In a world like this, if you couldn't handle even the most basic intelligence gathering, what could you possibly hope to accomplish?
And Menma certainly couldn't do everything personally, could he?
Setting aside the issue of efficiency, the sheer amount of time wasted would be an unacceptable outcome for Menma. Therefore, he needed Orochimaru's help—or to be more precise, he needed the human resources under Orochimaru's command.
To get that, Menma had to share his plan with Orochimaru. Not the whole thing, of course; he needed to strike the right balance in how much he revealed.
The reason Menma presented on the surface was the need to fully utilize the strength of the smaller ninja villages. The Hidden Waterfall, possessing the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, was naturally the top choice. Whether out of curiosity, shared interests, or perhaps ulterior motives, the Snake Sannin agreed decisively after only a moment's thought when Menma asked for personnel support.
After returning from the Hidden Waterfall previously, Menma had used Orochimaru's subordinates to gradually roll out his plan. During that time, he had even managed to carve out time to visit the Hidden Waterfall twice.
Using missions as a cover, he had gradually figured out part of the situation within the village while also deepening his relationship with the new leader, Shibuki.
But until now, everything had remained on the surface. Finally, the opportunity to truly intervene in the Hidden Waterfall's internal affairs had arrived.
'Coveting the leader's seat, driven by inner ambition? What an easy guy to read. This is the perfect opportunity for me.'
The image of the middle-aged Waterfall ninja with the dark headscarf flashed through Menma's mind. He exhaled a breath of stale air and strode toward Orochimaru's quarters.
Before long, Menma arrived outside Orochimaru's exclusive residence.
"Menma-sama."
Orochimaru's subordinates guarding the perimeter bowed hurriedly upon seeing Menma approach.
"Mhm."
Menma nodded with a smile and walked straight past them, striding inside. This was a specific order from Orochimaru: no one was to stop Menma at any stronghold. His status was effectively equal to Orochimaru's own.
It seemed as if Orochimaru intended to hide nothing from Menma.
"I knew you placed a lot of importance on the Hidden Waterfall, Menma-kun, but I didn't expect you to come the moment you received the intel. It seems you really intend to make that village a key stronghold."
The moment Menma stepped inside, Orochimaru, located in the innermost room, sensed his chakra.
Menma turned the corner and entered the main hall.
Upon seeing each other, Orochimaru looked at Menma with that familiar, slightly eerie smile and spoke lightly.
Inside the hall, aside from Orochimaru, there was a white-haired boy with shark-like teeth.
Menma recognized the boy's identity at a glance.
'Suigetsu Hozuki?'
After a brief glance, Menma sat in the front seat on the right with practiced familiarity. Wearing a faint smile, he said, "I thought I made myself clear last time, Orochimaru-san. The Hidden Waterfall is a village that possesses a Tailed Beast, after all. Are you telling me you have zero interest? Tailed Beast chakra should be quite helpful for your research, right?"
"Heh, that is true. I have to thank you for the reminder and assistance, Menma-kun. However, the Hidden Waterfall hasn't ensured the safety of the Seven-Tails all these years because of their own power, but because of the stalemate and checks between the Five Great Nations. If you make a move, Menma-kun, it's very easy to break that balance. And while Leader Shibuki is young, the foundation of the Hidden Waterfall shouldn't be underestimated. Are you truly prepared?"
Orochimaru stared directly at Menma with his snake-like eyes, asking with genuine interest.
Suigetsu, who had been maintaining a "well-behaved" expression on the side, felt a wave of shock deep in his eyes upon hearing their conversation. He subconsciously sneaked a peek at Menma from under his eyelids.
As a member of the Hozuki clan recruited by Orochimaru through special means, Suigetsu had a very clear understanding of how powerful and terrifying Orochimaru was.
He was naturally filled with curiosity about this boy his own age who had defected from the Hidden Leaf and could sit as an equal with Orochimaru.
Not to mention that Menma was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, which naturally gave him an aura that attracted attention. Furthermore, their conversation clearly involved overthrowing a village's government. It would have been strange if Suigetsu, who was only twelve or thirteen, could remain completely calm.
"Heh, it seems you've misunderstood slightly, Orochimaru-san. The Hidden Waterfall is an important existence, but that doesn't mean I have to show my face personally. I know perfectly well how much external pressure there is; you don't need to spell it out. But didn't you say it yourself? Lord Shibuki is young. And being young means there's more room for manipulation, doesn't it? Even if it fails, so be it. It's just a bit of wasted time. Of course, if you were willing to assist a little, Orochimaru-san, I would be endlessly grateful."
Menma looked at Orochimaru with a smiling expression.
"Oh? Is that so? Then I was indeed overthinking it. As for assistance... heh, just ask for whatever you need, Menma-kun. There's no need for such formality between us. I've always believed you would bring me pleasant surprises."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, replying with a somewhat deep expression.
It seemed like a normal conversation, but to Suigetsu, it felt incredibly awkward. Especially seeing Menma's young face... hearing him talk about a "young leader" felt bizarrely out of place.
'A young leader?'
No matter how he heard it, it sounded strange coming from a kid.
"Then I won't be polite. I need some personnel support for this trip. Could you arrange some people to back me up, Orochimaru-san?"
A half-true request.
This was intended to provide a safety net for his upcoming plan, but also to further probe Orochimaru to see if he had any other intentions.
After all, Menma was currently in a very delicate and awkward position. One could say he was in an alliance with Orochimaru...
But he was also blatantly living under Orochimaru's roof and relying on his assistance for everything.
The "alliance" was truly more name than reality.