---
After discussing the village's defenses and barrier formations, Menma left the council hall. Shibuki watched him go, worry flickering in his eyes before he steeled himself.
"Please protect us, Elder Mizuno. Protect Takigakure."
Takigakure was a ship caught in stormy seas. It was no longer a matter of avoiding the storm; it was about surviving it.
---
Unlike Shibuki, Menma's heart was steady. This was the path he had chosen, and there was no room for doubt. If he had hesitated, he would have remained in Konoha, where safety and familiarity awaited him. But that life was not for him.
Menma wanted to forge a new destiny—one that would prove his worth.
This was his decision.
---
When Menma returned to his quarters, six figures awaited him. Karin and Suigetsu stood on one side, while four young Takigakure ninja stood on the other—three men and one woman, none older than 20.
These four were the most promising recruits Menma had trained over the past two months. Their chakra signatures were the strongest he had sensed in the village. Though their skills were only Chunin level by the standards of the Five Great Nations, Menma saw their potential. With proper guidance, they could become Jonin.
Orochimaru's influence had left Menma with no shortage of advanced training techniques. He had chosen these four to form Takigakure's first core team under his leadership.
"I'll be leaving the village soon," Menma announced, his tone firm. "Suigetsu will oversee the barrier team in my absence. The four of you will report directly to him if any issues arise. Stick to the protocols we established. If there's an emergency, contact Ajun immediately. Understood?"
"Yes!" The group, including Suigetsu, bowed in unison.
Menma nodded in satisfaction. After addressing a few operational details, he dismissed them. Suigetsu and the recruits left the room.
---
"Karin," Menma said, turning to her, "keep an eye on Suigetsu while I'm gone. He's still too impulsive, and we can't afford mistakes right now. If necessary, report to Shibuki directly. This will be a good test of his leadership."
Karin smirked. "Don't worry. I'll keep him in line. But are you sure about leaving so soon? Shouldn't you wait until we've solidified things here?"
Menma chuckled. "It's not time yet. I'm waiting for more information from Orochimaru. And before I leave, there's someone—or something—I need to meet."
Karin tilted her head in confusion. "A person? Or a beast?"
Menma didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted southward, his expression contemplative.
---
There wasn't much left to prepare before departure.
The most crucial task was waiting for updated intel from Yakushi Kabuto. The last report, received several days ago, had only provided a vague location. Rushing in without precise coordinates could result in failing to locate the Six-Tails Jinchūriki. Even under normal circumstances, a Jinchūriki was no ordinary ninja—they were elite Jōnin-level at minimum. Once their tailed beast chakra was unleashed, they could ascend to Kage-level strength.
Tracking someone like that wasn't easy.
In the original timeline, Akatsuki had no trouble thanks to Zetsu, whose scouting abilities were unparalleled. White Zetsu's Spore Technique, Disguise Technique, and Ephemeral Clone Technique had proven time and again to be overpowered tools for surveillance.
Fortunately, Menma didn't fear Zetsu's tracking capabilities.
With his Kagura Shingan (Kagura Mind's Eye), an advanced sensory ability from the Uzumaki bloodline, Menma could detect chakra within a twenty-to-thirty-mile radius. Coupled with the heightened perception granted by the Nine-Tails' chakra, which allowed him to sense malice, even perfect disguises were laughable.
This heightened perception was one reason Menma had confidently left Konoha. Without it, evading Zetsu's detection would have been a nightmare.
However, caution remained essential. Akatsuki's eyes were undoubtedly on the Jinchūriki scattered across the ninja world. The thought of encountering Nagato himself—a man who once led the assault on Konoha to capture the Nine-Tails—was daunting. While Nagato likely wouldn't involve himself directly in this stage of Akatsuki's operations, the possibility of Zetsu's monitoring was high.
Menma knew better than to underestimate them.
Three days passed before Kabuto's next report finally arrived through a secure channel. The intel confirmed the location: the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata, had been spotted near the southeastern coast, in the Land of Spring. Kirigakure's ANBU had engaged him but failed to capture him. Traces of the battle had led Orochimaru's scouts to pinpoint his exact whereabouts.
Menma smirked as he read the message.
Kabuto never disappoints.
He crushed the scroll in his hand and glanced toward the horizon.
"Time to move."
---
Within twenty minutes, Menma arrived at a secluded training ground just outside the village—Fu's designated area. He had visited two days prior, but Fu had been in the middle of an intense session, and Menma hadn't wanted to disturb her.
This time, however, his timing was perfect.
Fu emerged from the training grounds, flanked by her ever-watchful guards, Echizen and Sasaki.
"Eh? Shirogane-san! What brings you here today?" Fu called out, surprised to see him.
"Shirogane-san stopped by two days ago," Echizen said, eyeing Menma cautiously. "But you were still deep in training."
"Oh, I see! Well, come on in!" Fu beamed, gesturing for Menma to follow.
Menma nodded, stepping forward. After sitting down, he wasted no time.
"I'm here to discuss something important, Fu. I've already informed Shibuki-san," he began.
Fu tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What is it?"
"This concerns me," Menma said, his tone serious. "And you. Specifically... Chōmei."
Fu blinked, caught off guard by the mention of her tailed beast.
"Chōmei?"
"Yes. I need to speak with him directly. I know this might sound strange, but it's crucial."
Fu hesitated. "Why would you need to talk to Chōmei? He doesn't usually—"
"It's complicated," Menma interrupted gently, holding her gaze. "But I'll explain everything once we're connected."
Fu studied Menma for a moment. His calm demeanor, combined with the trust Shibuki and Elder Mizuno had shown in him, gave her the confidence to proceed.
Turning to her guards, Fu spoke firmly.
"Echizen, Sasaki, give us some space. I need to speak with Shirogane-san privately."
"What?" Echizen protested immediately, his distrust of Menma evident. "Fu, you can't just—"
"Echizen." Fu's voice was calm but resolute. "Shirogane-san is trusted by the elders and has proven himself to the village. This is my decision."
After a tense pause, Echizen reluctantly nodded, leading Sasaki out of the room. His lingering glare at Menma made it clear he didn't like the arrangement.
When the door closed and their chakra signatures faded, Fu turned back to Menma.
"All right. What now?"
Menma extended his right hand toward her, palm up.
"Let's connect," he said simply. "Through chakra."
Fu hesitated for a brief moment. Then, as if sensing Menma's sincerity, she reached out and placed her hand over his.
In an instant, their chakras intertwined, pulling them into Fu's inner spiritual realm.
---
The transition was seamless.
When their vision cleared, Menma and Fu stood in a vast, glowing space filled with shimmering blue light.
"Where... are we?" Fu murmured, her voice echoing softly.
Before Menma could answer, two enormous chakra auras surged into existence behind them.
The first was dark and oppressive, exuding an unmistakable ferocity: Kurama, the Nine-Tails.
The second was lighter, more playful, though no less powerful: Chōmei, the Seven-Tails.
As the two great tailed beasts loomed over them, Fu instinctively took a step closer to Menma, her eyes wide.
"What's going on?"
Menma smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the towering forms of Kurama and Chōmei.
"It's time for a proper introduction."
---