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This was exactly why Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had kept their mouths shut regarding Menma's identity during the high council meeting. They knew discussing it was pointless. The ticking time bomb had already detonated. They didn't have many options left.
The only real solution would have been to capture Menma immediately, but that was clearly impossible.
Unless Orochimaru suddenly lost his mind and decided to stab Menma in the back—and it would have to be a perfect, fatal strike at that.
This was precisely why Danzo Shimura was throwing a fit inside the Root headquarters. He honestly hadn't expected Orochimaru to have the guts to defy his orders. Even at this stage, Danzo still hadn't realized his true standing; he actually believed Orochimaru was still a subordinate who would follow his every command.
Danzo wanted to cut all ties and order a full-scale hit on Orochimaru. However, considering his other interests, he was forced to swallow his anger. The situation was no longer what it was years ago.
Back when Orochimaru first defected, he desperately needed Danzo's support. But now? Orochimaru had established his own power base. He was no longer someone Danzo could keep on a leash. On the contrary, Danzo needed Orochimaru's help for his own research—whether it was the Sharingan, Wood Release, or other experiments.
Danzo couldn't afford to lose Orochimaru.
So, the "King of Scapegoats" could only curse Orochimaru in private, venting his rage before going back to doing exactly what he had to do.
That was Danzo's limitation.
Meanwhile, the heads of the other clans and the Jonin of the Hidden Leaf maintained a heavy silence regarding the incident.
They couldn't speak up, nor did they want to. The Leaf wasn't the village it used to be; everyone was walking on thin ice. The appointment of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had once given the clans hope for a different future. Tragically, that bright young leader had died just over a year into his term.
The shadow of the "Konoha Old Guard" had loomed over the village once again.
Truth be told, with the death of the Third Hokage, the major clans—led by Shikaku Nara—actually breathed a sigh of relief. They were desperate for a different kind of Hokage.
Tsunade and Jiraiya were their great hope.
They believed that if either of the Sannin took the hat, the Leaf could change—or perhaps, return to what it was meant to be.
'Lord Jiraiya, you have to bring Lady Tsunade back...'
In the Nara Clan compound, Shikaku sat on his porch, gazing at the distant Hokage Rock, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions.
As a clan that was thoroughly integrated into the village's system, Shikaku didn't want to see the Leaf face any more turmoil.
It would be a disaster for them, and for the common people.
---
While Shikaku worried in the village, events were unfolding at the exit of Tanzaku Quarters in the southwest of the Land of Fire.
Jiraiya and his group had successfully found and persuaded Tsunade. They were now preparing to return to the Hidden Leaf.
Things hadn't deviated much from the original history here.
Jiraiya had taken Naruto to find Tsunade.
They had encountered Orochimaru, who was also seeking her.
The same "Battle of the Sannin" ensued, with the same result.
Naruto's hot-blooded spirit and fighting will had inspired Tsunade. The granddaughter of the First Hokage saw the shadows of her late lover and brother in the young boy.
"What's wrong, Naruto? You look down. Did Orochimaru's words actually get to you? That doesn't look like the spirited Naruto I know," Tsunade said with a smile, looking back at the boy trailing behind them.
"Huh? Granny Tsunade? No way, I'm not let down! I was just... thinking about some other stuff," Naruto stammered, clearly panicking.
He was terrible at lying. It was written all over his face.
"You really have zero potential as a liar. It's all right there in your expression," Tsunade laughed, poking Naruto on the forehead.
Naruto froze. His shoulders slumped, and he gave a bitter smile.
"Granny Tsunade... do you think Menma... do you think my brother can ever come back to the Leaf? I know he killed Genma-nii... but... but I..."
Menma had defected. Worse, he had killed Genma Shiranui, a Tokubetsu Jonin, in front of witnesses.
From a legal standpoint, everyone knew there was no turning back for Menma. That was a capital offense. Under Konoha's laws, the only punishment was execution.
But emotionally, Naruto couldn't accept that ending. Call him naive, call him sentimental, but he still hoped Menma could turn back. He still believed Menma was just overwhelmed by resentment, that it was all a misunderstanding fueled by Orochimaru's manipulation.
But during the battle yesterday, Orochimaru's parting words had struck Naruto hard.
He didn't want to believe Orochimaru, but deep down, it felt like the truth.
"If there's something you want to do, then do it. 'I never go back on my word'—isn't that your Nindo, your Ninja Way? Naruto, just follow your heart. Leave the rest to me!"
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, radiating confidence.
She had the authority to say that.
She was returning to become the Fifth Hokage. As the Shadow of the village, she could make the calls.
Rules were rules, but people were flexible.
In the original story, even Orochimaru was allowed to live freely in the end, despite the countless Leaf ninjas who died by his hand. He even killed his own teacher. Yet, because of Naruto, those crimes were eventually brushed aside.
A strong, respected Hokage had the power to bend reality.
Clearly, Tsunade felt she had that kind of clout.
"Yeah, Naruto. Don't hesitate. Do what you feel is right. Tsunade and I will stand right behind you," Jiraiya added, looking at his student with encouraging eyes.
Meeting their gazes, Naruto felt a surge of courage swell in his chest. He nodded heavily.
"Yeah! I get it, Pervy Sage, Granny Tsunade!"
'Menma, I'm going to bring you back. Even if I have to break every bone in your body, I will drag you back home!'
Naruto clenched his fists tight. As he looked toward the horizon, his bright blue eyes seemed to shimmer with a faint, golden glow.
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