"Are you okay? Genma-niichan?"
Naruto quickly got up, his face full of worry as he looked at Genma Shiranui, who was visibly pale.
"Phew... I'm fine, Naruto. Menma has completely lost his mind. Our only chance to bring him back is to subdue him right here. So, you can't hesitate or hold back!"
Genma took a deep breath, shook his head, and looked at Naruto with a solemn expression.
This was a blatant lie.
But Naruto truly believed it.
"Yeah, I understand, Genma-niichan. I will definitely make my brother turn back!"
Naruto nodded heavily.
A look of firm resolve appeared in his eyes as he stared at Menma.
The next moment...
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto formed the seal.
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Out of thin air, numerous clouds of white smoke appeared all around him.
As the smoke cleared...
Over a hundred shadow clones of Naruto stood in place.
"Relying on force again? So much for mutual understanding between people—it's all a joke!"
This eerily familiar scene...
Caused a smile of utter mockery to curve Menma's lips.
Wasn't this just like Hashirama "advising" Madara, or Naruto "stopping" Sasuke in the original story?
If people could truly understand each other, would force be necessary? In the end, all "truths" are built upon power!
"That's the most ironic part of it all!"
A fierce killing intent surged from Menma's brow.
Boom!
His chakra flared even stronger.
Whoosh!
He took the initiative, flashing forward.
"Let's go!"
"We have to stop Big Brother!"
Naruto's hundred shadow clones shouted in unison, charging straight at Menma.
Bang!
Figures clashed.
Chakra surged.
The fox tail ravaged the battlefield.
In a single exchange...
Menma brutally annihilated several leading shadow clones.
No ninjutsu was needed—just savage, brute force attacks.
Relying entirely on the power of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Whoosh!
Clatter!
Bang!
Weaving through the crowd, Menma proved that none of Naruto's shadow clones could last a single round against him.
Whether in speed or strength...
It was pure domination.
In moments...
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
The clones were struck in their vitals one after another, turning into puffs of white smoke and vanishing.
Genma, who had just rushed into close range, looked even grim.
The disparity in power being displayed...
Far exceeded Genma's initial expectations.
"Ninja Art: Senbon Shower!"
But no matter how strong Menma was...
In this situation, they had to push forward.
A sharp glint appeared in Genma's eyes.
He threw senbon needles from his hand.
Forming seals...
Shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo!
Instantly, the senbon multiplied into countless sharp spikes, raining down on Menma like a storm.
Covering the entire area.
Facing the incoming rain of needles...
Menma's expression didn't change in the slightest, nor did he make any move to dodge.
He simply slapped his hands together.
Clap!
The crimson chakra surged higher.
A roaring tide.
With a violent swing of his chakra tail...
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!
He easily blocked the storm of senbon.
Unstoppable.
Whoosh!
Continuing his relentless assault...
In the next instant, Menma flickered, appearing right in Genma's face.
The moment their eyes met—Genma staring into those blood-red fox slits...
Genma's heart trembled violently.
"Not good!"
A chill rushed through him.
"Hmph!"
At close range...
Menma gave a cold laugh.
He swung his right leg horizontally, slamming heavily into Genma's left side.
Genma reacted quickly. Unable to dodge, he raised his arms to block his side.
Bang!!
But the immense force transferred through his guard...
Sent Genma flying violently, smashing him towards the ground below.
Thud!
Unable to disperse the force or adjust his posture...
Genma crashed heavily onto the earth.
Creating a large crater upon impact.
Under the double impact, sweetness rose in Genma's throat.
Pfft!
He spat out a mouthful of thick blood.
His entire body felt like it was falling apart.
From that height, with that force...
Only a monster could shrug that off.
Menma, diving down after him...
Had no intention of giving Genma any chance to recover.
Knees bent...
Just as he was about to deliver the final blow...
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!!"
From the right...
A green figure suddenly shot out. His right leg whipped out like a hurricane.
Aiming straight for Menma's head.
The blinding speed...
Surpassed almost all Chunin and Genin, rivaling a Jonin.
Even Menma's pupils constricted instinctively.
"But if this is all you've got... it's not enough!"
Looking at Rock Lee within arm's reach, Menma smirked, revealing his savagery.
Lee at this stage...
Even if he opened the Eight Inner Gates!?
Only the first three or four gates...
With just this speed, just this strength...
Whoosh!
Menma neither dodged nor retreated.
Boom!
The Nine-Tails chakra erupted further.
A second tail manifested.
He extended his arm straight out.
Bang!
Intercepting the kick mid-air.
"What!?"
Amidst Lee's shocked expression, Menma forcibly blocked the attack.
Immediately after...
He grabbed.
"!?"
He caught Lee by the ankle, and before Lee could react, viciously flung him in the opposite direction.
Then, Menma dove down.
"Stop, Menma!!! DON'T!!"
Amidst Naruto's desperate screams from behind, too far away to help...
Menma flipped a kunai into his hand and plunged it precisely into Genma's left ventricle.
Squelch!
The cold steel.
The piercing pain.
"Ugh!?"
Genma's expression twisted in agony.
Menma twisted the blade mercilessly, shredding the heart.
"AH!!!"
Genma couldn't hold back a shrill scream.
His strength drained away rapidly.
His vision darkened.
Looking at Menma's cold face right in front of him...
'Is this my retribution? I am so sorry... Lord Fourth...'
A bitter smile touched Genma's face.
That was the last thought that floated through his mind.
The next moment...
Genma's head lolled to the side, and his consciousness plunged into eternal darkness.
One of the Fourth Hokage's most trusted subordinates... died at the hands of Menma.