Naruto: The Avenger of the Uzumaki clan

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"No, no, no... Isn't this part of the agreement, Orochimaru-san?" Menma's smile was soft, almost disarming, but his tone carried a deliberate weight. "If we're being honest, you've been my greatest asset. I'll need your help even more in the future, Orochimaru-san. After all, we're walking the same path, aren't we?"

Orochimaru's golden, slit-pupil eyes gleamed, his thin lips curling into a faint smile as Menma continued.

After abandoning Konoha, Menma had gained a freedom that many would see as reckless—perhaps even foolish. Yet to Menma, that freedom was priceless, a treasure that allowed him to evolve beyond the boundaries of his past.

His cultivation was progressing, his experiments yielding fruitful results. With each passing day, Menma could feel his strength growing, his ambitions, once hidden beneath the surface, now beginning to take shape.

Revenge still simmered in his heart, but it wasn't enough. Menma sought more—a higher purpose, an ultimate goal. A gnawing question haunted him: if he could cross dimensions to this world, could he also find a way back to his own?

The answer was uncertain, but Menma refused to accept a definitive no.

The Otsutsuki Clan, with their purest bloodlines and cosmic power, had the ability to traverse worlds. Menma knew that replicating their techniques could be his key. Though he cared about his current allies and their struggles, his past life still held him in its grasp.

For this reason, Orochimaru was the perfect ally. Menma recognized his own strengths, but Orochimaru's genius in forbidden jutsu and scientific experimentation was unparalleled. Together, they were a formidable pair.

Orochimaru broke the silence with a low, chilling laugh. "Yes, Menma-kun, that was the agreement." His usual calm was tinged with subtle excitement. Orochimaru realized now that Menma understood more of his plans than he had anticipated. This young man wasn't merely a vengeful wanderer; his ambitions were bold, even daring.

And for Orochimaru, finding someone with comparable goals—a kindred spirit—was a rare thrill.

"Well then," Orochimaru said, a sly grin stretching across his face, "allow me to congratulate you. May your ambitions flourish, and may fortune favor you in battle. If ever you require my assistance, remember—the covenant binds us. Ask, and I shall provide."

Menma chuckled softly. "Thank you, Orochimaru-san. Speaking of favors, there's one I'd like to request."

Orochimaru tilted his head, intrigued. "Oh? Do tell."

Menma's gaze sharpened, his tone unwavering. "I need someone from your team. I hope you won't mind parting with them."

Orochimaru's grin faltered slightly. "Someone from my team?"

"Yes," Menma replied firmly. "Just one person."

A tense silence hung between them as Orochimaru considered Menma's words.

When Menma's figure disappeared into the shadows, Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, his long fingers steepled under his chin.

"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto Yakushi emerged from the shadows, his tone measured but tinged with concern. "Was it wise to allow Menma Uzumaki to take Suigetsu Hozuki?"

Suigetsu Hozuki—one of Orochimaru's more skilled subordinates. Though strong, Suigetsu lacked loyalty. Menma hadn't chosen him for his bloodline alone; he was a useful tool—a piece in Menma's ever-growing arsenal.

Orochimaru's chuckle was low and serpentine. "Don't trouble yourself, Kabuto. Suigetsu's value is trivial compared to what Menma offers. Besides," he added with a knowing smile, "Suigetsu's loyalty is as fluid as his body. It was only a matter of time before someone pried him away."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his curiosity barely concealed. Menma must have offered something significant to capture Orochimaru's interest so completely.

"Advance the experiments on the Rinnegan," Orochimaru ordered abruptly. "This time, integrate Hashirama's cells. No more compromises."

Kabuto blinked, momentarily stunned by the bold directive, but bowed obediently. "As you command, Lord Orochimaru. I'll begin preparations immediately."

Orochimaru's gaze shifted, his serpentine smile widening. "One more thing," he added. "Keep an eye on the Hyūga clan. I want to know if any of their main branch members leave Konoha."

Kabuto's surprise deepened. The Hyūga clan? Orochimaru had rarely shown interest in them before. Still, questioning his master's motives was out of the question.

"Understood, Lord Orochimaru. I'll monitor their movements and report back."

The Hyūga clan's main branch rarely left the village, but it wasn't unheard of. Hyūga Hiashi himself had taken missions in his youth, and even Hyūga Hinata was known to leave on official assignments. Capturing one of them, however, would be no easy feat.

Orochimaru's laughter echoed through the darkened chamber, a sound that sent a chill down Kabuto's spine. Whatever plans his master and Menma Uzumaki were weaving, Kabuto knew they would shape the future in ways no one could predict.

Still, Kabuto had his orders, and Orochimaru's plans were already in motion.

It wasn't entirely impossible.

If Orochimaru was truly determined to conduct a "tailing operation," there was a real chance he could capture a member of the Hyūga main family.

"Well, let's start by acquiring a few from the branch family," Orochimaru said, his voice cold and deliberate. "Remember, they must be taken alive. Do you understand?"

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with anticipation as he gave the order.

The Byakugan of the branch family was restricted by the Cursed Seal of the Hyūga's Caged Bird, preventing it from being exploited after death. However, as long as the subject remained alive, the Byakugan could still provide valuable insights for his experiments.

For now, Orochimaru believed this would suffice.

Whether he required a pure Byakugan from the main family would depend entirely on the results of these initial tests.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" his subordinates responded in unison, their voices unwavering.

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Different circumstances, different choices, and different people had already set the ninja world on an entirely new trajectory. Since his defection from Konoha, Menma, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, had drastically altered the timeline.

Kakashi had lost his Sharingan.

Ōnoki of Iwagakure had forged a special alliance with Menma.

Menma had joined Takigakure.

And Orochimaru had adjusted his research priorities.

The ninja world was now hurtling toward an uncertain future.

In this future, Menma was the catalyst—a force of change.

Even he could not fully predict the consequences of his actions. The original plotline of the world he once knew had become irrelevant, no longer a reliable guide. All Menma could depend on now was his own strength, judgment, and a dwindling reservoir of knowledge about the shadows lurking in the world.

For this reason, Menma had no choice but to grow stronger—faster than ever before.

To that end, mastering the Nine-Tails' chakra had become his immediate priority.

Harnessing its full power, whether through the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode or a complete transformation into the tailed beast, would elevate him to a level beyond Kage—a Super Kage.

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Konoha Year 61, January 1.

Takigakure, Northern Wilderness.

In a secluded clearing, a modest yet well-equipped building stood. This was Menma's personal laboratory. Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure, had suggested constructing something more refined, but Menma had dismissed the notion. As long as the facilities were functional, appearances didn't matter.

Interestingly, all the equipment and resources for the lab had been funded by Menma himself. He hadn't used a single ryō from Takigakure's treasury. The research conducted here was for his own benefit, not the village's.

Menma wasn't interested in exploiting Takigakure. His goal was to build a solid foundation—one that would allow him to influence, and perhaps eventually control, the village.

Whether he could fully dominate Takigakure in the future was uncertain, but it was a possibility he was working toward.

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In the innermost chamber of the lab, fortified with intricate barriers and sealing techniques, Menma stood alongside Karin Uzumaki. Though these protective measures weren't the highest level in the ninja world, they were sufficient to deter any ninja below Kage level.

Ever since returning from Orochimaru's base over ten days ago, Menma had secluded himself here, dedicating every waking moment to his experiments.

Today, his focus was on one critical task: breaking the Eight Trigrams Seal.

"Are you sure you want to do this now, Menma?" Karin asked, her voice tinged with concern. "Isn't this a bit rushed? We've just completed fifteen sets of tests. Even with Orochimaru's data, human bodies are unpredictable!"

Menma chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Relax, Karin. The tests already confirmed our theories. Orochimaru's research gave us a solid foundation. This cell activation serum will enhance my cellular regeneration and physical strength. The worst-case scenario? The results don't meet expectations. There's no need to overthink it."

The Eight Trigrams Seal, the powerful barrier binding the Nine-Tails within him, required a key to be fully undone—a key still in Jiraiya's possession. But Menma wasn't relying on the original plan.

Drawing from the sealing techniques he had learned from Orochimaru, combined with his Uzumaki heritage, Menma had devised a workaround. Whether it would succeed was another question, but it was a risk he was willing to take.

The real challenge, however, was handling the Nine-Tails' full chakra once it was released.

Menma was an Uzumaki, a clan renowned for their remarkable vitality and chakra reserves, making him uniquely suited for this task. Even so, the process would be perilous.

But what Menma didn't have now was time.

He couldn't afford to wait any longer.

The serum in his hand was designed to accelerate cellular activation, enhancing physical capabilities and chakra flow. Orochimaru's prior research had been instrumental in its creation, though Menma and Karin had modified it to complement their Uzumaki bloodline.

The fifteen prior tests had proven its viability.

Ideally, they would have conducted more trials, but Menma had decided the marginal reduction in risk wasn't worth the delay.

This was a gamble, like everything else in his life since defecting from Konoha.

Taking a deep breath, Menma gazed at the vial in his hand.

"It's time," he said firmly.

Karin hesitated, then nodded. "Just… be careful, okay?"

Menma smiled faintly. "I will."

As he prepared to inject the serum and begin the process, Menma's resolve was unshakable.

Once again, he was ready to push himself beyond his limits.

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