Behind Menma, naturally, was the Nine-Tails, its entire body a crimson red.
Behind Fu...
Stood a giant azure beetle with three pairs of greenish-blue wings and a single tail.
This was the Seven-Tails—Chomei!
"Is this the Nine-Tails?"
Unlike Menma's calm expression upon seeing Chomei...
The moment Fu saw the Nine-Tails, her small face was filled with shock and excitement. This was the first time Fu had seen a Tailed Beast other than the Seven-Tails, and her first experience was seeing the Nine-Tails, known as the strongest.
Fu's emotions were imaginable.
"Heh, nice to meet you, Chomei. I am Menma Uzumaki."
Menma looked up at the Seven-Tails Chomei, which was almost the same size as the Nine-Tails, and said with a smile.
Actually, among the major Tailed Beasts, some were irritable, and some were gentle.
The Seven-Tails Chomei belonged to the gentle faction, or more accurately, Chomei was a steady type of existence.
At least it wouldn't be as berserk as the One-Tail Shukaku.
Of course, this also had a certain relationship with their respective circumstances.
"You actually know my name? Kurama, did you tell this little guy?"
Opposite him, the Seven-Tails Chomei was clearly somewhat surprised that Menma called out its name as soon as he spoke. Its eyes looked straight at the Nine-Tails opposite, speaking in a very steady voice.
"Hmph, don't talk nonsense. I never told this guy anything. He knew it all himself, including my name. This guy even knows about the Old Man!"
The Nine-Tails snorted lightly.
"Hmm!? What did you say?"
If Chomei was only slightly surprised before that the Nine-Tails suddenly changed his nature and told his name to his Jinchuriki, and even told their names...
Now Chomei was truly shocked.
Menma knew it himself!?
And he even knew about the Old Man?
How was this possible!?
Could it be?
Almost instantly.
Chomei's eyes widened like copper bells, staring fixedly at Menma below. A thought surfaced in its mind—one that even it found ridiculous, yet seemed to be the only explanation in this moment.
Eh? The Nine-Tails' name is Kurama? He knew it himself? Ah? Old Man? Ah? Who is that again?
While shocked, Fu also felt infinitely bewildered.
Especially regarding the "Old Man" mentioned in their conversation.
Fu had absolutely no idea who they were talking about.
"Heh, Chomei, Kurama didn't lie to you. I indeed know everything, including a bit about that person. However, it's too early to discuss that today. I wanted to meet you in advance today for a more important matter right now. Therefore, I need to acquire a portion of your chakra."
Menma smiled slightly.
Menma actually couldn't be sure if he was the reincarnation of Asura. But if he had to say, Menma felt that his cheap brother—Naruto—was the one carrying Asura's chakra. In other words, compared to "Naruto Uzumaki" in the original story, he lacked a very critical growth factor.
Relying solely on the Nine-Tails, Sage Mode, and his own Uzumaki bloodline, stepping into the level of the Six Paths was almost impossible.
Then Menma had to find another way!
Where did the nine Tailed Beasts come from?
The Ten-Tails!
And the Ten-Tails was the key to the original power of the Otsutsuki clan.
Menma could think of a few methods and paths, but they all had one common point: the power of the Ten-Tails was indispensable.
Whether it was useful or feasible, Menma didn't know.
After all, he couldn't truly resurrect the Ten-Tails.
It was merely gathering the chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts.
No one had truly implemented this in the original story, but this was the most reliable approach Menma could think of currently.
The world of Naruto.
This was a world that emphasized bloodline!
If Menma wanted to become stronger and reach the true peak, the most reasonable and reliable method was to continuously purify his bloodline power.
Raising it to a level close to the main Otsutsuki family.
"My chakra?"
"Chomei's chakra?"
Hearing Menma's words, both the Seven-Tails and Fu were stunned subconsciously.
"Can you withstand different Tailed Beast chakras alone? What method will you use to preserve it? And what use does this have?"
Before Chomei could say anything, Fu asked in advance, a special gleam flowing in her bright, big eyes.
"That's naturally because I have the Uzumaki bloodline, and I'm proficient in sealing jutsu. Cutting off a portion of Chomei's chakra and sealing it into my own body is completely fine. As for the use, doing so can make me stronger. For me now, or rather for our Hidden Waterfall Village, time is the most pressing factor. Fu, knowing my identity, you should understand that it will be exposed sooner or later. At that time, both the village and I will bear immense pressure and risk. We must become as strong as possible before then. And Chomei's chakra can shorten this period for me."
After taking a deep breath, Menma looked at Fu and the Seven-Tails Chomei with a very serious expression.
Hearing Menma's words...
Fu's expression also became very stern.
Although she was also young, just a year or two older than Menma, Fu was much more mature than ordinary peers. Lack of experience was one thing, but she could equally understand Menma's words and see the current situation clearly.
"Of course I understand that, but I still don't understand why Chomei's chakra can make you stronger? Can you absorb Chomei's chakra to use? Mixed with Nine-Tails... cough... Kurama's chakra?"
Fu looked at Menma with an incomprehensible expression and asked.
"Mhm, that's certainly not it. It's not very convenient for me to say right now, and it's all still on a theoretical level. Whether it will succeed, I actually can't say for sure."
Menma shook his head with a bitter smile.
This wasn't really hoodwinking Fu.
Menma truly wasn't sure if he could succeed smoothly. After all, if this stuff were so easy to achieve, "Otsutsuki" could be mass-produced. In fact, in Menma's plan, this was merely a step. Even if it was the most important step, it ultimately needed support from other aspects.
What the nine Tailed Beasts gathered was chakra.
Next was physical strength.
Which was commonly known as the Sage Body in the original story. There was also evolution on the spiritual level, the power of all creation, and the level of Kekkei Mora.
Anyway, since he couldn't find a suitable path...
Menma planned to grab everything indiscriminately, making a hodgepodge. If he could find a suitable path in the future, he would change course.
If not...
Then "take it all"!
Success means evolution.
Failure means explosion!
Menma had a clear understanding of this.
In the current experiments, every item was proceeding in an orderly manner.
"Is that so? Chomei, what do you think?"
Fu frowned slightly. After nodding gently, she shook her head again, then looked up at the massive Seven-Tails behind her and asked.
"You don't intend to collect chakra only from me, right?"
After a moment of silence, the Seven-Tails Chomei spoke in a somewhat low voice.
While speaking, it also glanced at the Nine-Tails on the opposite side.
Noticing Chomei's gaze, the Nine-Tails also snorted subconsciously.
With just this glance, and because they were in a special mental space where Tailed Beasts had their own unique connection, Chomei obtained the content it wanted to know from the Nine-Tails.
Seemingly calm on the surface, Chomei was actually churning violently inside.
Menma's pupils flashed with a faint gleam. Then, he nodded slowly and said, "This is just the first step!"
This was clearly an affirmative answer.
Causing a unique gleam to appear in Chomei's pupils as well.
"So that's how it is? Then I understand. No problem, I can gift you a portion of my chakra!"
Chomei nodded gently, then extended one of its forelimbs straight toward Menma.
Menma extended his right hand knowingly.
The two touched gently.
The next second.
A special wave of chakra was transmitted as desired.
A feeling completely different from the Nine-Tails' chakra.
The moment it entered Menma's body...
Menma's hands immediately formed seals. The special sealing jutsu released accordingly sealed and preserved this massive chakra directly into his body.
Second portion!
The moment he acquired it...
An obvious faint smile appeared on the corner of Menma's mouth.
Even if his plan couldn't be realized smoothly, obtaining more of these Tailed Beast chakras would still enhance Menma's own combat power to a certain extent.
This could tentatively be considered "different attribute" chakra.
It might also exert different excellent effects when facing different enemies.
"Eh, eh, eh, um, Menma-kun, if you succeed, can you tell me this method too? I also want to become as strong as possible. Um, at that time, um... give me a little chakra from Kurama too?"
Just as Menma and Chomei finished touching fists and a smile appeared on Menma's lips...
Opposite him, Fu seemed to think of something. Looking at Menma with an eager expression, she hesitated a tiny bit, but ultimately spoke decisively.
"Hm? Oh, that is naturally fine. However, you don't have the Uzumaki bloodline. Even if I really succeed, whether you can do it is hard to say. I can only say we'll see then."
Menma was stunned at first, then responded with a faint smile.
He really hadn't expected Fu to have such thoughts.
But on second thought, it felt very normal. Ninja wanting to become stronger was natural. Since he explained it so clearly just now, it would be strange if she had no desire at all.
Only the Nine-Tails snorted as if very displeased.
How could his chakra be easily given to others to use?
If he didn't feel Menma was the Sage of Six Paths, or closely related to him, he wouldn't be willing to help Menma like this.
An agreement is an agreement.
Facts are facts.
These are two different things!
Opposite him, Chomei obviously noticed the Nine-Tails' emotional change. An anthropomorphic smile seemed to appear on that large face.
Seeing this scene...
Chomei became even firmer in its inner thoughts.
It seems this little guy really has a very close relationship with the Old Man, maybe even possibly...
Looking at Menma's clear face...
Chomei thought silently.
"Mhm, true. Then I'll wait for your good news, Menma-kun!"
After frowning in thought, Fu said with a very expectant look.
As a ninja...
Her desire to become stronger would absolutely not lose to anyone.
Especially after the village just experienced such an event, Fu hoped even more in her heart to gain stronger power to protect everything she cherished.
"Alright, let's stop here for today. Later..."
Menma smiled gently and spoke words of farewell directly.
"Eh, eh, eh, eh, wait a minute! I have one more question. Who is the Old Man you mentioned just now? I feel like you guys are hiding something from me?"
But before he could finish, he was interrupted directly by Fu. This girl glanced at Chomei behind her with ultimate curiosity, then stared straight at Menma and asked.
"Heh, that question isn't for me to answer, Fu. If Chomei is willing to tell you."
Menma was stunned at first, then a smile appeared on his face.
"Eh? Ah?"
Then, without waiting for Fu to say more...
Menma waved his hand and disappeared directly from this broad mental world.
Consciousness returned.
Eyes reopened.
Although he looked the same as before...
Menma could tangibly sense the other chakra sealed within his body, and he could use this chakra at any time.
"Then I won't disturb you, Fu. See you next time."
As Fu opposite him just opened her eyes...
Menma flickered, arriving directly at the door. While speaking this sentence, he pushed open the door, exploded chakra from the soles of his feet, and flashed away directly.
Watching Menma's figure speeding away...
Fu stomped her feet in annoyance.
Especially after sensing that Chomei inside her had also fallen silent...
Fu's small face immediately revealed a look full of unhappiness.
"Hey, Chomei! Tell me, who does 'Old Man' refer to? Hey! Hey! Hey!"
"Ahhh! I'm so curious!!!"