Extremely Strong Ambition

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"Oh? If you have any questions, Shisha-san, feel free to ask."

Menma was unfazed by Shisha's sudden inquiry, meeting his gaze calmly. "You just mentioned that this is an order from your country's Daimyō," he replied. "So why wasn't the task issued directly to the Hidden Leaf Village? Konoha has the largest intelligence network and a vast pool of skilled shinobi. Wouldn't it make more sense for Konoha to handle such a mission? Why hasn't your Daimyō involved them?"

Shisha leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more probing. "The Daimyō chose Takigakure instead of Konoha—but why?"

The relationship between the Five Great Nations and their respective villages was well-known. Konoha and the Land of Fire, Iwagakure and the Land of Earth, Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning, Kirigakure and the Land of Water, and Sunagakure with the Land of Wind.

These villages were tightly bound to their countries, receiving financial and material support annually in exchange for priority on missions from their own Daimyōs and noble houses. While independent clients might hire shinobi from outside their region, it was rare, and even risky, for a high-ranking official to commission a foreign village. Doing so could easily strain the alliance between a nation and its own shinobi forces.

Shisha's skepticism was justified.

"Ah, so that's what's troubling you," Menma replied, his tone growing colder. "Is Takigakure hesitating to accept this mission? That's fine—there are other villages we could approach for this task. I trust you understand this, Shisha-san."

The slight chill in Menma's voice made his stance clear. Shisha's expression tensed, feeling the unspoken warning. Turning down this mission meant risking not only a valuable contract but potentially losing a prominent client's future missions and resources.

Sensing the rising tension, Shibuki, seated in the leader's chair, intervened with a quiet but firm tone. "Shisha didn't mean to offend, Shirogane-san. He's merely… seeking clarification. Please, forgive us."

Shisha quickly followed Shibuki's lead. "Yes, my apologies if I came across as blunt, Shirogane-san. But since this mission involves Konoha indirectly, we need a clearer understanding before we proceed."

Shibuki, young as he was, knew the weight of leadership. Running a hidden village wasn't just about protecting the village but also ensuring the welfare of its shinobi and its future.

Menma's eyes sharpened, glancing between Shibuki and Shisha. "Very well. Since you insist, I'll provide some context. The reason the Daimyō didn't approach Konoha directly is that he doesn't want Konoha to know about this mission. Does that clarify things?"

Daimyō and Kage. Country and village.

The relationship was intricate and sometimes fragile. Ninja villages were meant to serve their countries and Daimyōs, but everyone knew that the reality was more complicated, especially in the Land of Fire.

While few knew the full details of the tensions between Konoha and the Daimyō, rumors had spread even to Takigakure. Menma's response offered enough for Shibuki and Shisha to understand the implications.

The two exchanged glances, their expressions serious.

After a thoughtful pause, Shibuki spoke. "I understand. May I request a moment to consider this?"

"Of course," Menma replied smoothly, his words carrying an unmistakable edge. "But remember, Shibuki-san, I'll expect a satisfactory answer."

Shibuki nodded slowly, recognizing the subtle weight behind Menma's words. He and Shisha exited through a side door at the back of the hall.

Menma remained calm, sipping his tea as if the discussion had been trivial. Beside him, Karin shot him a look, clearly holding back a comment. Recalling Menma's earlier warning, she chose to stay silent.

Ten minutes later, Shibuki and Shisha returned. Shibuki's face was composed, though Shisha's remained tense.

Shibuki gave a quiet exhale and addressed Menma. "Takigakure will accept the mission. We will fulfill the Daimyō's request with full discretion."

Menma's lips curved slightly. "I knew I could count on you, Shibuki-san. You also understand the importance of keeping this mission strictly confidential, yes?"

Shibuki nodded. "You have my word, Shirogane-san. I'll personally ensure that our village does not fail you—or the Daimyō."

"Excellent." Menma handed over a pouch of coins. "Here is the agreed-upon deposit. We will reach out to you when updates are required. There's no need for you to contact us. Understood?"

Shibuki nodded solemnly. "Understood."

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"Then, all subsequent matters will be left to your village. This is the deposit for the mission, so we won't trouble you any further."

After confirming the key points of the mission one last time and paying the agreed deposit on the spot, Menma stood up, clearly satisfied.

With that, Menma and Karin left Takigakure along the same route, watching the village fade into the distance as they departed.

Shibuki's face still radiated excitement.

This was his first major diplomatic negotiation, and the young leader of Takigakure was convinced the mission would bring great benefits to their village—perhaps even advantages that couldn't yet be measured.

"Chief, don't you think accepting this mission so quickly might be… unwise?" Shisha asked, a deep frown etched across his face. "After all, this involves Konoha. If we're not careful, Takigakure could get swept into something dangerous—something unpredictable."

Shisha's concern wasn't without merit. In the current shinobi world, villages often competed fiercely for missions, even if it meant going up against Konoha and the Land of Fire. Still, despite the risks, the potential rewards were hard to ignore. Shisha, however, had motives beyond simple caution.

He had long coveted Shibuki's position as the leader of Takigakure and was intent on undermining him. If Shibuki gained more political success, it would only strengthen his hold on leadership—something Shisha desperately wanted to prevent.

"Shisha-san, the decision has already been made," Shibuki said firmly, surprising Shisha with this rare show of authority. "And didn't we consult the Elders before accepting the mission? Now that it's settled, we'll proceed according to our agreements."

Shibuki's tone was resolute, and his serious expression left no room for further argument.

Shisha's face hardened, his dissatisfaction clear. The earlier conversation had already irked him, and now, being rebuffed only fueled his anger. Still, they stood at the village's main gate, and Shibuki was, after all, the leader.

Shisha swallowed his frustration and snorted, turning to leave.

Don't push me, Shibuki, he thought darkly as he walked away. You and those old fools... Corner me, and I'll burn this whole village to the ground!

Shibuki watched Shisha's retreating figure with a mix of helplessness and concern. He hadn't wanted to be so forceful, but Shisha's objections struck a chord. Despite his confidence in the mission's potential, Shibuki couldn't shake an underlying unease. The stakes were high, and he knew that all too well.

I just hope I don't let them down, he thought, tightening his grip. I can't afford to.

Meanwhile, outside Takigakure, Menma and Karin finally dropped their Transformation Jutsu, reverting to their true forms once they were well beyond the village's borders.

"That went surprisingly well," Menma remarked, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Menma, I still don't understand why we came to Takigakure in the first place," Karin said, sounding confused. She hadn't been privy to Menma's full plan, and his actions left her baffled.

"Heh, just laying the groundwork for the future," Menma replied casually. "Didn't I say we need a stable base? Orochimaru is useful for now, but we can't rely on him forever. We're just using each other, after all. That's why I'm scouting other options. This visit to Takigakure was a preliminary check."

"Oh, I see," Karin said slowly, the pieces beginning to fit together. "So, does that mean we'll be working with Takigakure in the future? But if we used the Transformation Jutsu, won't that cause issues later?"

"Maybe," Menma replied, his gaze fixed ahead. "Shibuki seems like an interesting leader, but we'll see how things play out. It's too early to say anything for sure."

Takigakure, with its Hero Water and Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, had obvious strategic value. Menma was already thinking about the possibilities, and while gaining influence over the village wouldn't be simple, it was one of the most reliable options he had.

Time wasn't exactly on Menma's side, but he figured three years would be enough to shift things in his favor.

"Oh, and what about the mission you gave them?" Karin asked, raising an eyebrow. "And the people you're searching for—who are they?"

"That?" Menma smirked. "Just a way to get our foot in the door. We couldn't exactly stroll into a shinobi village without an excuse to meet the leader, right? Besides, this mission will take time. It'll keep us in contact with Takigakure, which gives me room to maneuver. As for the people we're looking for, they're descendants of Shouzaki Gosaku, a former daimyo of the Land of Rivers. I promised I'd help Urushi find them, along with any remaining Uzumaki clan members and a few...other key individuals."

Karin nodded, absorbing the information.

"It's all about timing and making the right moves," Menma continued, his voice dropping slightly. "The future is ours to shape... if we're clever about it."

He glanced back toward the distant mountains, a faint but determined smile tugging at his lips. "Let's go, Karin. It's time we head back."

"Right!"

With a surge of chakra, the two launched forward, moving swiftly toward the Land of Fields.

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