The scene before them could only be described as a natural disaster.
The giant crater stretched beyond the horizon, the rock layers showing the grotesque cracks of cooled lava. The air was thick with the smell of burning and destruction. This level of destructive power was far beyond the scope of an ordinary ninja—it had surpassed the level of a "Kage."
And Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen such power before, in two people.
Hashirama Senju. Madara Uchiha.
The power of those two legendary ninja had long since left the realm of "human." It was no exaggeration to say that it was a realm that only a [God] could touch.
And now... did the world have another Asura of the ninja world? But the problem was—the current ninja world no longer had a "God of Shinobi" to counter him.
The Third's gaze flickered slightly. Did not wish to harm the innocent...? He finally understood.
Konoha's intact state was not due to the Four Red Yang Formation. If that black "stardust" had landed directly in the center of the village, the barrier he had barely managed to cast would have been completely useless. Menma had deliberately avoided Konoha—or perhaps, he disdained to destroy the village in such a manner.
"Cough...!"
The backlash of completely exhausting his chakra made the Third cough up a mouthful of blood. He barely managed to steady himself, his gaze sweeping over the giant crater before him. The Raikage's fate was unknown, and the masked man...
"Looks like this guy managed to survive."
A cold voice came from high above, and the Third Hokage's body suddenly went rigid. He mechanically looked up at the slowly descending figure.
Menma was dragging the Raikage's body with one hand, as if carrying a trivial spoil of war. The Cloud's "A" was now charred black, his muscular body covered in burns, his hair singed and curled, and dried blood still stained the corner of his mouth.
"Is this the extent of a 'Kage'?"
Menma's voice came from behind the fox mask. He casually tossed the Raikage to the ground with a dull thud.
Thump—
The Raikage's body hit the ground heavily, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
Menma landed without a sound, the hem of his black robe rising and falling slightly. He looked around, his gaze sweeping over every Konoha ninja on high alert.
The Konoha ninja gripped their kunai and blades, their weapons trembling, their bodies instinctively shivering in the face of an absolute power gap. Sweat dripped from their forehead protectors, leaving grimy streaks on their dusty faces.
"Actually, you don't need to be so on guard against me."
Menma's voice made everyone's hair stand on end.
"Because..."
He deliberately paused, the corners of his mouth under the fox mask seeming to curve into a smile. "If I wanted to take your lives... you wouldn't be standing here right now."
That sentence hit everyone like a sledgehammer. They knew it wasn't a bluff—the giant crater several kilometers in diameter was the best proof. A few young Konoha ninja could no longer hold themselves up and fell to their knees, but their hands still gripped their weapons tightly.
However, even with their legs shaking, even with their teeth chattering, not a single Konoha ninja lowered their weapon. They were like a pack of cornered wolves, baring their teeth even though they knew they were outmatched.
"Let... let go of Lord Raikage!"
C's voice was squeezed from his throat, trying to suppress the tremble. As a sensor ninja, he could clearly feel the Raikage's faint chakra—he was alive, but severely injured.
Just as C was about to charge forward, an arm blocked his chest.
Darui's palm pressed against C, his eyes locked on Menma, his usually lazy tone now carrying an unprecedented gravity. "Calm down, C."
Lord Raikage is still alive... this monster didn't go for the kill.
Darui took a deep breath, forcing himself to unclench his jaw. He could feel his molars grinding uncontrollably, but his voice was unusually steady.
"Lord Menma, the Hidden Cloud... fully understands the situation."
He deliberately omitted the slightly disrespectful title of "masked man," and his right hand subtly blocked C behind him.
"Regarding the incident with the envoy and the Byakugan, the Hidden Cloud is willing to... let bygones be bygones. The so-called war will absolutely not be declared."
Darui's Adam's apple bobbed. He could feel cold sweat trickling down his back. He's deliberately avoiding a large-scale massacre... his goal is to stop the war, not to slaughter.
"You wish to stop the war, a point the Hidden Cloud has deeply understood," Darui said, bowing his head slightly, a gesture that made a few Cloud ninja look on in disbelief. "But the Byakugan incident... was not Lord Raikage's decision alone, but the result of a joint resolution by the Cloud's leadership."
He deliberately slowed his speech, ensuring every word was clearly conveyed. "And, you did not take Lord Raikage's life... presumably considering that if the Hidden Cloud were to suddenly lose its 'Kage,' the power vacuum would lead to even greater turmoil."
Darui raised his voice. "If you would be so gracious this time—the Hidden Cloud is willing to offer any compensation!"
The words were spoken with conviction. Darui looked up, meeting the fox mask of Menma head-on. His pupils were trembling, but his gaze did not waver.
It's a gamble... he needs an "example," not a corpse.
The scene was deathly silent. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the black-robed figure's response. Even the Third Hokage's nerves were involuntarily tense.
The wind carried the scent of scorched earth, making Menma's black robe flutter. He stood there quietly, his expression under the mask unknown to all.
"Third Hokage."
Menma's voice suddenly rang out, but he wasn't looking at Darui. He turned directly to Hiruzen Sarutobi. This sudden shift startled everyone present.
The Third slowly looked up, his old face still pale from chakra exhaustion.
"I advise you not to do anything foolish," Menma's voice was tinged with mockery. "I think I understand you now. You're not 'evil,' that's for sure, but you're definitely 'stupid'."
The Third's fingers twitched almost imperceptibly.
Menma's gaze fell on the hand seal that the Third had not yet completely released. "That seal, it's the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, isn't it? It seems the battle at the Valley of the End left quite an impression on you."
The black robe billowed without wind, and Menma's voice turned cold. "I have no intention of destroying Konoha... but after that jutsu, I might not be so sure."
Fine beads of sweat broke out on the Third's forehead. Finally, his tense fingers went limp. The hand seal completely dissipated, a small movement that made the Konoha ANBU present breathe a silent sigh of relief.
Only then did Menma turn back to Darui, his tone returning to that casual mockery. "Compensation, you say? It seems you're a smart one."
He pretended to ponder, his fingers gently tapping his mask. "Let's see... the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails might be a good idea."
Darui's face instantly turned deathly pale. "...I'm very sorry, but that is the only thing we cannot do. Please consider something else... the Hidden Cloud will certainly satisfy your needs to the best of our ability."
Menma let out a soft chuckle. "Heh..." The sound made every Cloud ninja's heart leap into their throats.
"I was just kidding," Menma said with a casual wave of his hand. "Because... if I wanted the Tailed Beasts, do you think I would be negotiating with you?"
Darui's back was completely soaked in cold sweat, but he forced himself to stand his ground, not taking a single step back.
"..."
"[JIN]."
When this unfamiliar word left Menma's lips, everyone was stunned.
"...What?"
Darui subconsciously asked, his mind racing—this word had never appeared in the ninja world before. It was not a known ninja village, nor was it any rogue organization.
"That is the name of the organization I lead."
His voice was unhurried. "Remember this name well—"
His chakra suddenly erupted, kicking up a violent gust of wind with him at the center. His black robe whipped around in the turbulent energy, and the phantoms of the Nine Masked Beasts flickered behind him.
"And spread the name of fear throughout the ninja world!"
The words were like the tolling of a judgment bell, striking heavily in everyone's heart.
Menma's figure began to blur, the storm of chakra growing more intense. In the final moment before he vanished, his voice pierced through the gale, reaching everyone's ears clearly.
"Either obediently live on, chewing on the rotten fruit of peace... or let me teach you—what a real 'war' is!"
BOOM—!
The violent chakra storm suddenly exploded. The hurricane kicked up a cloud of dust, forcing everyone to shield their faces. Kunai slipped from their fingers, forehead protectors were blown askew, and even standing became difficult.
When the dust finally settled—
Only the unconscious Raikage was left in the center of the clearing. Menma's figure had vanished like a dream, leaving only the deep cracks in the ground as proof that it had all been real.
-------
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