Uchiha Obito was dead.
This was an established fact.
Both Sasuke and Naruto breathed sighs of relief. The great hatred had been avenged. With no lingering resentment in their hearts, they felt life would only improve from here.
Black Zetsu still lay on the ground at this moment. His injuries were too severe. He'd been shocked by Naruto's overwhelming strength. Internal and external damage riddled his entire body. Now, forced into cooperation with Naruto, he thought: Since it's a cooperative relationship, surely he'll heal my injuries.
So Black Zetsu spoke up. "Naruto-san, will you help me heal my injuries before we discuss cooperation?"
Naruto looked down at Black Zetsu, then squatted and placed healing ointment beside him. Naruto felt disgusted by this black body, so he stated flatly, "Do it yourself. Don't worry. You're from the Ōtsutsuki family, after all. You won't die so easily."
Black Zetsu: "..." Although I belong to the Ōtsutsuki clan, I can't even move right now! How can I do it myself?!
Black Zetsu felt deeply aggrieved, but he didn't dare provoke Naruto with words. If Naruto became angry, Black Zetsu would end up like Obito. Before saving his mother, he absolutely must endure this humiliation.
"Naruto, are we still going to save my mother as planned?" This was what Black Zetsu cared about most.
"Of course not." Naruto glanced at Black Zetsu dismissively. "I have a better method. Just wait for my news. Don't worry. I will definitely rescue your mother. Because I want to be friends with her."
This statement, Naruto delivered with complete sincerity. In the Boruto world, he'd heard legends of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Unfortunately, that world's Kaguya had already been defeated by Sasuke and Naruto together. He'd missed the opportunity to meet her.
Fortunately, this world's Kaguya Ōtsutsuki still existed. He'd let Kaguya out, befriend her first, then persuade her not to harm this world. If she didn't listen, he'd just beat her into submission.
"As long as you sincerely rescue my mother, both she and I are willing to be your friends." Sensing Naruto's genuine words, Black Zetsu also spoke with sincerity.
"Sasuke, come here." Naruto called out. Sasuke approached.
"Put a Flying Thunder God mark on him so we can contact him later." Naruto spoke as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
The situation was stronger than his pride. Black Zetsu could only give up resistance and allow Sasuke to plant the Flying Thunder God mark on his body. Sasuke nodded at Naruto after completing the task, then stepped back.
"Alright, Black Zetsu, wait for my news. During this period, don't cause any trouble. If I find out you did, you can go keep Obito company."
Finally, Naruto didn't forget to issue a warning.
After hearing this, Black Zetsu naturally expressed that he would obediently wait for Naruto's contact. With such severe injuries currently, it would probably take considerable time just to heal.
Afterward, ignoring Black Zetsu lying on the ground, Naruto took Kakashi and Sasuke back to the small courtyard at the back mountain farm.
"So fast?" Seeing Kakashi and Naruto returning, Jiraiya sounded surprised.
Naruto glanced at Jiraiya, speaking with lingering annoyance. "Jiraiya-sensei, tell me, what exactly do you want by coming here?"
"I..." Jiraiya looked at Naruto, who still showed anger. Finally he sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I misunderstood you. You know, I've been traveling outside all these years. I genuinely didn't know they had such a terrible impact on your childhood."
"Don't talk about these past events anymore. I'm living a good life now. I have elders and relatives." Naruto looked at Kakashi. Kakashi's dead fish eyes showed crow's feet forming with his slight smile. "And I have many good friends." Naruto looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke immediately puffed out his chest, supporting Naruto's statement.
After finishing, Naruto looked directly at Jiraiya. "I'll just ask: Do you still think it was wrong for me to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Jiraiya looked at Naruto's serious, stern face. He spoke without hesitation. "I was wrong. You were not wrong."
Hearing this statement, Naruto suddenly smiled warmly. "Welcome home, Jiraiya-sensei."
"You brat, why call me 'sensei'? I'm your father's teacher. You should call me Master Jiraiya." Seeing that Naruto finally stopped blaming him, Jiraiya relaxed and spoke with a smile.
Naruto blinked at Jiraiya, joking playfully. "I just assumed Jiraiya-sensei wanted to take me as a student for training. If that's not called 'sensei,' what else would I call you?"
"Er..." Speaking of training Naruto, Jiraiya felt somewhat embarrassed. Considering his strength versus Naruto's strength, how could he possibly lead Naruto in practice? After thinking briefly, Jiraiya suddenly declared, "Alright, Naruto! Although I'm not stronger than you, I do have certain skills I can pass on."
"Don't even think about it!" Hearing this, Naruto immediately waved his hands in refusal. He knew exactly what Jiraiya's signature abilities were. He glanced at Jiraiya, still sitting in his wheelchair, and spoke calmly. "Jiraiya-sensei, if you don't want to remain in a wheelchair like you are now, you can continue following your current lifestyle."
"Uh, uh..." Jiraiya felt extremely embarrassed.
After reminding the inappropriately minded Jiraiya, Naruto addressed Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, you don't have to feel sorry for that kind of person anymore. You handled things well."
"Naruto, don't worry. I'm fine." Kakashi shook his head gently.
"Jiraiya-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, please stay for dinner tonight." Having accepted Jiraiya back, Naruto extended a dinner invitation.
Naruto's willingness to accept him made Jiraiya very happy. It lifted a burden from his heart. Jiraiya readily agreed.
Next came another warm dinner gathering.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the day arrived when Naruto had agreed to help Terumi Mei.
In the afternoon of this day, Zabuza and Haku came to him. Zabuza held a large package in his hands, placing it before Naruto.
"What's this? Early settlement of my reward?" Naruto looked at the large package curiously.
"No. These are clothes and a mask. Lady Terumi Mei ordered me to bring them. She said that because this is an internal Kirigakure disagreement, and Naruto's identity is too important, if other ninja villages discover you're interfering in another village's internal affairs, it will bring negative consequences." Zabuza explained patiently.
After explaining, Zabuza opened the package. Inside lay a black robe, a mask, and undergarments.
Naruto examined the package contents. He understood Terumi Mei's thinking. It was reasonable. After all, he wasn't someone who caused unnecessary trouble. Since Terumi Mei suggested this approach, he'd simply follow along.
"Okay, I understand. Wait a moment while I change." Naruto picked up the package and walked toward the changing room.
Entering the changing area, Naruto began removing his Hokage robes. He changed into the clothes Terumi Mei had prepared, putting on the undergarments. They fit perfectly. Actually, Terumi Mei clearly knew his measurements well. She'd specially ordered undergarments with reinforced areas, several layers thicker than standard in certain places.
Within minutes, Naruto had changed his clothing from top to bottom. Facing the mirror, Naruto in a black hooded robe, black mask, and black cloth face covering appeared in the reflection.
"Yes, the size is perfect. Although only a pair of eyes are exposed, just looking at these eyes, one can feel they contain an endless starry sky. Someone with such a pair of eyes must have an earth-shattering appearance." Naruto inspected himself after the transformation, honestly commenting on his current look.
When Naruto emerged, Haku's eyes lit up immediately. He praised from the bottom of his heart. "Even with Naruto-kun completely covered, only his eyes exposed, he's full of presence and extremely handsome."
Zabuza remained silent.
Naruto smiled. "Haku, you have excellent taste." Then he changed subjects, asking, "Zabuza, did Lady Terumi Mei have anything else to explain?"
Zabuza immediately responded. "Since Naruto-kun's identity cannot be exposed, naturally you cannot use your own name. I must trouble Naruto-kun to create a name for this identity first."
Naruto nodded. That made sense. "A new name? Let me think about it."
Naruto immediately fell into thought. Soon, inspiration struck. "My father is Namikaze Minato, so I'll also take the 'Namikaze' part at the beginning. As for the latter part, the last time I went shopping with Hinata, those fermented bamboo shoots were delicious, so..."
Naruto looked at Zabuza and Haku. "My current identity is Ninja Ranger... Namikaze Menma."
Namikaze... Menma... Zabuza's mouth twitched. He spoke helplessly. "It's... quite casual..."
Haku's eyes lit up and he showed a genuine smile. Naruto-kun is so straightforward and admirable. Haku smiled warmly. "This name is really nice. Then, Namikaze Menma-san, shall we go now?"
"Let's go!" Naruto agreed, immediately following Zabuza and Haku to meet Terumi Mei.
Soon, under Zabuza's leadership, Naruto arrived at an underground base not far from Kirigakure Village. The base was massive. Because light couldn't penetrate underground, torches filled the surroundings everywhere.
Within the base, thousands of people had gathered. All were Kirigakure ninja: jonin, chunin, and genin alike.
These people stood quietly, radiating murderous intent. As long as Terumi Mei gave the order, these thousands would directly attack Kirigakure and eliminate Yagura Karatachi.
As for Terumi Mei herself, she currently sat on a boulder, eyes closed in meditation. Beside her stood Chojuro and Ao, eyes full of vigilance. Their task was ensuring Terumi Mei's absolute safety.
Suddenly, Terumi Mei opened her eyes and looked at three people walking into the base. One was covered in a black robe, wearing a black mask, full of mystery. A pair of azure blue pupils resembled a bizarre vortex. Anyone who looked into them felt their mind being absorbed.
On both sides of the black-robed man stood Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and his follower Haku.
Seeing the man in black, Terumi Mei breathed a sigh of relief. The tension brought by the upcoming decisive battle seemed to disappear without a trace at this moment.
Zabuza, Haku, and the black-robed man approached Terumi Mei. The black-robed man saluted respectfully. "Ninja Ranger Namikaze Menma. I've come to meet Lady Terumi Mei."
Hearing the name "Namikaze Menma," the corners of Terumi Mei's mouth couldn't help twitching. She glanced at Zabuza questioningly.
Zabuza immediately explained. "Lady Terumi Mei, this Namikaze Menma-san is a good friend I met during my travels. He's here to assist me."
Zabuza's explanation was obviously for those who didn't know Naruto's true identity.
Terumi Mei nodded. A bamboo shoots... as long as Naruto likes it.
Chojuro and Ao couldn't help wanting to laugh hearing Naruto's self-introduction, but they didn't dare laugh on such a serious occasion. They had to suppress it.
"Menma-san, thank you very much." Terumi Mei, Ao, and Chojuro immediately saluted Naruto. Although they knew Naruto's true identity, they still had to follow protocol.
"Are you ready, Lady Terumi Mei?" Naruto asked.
"Ready. Morale has reached its peak. Suitable for decisive battle." Terumi Mei nodded, then walked up to a specially built high platform, looking at the Kirigakure ninja below.
The ninja below also looked firmly at Terumi Mei on the high platform.
After pausing for several minutes, Terumi Mei finally spoke. Her voice was loud and filled with murderous intent. At this moment, the intellectual, mature Terumi Mei was surrounded by killing intent. She no longer possessed that mature, charming aura.
"Everyone! Today is the time for us to overthrow Yagura Karatachi. For our safety, to no longer be persecuted, for a better homeland and more sufficient living space, today I, Terumi Mei, call on everyone to come together. Let us work together to overthrow Yagura Karatachi's rule and let the accumulated Blood Mist be dispelled by light!"
"Everyone, are you ready to die for this cause?!"
On the high platform, Terumi Mei radiated tremendous presence. Her appealing voice resounded throughout the entire underground base.
After finishing, the ninja below raised their weapons one by one, shouting hoarsely: "For the light! For peace! We must fight! We must fight!"
"Must fight! Must fight!"
"Overthrow Yagura Karatachi!"
For a while, the entire underground base filled with roars of "must fight" and "overthrow Yagura Karatachi."
Naruto observed the momentum of thousands gathered together. The collective force moved him considerably. He looked at Terumi Mei on the high platform. At this moment, Terumi Mei seemed to emit light from her entire body. This kind of radiance made these thousands of ninja willing to follow her to the death.
Seeing the ninja below all excited, Terumi Mei waved her hand. "Then, let's proceed according to the original plan!"
Immediately, one by one, ninja squads departed. Jonin captains, chunin captains, and genin members approached Kirigakure in organized formation.
Terumi Mei beckoned Zabuza, Haku, Ao, Chojuro, and Naruto to the front of the formation, taking the lead position.
The entire force, thousands strong from Kirigakure, approached the village step by step with murderous intent. Overthrow Yagura Karatachi. Just today. Revenge for those with grievances, justice for those with complaints.
Today, Yagura Karatachi must die!
As Terumi Mei led the Kirigakure ninja team approaching, forces within Kirigakure Village loyal to the Mizukage slowly received news. However, obviously, it was already a step too late.
Speed was essential in warfare. Terumi Mei's plan caught them completely off guard.
One by one, even those who received news couldn't react appropriately. They were pulled from position by Terumi Mei's advancing team.
The entire Kirigakure Village suddenly moved upon hearing the news of approaching forces.