Menma possessed an almost obsessive drive toward the study of various Kekkei Genkai.
Back in the Limited Tsukuyomi world, he had made a habit of collecting the bloodline limits of the shinobi world to study their genetic markers, attempting to crack the ultimate secrets of the Otsutsuki clan. It was common knowledge that any clan possessing special abilities could trace their lineage back to the Sage of the Six Paths. The Uchiha's Sharingan, the Hyuga's Byakugan, and the Kaguya's Shikotsumyaku were all merely diluted, weakened versions of Kaguya Otsutsuki's primordial powers.
However, unlike the depraved human experimentation of Orochimaru and other rogue scientists, Menma had maintained a strict moral baseline even in that false world. Part of him refused to accept the reality of the Limited Tsukuyomi, and another part feared that if he abandoned his principles, he would descend into madness.
This internal struggle had persisted until he launched the Fourth Shinobi World War against the Five Great Nations.
After looting Orochimaru's secret bases, Menma had discovered research logs regarding the Iburi clan. These records brought back memories of this minor clan—a group that, in the original timeline's history, appeared for only three episodes before facing total extinction. Their ability to turn into smoke was a Kekkei Genkai Menma had never encountered in his previous world, igniting his desire to "collect" them.
It wasn't a malicious collection; he simply wanted the clan to serve him, providing cell samples and blood for his research into the mechanics of 'Smokeform.'
"Lord Shura, these are the historical records of our Iburi clan. Everything we have is here." In a stone chamber deep within the underground space, Gotta introduced Menma to their clan's archives.
Though Gotta claimed he couldn't believe Orochimaru would betray their promise, he had tacitly accepted a temporary cooperation with Menma while awaiting the Sannin's arrival. When Menma suggested looking into their history, Gotta didn't interfere, providing the scrolls directly.
Looking at the sparse collection of scrolls, Menma realized the Iburi clan placed little importance on recorded history; most of their heritage was passed down through word of mouth. For a clan struggling for basic survival—where food, medicine, and daily necessities were luxuries—historical scrolls were a low priority.
This poverty was reflected in their attire: simple, ragged cloth tunics. Even Gotta, the clan leader, didn't possess a proper weapon, relying on a common wood-cutting cleaver in his skirmish with Kakashi.
In the dim stone room, Menma's fingertips brushed over a dust-caked scroll. "I'm not a man who likes to be in debt," he said, pulling out a storage scroll and tossing it to Gotta. "This contains enough rations to feed a hundred people for a week."
Hearing it was food, Gotta caught the scroll with both hands, his face lighting up. "Thank you."
Menma didn't reply, simply unrolling a dusty scroll and immersing himself in the history of the Iburi. For Menma, these were just emergency supplies—storable rations with unremarkable taste. But for the Iburi, these rations, if managed carefully, could last them a month or two.
As Gotta returned to his people with the scroll, he came upon Kinoe in a heated clash with a masked, silver-haired ninja. The surrounding clansmen were also attempting to join the fray.
"Konoha pursuers?" Gotta immediately dissolved into smoke and lunged forward.
In the original chronicles of Kakashi's time in the ANBU, Gotta's smoke-based taijutsu was formidable enough to rival Kakashi. In that timeline, Kakashi only won by luring Gotta out of the caves and into the forest, where the wind scattered his smoke form and led to his death.
Now, Gotta utilized his Smoked-Out Technique, entering Kakashi's body through his nostrils.
Kakashi, who had been locked in a fierce battle of swordsmanship against Kinoe's kunai, suddenly felt a searing heat scorch his internal organs. Even his vision blurred with gray mist.
"Aaaargh!" Kakashi dropped his weapon, clutching his head and chest in agony, let out a gut-wrenching scream.
"Wait!" Seeing this, Kinoe quickly performed a jutsu. "Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!" A dome of timber encased Kakashi, forcing Gotta to retreat from his body.
"Why are you saving him?!" Gotta demanded, deactivating his smoke form and glaring at Kinoe.
"He's a Konoha ninja; we can't kill him yet," Kinoe bluffed, searching for an excuse. "I can interrogate him for information on the other pursuers and Orochimaru's status."
Kinoe used his Wood Style to bind Kakashi securely with thick timber, making a show of starting an interrogation. Gotta frowned, pondering for a moment before nodding slowly. "Fine. He's yours. I'm going to consult with that lord."
Gotta turned and left, handing the food scroll to a woman responsible for the clan's gathering. Once they were gone, Kinoe exhaled in relief and approached the bound Kakashi. "Forgive me. This was the only way to keep you alive."
Kakashi, his organs still burning with residual heat, panted heavily. Sweat dripped from his brow as he looked at Kinoe. Kinoe had once been sent to assassinate the Third Hokage but was defeated by Kakashi. Believing a Wood Style user was too vital for the village to lose, Kakashi had spared him and reported his existence to Hiruzen. Now, Kinoe had returned the favor.
"Who are these people?" Kakashi gasped. "The 'lord' he mentioned... is it Orochimaru?"
Though Kakashi had stumbled upon this hollow by accident, it was clear the Iburi clan was deeply connected to the traitor. Kinoe shook his head. "Orochimaru isn't here yet. It's 'Shura'."
"Shura seems to want the Iburi bloodline. He's waiting here for Orochimaru to arrive."
"Shura..." Kakashi's Sharingan pulsed. He remembered the arrogant figure in the three-eyed fox mask he'd seen at the Hyuga gates. Though they hadn't fought, the fact that the man had crushed the Hyuga heads and rampaged through the Cloud spoke of unfathomable power. How could such a person know the exact details of Orochimaru's defection?
"Tenzō!"
While they were exchanging information, Yukimi returned.
"Who is she?" Kakashi looked at the girl, then back at Kinoe, startled.
"This is Yukimi. She's the only child left in the clan," Kinoe introduced her. "The others... were all taken by Orochimaru for experiments."
Though Kakashi and Yukimi were meeting for the first time, there was an instant, natural rapport between them.
"Taken by Orochimaru..." Kakashi didn't need to ask to know those children were long dead.
Yukimi didn't know the full truth yet; she only felt a deep, instinctive concern for the boy who looked so much like her Tenzō. "I'll lead you both out. If that lord finds you, you'll both be in trouble."
Behind his mask, Kakashi's expression shifted. This kind-hearted girl, living in the lightless depths yet maintaining such a sunny disposition, reminded him of his fallen comrade—
Rin Nohara.