Meeting

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"There's no point in pursuing."

Akimichi Choza's assessment echoed with resignation as he took in the battlefield. Menma's strength had exceeded all expectations, and Choza knew that any further pursuit would be fruitless.

"With the power he's shown…,"Choza reflected, realizing he might have to resort to the Akimichi Clan's red pill just to match Menma's abilities. Even then, victory would be uncertain. The red pill would double his chakra, a terrifying boost, yet even that paled in comparison to the Nine-Tails.

"Who knows how much of the Nine-Tails' chakra Menma can tap into?" Choza pondered. Konoha knew too well the destruction caused by the Nine-Tails twelve years ago. If Menma could draw even a portion of that power, he was nearly unstoppable. Even if he wasn't transforming into its full form, the sheer amount of chakra was overwhelming.

Choza was no fool. Although he wasn't one of the strongest shinobi, he understood the reality of their predicament. With so many comrades dead or injured, pressing forward would only risk more lives.

Naruto stood frozen, watching Menma's silhouette disappear into the distance.

This moment felt hauntingly familiar.

But this time, Naruto's heart was heavier. Menma's chilling detachment and ruthless intent had struck him deeply. Last time, Naruto believed there was still hope, that his bond with Menma could be salvaged. Today, he'd sensed Menma's killing intent—cold and unyielding. It left a hollow ache in his chest, an unfamiliar darkness clouding his usually bright spirit.

The pain was beyond words.

Choza glanced at Naruto, whose usually vibrant expression had darkened with sorrow. "For brothers to reach this point…" Choza thought somberly. "It must be fate."

A rare bitterness stirred within Choza, directed at the late Third Hokage. "If Menma's identity had been revealed sooner... maybe things would've turned out differently."

As Shikamaru approached, he took in Naruto's defeated look. The usually cheerful Naruto now wore an expression of utter despair.

First Menma, and now Sasuke. Both had left him with unwavering resolve.

Shikamaru had known from the beginning that this mission was one they might fail. But with it being a direct order, and because of his bond with Naruto, he'd taken it on without hesitation.

And this was the outcome.

"This is how life is," Shikamaru thought grimly.

"Naruto…"

Kakashi, still weak from his injuries, limped over to Naruto. Though pain flared with each step, he reached Naruto's side, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder. He wanted to say something, to offer some kind of comfort. But the words wouldn't come.

Kakashi hadn't anticipated this, either.

Though he wasn't as idealistic as Naruto, he had believed that Menma, no matter how twisted his ambitions had become, would not target his own brother. But today, that notion had shattered.

After all, they were brothers.

"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto's voice was quiet, his tone trembling with raw anguish. "Why… why did Menma become like this? Was it always like this? Was everything before just… a lie?"

Naruto's eyes shimmered with grief. He'd thought it was a misunderstanding, that Menma had been influenced, maybe even controlled. But today had shown him a different truth: Menma's actions reflected his genuine intentions, his true feelings.

Naruto shuddered, recalling the cold, unfeeling look in Menma's eyes.

Was this truly their fate?

Kakashi opened his mouth, searching for the right response, but found nothing. He wanted to console Naruto, to assure him. But everything felt empty. What could he say?

In the end, silence was the only answer he could offer.

The skies opened up, as if sharing in their sorrow. Raindrops began to fall, soaking the ground. Naruto's tears mingled with the rain, his heart numb and cold.

"Mom… Dad… What should I do?" he whispered, his face etched in pain.

"Let's go back, Naruto." Kakashi's voice was gentle yet firm, a quiet offer amidst the rain.

Together, the Konoha team turned, their movements weary and slow, as if guided by an unseen weight. The journey back was not just a physical one; it marked a symbolic divergence in ideals, a chasm that could no longer be bridged.

Menma had delivered his final message to Naruto, to Kakashi, and to Konoha.

In less than two hours, Menma's group crossed the western border of the Land of Fire and entered the Land of Grass. Now beyond Konoha's reach, they continued without pause until reaching a hidden base in the Land of Grass.

Kabuto Yakushi awaited them at the entrance, his calculating eyes gleaming as Menma and Sasuke approached.

"Menma-kun, Sasuke-kun, welcome back. Lord Orochimaru has been expecting you,"

Kabuto greeted them, his tone polite but his gaze cold and probing.

Relief flashed across Kabuto's face at their safe return. Orochimaru placed immense value on these two—one as his future vessel, the other as an invaluable partner.

As for the Sound Four, only Tayuya had returned. Kabuto was unbothered by the losses; Orochimaru's focus lay solely on Menma and Sasuke.

The latest mission had ended, but the consequences loomed, heavier than ever.

---

"Where is Orochimaru?"

Menma raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Initially, he had planned only to aid Orochimaru in his research, but acquiring Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan had been an unexpected bonus. Obito's decision to leave the eye with Kakashi was a mistake—a lingering attachment that compromised his plans. If he'd been more decisive, he would have reclaimed it long ago, handling any risks of revealing his identity differently.

Obito had grown soft.

Holding the Mangekyō Sharingan now, Menma felt a deep satisfaction. There was potential here, a path forward.

"Lord Orochimaru is waiting inside. Sasuke-kun, come along. Menma-kun, perhaps you should rest first," Kabuto said with a polite nod, adjusting his glasses.

"Rest isn't necessary," Menma replied, his voice calm. "I'll meet Orochimaru myself."

Menma knew Sasuke could be a valuable ally against Konoha, Akatsuki, and other threats on the horizon. Sasuke's potential for power was considerable, and given his choices in the original timeline, Menma believed he could bring Sasuke to his side.

As for Orochimaru, Menma was unaware he'd recently transferred into a new body. In the original timeline, Orochimaru allowed Sasuke three years to grow stronger before attempting a body transfer. Menma's presence here, however, had altered events, and if Orochimaru moved on Sasuke too soon, Menma would have to intervene.

"Menma-kun, perhaps you should reconsider..." Kabuto's voice grew hesitant, his tone edged with caution. But he stopped when he met Menma's cold, unyielding gaze.

Kabuto's face stiffened, and he swallowed his words.

"Come on, Sasuke," Menma said, moving ahead into the depths of the lair.

"Right," Sasuke answered, following Menma without sparing Kabuto a second glance.

Kabuto stood frozen, his expression flickering before he sighed and trailed after them.

The underground chamber they entered was vast, dimly lit, and filled with an unnatural chill. Seated on a throne at the far end was a figure wrapped in bandages, a chakra Menma recognized radiating from him.

'Could it be…?'

A thought surfaced in Menma's mind.

When he finally saw Orochimaru's altered appearance, his suspicions were confirmed.

"Orochimaru, you've surpassed my expectations," Menma said with a smirk. "To think you've managed to overcome the effects of the Reaper Death Seal, even if temporarily."

Orochimaru's eyes glinted with intrigue as he replied, "Menma-kun, you truly honor your Uzumaki heritage—to see through things so easily. You remind me of Lady Mito herself."

Though Orochimaru kept his tone calm, his mind was racing. Menma never ceased to surprise him. Originally, Orochimaru had seen him as a prodigy, but now he questioned whether Menma was more than just a boy. His insight and actions were beyond what any typical twelve-year-old could achieve.

Menma's lips twitched into a smile. "That's high praise, but Mito-sama was in a league of her own. Standing beside the First Hokage...I'm nowhere near that yet. It's just that our clan has strong life forces and sharp senses. Your hands, for example, glow in the dark to someone like me. Naturally, I noticed the changes."

Menma sat on a stone bench nearby, looking far more relaxed now that Orochimaru had changed bodies. Before, he'd worried that Orochimaru might attempt a transfer into Sasuke's body too soon. Menma had been prepared to negotiate for more time, if not resort to violence if necessary. But with Orochimaru's recent transfer, that step could be skipped.

"Is that so?" Orochimaru murmured, though he didn't fully believe Menma's explanation. He was starting to view Menma as more than a child, maintaining a cautious attitude.

"This mission must have been exhausting, Menma-kun. I'll arrange for some extra supplies and resources for you. If you need anything else, just tell Kabuto."

Kabuto nodded, acknowledging Orochimaru's instruction.

"Thank you, Orochimaru," Menma replied. "Actually, I do have one request. I'd like access to some of your research on the Sharingan and Yin Release chakra."

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