Should he reject Menma's invitation?
Utakata found himself unable to reach such a conclusion.
To be blunt, Kumogakure's assault had taught him a painful lesson.
Had Menma not appeared when he did, Utakata was not confident that he could have escaped Darui's pursuit alive.
His only hopes would have been to outlast Darui until the latter exhausted his chakra, or to wait until the Kirigakure pursuit squad caught up and forced the battlefield into chaos.
Neither possibility was particularly reliable.
In that sense
Menma had undoubtedly saved his life.
Looking at the red-haired youth standing before him, Utakata suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
The feeling only lasted for an instant.
Even so, it caused him to hesitate.
Why…?
We've only just met.
"I…"
Just as Utakata was about to speak
A gentle voice suddenly echoed deep within his consciousness.
Only he could hear it.
His expression froze.
After taking a slow breath, Utakata stepped forward and extended his fist.
Menma was briefly startled.
Then
He smiled.
Without hesitation, he also raised his right fist.
The two fists met gently.
Watching from nearby
Kabuto wore a thoroughly bewildered expression.
He had absolutely no idea what the two jinchūriki were doing.
He wanted to ask.
Yet seeing Menma's expression, he forcibly restrained himself.
Silence filled the clearing.
Several minutes passed.
Neither of them spoke.
Only after a long while did they slowly withdraw their fists.
The moment they separated
Kabuto immediately noticed the smile on Menma's face.
A genuine smile.
There was no need for anyone to explain.
Seeing that expression alone, Kabuto already understood the outcome.
The negotiations had succeeded.
Yet…
He became even more confused.
A fist bump…
Then they simply stood there silently for several minutes…
And that settled everything?
Kabuto felt completely unable to understand what had just happened.
Naturally
Menma had no intention of explaining.
The conversation that had just taken place existed solely between the jinchūriki and their tailed beasts.
No outsider could participate.
"Then…"
"Welcome aboard, Utakata-san."
Menma smiled warmly.
"From today onward, we're companions."
"You can simply call me Menma."
Utakata nodded seriously.
"Then… I'll be in your care from now on."
Although the gesture had been the same
This time, its meaning was entirely different.
Utakata had already found the answer he was seeking.
Perhaps Menma was not the perfect destination.
But at present
He was undoubtedly the best choice available.
Moreover
Utakata was willing to place his trust in Menma.
Not only because Menma had saved his life…
But also because, during that silent exchange, he had received confirmation from Saiken itself.
In addition to the Nine-Tails…
Even Saiken acknowledged Menma.
For that reason alone
Utakata was willing to take this gamble.
He believed
His future self would not regret today's decision.
"Haha… Congratulations, Menma-kun. Congratulations, Utakata-san."
Kabuto smiled as he offered his sincere congratulations.
No matter how Menma had managed to accomplish it
The mission had succeeded.
Although Utakata had chosen to follow Menma rather than Orochimaru, Menma and Orochimaru remained allies.
Furthermore
They had already reached agreements regarding research into tailed beast chakra.
The addition of another jinchūriki would undoubtedly provide invaluable data.
Ever since Menma had shared numerous insights with Orochimaru in advance, entirely new avenues of research had opened before the legendary Sannin.
No one could predict how far Orochimaru's scientific pursuits would ultimately reach.
But one thing was certain
His achievements would almost certainly surpass those of the original timeline.
Afterward
Kabuto immediately began treating Utakata's injuries.
As one of the finest medical-nin in the shinobi world, Kabuto's skill was unquestionable.
Within only a few minutes, the green glow of the Mystical Palm Technique enveloped Utakata's body.
The injuries sustained during the battle…
Even the internal damage caused by forcing out an incomplete Tailed Beast Ball
Were rapidly repaired.
Color gradually returned to Utakata's pale complexion.
Feeling his condition steadily improve, Utakata could not help glancing at Kabuto several times.
He was hardly ignorant.
As a former Kirigakure shinobi who had wandered the shinobi world for years, he understood exactly how difficult it was to cultivate a capable medical-nin.
Even becoming an ordinary medical specialist required years of study.
Exceptional chakra control alone was nowhere near enough.
A shinobi also needed outstanding talent, precise anatomical knowledge, and a natural affinity for medical ninjutsu.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Konohagakure possessed by far the most complete medical-nin system, largely due to Tsunade's reforms.
The other villages all possessed medical units, but none rivaled Konoha's level of organization or expertise.
Even then
Most medical-nin were only capable of treating relatively ordinary injuries.
Elite healers like Kabuto
Who could diagnose injuries instantly and repair them with astonishing precision
Were exceedingly rare throughout the entire shinobi world.
"That should take care of the worst of it."
Kabuto withdrew his hands and adjusted his glasses with a smile.
"The remaining internal injuries simply require a few days of rest and medication. They shouldn't pose any serious problems."
"Haha… Thank you for your hard work, Kabuto-san."
Menma smiled.
Utakata also inclined his head respectfully.
"Thank you."
Kabuto smiled modestly.
"You're both too polite. This is merely my responsibility."
He had barely finished speaking
"Hm?"
His expression suddenly changed.
Kabuto sensed something.
Without hesitation, he bit his thumb.
Summoning Technique!
"Puff!"
A small emerald-green snake nearly two meters long appeared before him.
The snake immediately spat a tiny scroll onto the ground.
Kabuto picked it up.
The snake disappeared in another puff of smoke.
As he unfolded the scroll
His expression immediately darkened.
"The destroyed base?"
Menma raised an eyebrow.
Kabuto nodded gravely.
"Yes."
"It contains new intelligence regarding the base."
"I'm afraid…"
"I'll need your assistance, Menma-kun."
He handed the scroll over.
Menma accepted it.
After quickly scanning its contents, his eyes narrowed.
A faint smile appeared.
"So…"
"Our old acquaintance was responsible."
"Interesting."
His tone carried a trace of amusement.
The report confirmed that the destroyed hideout had been attacked by Root, the covert organization under Shimura Danzō.
The relationship between Orochimaru and Danzō had always been complicated.
Although they had cooperated in the past
Neither had ever truly trusted the other.
As long as Orochimaru invested enough effort into investigating, uncovering Danzō's involvement was hardly surprising.
Originally, the reinforcements dispatched to the Land of Spring had been intended both to continue tracking Utakata and to determine who had destroyed the hideout.
Had another hidden village been responsible, confirming their identity would have required considerable time.
But when the culprit was Danzō
The investigation became much simpler.
After all…
Orochimaru still possessed eyes and ears inside Konohagakure.
Menma rolled up the scroll before asking,
"So…"
"Who's leading the operation over there now?"
Kabuto paused briefly before answering.
"Sasuke-kun."
"Lord Orochimaru believes Sasuke-kun is the most suitable person to coordinate with you, Menma-kun."
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