Naruto: The Avenger of the Uzumaki clan

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Under Orochimaru's orders, the ninjas stationed at the base began preparations for relocation with military precision. While a small team stayed behind to maintain a presence in the Land of Grass, the majority moved out in staggered groups. Their destination lay farther south, away from the continent's central conflicts.

Menma was among the first to leave, joining Orochimaru the day after the command was issued. Their journey took them through the Land of Rivers, eventually leading to the southern coastline. Boarding a modest but well-equipped ship, they set sail across the southern seas under the cover of night.

"The Land of Tea?" Menma asked during their voyage, recalling Kabuto's earlier briefing. "Interesting choice. It's isolated but accessible—ideal for laying low."

Orochimaru chuckled, his serpentine voice filled with amusement. "You have a sharp mind, Menma-kun. That's precisely why I selected it. The Land of Tea may lack the wealth or military might of the larger nations, but it's strategically placed, and its leaders are... easily swayed."

Menma smirked, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. "Still running, are we?"

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed, his tongue flicking briefly over his lips. "Running? No, Menma-kun, I prefer to think of it as repositioning. A wise shinobi knows when to retreat and when to strike."

The boy nodded, but his thoughts wandered. "Repositioning or not, this base will give me the stability I need. At least for now."

When they finally arrived, Menma's first impression of the new base was one of quiet astonishment. Nestled deep within the forests of the Land of Tea, the hideout was far more elaborate than their previous ones. The main structure, hidden beneath layers of foliage, featured a blend of above-ground facilities and sprawling underground chambers. It was designed not only for secrecy but for sustainability, hinting at Orochimaru's intent to remain there for an extended period.

Among Orochimaru's entourage were several familiar faces. Tayuya, the last surviving member of the Sound Four, stood nearby, her sharp tongue momentarily silenced as she examined the base. Guren, the kunoichi with the rare and powerful Crystal Release, lingered at the edge of the group, her frustration at being overlooked as a potential vessel for Orochimaru barely concealed. Suigetsu Hōzuki, the white-haired shinobi from the Hidden Mist, yawned as he leaned against a wall, his shark-like grin betraying his casual confidence.

"Quite the ensemble," Menma muttered under his breath as he walked alongside Orochimaru. "With a lineup like this, you could start your own village."

Orochimaru chuckled again, this time more darkly. "Oh, Menma-kun, if only you knew how close you are to the truth. A hidden village is merely a means to an end. My goals lie far beyond such mundane aspirations."

Menma raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He had learned to tread carefully around Orochimaru's ambitions, knowing that their alliance was built on mutual convenience rather than trust.

Later that evening, in the privacy of his quarters, Menma poured over the latest reports Kabuto had delivered. His smirk widened as he read the intelligence concerning Takigakure.

"So, the Jonin from Taki has finally made his move," he mused, eyes glinting with anticipation. "It seems my little investment is about to pay off."

At first, Menma had intended to keep his dealings with Takigakure hidden from Orochimaru, believing it would be safer to act independently. However, he quickly realized the limitations of working alone. Without subordinates of his own, even simple reconnaissance became a challenge. Sharing partial information with Orochimaru had proven a more effective strategy, ensuring that his mentor's considerable resources could be leveraged without revealing Menma's full hand.

"Kabuto," Menma called, summoning the medic-nin into the room. "What's the status of our contacts in Taki?"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a calculating smile on his face. "Everything is proceeding as planned. The dissidents within the village are growing bolder. Shisha's influence is spreading, and Shibuki's leadership remains weak. If you strike soon, the fallout will destabilize Takigakure enough for us to take control."

Menma nodded, his mind already forming a strategy. "Good. Let's keep the pressure on. I'll handle Shisha myself if it comes to that."

Kabuto smirked, his tone almost teasing. "You're certainly ambitious for someone so young. But don't forget, Menma-kun—Takigakure is merely a stepping stone. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture."

Menma's smirk deepened, his amber eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "I haven't forgotten, Kabuto. Takigakure is just the beginning. By the time the world realizes what I'm building, it will already be too late."

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In a world like this, failing to manage even basic intelligence gathering is nothing short of incompetence. What else could you possibly hope to achieve without information?

No one can do everything on their own—not even Menma.

Efficiency and time are his priorities, and wasting either is unacceptable. That's why he needs Orochimaru's resources—more specifically, the personnel Orochimaru has at his disposal. It's the perfect tool for his current plans.

But collaboration comes at a cost. To gain Orochimaru's full cooperation, Menma has to share at least part of his plan. Of course, revealing everything would be reckless. A few cards must remain close to his chest.

Takigakure is the ideal target. As a village with the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, it holds strategic value. Whether Orochimaru's interest is driven by scientific curiosity or shared ambitions, Menma knows how to present his ideas to align with Orochimaru's goals.

It didn't take long for Orochimaru to agree.

After his initial visit to Takigakure, Menma began leveraging Orochimaru's network to gather intel. Under the guise of unrelated missions, Menma made two additional trips back to the village, each time peeling back another layer of Takigakure's inner workings.

Bit by bit, he unraveled its secrets.

He even deepened his relationship with Shibuki, the young and inexperienced leader of the village. But that was just the beginning. The time had come to gain real influence within Takigakure's inner circles.

"Shibuki... so easy to read," Menma thought with a smirk. "The perfect pawn for what I need."

The image of a middle-aged Taki-nin with a dark headband flashed through his mind. Menma exhaled slowly, brushing the thought aside as he approached Orochimaru's current hideout.

Outside the entrance, a pair of guards stiffened as he approached.

"Menma-sama," one of them greeted with a bow.

"Mm."

Menma nodded slightly, walking past them without hesitation. Orochimaru's orders were explicit—Menma was to have unrestricted access at all times. Within these walls, Menma's authority rivaled Orochimaru's own.

The scent of damp earth and chemicals filled the corridors as Menma entered the main chamber. Orochimaru was already there, his serpent-like smile as unsettling as ever.

"I expected you'd take an interest in Takigakure," Orochimaru said, his voice smooth and mocking. "But I didn't expect you to act so quickly. You must have high hopes for that village."

Turning a corner, Menma stepped fully into the room, his gaze immediately catching on the other occupant—a young man with shark-like teeth and wild, white hair.

"Hōzuki Suigetsu," Menma recognized him instantly.

Ignoring Suigetsu's curious glance, Menma took a seat on the right-hand side of the room. A faint smirk played on his lips as he addressed Orochimaru.

"Takigakure is home to the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki. I thought that alone might pique your interest, Orochimaru-san. The chakra of a tailed beast could be invaluable to your research, wouldn't you agree?"

"Heh, quite so," Orochimaru replied, his yellow eyes gleaming. "But Takigakure has held onto the Seven-Tails not through strength, but by taking advantage of the balance between the five great nations. A direct move against them could tip that balance. Are you prepared to take that risk, Menma-kun?"

The weight of Orochimaru's gaze was palpable, but Menma met it head-on.

"Risk?" Menma repeated calmly. "That depends on how you approach it. Shibuki may be the leader, but his inexperience makes him malleable. I don't need to act directly. A few nudges in the right places, and he'll do most of the work for me. It's a matter of timing. Of course, if you're willing to provide support, things would move along more quickly."

Orochimaru chuckled, his tongue flicking out briefly. "You never fail to intrigue me, Menma-kun. Very well. I'll allow you access to whatever resources you require. What do you need?"

Suigetsu shifted uncomfortably, his shark-like grin faltering. Listening to Menma—a boy barely thirteen—discuss manipulating an entire village with such confidence was unsettling. Suigetsu knew Orochimaru's cunning, but seeing someone so young match him stride for stride was unnerving.

"I appreciate your generosity," Menma replied smoothly. "For now, I'll need personnel. Preferably someone familiar with infiltration and subterfuge."

A half-truth. While Menma did require additional support, this was also a test—a way to gauge Orochimaru's intentions. Despite their alliance, Menma knew better than to trust him completely. Orochimaru might be an ally for now, but Menma understood the delicate balance of power between them.

"Consider it done," Orochimaru said, his smile widening. "I'll have a team prepared for you by the end of the day. But, Menma-kun, do tread carefully. The stakes in this game are higher than you realize."

"I'm well aware, Orochimaru-san," Menma replied, his smirk sharpening. "And I don't plan on losing."

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