Menma Uzumaki

The path toward Orochimaru's lair wound through a dense, eerie forest, the kind where even sunlight seemed reluctant to enter. The air grew colder, and the oppressive weight of the Sound Village's atmosphere pressed harder with every step. It wasn't silence that filled the forest—there were sounds, all right—but the wrong kind: the rustle of things that shouldn't be moving, the distant echo of low, guttural growls.

The Sound Four kept their distance, surrounding him in a loose formation as they marched. He kept his head down, his mind racing, though his body betrayed none of the unease crawling beneath his skin. Every step brought him closer to Orochimaru, the man whose mere name could send a chill down the spine of the most hardened shinobi.

The silence between them was unbearable, and it was Tayuya who finally broke it.

"So," she drawled, her tone dripping with disdain, "you got a name, or should we just call you the edgy prick with the weird mask?"

He glanced sideways at her, noting the way her hand toyed with the flute at her side. It was casual, almost dismissive, but he could tell it wasn't just a nervous habit. This girl was wound tighter than a tripwire.

"Name's none of your business," he said, his voice cold.

Tayuya barked a laugh, loud and mocking. "Oh, tough guy, huh? Figures. You don't look like the kind of asshole who can back it up, though."

He smirked faintly, letting the dark chakra flicker to life for just a moment. The faint pulse of energy rippled through the air, causing the others to stiffen slightly.

"Try me," he said, his tone as sharp as a blade.

"Fucking hell, Tayuya, shut it," Jirōbō grumbled from behind them, his deep voice rumbling like a distant avalanche. "He just wiped the floor with Sakon, and you're still running your goddamn mouth."

"Don't fucking tell me to shut up, lardass," she shot back, turning to glare at him.

"Enough." Kidōmaru's voice was calm but firm, cutting through their bickering like a whip. He turned to look at their new companion, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "She's just curious, y'know. You show up out of nowhere with power like that, and Lord Orochimaru personally sends us to bring you in? Kind of makes you a big deal, doesn't it?"

"I don't care," he said flatly. "I'm not here for your little power games."

Kidōmaru chuckled, his smirk returning. "Power games? Oh, buddy, you don't even know what you've walked into."

"Then enlighten me."

The shinobi shrugged. "Nah, I'll let Lord Orochimaru handle that. I'm just here to make sure you don't get any bright ideas about running off or wrecking shit."

"Bright ideas?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "If I wanted to wreck shit, I wouldn't be walking with you."

Tayuya snorted. "Big talk for someone who doesn't even know where the fuck he's going."

He stopped abruptly, causing the group to pause. Slowly, he turned to face her, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"You think I don't know what this is?" he said, his voice low and venomous. "He sent you to measure me up. To see if I'm worth keeping alive."

For a moment, no one said anything. Even Tayuya's usual retorts seemed to catch in her throat. Then Kidōmaru's slow, amused laugh filled the silence.

"Well, shit," he said, shaking his head. "He's not just strong. He's sharp, too. You might actually survive this."

Tayuya recovered quickly, crossing her arms and scowling. "Doesn't mean he's not an asshole."

"Right back at you," he shot back without missing a beat.

Her scowl deepened, but there was a faint flicker of something in her eyes. Amusement? Respect? He couldn't tell, and frankly, he didn't care.

"You're fucking insufferable, you know that?" she muttered.

"Good," he said. "Means you'll leave me the fuck alone."

They walked in tense silence for a while after that, the faint sound of their footsteps blending with the unsettling noises of the forest.

"Don't take it personally," Kidōmaru said eventually, glancing over his shoulder at him. "Tayuya's just like that with everyone. If she's talking shit, it means she doesn't totally hate you."

"Gee, I feel so honored," he said dryly.

"Don't get used to it," Tayuya snapped. "One wrong move, and I'll feed your ass to Lord Orochimaru myself."

Kidōmaru grinned, but there was a faint edge to his voice when he spoke. "You should listen to her. Orochimaru doesn't waste time with weaklings, but he's not exactly gentle with the strong, either. If you're smart, you'll keep your head down and do what he says."

He didn't respond. The truth was, he didn't know what his plan was. All he knew was that the closer they got to Orochimaru, the heavier the pit in his stomach grew.

"Whatever," Tayuya muttered. "Let's just get this over with."

As they continued down the path, he caught her glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't the look of someone sizing up an enemy or even a rival. It was something else—something more cautious, almost curious.

"screw it," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what the snake has to say."

"

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"

The entrance to Orochimaru's lair loomed before him. The Sound Four stood on either side of him, their expressions a mix of unease and quiet anticipation.

The chill in the air wasn't just from the damp, oppressive atmosphere—it was the weight of power. Unnatural, suffocating power. It clawed at his skin, gnawed at the edges of his mind, and seemed to grow stronger with each step.

He clenched his fists, his pulse pounding in his ears. Usually, he was good at keeping his cool, but this… this was different. Something about this place—about him—set his instincts on edge.

The massive doors creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber. Torches lined the walls, their flickering flames casting serpentine shadows across the cold, polished floor. At the far end of the room stood Orochimaru, his pale face framed by his long, dark hair, his golden eyes gleaming with unnatural curiosity.

Beside him stood Kimimaro, his white hair and calm demeanor a stark contrast to the malice that seemed to radiate from his master. Kimimaro's green eyes locked onto him immediately, unreadable but unrelenting, like a predator sizing up its prey.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a slow, unsettling smile. "Ah," he said, his voice smooth and venomous, "our guest has finally arrived. How delightful."

He forced himself to meet Orochimaru's gaze, his jaw tight. The air around the man felt like it was alive, slithering and writhing with the promise of danger.

"Who are you, may I ask?" Orochimaru continued, his tone polite but laced with an undercurrent of menace. "And what brings someone like you to my humble Otogakure?"

For a moment, the room seemed to still. The Sound Four shifted behind him, their eyes flicking toward him expectantly. He debated whether to tell the truth, weighing the consequences of revealing too much.

"I'm Menma Uzumaki," he said finally, his voice steady, though his chest felt tight. "I have nothing to do with any other village."

Orochimaru's eyes glimmered with intrigue, his smile widening. "An Uzumaki," he murmured, as though savoring the word. "How rare. And how fascinating that I've only now learned of someone with your… talents."

Menma met his gaze, refusing to show any hint of weakness. "Because I didn't want to be found. I keep to myself."

Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Fascinating. You are strong, that much is clear. Your presence alone speaks volumes." He took a step closer, his movements fluid and deliberate, like a serpent sizing up its prey. "If you have no ties to the other villages, why not stay here? Otogakure is an open place for those with strength and potential. Unlike the rigid systems of other village, I value freedom. Here, you could thrive without the burdens of politics or allegiance."

"You don't seem like the kind of guy who just hands out invitations." he said, his tone colder than he intended.

"Clever. I expected no less." He gestured to the space around them, his pale hand slicing through the air. "I have grand plans for Otogakure, but plans require strong shinobi—shinobi who can wield power without fear, who can shatter the conventions of this world. I believe you could be one of them."

He hesitated, his mind racing. The proposition hung in the air like poison. Orochimaru's words were deceptively inviting, but the venom beneath them was clear. This wasn't an offer—it was a test, a trap, a game he didn't know the rules to yet.

"

"

"

"I'm not looking for a job," he said carefully, his voice low. "And I'm not here to strengthen your village."

Kimimaro stepped forward, his movements graceful but deliberate. His eyes locked onto his, sharp and unyielding. "Lord Orochimaru has extended you an opportunity," he said softly, though there was an edge to his tone. "It would be wise to consider it carefully."

Menma's gaze shifted to Kimimaro, who regarded him with an intensity that felt as unyielding as steel. For a moment, the room seemed to close in around him. He could feel the weight of Orochimaru's gaze, the lingering hostility of the Sound Four, and Kimimaro's silent challenge.

He clenched his fists tighter, feeling the dark chakra stir within him, coiling like a restless beast. "And if I say no?"

Orochimaru tilted his head, his smile never faltering. "Then you are free to leave, of course," he said smoothly. "But I wouldn't recommend it. The world beyond these walls is… less forgiving. Especially for someone like you, whose power will inevitably draw attention."

His words hit harder than Menma expected, their truth sinking in. The power he wielded wasn't something he could hide forever. Staying in Otogakure might give him time to figure out what had happened to him—and how to control the storm raging inside.

After a long silence, he exhaled sharply, his decision made. "Fine," he said, his voice cold. "I'll stay."

Orochimaru's smile widened, his golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "A wise choice," he said. "I look forward to seeing how far you can go, Menma Uzumaki."

The room felt heavier as those words hung in the air, the weight of his choice pressing down on him. Deep down, he knew this was only the beginning. Orochimaru wasn't someone to trust, but for now, he'd play along. He'd learn everything he could about this world and about Menma's power.

As he followed Orochimaru deeper into the lair, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just stepped into the jaws of a predator—one that wasn't ready to bite just yet.