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Chapter 72: Ember Base
Menma stood at the base entrance, his expression beneath the fox mask completely frozen. Beside him, Kakuzu pushed back his cloak's hood and examined the architectural complex before them with great interest.
This... was the so-called "hidden base"?
Earlier, Menma had used Hiraishin no Jutsu to transport himself and Kakuzu to Yu no Kuni, returning to the inn room. But this time he hadn't summoned Hiashi, instead bringing Kakuzu to the [Ember] organization's base that Hiashi had spent a year constructing.
The result was...
Menma's gaze swept from the exquisite arched bridge over the artificial pond, past meticulously trimmed pine and cypress trees, finally settling on that majestic main hall. The seven-story Japanese palace gleamed with expensive timber in the sunlight, wind chimes hanging from the eaves tinkling melodiously in the breeze.
Where was the resemblance to some terrorist organization's base? This was clearly some daimyo's palace!
"Heh..." Kakuzu's laughter came from behind his mask as he surveyed the obviously expensive building materials. "Seems our organization's financial situation is quite excellent."
Menma silently pressed his mask. Though he'd known Hiashi had exceptional business talent, this was too much...
Did that guy have some misunderstanding about the word "hidden"?!
"So..." Kakuzu's voice carried several notes of mockery, "this is the [Ember] organization headquarters that terrifies the Five Great Nations? I must say... quite unique taste."
Menma took a deep breath, deciding to skip this topic. "Follow me."
---
"Please wait a moment. Tanuma-san will come to receive you both shortly."
The maid in elegant kimono bowed respectfully before withdrawing. Menma watched this scene through his transformation jutsu disguise—was this something a terrorist organization could recruit?
But to maintain Menma's aloof image, he merely nodded slightly. After a while, the sliding doors were pulled open vigorously.
Two ordinary-looking people appeared at the entrance: a middle-aged man in plain brown kimono with a round-glasses-wearing little girl beside him. Without any distinctive features, they looked no different from any common residents on the street.
With chakra fluctuations, their transformation jutsu gradually faded. Hiashi restored his original appearance while the "ordinary girl" transformed back into red-haired, red-eyed Karin. She excitedly widened her eyes, lips parting as if to say something, but under Hiashi's stern gaze, she forced herself to hold back, only bowing properly.
The Menma also dispelled his second layer of disguise, revealing his signature fox mask.
"Menma-sama, my apologies for keeping you waiting." Hiashi respectfully lowered his head in greeting.
Just then.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host: Bond Level 4 established with original character "Karin"!]
[Points earned: 400!]
Menma wasn't surprised by the system points gained—it seemed Hiashi had indeed taken good care of Karin. He was about to introduce Kakuzu's situation and discuss the base issues with Hiashi, but Hiashi spoke first.
"Menma-sama, this must be the member our organization has recruited?" Hiashi turned his gaze to the cloaked Kakuzu beside the Masked Man.
"Yes. The immortal ninja Kakuzu, possessing strength sufficient to serve as one of the Five Great Nations' kage. From today, he is a member of [Ember]."
He briefly explained Kakuzu's background but deliberately omitted his encounter with the First Hokage. When Hiashi heard that Kakuzu was over ninety years old, surprise flashed in his eyes, though he quickly regained composure.
Throughout, Kakuzu only said one cold statement: "I thought joining [Ember] would mean more high-paying bounties... but seeing the organization's wealth, it obviously doesn't make money that way. About funding sources... tell me the details later."
Facing Kakuzu's desire to learn business management, Hiashi cautiously looked to Menma for instruction. Knowing Kakuzu liked earning and saving money but disliked spending it, Menma nodded in agreement to this request.
Kakuzu's life could be summarized as "died before spending all his money." Throughout the original story's long years, he'd painstakingly accumulated decades of wealth, barely touching a cent, only to have it all squandered overnight by a certain spendthrift woman.
Just as Naruto prepared to question Hiashi about how this golden, magnificent palace related to the word "hidden," Hiashi seemed to anticipate this and spoke first.
"Menma-sama, you must have many questions about this place." Hiashi respectfully gestured for them to follow. "But please come with me first."
Passing through the main hall's ornate corridors, everyone arrived at the spacious rear courtyard. Here were only a few inconspicuous work huts, forming a stark contrast with the luxury up front. Hiashi led them into one of these, pushing aside tool cabinets on both sides—
With a soft "click," wide stairs hidden beneath the floor were revealed.
Naruto understood... so the luxurious building outside was just a front?
Descending the stairs, the scene gradually became familiar. Spacious underground space, cold stone walls, intricate corridors—somewhat like the secret base of the "Root" organization from the anime. Hiashi explained in detail from the side.
"This area was actually just completed recently. Basic structures for training grounds, laboratories, archives and other facilities are finished, but equipment is still being configured. I'll complete everything as soon as possible."
He continued supplementing: "Throughout the town, I've also established multiple secret entrances leading here, all encrypted with specific sealing formulas that only organization members can access..."
Faced with such thorough arrangements, what could Naruto say?
"...Well done."
***
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