, watching from a distance as it collapsed. The outcome mattered little to him—whether Orochimaru succeeded or failed, it was irrelevant. The Sannin wouldn't die that easily, anyway. Yet now, Menma found himself being pulled into this twisted spectacle.

"Well, I suppose I'll put on a show before I leave," he mused darkly.

Menma exhaled, his eyes drawn to the night sky outside his window. His right hand tightened into a fist as if anticipating the storm to come.

---

Meanwhile, in a secluded area far from the Hidden Leaf Village, Yakushi Kabuto, having left Menma, approached a concealed entrance behind a formation of rocks.

He descended swiftly, entering the lowest level of the underground lair where dim light from an oil lamp flickered, barely illuminating the gloomy room.

Orochimaru was absorbed in his latest experiment. The table before him was scattered with various human organs, limbs, and pools of blood—a gruesome sight that would churn the stomach of any normal person. For Kabuto, however, this had become routine. As Orochimaru's right hand, Kabuto had long since grown accustomed to such scenes.

Approaching without a word, Kabuto silently assumed his role as Orochimaru's assistant, aiding the Sannin with practiced precision.

They worked in silence, each movement calculated and deliberate, until the experiment concluded. Orochimaru reached for a towel, wiping the blood from his face and hands with casual indifference. His slitted, snake-like eyes turned to Kabuto.

"Kabuto, how did it go? What's the status?" Orochimaru inquired smoothly.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses before responding, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru. The Sand Village has confirmed that they will unleash the One-Tail's rampage as scheduled. They've also committed to deploying their elite forces to the designated positions. However, there are still concerns about their ability to infiltrate the outskirts of Konoha without detection."

Orochimaru chuckled, his laughter a soft, sinister sound. "The Sand Village never changes. Their will was broken long ago. But no matter—they'll serve their purpose. If we must, reveal only what's necessary. When the time comes, I'll speak to the Fourth Kazekage myself."

Sunagakure had suffered repeated defeats in the Great Ninja Wars, each loss weakening the village further. At one time, all five great villages stood on relatively equal ground, save for Konoha's consistent dominance. Now, Sunagakure had undoubtedly fallen to the bottom.

Orochimaru, once a high-ranking ninja of Konoha, knew this well. For him, a weaker ally was more convenient—fewer complications, less threat. Had he wanted stronger partners, he would have approached Kumogakure or Iwagakure, both of which had become formidable forces in recent years.

Kumogakure, in particular, had shown potential to rival Konoha, which was part of the reason Orochimaru chose to align with Sunagakure instead. He preferred not to deal with villages on equal or greater footing.

Still, even Orochimaru hadn't foreseen just how spineless the Sand Village's leadership had become or the Kazekage's eventual betrayal after months of planning.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto affirmed with a bow.

"And what of the other matter? Has our other ally agreed to participate?"

Orochimaru's eyes sharpened as he asked about Menma. It was clear that, to him, Menma's involvement held far greater value than the entire Sand Village alliance.

"As expected, Orochimaru-sama, Menma-kun didn't outright refuse the offer, but he's still cautious."

"Oh? Cautious, you say? Elaborate."

Kabuto relayed the details of his conversation with Menma.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Heh… cautious but willing. That's good enough. Kabuto, make sure Menma-kun accompanies you during the assault. This will be the perfect spectacle to show my dear sensei. I wonder what expression my Hokage will wear when he realizes what's happening."

Orochimaru's tongue flicked out, licking his lips in anticipation.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied.

The pieces were falling into place.

An undercurrent of tension surged, and the Hidden Leaf Village, which had enjoyed peace for more than a decade, now stood on the edge of disaster.

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