"Menma, do you want to rest for a bit?" Jiraiya asked, panting slightly.
Under Menma's lead, the team had crossed nearly the entire Land of Fire in half a day—far faster than usual. Once they left Fire's borders, they'd reach the Land of Wind and the Sand Village in no time.
"No need. Keep moving!" Menma said, his expression calm but determined.
He continued using the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting the entire group forward in rapid bursts. The technique demanded enormous chakra, especially when transporting multiple people at once.
Inside Menma's mindscape, the Kyuubi—lazily flipping through a book—snorted without looking up. "Reward."
Menma twitched. "You seriously want payment now?"
"I don't work for free," Kyuubi said smoothly. "One labor, one reward. Energy economy, Menma."
"Fine, fine. When have I ever shorted you?" Menma muttered.
"Every time," the fox deadpanned, snapping his book shut. Then he stretched, releasing a surge of fiery chakra that flowed through Menma's body like molten energy.
"Ahh… that's the good stuff," Menma exhaled involuntarily.
Jiraiya and Kakashi exchanged glances—they could both feel Menma's chakra skyrocketing in intensity.
"Hey, isn't that Temari?" Naruto suddenly pointed ahead. About a hundred meters away stood a familiar blonde woman in dark battle attire, the huge fan on her back impossible to mistake.
Menma stopped immediately, and the team caught up.
"Temari-nee! Long time no see!" Naruto waved.
Temari blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "Naruto? And everyone from Konoha? It's been a while!"
Her tone held no hostility. After the failed invasion years ago, Konoha hadn't retaliated against the Sand. In fact, the alliance had strengthened—especially after Gaara's change.
Her younger brother, now the Kazekage, had matured tremendously. He'd become a true guardian of Sunagakure.
"What's the situation in Sand Village now?" Jiraiya asked.
Temari looked confused. "Situation? I just returned from a mission outside—I don't know anything yet."
Menma stepped forward. "Then come with us. You'll know soon enough." Before she could respond, he grabbed her arm and vanished with a flash—the Flying Thunder God Technique carrying them all onward.
While the clone kept leading the group through the desert, Menma's real body began briefing everyone.
"This time, our enemies are from the Akatsuki Organization, led by Jiraiya-sensei's former student—Nagato."
Everyone turned sharply to Jiraiya, who froze in place. The name stirred memories—three orphans he'd once trained in the Rain Country: Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
Menma continued, "Akatsuki's goal is to capture all nine tailed beasts and resurrect the Ten Tails. Since Gaara is the One-Tail Jinchuriki, he's their first target. The two members sent this time are Sasori of the Red Sand and Deidara."
Temari's face went pale. "Sasori… the Red Sand Scorpion!?"
Menma nodded. "Exactly. A genius puppeteer and the grandson of Elder Chiyo. His parents were killed by the White Fang." He glanced sideways at Kakashi, who gave a sheepish shrug.
"He's deadly. His entire body has been turned into a puppet, with every weapon laced in poison. Steel cables, flamethrowers, hidden scrolls—you name it. His chakra core—the puppet's heart—is his only weak point. Destroy that, and he's finished."
Naruto's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Whoa, brother, you even know their weaknesses! You're amazing!"
Sasuke and Sakura nodded in silent agreement. As usual, Menma was the walking encyclopedia of the shinobi world.
Even Kakashi and Jiraiya were stunned. Where did he get this kind of intel? It couldn't just be from the Kyuubi... could it?
Menma moved on. "Deidara is even trickier. His fighting style specializes in long-range and area attacks. He molds special clay with mouths on his palms, infuses it with chakra, and creates explosive creatures that detonate on command. Birds, spiders, dragons—you name it."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "So… he fights with bombs?"
"Essentially," Menma said. "His explosive clay uses Earth-nature chakra. Inject it with Lightning chakra, and it won't detonate. That's his weakness."
He swept his gaze across the team. "Still, don't underestimate them. Overconfidence kills faster than poison. I don't plan on bringing anyone home in a body bag. Got it?"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all nodded solemnly.
Satisfied, Menma resumed the journey. By nightfall, the vast desert stretched out before them.
"We're close," he said. "The Sand Village is beyond this point."
But then, a roaring sandstorm swept across the dunes. Temari squinted, shielding her eyes. "We can't move in this! We'll lose direction!"
Menma smirked faintly. "No need."
He formed a single hand seal.
"Come out… Kyuubi!"
A glowing orange chakra burst from his body—and the tiny fox avatar materialized beside him, eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Well," Kyuubi said, yawning, "time to show them what real navigation looks like."
(End of Chapter)
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