"Then, all subsequent matters will be entrusted to your village. This is the deposit for the mission. We will not trouble Takigakure any further."
After confirming the final details of the commission and handing over the agreed-upon advance payment on the spot, Menma rose from his seat with a satisfied expression.
"Ah, then please allow me to prepare a small gift for the two of you."
With Shibuki and Shiranui Shisha personally seeing them off, Menma and Karin departed Takigakure along the same route they had taken upon arrival, disappearing gradually from sight.
Shibuki's face remained filled with unconcealed excitement.
This was the first major external diplomatic negotiation he had successfully concluded since assuming leadership. In the eyes of the young Takigakure leader, this mission would undoubtedly bring substantial benefits to the village and perhaps even some hidden advantages that could not yet be perceived.
"Leader, was it really appropriate to accept this mission so readily?"
Shiranui Shisha spoke from the side, his expression dark and restrained. "After all, this matter involves Konohagakure. If we are careless, Takigakure could be drawn into a dangerous and unpredictable vortex."
His concern was not without reason. Yet, in the present shinobi world, competition among villages for mission allocation was common. Even when a task involved the Land of Fire and Konoha, risks were often weighed against tangible benefits. Profit and danger had always coexisted.
There was no such thing as gain without risk.
However, Shisha's objection was not purely based on prudence.
He had once coveted the position of village leader himself, and even now harbored ambitions of undermining Shibuki's authority. How could he willingly allow Shibuki to consolidate his leadership through political achievements?
"Shisha-san," Shibuki replied calmly, though with an uncharacteristic firmness, "this matter has already been decided. Elder Chōbei was consulted, and his stance was clear. Since the mission has been accepted, we will carry it out according to Takigakure's rules."
This resolute response caught Shisha off guard.
His expression chilled instantly.
The earlier discussion had already left him dissatisfied, and being confronted so directly only fueled the anger simmering in his chest. Yet this was the main gate of the village and Shibuki was still its leader.
Shisha forcibly suppressed his rage.
With a cold snort, he turned and walked away.
Don't give me an opening, Shibuki… and you old fools. Don't push me too far. If I'm truly driven into a corner then I'll burn this village to the ground.
A murderous glint flickered in Shisha's eyes as he departed.
Shibuki watched his retreating figure, a trace of helplessness crossing his face. By nature, he disliked confrontation. Moreover, the concerns Shisha voiced were not entirely unfounded.
Shibuki was a man who wished for stability above all else. Yet from the current perspective, this mission truly could bring great benefit to both Takigakure and himself.
Remembering the teachings of the late former leader, as well as Elder Chōbei's recent counsel, Shibuki slowly clenched his fists.
I must not disappoint them.
Internal strife within Takigakure aside
On the other side, Menma and Karin had already moved far beyond the village's borders.
Once they were completely clear of Takigakure's surveillance range, both released their Transformation Technique, restoring their original appearances.
Recalling how smoothly the negotiations had gone, Menma's lips curved upward slightly.
"Menma, I still don't understand," Karin said at last, unable to contain her confusion. "Why Takigakure?"
She truly could not comprehend his intentions. Of course, this was because she had not yet grasped the full scope of Menma's plans. From her perspective, many of his actions seemed unnecessary or even contradictory.
Menma chuckled softly.
"Takigakure is for future arrangements," he said plainly. "Karin, didn't I tell you before? We need a stable foundation for what comes next. Orochimaru-sama is useful, but he's not someone we can rely on completely."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"I don't trust Orochimaru-sama and truthfully, he doesn't trust me either. Our relationship is nothing more than mutual exploitation. That's why I need to prepare other paths in advance. This visit to Takigakure was simply an initial probe… a test."
"I see…"
Karin nodded slowly, then frowned. "Does that mean we might join Takigakure in the future? But we went there using a Transformation Technique. Won't that cause problems?"
"It's too early to say," Menma replied with a calm smile. "I just needed to observe. Shibuki himself is… interesting. But everything depends on what happens next."
Because of Shibuki.
Because of the Hero Water.
And more importantly
Because Takigakure possessed the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.
If possible, Takigakure was Menma's ideal foothold.
Of course, he was fully aware of how difficult it would be to truly control a shinobi village.
But difficulty was not a reason to retreat.
It was one of the few viable paths forward.
As for the outcome, only time would decide.
Three years.
Not too much. Not too little.
Enough to change everything.
"And the mission itself?" Karin asked suddenly, eyes widening as realization struck. "The people you asked them to search for, who exactly are they?"
Menma glanced at her, then spoke evenly.
"That mission is partly a pretext. We couldn't simply walk into a village and demand an audience with its leader without reason, could we? More importantly, the task can be carried out over a long period. It gives us an excuse to maintain contact with Takigakure."
He continued without pause.
"As for the targets. first, the descendants of Suzaku Gōsai, the former daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools, whom I promised Urushi I would look for. Second, scattered survivors of the Uzumaki clan across the shinobi world. And finally… a few other candidates of interest."
"I understand," Karin said softly, nodding.
"In the end," Menma murmured, turning his gaze back toward the distant mountains concealing Takigakure, "the future depends on both our choices and theirs."
A faint smile surfaced at the corner of his lips.
"Let's go, Karin. It's time to return."
"Yes."
Their chakra flared simultaneously.
Side by side, Menma and Karin accelerated forward, their figures vanishing swiftly as they headed back toward the borders of the Land of Rice Fields.