Menma was momentarily stunned by the words of the four elders of Kusagakure. He truly hadn't expected that, even after everything he had explained so clearlyand after witnessing everything with their own eyesthey would still cling so stubbornly to their delusions.
His brows immediately furrowed.
Just as he was about to speak
"The Box of Bliss is not a wish-granting artifact," Muku said before Menma could open his mouth. "It is a vessel that absorbs chakra to cultivate a living weapon, just as you witnessed with Satoru."
"Hmph! Don't try to deceive us, Muku!" the female elder sneered coldly. "You died eight years ago, yet here you stand alive once more. If that isn't the power of the Box of Bliss, then what is!?"
"Or perhaps…" the burly elder leading the group stepped forward, glaring at Wuwei and Muku with naked hostility. "The two of you intend to monopolize the Box of Bliss for yourselves? Wuwei, have you forgotten the glory of Kusagakure? Have you become so selfish that you would hoard such power?"
The remaining three elders glared with equal fury.
In their eyes, Wuwei and his son were guilty of the unforgivable crime of keeping the Box of Bliss for their own benefit.
"You abused your authority to resurrect your son!" the lead elder roared. "We were willing to overlook your crime because of your years of service to the village, but now you continue to act without regard for Kusagakure's future! Wuwei… you are betraying the village itself!"
His voice echoed throughout the chamber.
The other elders advanced as well, their killing intent becoming increasingly obvious, as though they were prepared to attack at any moment.
Menma, who had remained quietly to the side, let out a soft sigh before speaking.
"You people really are hopeless."
His voice carried open ridicule.
"Let's set aside whether the Box of Bliss is truly a wish-granting artifact or not. Even if it were… why should I help you?"
His crimson eyes swept across the four elders.
"What qualifications do any of you possess to command me? You speak as though you're entitled to make demands."
A faint smile appeared on Menma's lips.
"Besides, if the Box of Bliss truly granted any wish… then what value would you even have? Why would anyone need the likes of you?"
The words struck like a blade.
For an instant, the four elders froze before their expressions twisted with rage.
Unfortunately for them
They never had the chance to respond.
Boom!
A terrifying wave of chakra erupted from Menma's body.
Whoosh!
Four brilliant golden chains burst forth once again.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains moved like bolts of divine lightning, crossing the chamber before the elders could even react.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each chain wrapped around one elder with flawless precision.
The suppressive power of the Uzumaki sealing technique instantly crushed their chakra circulation.
"W-What is this!?"
"Damn you! Release us!"
"Wuwei! Are you truly going to betray Kusagakure!?"
"Wuwei!!"
Unable to resist in the slightest, the four elders could only struggle and shout in fury.
Menma ignored their frantic cries entirely.
Instead, he turned toward Wuwei.
"Wuwei-san."
His tone remained calm.
"I'll leave these four to you."
His eyes locked onto Wuwei's.
"I trust you won't make an irrational decision."
If circumstances allowed, Menma would have preferred to eliminate the four elders immediately.
That had been part of his original plan before coming to Hōzuki Castle.
A significant portion of Kusagakure's entrenched leadership had to be removed through decisive, even bloody, means.
Time was not on his side.
Menma had neither the patience nor the desire to waste months playing political games with these old foxes.
Violence was the quickest solution.
Naturally, such a method would create problems later.
But it was swift.
It was decisive.
And it prevented unnecessary complications.
These four elders clearly held considerable authority within Kusagakure's ruling Castle Faction, making them obstacles that Menma had already marked for removal.
However…
Wuwei was standing right beside him.
Menma deliberately restrained himself.
After all, he couldn't simply slaughter every influential figure within Kusagakure.
Someone still had to stabilize the village during the transition.
Among everyone present, Wuwei was unquestionably the most suitable candidate.
Otherwise, why had Menma gone to such lengths to save Muku in the first place?
Wasn't it precisely to earn Wuwei's loyalty?
To make the true ruler of Hōzuki Castle willingly stand on his side?
Leaving these four elders alivefor the momentserved two purposes.
It was both a gesture of respect toward Wuwei…
…and a test.
Plans often appeared flawless on paper.
Reality rarely cooperated.
Even though Menma was almost certain that Wuwei would honor his word, certainty alone was never enough.
A shinobi who failed to prepare for betrayal would not survive long.
Wuwei looked at the four restrained elders, who continued cursing him without restraint.
A trace of hesitation flashed across his face.
Only for a moment.
It quickly disappeared, replaced by unwavering resolve.
He turned toward Menma.
His expression, once cold and indifferent, now carried genuine respect.
"Rest assured…"
He lowered his head slightly.
"Menma-kun…"
He paused briefly before correcting himself.
"No… Lord Menma."
"Everything will proceed exactly as you wish."
The next instant
Wuwei formed a seal.
Fire Release: Heavenly Prison!
Dark flames ignited across his palm before spreading onto the four immobilized elders.
"Ahhh!"
"W-What!?"
The curse marks spread rapidly across their bodies.
In an instant, the Heavenly Prison Techniquesealed their chakra completely, preventing even the slightest possibility of resistance.
Watching Wuwei's actions, Menma's eyes revealed a trace of satisfaction.
It lasted only an instant before vanishing once more.
Human nature was fragile.
Trust was even more fragile.
Especially between individuals who had only recently become allies.
Menma still had contingencies prepared.
He could never place absolute faith in Wuwei.
But neither did he have another option.
If he wished to seize control of Kusagakure swiftly and efficiently, he required someone with influence inside Hōzuki Castle.
Only Wuwei could fulfill that role.
For now…
Menma chose to believe him.
I hope your actions truly reflect your convictions, Wuwei-san…
Menma silently thought to himself before speaking aloud once more.
"I'll leave those four in your hands."
He glanced toward the restrained elders before returning his gaze to Wuwei.
"Proceed according to the plan we established."
"Time is not on our side."
"Yes, Lord Menma."
Wuwei bowed respectfully.
"I understand."
"I'll make the necessary arrangements immediately."
The first time one submitted to another, hesitation was inevitable.
The second time…
It became far more natural.
Although Menma remained cautious and continued preparing for every possible outcome, Wuwei's loyalty at this moment was genuine.
It wasn't merely gratitude for saving Muku.
Nor was it solely repayment for fulfilling his deepest wish.
Long before Menma had arrived, Wuwei had already become disillusioned with Kusagakure itself.
Whether it was the Village Faction or the Castle Faction, the endless political struggles, stagnant traditions, and lifeless bureaucracy had gradually extinguished every ounce of hope he once held for the village.
Then, eight years earlier…
His son had been sacrificed to the Box of Bliss.
That tragedy shattered the last illusion he still possessed.
From that day onward, Wuwei realized one undeniable truth.
If Kusagakure continued down its current path…
Nothing would ever change.
Now, however…
A different future stood before him.
For the first time in many years, Wuwei believed genuine change was possible.
And so
He willingly chose to follow Uzumaki Menma.
Not simply out of gratitude…
But because he wished to help reshape Kusagakure into a village that would never again sacrifice its own people for empty ambitions.
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