Villain? Selfish? Narrow-minded? Without justice?
So what?
This world belongs to the strong.
A world where power defines everything—status, truth, even justice itself.
If he wanted to live for himself, to be selfish, what was wrong with that?
He was not Uzumaki Naruto.
His name was Uzumaki Menma—and he had no intention of walking the same path.
To gain true freedom, he needed strength—absolute and undeniable. Without power, even "freedom" was a hollow illusion. Talking about ideals or bonds without strength was nothing but a cruel joke.
"Father and mother, huh? So you've learned the truth about who you are, Menma-kun," Orochimaru said, his serpentine eyes glinting with amusement. "In that sense… perhaps you really are like me. Haha… how fascinating. Truly fascinating."
Orochimaru's voice slithered through the still air. The gleam in his eyes was one of realization, as though confirming what he had already suspected.
"Well then," the Sannin said finally, his grin widening. "That's all for today, Menma-kun. I'll be waiting eagerly for our next meeting."
With that, his figure blurred into mist and disappeared. Within seconds, Orochimaru and Karin vanished entirely from sight.
Silence reclaimed the forest. Only the soft rustle of the wind brushing through the leaves remained. Menma stood motionless for a long moment, then exhaled slowly. The tension in his body drained as he slumped back against the trunk of a massive tree.
"Good… there weren't any accidents," he murmured, his tone betraying quiet relief.
For all his composure during the negotiation, Menma knew that in reality, Orochimaru had held most of the power. If the Sannin had decided to reject his offer—or worse, betray him—Menma would have had no real countermeasure.
But Orochimaru hadn't. And Menma knew exactly why.
Because in this situation, Menma's proposal was the best option available to both of them. Orochimaru valued results and knowledge above everything else. If he could gain something from the exchange, he never broke his word.
That was why Menma had chosen him.
After all, even Danzo Shimura had trusted Orochimaru's loyalty—at least when their goals aligned.
And despite his reputation, Orochimaru's dealings were precise. He was a monster, yes—but one with principles.
However, someone else inside Menma's body didn't share that trust.
"Hmph… you really know how to twist things, kid," a deep, rumbling voice growled inside him. "You used my chakra as a bargaining chip, and now you're making deals behind my back? Tell me—where did you even get all that information? The Sharingan, the Rinnegan… and what was that name you used just now—'Kurama'? Don't tell me you learned all that from me!"
The great Nine-Tails, his fur like waves of fire, glared from within Menma's subconscious realm.
Normally, the fox couldn't see or hear the outside world unless Menma allowed it—but during that brief battle, Menma had drawn directly from the Kyūbi's chakra.
Even the faintest leak of that immense power was enough for the beast to sense everything that had transpired.
Now, Kurama was angry.
Menma's grin returned, calm and unbothered. "Come on, don't be so impatient, Kurama. You helped me convince him, didn't you? I needed a little push to make Orochimaru bite the bait. Consider it… teamwork."
"Teamwork?" Kurama's tails flicked violently, his crimson eyes narrowing. "You dare use my chakra as bait, brat? Who exactly are you? I've been sealed inside you for twelve years—there's no way you should know half the things you've said. The Rinnegan, the truth of the Uchiha's eyes—these aren't things a mere genin should even comprehend!"
The Kyūbi's enormous snout lowered, its oppressive gaze piercing through Menma's calm expression.
"Shhh…" Menma placed a finger to his lips, smiling. "You'll find out in time. But right now, think of this as a game to kill your boredom. You don't have to trust me. Just watch—and enjoy. If I win, you benefit. If I fail, you start over. You've got nothing to lose, right?"
Kurama's growl echoed through the sealed space, low and furious. "You arrogant little—!"
But before he could finish, Menma's spiritual form faded, his consciousness retreating.
"You brat!" Kurama roared, slamming one massive paw into the ground, shaking the sealed chamber. But Menma was gone.
The fox's crimson eyes softened just for a moment as he muttered to himself:
"Those two… or maybe just you, old man… What are you planning, Minato?"
Menma's consciousness returned to reality. He opened his eyes, the faint flicker of the Kyūbi's chakra still pulsing beneath his skin.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
He could almost feel it—the moment was approaching.
The plan was set.
The groundwork laid.
All that remained was time.
And through his recent battle, Menma could feel the Nine-Tails' chakra flowing through him with greater ease. The bond between host and beast had shifted ever so slightly. His control, his synchronization—it had grown sharper, stronger.
'From now on,' Menma thought, 'I'll sit back and watch it all unfold.'
He cast one last glance toward the direction Orochimaru had gone, then straightened and began walking back toward the clearing.
The entire exchange with Orochimaru had taken less than an hour.
When Menma finally returned to where Team 7 had been attacked, he found the clearing empty—only broken branches and faint scorch marks remained.
Naruto and Sasuke were gone.
He expanded his sensory field, focusing carefully.
"There… eight o'clock direction," he murmured.
In an instant, chakra flared beneath his feet, propelling him forward through the trees like a blur of gold and red light.
"Who's there!?"
The voice was sharp, trembling slightly.
Menma landed quietly just outside a hollow tree.
When the pink-haired kunoichi turned, her expression shifted from fear to overwhelming relief.
"It's me, Sakura," he said calmly.
"Menma-kun!"
Her eyes widened, and the tension in her shoulders melted away.
The battle with Orochimaru had shaken her deeply. The sight of Naruto and Sasuke unconscious—so easily defeated—had filled her with dread. Moving their bodies to this hollow for safety was all she could manage.
Since then, she had been waiting—hoping, praying that Menma would return.
Now, seeing him standing there, calm and unhurt, that fear began to fade.
For the first time since the battle began, Sakura Haruno allowed herself to breathe.
As long as Menma was here, everything would be alright.
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