Chakra Nature.
This was a basic attribute determined for every ninja at birth. Although one could learn and develop other natures through training later in life, compared to one's innate affinity, the difference was usually quite noticeable.
Without the corresponding chakra nature...
Although one could still use jutsu of that nature, firstly, the amount of chakra consumed would far exceed the norm. Secondly, the power exerted by the same jutsu would be weaker than under normal circumstances.
Because of this, the vast majority of ninja only used jutsu corresponding to their innate chakra nature. This was partly because they might not be qualified to learn too many jutsu, but even more so because they didn't have the capital to waste chakra.
But Menma was different. Although Orochimaru's chakra induction paper test had previously revealed that he only possessed Wind and Fire affinities, setting aside the Nine-Tails' chakra, his own massive reserves were enough for him to squander freely. At least for jutsu below S-rank, he didn't need to care about chakra consumption.
He could use any of the five basic nature transformations he wanted. If the power was slightly weaker, it didn't matter; he could just increase the chakra output to compensate.
The massive lightning dragon before him, in both scale and majesty, was already comparable to the intensity released by any Jonin proficient in Lightning Style jutsu.
Under Menma's control...
The roaring lightning dragon charged.
In the blink of an eye...
It slammed viciously into the giant castle.
Zzzzt-zzzzt-zzzzt!
Accompanied by blinding flashes and deafening thunder...
ROAR!!!!
The castle trembled violently, then let out a shrill, piercing scream.
In the next second...
The pitch-black castle disintegrated before their eyes.
As a thin mist spread out...
Boom!
A massive, dark green lizard, visually estimated to be over a hundred meters long and at least ten meters tall, appeared in the vision of Menma and Karin.
With a pair of crimson eyes, beautiful scales reflecting the twilight of the setting sun, and a chilling wave of chakra permeating the air...
The dangerous aura was palpable.
"!?"
While Menma was startled inwardly, a look of delight appeared on his face. Just this imposing aura alone...
Was enough to prove the power of this Shiromari.
It also solidified Menma's determination to subjugate this beast.
"Humans! Humans! All intruding humans must be eliminated!"
The moment the Shiromari revealed itself, its crimson eyes locked onto Menma's position.
Its aura soared into the sky.
Boom!
Accompanied by a spreading shockwave...
The Shiromari charged toward Menma with a speed completely disproportionate to its massive size.
Remaining in the ninja world for decades...
For this Shiromari, there was only one obsession.
To uphold the command of its former master: kill all enemies invading Shiromari Castle.
In this moment...
Menma was the invading enemy in its eyes.
"Bring it on!"
Seeing the Shiromari, which emitted an aura almost reaching the quasi-Kage level, charging wildly at him...
Menma was not alarmed but delighted.
The stronger the Shiromari, the more it could satisfy Menma's needs, and the more it proved the correctness of his trip.
Clap!
He slammed his palms together.
Chakra erupted once again.
Whoosh!
A rising tide of energy.
Just as the massive figure of the Shiromari pounced... Menma flickered.
Bang!
He easily dodged the lizard's assault, leaping into the air with a turn of his body.
"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
He hurled a shuriken with force.
Forming seals...
A massive amount of chakra erupted.
In the sky...
Countless shuriken suddenly manifested, transforming into a storm of steel.
The quantity was two or three times more exaggerated than when he had first used it.
Shoo!
Shoo!
Shoo!
Shoo!
Shoo!
Shoo!
Precision guidance.
They rained down on the Shiromari below.
ROAR!
Facing the sharp rain of shuriken...
The Shiromari did not retreat but advanced.
Rumble.
It slammed its forelimbs down.
The ground shook.
Layers of massive rock slabs were flipped up into the air.
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding.
Bang.
Crack.
Explosions rang out as the shuriken rain slammed into the rock slabs blocking its path.
The rock slabs shattered.
Rubble rained down piece by piece.
Although this didn't completely block the attack, it created the necessary evasion space for the Shiromari.
Its massive body moved with agility and speed.
It dodged the vast majority of the shuriken assault.
In the next second...
Whoosh!
The Shiromari whipped its tail with immense force. Like lightning, it swept towards Menma, who was suspended in mid-air.
The powerful gust of wind hit him in the face.
This was clearly a situation difficult to evade.
Menma's breath hitched.
Bang!
Just as he managed to raise a defensive guard...
The massive tail slammed heavily into Menma's body, sending him flying.
"Menma!?"
Like a cannonball, he plummeted rapidly.
Thud!
He smashed a large crater into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Watching from the side, Karin's face changed, and she shouted in worry.
But only a second or two later...
Whoosh!
From within the dust cloud...
Menma's figure flashed out. Reappearing, aside from looking a bit disheveled, he had no obvious injuries.
Karin finally let go of the breath she was holding.
'Still a bit of a stretch, huh?'
Menma looked at the berserk Shiromari not far away and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Through the experience accumulation and skill improvement gained from one head-on collision after another since graduation...
And the learning and mastery of various ninjutsu...
The current Menma could no longer be compared to when he first graduated. Now, when unleashing all his means, he could already be said to rival the vast majority of Jonin in the ninja world. But facing a powerful summoning beast like the Shiromari, this strength was still a bit forced.
Boom!
A decision made in less than a second.
Chakra erupted once again.
This time, the chilling aura was different.
A swirling cloak of red chakra rose around him.
Directly utilizing the Nine-Tails' chakra, the piercing cold aura spread out, causing the Shiromari opposite him to freeze momentarily. It could distinctly smell the dangerous scent.
This was a reaction born of biological instinct.