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Hearing Menma nod and agree without the slightest hesitation, the last bit of worry in Jun's heart finally settled. No matter what, their Hidden Waterfall Village was one of the top existences below the Five Great Ninja Villages, and they possessed a Tailed Beast. Jun didn't believe that Menma, who dared to return to the ninja village with him and brought only such a small number of ninja, would have any dangerous intentions.
Of course, this was based on the fact that Jun had absolutely no idea of Menma's true identity. Otherwise, Menma, who could currently unleash chakra intensity equivalent to five or even six tails, could truly stir up a massive wave within the Hidden Waterfall Village.
After all, there were gaps between Tailed Beasts.
From the One-Tail to the Seven-Tails, there indeed wasn't a huge difference in strength. The total amount of chakra differed only marginally. But starting from the Eight-Tails, Gyuki, it was clearly visible that Gyuki was far stronger than any of the preceding seven Tailed Beasts. And when it came to the Nine-Tails, the sheer volume of chakra alone was incomparable to the other seven, let alone its actual combat power. In a one-on-one fight, they would absolutely be ravaged by the Nine-Tails unless they gang-attacked.
This is also why many people say the Sage of Six Paths favored the Nine-Tails too much. All were split from the Ten-Tails, but the amount of chakra the Nine-Tails received was truly excessive.
Whether it reached half is hard to say, but reaching one-quarter or even one-third of the Ten-Tails' total was a high-probability event.
The Nine-Tails was just that broken of an existence.
It was just that Tailed Beasts were too easily countered by the Sharingan and Wood Style. If one could ignore these countering effects...
While the Nine-Tails would likely still be no match for Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju, it certainly wouldn't reach the level of being treated completely like a pet.
It can only be said that the Otsutsuki bloodline power countered the Ten-Tails too strongly. Even though Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju each only possessed half of the Sage of Six Paths' bloodline, the nine Tailed Beasts were not the Ten-Tails.
Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Style were truly enough.
Leaving some personnel behind to clean up the scene, the rest returned together toward the Hidden Waterfall Village.
This coup, which seemed to affect the entire Hidden Waterfall Village, actually involved only two to three hundred Waterfall ninja directly—excluding outsiders like Menma and Aoi. This accounted for only about one-tenth of the Waterfall ninja population.
Logically speaking, a coup happening within the village shouldn't have been resolved so naturally and purely, but in the Hidden Waterfall, and with Shibuki involved, it somehow seemed fitting.
Fortunately, everything ended with the best possible outcome. The so-called neutral Waterfall ninja who remained in the village actively cooperated with Shibuki in the aftermath, escorting prisoners and maintaining stability within the village after Shibuki's victory.
Even though the battle only took place at the main gate...
A significant portion of the civilians in the village still noticed the aftershocks. Everyone connected it to Suien's earlier rebellion; it was impossible not to think too much.
However, the battle ended quickly. Subsequently, Shibuki personally stepped forward to soothe the entire ninja village and bring the situation under control.
The tiny ripples that were stirred up vanished into nothingness. Even if some people had other ideas...
In this situation, they could only suppress them.
Shibuki was, after all, the legitimate leader of the ninja village. Without major accidents or too much external force intervening, no one dared to resist Shibuki's orders or challenge his status. This time was drastically different from the original story.
Shibuki was definitely not fighting alone.
The entire Hidden Waterfall Village returned to its previous pace and rhythm.
Meeting Menma, Jun, and the others as they returned...
Shibuki greeted them at the main gate immediately.
"Lord Shibuki!"
Seeing Shibuki unharmed, Jun finally relaxed completely. When he was dispatched earlier and failed to capture Suien at the designated location, instead falling into the Rain ninja's encirclement, Jun had sensed immense danger approaching.
If not for the support of Tayuya, Suigetsu, and the others, Jun would have already been separated from his head, let alone returning to the village smoothly now.
Since the arrangements against them were so thorough, Jun had ample reason to suspect his leader was facing an even more dangerous situation.
Fortunately, things weren't that bad.
"Mhm, you've worked hard on this trip, Jun-san," Shibuki said with a gentle nod.
"No, it is my duty," Jun replied immediately.
"Go get settled first, then come to the administration hall."
Almost all the returning Waterfall ninja were injured, and Jun was no exception. After all, they were the ones ambushed initially. Several had died in battle, not to mention the injured.
"Yes, Lord Shibuki!"
After bowing, Jun led the injured Waterfall ninja away first.
"Accelerator-san, please come this way."
Only then did Shibuki turn his gaze to Menma, who looked indifferent to the side.
"Mhm!"
Menma nodded with a smile and turned to Tayuya, Suigetsu, and the others, saying, "Wait here for a moment."
"Yes, Lord Accelerator!"
Tayuya, Suigetsu, and the others responded knowingly.
Immediately after.
Menma took Karin and followed behind Shibuki, heading toward the administration hall located in the central area of the Hidden Waterfall Village.
The incredibly spacious administration hall.
All doors and windows were visibly shut tight.
Inside.
Besides Shibuki in the main seat, Fu, Menma, and Karin sat on the right. On the left, besides Jun, there were three other Waterfall ninja with relatively strong chakra auras.
Their ages were all around thirty or forty.
Clearly, they were Jonin holding important positions in the Hidden Waterfall Village. At this moment, these three Waterfall ninja appeared calm on the surface, but under Menma's sensory coverage—which didn't even require deliberate projection—he could clearly "see" the violently fluctuating emotions beneath their calm exteriors.
"I have gathered you all here today to inform you of three matters. First, the rogue ninja Suien has been executed. Apart from the few masterminds including Suien who will be put to death immediately, others who participated in the coup can be dealt with leniently, but necessary punishment must not be waived. Jun-san, Fushimi-san, I leave the specific plan to you two," Shibuki said, looking at Jun and another man with black hair, green eyes, and exaggerated ornaments on both ears.
"Yes, Lord Shibuki!"
"Please rest assured, Lord Leader!"
Jun naturally didn't need much said to him. The green-eyed man also responded hurriedly with a respectful look the moment he heard Shibuki's order.
"Very good."
Shibuki nodded gently. Although he seemed to be the same person, in this moment, these Waterfall ninja who knew Shibuki best felt faintly as if their leader had undergone earth-shattering changes.
"The second matter is next. This is Accelerator-san and Karin-san from the Land of Fire. Starting today, they have officially joined our Hidden Waterfall Village. This has also received the approval of Elder Mizuno Satoru. In the future, I will arrange for Accelerator-san and Karin-san to be responsible for some substantive administrative work. I hope you will all cooperate," Shibuki said, gesturing to Menma and Karin on the right.
Menma still appeared in his disguised young man form. It wasn't time to formally expose his identity yet. Firstly, although these Waterfall ninja were quasi-high-ranking officials, apart from Jun, none were trustworthy. Secondly, the current Menma wasn't qualified to face the entire ninja world yet. Only when he firmly possessed power infinitely close to or exceeding the Super Kage level, and had more trustworthy, reliable, and powerful comrades and subordinates, would it be time to truly reveal himself to the forces of the various nations in the ninja world.
Therefore, until then, Menma still needed to disguise himself. Karin didn't need to; this time, she appeared with her true face.
Although the three Waterfall ninja opposite felt it was somewhat strange, no one voiced their doubts at this moment. After this incident, Shibuki's prestige in the village had solidly increased. Even if he used the Hero Water, the fact remained that Shibuki had defeated Suien head-on and crushed the coup.
Moreover, the strength Menma displayed in the battle just now was witnessed by all.
Purely from the perspective of increasing the ninja village's strength, this was solidly a good thing. As for risks? That was a problem for the leader to consider. If Shibuki felt there was no problem, and there was Elder Mizuno Satoru's endorsement, what did they, the subordinates, have to worry about?
There was nothing to worry about.
"Yes, Lord Shibuki," the three Waterfall ninja replied in a deep voice along with Jun.
"I will be relying on your guidance in the future, seniors," Menma said with a smile, bowing slightly.
Karin also bowed beside him.
"Ah, no, we should be asking Accelerator-san for guidance."
"Welcome to the Hidden Waterfall Village, Accelerator-san. This greatly increases our village's strength."
"Accelerator-san is too polite."
These few Waterfall ninja also spoke with faces full of smiles, looking completely harmonious. Those unaware would think the internal relations of the Hidden Waterfall Village were incredibly good.
"Next is the third matter. Elder Mizuno Satoru passed away just now. as the Elder of our Hidden Waterfall Village and the senior with the deepest qualifications, I do not want any mistakes in Elder Satoru's funeral. Everything must be prepared perfectly. Taru, you will be responsible for the specific affairs. All procedures must be reviewed by me personally. Understood?"
Shibuki paused slightly before speaking the next words.
Causing the faces of Jun and the others to change instantly.
Although Mizuno Satoru's health had been deteriorating since last year, and he had fallen into a deep coma a while ago—with his attending physician, Aokim, even issuing a critical condition notice—Mizuno Satoru had still been alive.
As long as such an old man with immense prestige in the ninja village was alive, he was a deterrent. Now, hearing suddenly that Elder Satoru had passed away, Jun and the others naturally revealed expressions of immense shock. For the Hidden Waterfall Village, and for Shibuki, this was absolutely a major event.
Especially the other three Waterfall ninja—their gazes became slightly peculiar.
But only for a second.
Meeting Shibuki's still-calm gaze...
All three shuddered internally.
If Suien couldn't do it, the three of them shouldn't entertain wild thoughts. Putting aside that Shibuki was the legitimate leader, there was also that terrifying guy Menma standing right there.
They would have to be out of their minds to do anything dangerous.
Therefore, the terrible thought that had just sprouted in their hearts was thrown out of their minds by themselves.
They weren't qualified to go head-to-head with their leader.
"Yes, I will attend to it immediately, Lord Shibuki."
The Waterfall ninja named by Shibuki straightened his body immediately and responded.
"Mhm. The village has just experienced internal strife, so we need sincere cooperation between us even more. I ask you all to do your utmost," Shibuki leaned forward, looking at the three Waterfall ninja on the left with a very serious expression.
Having experienced Suien's rebellion and Elder Mizuno Satoru's death...
Shibuki seemed to have grown up in a single day.
He looked more and more like a leader now.
"Yes, Lord Leader!"
Jun, Taru, and the others stood up hurriedly, responding in unison.
Menma, seeing Shibuki's demeanor from the side, felt both appreciation and wariness in his heart.
Menma's true intention was ultimately to completely control this ninja village.
If Shibuki truly became more excellent in the days to come, infinitely gaining the recognition and respect of everyone in the Hidden Waterfall Village, it would be a significant limitation on Menma's plan.
Menma couldn't very well stage a coup himself, could he?
That wouldn't align with Menma's interests.
However, at this stage, he could only take it one step at a time. Maybe a turning point would appear in the future; the worst outcome would simply be Menma adjusting his plan.
As long as the Hidden Waterfall Village's power could be used by him, that was enough.
This was the minimum requirement.
Immediately after.
After Shibuki gave some other instructions, Jun, Taru, and the others stood up and left one after another.
Even if the Hidden Waterfall Village couldn't compare to the Five Great Ninja Villages, its scale and volume were still significant. These quasi-high-ranking Jonin had a lot of administrative affairs to handle daily, especially now with the important orders Shibuki had issued, which naturally needed to be dealt with immediately.
After they left.
"Fu, don't go out for the time being. Stay in the village first. Wait until the situation is more stable, and until Grandpa Satoru's funeral is over," Shibuki said gently, turning to look at Fu, who had remained silent from beginning to end.
"Mhm, I know, Brother Shibuki. Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll go back for today."
Fu nodded gently.
The usually cheerful and optimistic Fu appeared very low-spirited in this moment. For Fu, Mizuno Satoru was her most important relative. This pain would take time to heal slowly.
Watching Fu's lonely retreating figure...
Shibuki sighed quietly. Fu's parents had died when she was young, and she was raised by Grandpa Satoru. In Fu's heart, Grandpa Satoru definitely ranked first.
Grandpa Satoru's death was a huge blow to Fu.
And ultimately, Fu was only a year or two older than Menma; she was still a child. Shibuki was different. While saddened by Mizuno Satoru's death, this wasn't his first loss. Moreover, being in his twenties, Shibuki's psychological endurance was far stronger than Fu's.
Most importantly, having experienced this incident, the now fully matured Shibuki knew clearly that in the days to come, he had no one to rely on. He had to learn to be strong for himself.
"Fu was raised by Grandpa Satoru personally. For Fu, Grandpa Satoru was her most important relative. Of course, for me, it's the same. Therefore, we are very willing to trust Grandpa Satoru and willing to listen to his teachings."
Shibuki looked in the direction Fu left, speaking softly.
It sounded as if he were talking to himself.
But Menma, who could hear clearly, naturally knew this sentence was meant for him.
"Yes, Elder Satoru was an elder worthy of trust and admiration. Being fortunate enough to listen to Elder Satoru's teachings was a very meaningful and valuable thing for me as well. It was greatly inspiring."
Menma looked straight at Shibuki, speaking completely from the bottom of his heart.
The sincerity revealed...
Shibuki took a deep look at Menma, then nodded slowly: "From now on, I'll be counting on you, Menma-kun!"
"No, I should be asking Shibuki-san to take care of me!"
Menma bowed immediately in return.
Regardless of the future...
At least in this moment, Shibuki fully accepted Menma as a member of their Hidden Waterfall Village. Aside from anything else, Mizuno Satoru's endorsement was enough for Shibuki to make this judgment.
"Then, does Menma-kun have any requests next?" Shibuki looked at Menma inquiringly.
Knowing Menma's identity clearly...
Shibuki naturally knew Menma's situation over the past period. Now, as a newly joined comrade, Shibuki felt obligated to ask about Menma's needs and plans.
"Nothing much in other aspects. Lord Shibuki just needs to provide us with a necessary place to live. Treat us like ordinary Waterfall ninja for the rest. Oh, I also need to leave temporarily for a bit. There are still some loose ends that need to be dealt with."
Menma replied softly.
The Hidden Waterfall Village had been joined, but this was only the first step. There were still many things to arrange later. The most important thing right now was to return to Orochimaru's place.
Some matters needed to be discussed with Orochimaru face-to-face.
Also, he needed to move his laboratory over.