But if he were to refuse Menma's invitation?
Utakata also felt it was inappropriate.
To put it bluntly, the Cloud ninja's assault had truly taught Utakata a lesson. If Menma hadn't arrived, Utakata truly wasn't sure if he could have successfully escaped Darui's pursuit.
Either the opponent's chakra would run out, or the Mist ninja squad chasing him would arrive—neither option was particularly good.
Therefore, Menma could be considered to have saved Utakata's life.
Looking at the red-haired boy opposite him...
A faint sense of relief surfaced involuntarily in Utakata's heart. But just a second later, Utakata instantly felt very strange.
Why did he have this feeling?
It was clearly their first meeting.
"I..."
Just as Utakata was about to say something...
Suddenly.
A very gentle voice sounding deep in Utakata's heart, audible only to him, made Utakata pause slightly.
After taking a deep breath, Utakata stepped forward and extended his fist directly.
The moment Menma saw it...
He was stunned at first, then revealed a smile and extended his right hand as well.
Then, under Kabuto Yakushi's baffled and even slightly weird expression, their fists touched.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
The two became silent.
Kabuto's eyes were full of confusion, unable to understand what they were doing. He wanted to say something but was afraid of disturbing Menma, forcing himself to suppress the urge.
After a full several minutes...
The two finally took other actions.
They lowered their fists synchronously.
At this moment, in Kabuto's eyes, he could clearly see a very joyful smile on Menma's face.
No words were needed.
Just seeing Menma's smile, Kabuto could 100% guess the result. But precisely because of this, Kabuto was even more puzzled.
Just touch fists, look at each other for a few minutes, and it's OK!?
What on earth were they doing?
Kabuto expressed that he truly couldn't understand.
But incomprehension could only be buried in his heart; he couldn't ask a single word. Anyway, Menma wouldn't tell him.
"Then, welcome aboard, Utakata-san. We are comrades from now on; just call me by my name!"
Menma said with a smile.
"Mhm, please take care of me in the future, Menma-kun."
Utakata nodded heavily in response.
Same fist bump, different experience.
But Utakata clearly got the answer he wanted. Menma might not be his best destination, but he was at least the only best choice at the moment.
And he was willing to believe in Menma's character, that he wouldn't deceive him lightly.
Not to mention there were two—oh, no, three—Tailed Beasts endorsing Menma. Just for this point, Utakata was willing to gamble on Menma.
He believed his future self would definitely not regret today's choice.
"Heh, then congratulations to Menma-kun and Utakata-san."
Kabuto on the side also spoke words of congratulations with a face full of smiles.
Regardless of how Menma did it...
This mission was ultimately completed successfully.
Although Utakata joined Menma's side, not theirs, his Lord Orochimaru and Menma had an alliance relationship, and there were corresponding agreements regarding Tailed Beast chakra research.
One more Tailed Beast...
Would lead to a deeper understanding in this area of research.
Ever since Menma leaked a lot of intelligence to Orochimaru in advance, it had opened many brand-new worlds for this ninja world's research maniac. How far Orochimaru would go in the future was unknown, but it was 100% certain that it would be even more exaggerated than in the original story.
Immediately after.
Kabuto began basic treatment for Utakata. It must be said, worthy of being one of the top medical ninja in the ninja world under Tsunade; in less than a few minutes, under the coverage of Kabuto's medical jutsu, Utakata's previous injuries, including the external trauma from the backlash of his own Tailed Beast Ball, were rapidly repaired one by one.
Utakata's pale face gradually revealed a bit of rosiness as the injuries recovered.
Feeling his body recovering rapidly...
Utakata rarely took a few extra looks at Kabuto. He wasn't a novice ninja who knew nothing. As a former member of the Hidden Mist Village who had wandered the ninja world for so long, Utakata knew all too well how difficult it was to train a medical ninja. Even a beginner medical ninja required a massive amount of time and corresponding talent and aptitude; chakra control was just one aspect.
Medical jutsu solidly required Yang Release chakra.
Therefore, the number of medical ninja in the ninja world was outrageously low. Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, only the Hidden Leaf possessed a complete and perfected medical ninja system.
Other ninja villages, even the Rock and Cloud, appeared somewhat stretched, let alone the remaining ones.
And most of these medical ninja were just beginner-level existences. Many could only become proficient slowly with the passage of time and accumulation of experience, but such growth was obviously very limited.
An excellent medical ninja like Kabuto, who could use medical jutsu effortlessly to repair every injury precisely and do so in such a short time, was truly rare in the vast ninja world.
"Alright. The remaining internal injuries can be recovered quickly with some oral medication after we return."
After finishing the treatment...
Kabuto pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and said with a smile.
"Heh, truly troublesome for you, Kabuto-san."
Menma said with a smile.
Utakata on the side also bowed slightly while expressing thanks.
"Menma-kun and Utakata-kun are too polite. This is what I should do. Then, we shall..."
Kabuto smiled lightly.
Before he could finish his sentence...
"Hmm!?"
Suddenly.
Kabuto sensed something.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Biting his finger, he formed seals directly.
Poof!
A small green snake only about two meters long appeared on the ground. Immediately after, it spat out a small scroll from its mouth.
Whoosh!
After Kabuto took it, the small green snake turned into a puff of smoke and disappeared again.
When Kabuto opened the scroll and saw the content recorded inside, his face instantly turned gloomy.
"Is it content related to the stronghold?"
Menma raised his eyebrows slightly and asked softly.
"Yes, as Menma-kun said, it is intelligence related to the stronghold. Next, I might need to trouble Menma-kun!"
Kabuto took a deep breath, then handed over the scroll in his hand directly.
Menma took it, scanned it slightly, and his eyes hardened accordingly.
"Heh, was it actually done by our old friend? Truly interesting! Then? Who is responsible for following that side now?"
Menma chuckled lightly, speaking with a hint of surprise.
This scroll clearly stated that the destruction of the previous stronghold was the work of Leaf ninja, specifically Root ninja under Danzo Shimura.
Orochimaru and Danzo could be considered to have a lingering relationship.
With a bit of time and effort...
Orochimaru's side could still investigate any conflict or accident.
The reinforcements mentioned earlier were partly to continue searching for Utakata's location and partly to investigate the truth behind the stronghold's destruction.
If it were other ninja villages or forces, it would take more time and might not necessarily be confirmed. But with Danzo, it was different!
In the Leaf, there were still "eyes" exclusive to Orochimaru!
"It's Sasuke-kun leading the team. Lord Orochimaru also considered that Sasuke-kun could better cooperate with Menma-kun!"
Kabuto paused, then continued.