Deep within the Iburi Clan's cave, a ray of sunlight slanted in through a hole in the ceiling, breathing life into the lush saplings growing inside.
Gotta, along with Yukimi and the rest of the Iburi Clan, twenty-five members in total, had already packed their belongings and were preparing to relocate.
"This place is the resting ground of our clan." Gotta said softly, crouching down and gently stroking a tender green sapling with his fingertips.
"Our clan's Kekkei Genkai is highly unstable. None of us live past the age of twenty-five before turning to ash, leaving no bodies behind. So, for every clansman who passes, we plant a sapling here."
Menma stood silently behind him, his gaze sweeping across the dense grove of young trees that had grown in this underground space.
Yukimi, seeing so many newly planted saplings, gradually came to accept the truth that Tenzo and the other children were truly gone.
After paying their respects to the departed clansmen, Gotta led the group as they began their relocation.
"This passage connects to another cave, a backup base our clan has been digging for a long time." Gotta explained as they walked through the dark tunnel.
Recalling the terrain aboveground, Menma deduced they were heading deeper into the heart of the mountain range.
"I will arrange for someone to bring you food, medicine and other necessities." Menma said after a moment of thought, "The organization's base is still under construction. Once it's ready, you can move there."
"We will follow your orders, Shura-sama!" Gotta replied respectfully.
…
In the underground room of Menma's private residence in Konoha Village, a specially crafted Flying Thunder God kunai hung upside down in the air.
Whoosh-
Menma appeared out of nowhere, dispelling his Transformation Technique and reverting to his original childlike form.
When he was in the Limited Tsukuyomi World, the first S-Rank Ninjutsu he learned was the Flying Thunder God Technique, taught to him by Minato Namikaze.
Thanks to the physique of the Uzumaki Clan, his massive Chakra reserves allowed him to perform ultra-long-distance teleportation with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Territory... territory..." After returning home, Menma walked out of the basement along the stairs, frowning in thought.
When he was in the Limited Tsukuyomi World, he had single-handedly conquered the Ninja World, creating the legend of one man fighting against an alliance of eighty thousand Ninja. Yet, he had never considered building his own organization or managing a territory.
Because he knew that the world was fake… there was no Uchiha Madara, no Zetsu, no threat from Otsutsuki Kaguya, and no enemies from the depths of space.
He had felt the world's rejection every moment.
After returning to this world, though Menma still occasionally felt a sense of unreality, his body no longer experienced that rejection.
He had recruited Kakuzu and Gato, and now the Iburi Clan had sworn loyalty to him. The framework of his organization was beginning to take shape, and it was time to establish his own sphere of influence.
After all, this world wasn't like the Limited Tsukuyomi World. Here, the Akatsuki was backed by Obito and Zetsu, the deceased Madara had left behind plans for his resurrection, and Otsutsuki Kaguya was sealed away on the moon.
Beyond that, the Otsutsuki Clan lurked in the depths of space, searching for this very planet.
Only by building a powerful organization and unifying the entire Ninja World could he consolidate its resources and Chakra to their fullest potential.
"Menma-sama." In the courtyard, the two women, Kotone and Yuzuka, were in the courtyard hanging laundry and sweeping fallen leaves.
"No need to prepare dinner for me tonight." Menma instructed before heading straight to the study.
"Yes, Menma-sama." The two women bowed slightly.
Menma occasionally wandered the village to play and sample food outside, so the two women were used to this. In fact, it allowed them to return home earlier to spend time with their families.
Inside the study, Menma pulled out a map of the Ninja World, spreading it across the desk as he scrutinized it.
'The countries on the eastern side of the continent aren't suitable. They're sandwiched between the Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Water. The territories are small, resources are scarce, and most are controlled by the major nations. Developing there would inevitably lead to fierce conflict with these three countries… not ideal for early-stage growth.'
'The northern part of the continent is the Land of Iron, plagued by perpetual snow and harsh conditions…'
'The central region has many small and medium-sized nations, but they're caught between the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth. The Land of Rain is also home to the Akatsuki, making it the most chaotic area on the continent… also unsuitable for development.'
'That leaves only the west…'
Finally, his gaze settled on the western part of the Ninja World.
'The Land of Demons, the Land of Bears, the Land of Shadows, the Land of Snow, and the Land of Swamps… combined, these territories are roughly equivalent in size to the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water. Moreover, the Land of Demons has the Ghost Army, the Land of Bears has the Hoshigakure, the Land of Snow has a relatively advanced heavy industry, and the Land of Shadows and the Land of Swamps boast vast agricultural resources. Integrating these nations' resources would allow them to compensate for each other's shortcomings.'
These countries are all medium-sized nations. Though their territories and populations are scattered, they hold value for consolidation.
Sandwiched between them are a few very small nations… some no larger than an island or a single city, with sparse populations and limited land. They could be safely ignored for now.
As Menma studied the map and prepared to send orders to Gato, a tiny hand suddenly pressed down on the parchment.
"Hey, Menma, let's go eat something delicious." The little Nine-Tails, as delicate and small as a porcelain doll, lay on the map, looking at Menma with expectant eyes, and the nine fox tails wagged excitedly behind her, like a happy puppy's.
"There's really nothing I can do about you. Fine, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen." Menma affectionately patted the little Nine-Tails' head.
After putting away the map-
"Yay!" The little Nine-Tails cheered, leaping onto Menma's shoulder.
Menma neatly stored the map, then wrapped a scarf around his neck so the little Nine-Tails could nestle inside and observe the world from her hiding spot.
…
"Is that the one?!"
"Yeah, yeah, it's him… that… that…"
"How disgusting... Why does the village keep a monster like that around?!"
"He got the Fourth killed…"
"Shh… keep your voice down…"
Three-year-old Naruto walked alone down the street, the hushed whispers around him like a barrage of kunai stabbing deep into his young heart.
Every gaze was filled with hatred. Every murmur dripped with malice.
The young Naruto didn't understand why everyone treated him this way. For as long as he could remember, he had lived in isolation and hostility.
No one wanted to play with him. No one would talk to him. Even shopkeepers refused to sell him anything.
The women assigned to care for him had cycled through several times, each growing to despise him, until finally, at just three years old, Naruto was left to fend for himself.
The weight of the stares and whispers grew unbearable, and Naruto broke into a jog, desperate to escape the world around him.
Bang!
Too distracted to watch where he was going, Naruto collided with someone and landed hard on his backside.
Blinking, he looked up to see a boy around his age, casually eating a dango.
"Hey, kid," Menma said between chews, amused that his first meeting with his twin brother would happen like this, "Didn't your mom teach you to say sorry when you bump into someone?"
"S-sorry…" Naruto mumbled, still staring up at him. "I… don't have a mom."
"What a coincidence. Neither do I." Menma tossed out the darkest of jokes without hesitation.
Naruto stared at Menma blankly, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity in his heart.
"Then as an apology, you're treating me to ramen." Menma pointed to the nearby Ichiraku Ramen restaurant.
Naruto's eyes widened. "Huh?!"