Chapter 125: Friendship, Can Also Become a Deadly Means
Land of Snow.
Several snowmobiles advanced rapidly across the snow-covered plains.
On the largest snowmobile, the Grass Ninja leader, Kazahana Koyuki, Asama Sandayū, and Menma were all seated inside.
"Sir, thank you so much for saving our lives!"
The Grass Ninja leader, with a respectful expression, bowed and scraped to Menma: "With your help, Sir, we will surely be able to leave the Land of Snow safely."
Watching the Grass Ninja he had hired at great expense act so hypocritically, Asama Sandayū was filled with speechlessness.
"Where did all that arrogance towards me from just now go? Why so submissive when facing this sir?"
Can only say, truly worthy of being Grass Ninja, known as "fence-sitters"?
"However, to make this arrogant fellow so polite, even somewhat servile, I'm afraid this Ame-no-Minakanushi's strength is extraordinary."
Just as a bold idea popped into Sandayū's head,
"Leave the Land of Snow?"
Menma suddenly chuckled lightly, slowly saying: "I never said I would protect you while you leave the Land of Snow."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present froze.
"Sir, could it be..."
The Grass Ninja leader snapped back, saying in disbelief: "Could it be... you wish to help them reclaim the position of ruler?"
Although Kusagakure and the Land of Grass were often derided as fence-sitters, and their claim of being the sixth great ninja village had an air of self-aggrandizement,
As a small country surviving in the cracks between great nations,
Their ability to gather intelligence to preserve themselves during Shinobi World Wars was naturally not poor.
And as a Jōnin of Kusagakure, the Grass Ninja leader naturally knew much detailed intelligence.
Among it, was information about the mysterious organization "Crimson Moon" that was once active in the ninja world.
This man calling himself "Ame-no-Minakanushi" was one of its members.
And his strength was exceptionally formidable, at least capable of confronting the "Kage" of the Five Great Ninja Villages head-on.
If Ame-no-Minakanushi was willing to help Asama Sandayū and the others, then perhaps...
Only then did Sandayū recall that this gentleman had indeed said when he appeared,
Rather than fleeing so wretchedly, why not try his method?
It was just that the scene at the time was too horrifying, causing him to react slowly.
"Sir, do you really intend to help us reclaim the position of ruler?"
Facing his doubt, Menma didn't respond, instead turning his head to look at Kazahana Koyuki.
"I can certainly help Princess Koyuki reclaim the position of ruler of the Land of Snow, but..."
Menma said casually, his tone meaningful: "Any wish requires a price. And that depends on Princess Koyuki's willingness."
Looking at the three-eyed cat-face mask, Koyuki subconsciously hid behind Sandayū.
However, upon hearing she could reclaim her position as ruler, her expression couldn't help but be moved.
But, the next second,
Kazahana Koyuki's spirit and energy seemed to be drained away.
"Impossible. You simply don't know Kazahana Dotō's power."
Kazahana Koyuki suddenly said dejectedly: "He controls all the Snow Ninja in the Land of Snow. With just the few of us, there's no hope of taking back the position of ruler from him."
She also wanted to take revenge on Kazahana Dotō, to avenge her father.
But Kazahana Dotō killing her father back then had left too deep a psychological scar on her.
If there were no surprises, she might never be able to walk out of that shadow in her entire life.
Just then.
"Hmph! You know nothing of true power!"
Uchiha Izumi beside them suddenly snorted coldly, her tone filled with disdain: "If the Snow Ninja are all of that caliber from just now, there's no need for Lord Master to act personally. I alone can kill all of them."
Even wearing chakra armor, the upper limit of the Snow Ninja's power was laid bare.
With the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, one could easily kill all Snow Ninja led by Kazahana Dotō.
"Don't worry."
As her voice fell, Menma appeared beside Kazahana Koyuki, gently stroking her hair.
Immediately, his tone gentle: "You only need to inquire a little, and you should be able to find out about my strength."
He didn't mind Sandayū's doubts.
After all, for an ordinary person without power, wanting to judge a ninja's strength was indeed asking a bit much of him.
Anyway, when the time comes,
They will naturally understand.
Sandayū beside him secretly shot a look at the Grass Ninja leader, attempting to confirm the truth of Menma's words.
Seeing him nod with a grave expression, Sandayū finally relaxed a little.
Ame-no-Minakanushi's proposal indeed greatly moved him.
Before this, he only wanted to protect Princess Koyuki, let her leave the Land of Snow, and live a peaceful life outside.
But when circumstances allowed, no subject didn't want to become a dragon-assisting minister (one who helps a new ruler ascend).
Koyuki felt the slightly warm hand on her head.
"You... why are you helping me?"
Kazahana Koyuki looked up with a somewhat vacant gaze at the three-eyed cat-face mask: "And what do you want?"
Once these words were spoken, the fear in her heart actually dissipated considerably.
She knew very well that without powerful external intervention, wanting to retake the Land of Snow was undoubtedly a fool's dream.
But she also knew very well, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"I hope the Land of Snow can establish a close, binding relationship with Crimson Moon. In the future, Crimson Moon will protect the Land of Snow, and the Land of Snow will also become our starting point for changing the ninja world."
Menma finished speaking seriously, and the expressions of the few people present couldn't help but become dazed.
"Hiss!"
Hearing this bold plan, the Grass Ninja leader couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
But sensing everyone's gazes, he subconsciously covered his mouth, his body shivering.
Oh no, he knows so much intelligence, will he be silenced?!
"What are you so afraid of? I won't kill you."
Facing the Grass Ninja leader's fear, Menma glanced at him and chuckled lightly: "However, for our mutual safety, necessary precautions are still needed."
"...What?"
The Grass Ninja leader opened his mouth dazedly. Before he could react,
An almost imperceptible sound of tearing wind was heard.
"Mmph! Gulp~"
The Grass Ninja leader suddenly felt something fall into his mouth. He subconsciously closed it.
After swallowing, the Grass Ninja leader finally came back to his senses.
Then an extremely strong sense of fear suddenly rose in his heart.
"Wait, wait! You..."
The Grass Ninja leader subconsciously retreated a few steps, asking with a terrified face: "Did you... did you just make me eat something?"
He was sure he had just swallowed a small thing.
And, it was thrown out by this man before him.
"If you're sensible, then it's just a small seed."
Menma said, neither happy nor sad: "If you're not sensible, then..."
The instant his voice fell,
"Ah!!"
The Grass Ninja leader suddenly cried out in pain, falling directly to his knees.
Under the horrified gazes of the few people, strange protrusions actually appeared on his exposed skin.
One could see some green things writhing continuously under his skin.
Finally, they even broke through the skin, revealing fresh green sprouts.
It looked like...
A seed absorbing nutrients, taking root and sprouting within his body, then filling his entire being.
Until finally, it burst out!
"No! Sir, Sir!"
The Grass Ninja leader, face full of terror, begged for mercy: "I... I understand! I won't tell anyone! Please believe me!!"
The thing inside his body was continuously absorbing his chakra, then using it to grow within him.
However, after begging for mercy, that bizarre, painful sensation gradually dissipated.
Looking down at the Grass Ninja leader kneeling before him, constantly gasping for breath,
Menma's tone shifted, saying with a hint of amusement: "Relax. Although the seed has pierced your heart, as long as you're obedient, there won't be any abnormalities."
"It might even strengthen your physical constitution."
As soon as these words were spoken, Asama Sandayū also came back to his senses.
His gaze towards Menma also became exceptionally fearful.
"How can there be such a terrifying ninjutsu?!"
This was simply more painful, more terrifying than being killed directly!!
He gripped the dagger at his cuff, staring intently at Menma, just about to say something.
"You said just now, you would help me reclaim the position of ruler, correct?"
Kazahana Koyuki looked up at Menma, her eyes flickering: "I accept. But I hope you don't forget your promise."
Now someone was willing to help her take revenge.
No matter what price she had to pay the other party, this was the only life-saving straw in her hand.
"Princess Koyuki, I will personally send you to the throne."
Menma stroked her hair, his tone gentle: "In the future, you will also be glad for today's choice."
A person is, originally, a raw stone.
As for whether it will be brilliant, it still needs to be carved and polished.
Every choice, every sacrifice, is a form of carving.
Sandayū also knelt on one knee before Kazahana Koyuki: "Princess, you still have many subjects who support you. We will offer our lives to protect you!"
Kazahana Koyuki merely glanced at Sandayū, then looked back at Menma.
In her slightly narrowed eyes, a trace of goodwill and amusement flashed.
"Then, I shall look forward to that moment's arrival."
...
Meanwhile, Konoha's peace was also shattered by a piece of news.
The Uchiha clan, always so arrogant, had been entirely killed by Uchiha Itachi of the Uchiha clan.
Only one survivor named Uchiha Sasuke remained.
The Konoha higher-ups also issued an S-rank missing-nin bounty for Uchiha Itachi.
Faced with this explosive news, Konoha villagers would whisper about it from time to time.
"A ninja clan was exterminated? Oh, the Uchiha? Then it's no big deal."
"The Uchiha brought it upon themselves. But that remaining child is truly pitiful. Heard the murderer was his older brother."
"Indeed too tragic. Witnessing his older brother kill his parents with his own eyes... the poor child must be on the verge of collapse."
Among these people, there were those discussing normally, those fabricating and spreading rumors, and some who originally harbored dissatisfaction towards the Uchiha.
All sorts of strange, even ridiculously outrageous, statements emerged.
However, for the villagers, whether the news was true or false wasn't important.
As long as it was interesting enough, it would become a topic for their after-dinner conversations.
As for whether it would affect the parties involved...
"Sorry, I didn't expect it to be like this either, but what I said is the truth, isn't it?"
They unscrupulously vented their dissatisfaction.
Yet completely failed to notice how ugly their own faces were.
Simultaneously, this news was also spread out of Konoha by some people through various channels.
The Uchiha clan, passed down since the Warring States period, was actually destroyed by an Uchiha clansman.
This news sent shockwaves throughout the entire ninja world.
The other Four Great Ninja Villages also attempted to use spies to probe Konoha.
Kumogakure even began to mobilize troops, intending to take this opportunity to attack Konoha.
But Jiraiya, one ofthe Sannin, suddenly appeared at the border.
He directly summoned massive beasts, intimidating the restless Four Great Ninja Villages.
Although the Four Great Ninja Villages gradually calmed down, this was merely a delaying tactic.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Third Hokage, hadn't shown his face for a long time. Jiraiya's strength alone was not enough to make them retreat in fear.
A Shinobi World War was still on the verge of erupting.
...
Inside the Ninja Academy, Naruto, as usual, walked into the classroom just as the bell rang.
But Naruto keenly sensed something different from usual.
Everyone, including Iruka, looked at Naruto strangely.
This made Naruto frown almost imperceptibly.
Pity? Mockery? Sympathy?
He... hated these people's gazes.
However, in the blink of an eye, he regained his usual composure.
After Naruto sat down in his seat, a civilian student sitting behind him suddenly leaned over.
"Naruto, did you know? The Uchiha clan was exterminated!"
Hearing this, some students who had just heard the news also gathered around with surprised faces to discuss it.
"Really? The Uchiha clan, although arrogant, weren't they very strong? They actually got exterminated?"
"It should be true. The Uchiha clan grounds have already been sealed off. When I passed by, the smell of blood almost made me throw up."
"Heavens, so terrifying! Then Sasuke, who hasn't been coming to school, isn't he already..."
"No, Sasuke is fine now."
Naruto, who had been silent, directly interrupted, a smile on his face: "He just needs to rest for a period, that's all."
"Eh! Is that so?"
The students, who were just feeling some empathy, suddenly felt uninterested upon hearing this.
"Then doesn't that mean only Sasuke survived?"
"No mom, no dad. Truly pitiful."
...Pitiful?
"Yeah."
Naruto smiled and agreed: "Truly... pitiful."
You guys... are truly pitiful.
The few discussing students didn't notice the strangeness in Naruto's tone.
Only Ino, silently watching Naruto from the side,
Couldn't help but be stunned upon noticing the fleeting look in Naruto's eyes.
"So... Naruto can also get angry?"
No.
That wasn't anger, nor fury, nor his usual smile.
It was disdain, indifference, disgust...
"Naruto, you..."
Just as Ino came back to her senses and wanted to comfort Naruto,
"Everyone, please be quiet."
Iruka stood at the podium. Seeing everyone look at him, he then spoke: "Line up and go to the training ground for practical combat training."
With that, the students in the classroom stood up one after another, walking outside with some excitement.
Naruto paid no attention to Ino beside him, who wanted to speak but hesitated, silently getting up and following the others.
Before long, all the students were already standing in the spacious training ground.
This practical combat training class was the same as before: spar in pairs, or one could directly challenge an opponent.
However, after Teacher Iruka finished reading the rules, everyone's gazes turned towards Naruto.
Because in previous practical classes, it was always Sasuke who proactively served as Naruto's so-called "sparring partner," read as "punching bag."
But Sasuke hadn't come to school, so...
But before everyone could react,
Naruto, under their astonished gazes, walked steadily onto the sparring stage alone.
"Iruka-sensei."
Naruto looked at Iruka, speaking humbly: "You know my situation is special, so I have a proposal."
"I want to challenge all the classmates present."
As his voice fell, the scene suddenly fell into silence.
Naruto... actually wants to challenge everyone by himself?
"Ah, what a pain."
Shikamaru was the first to react, saying listlessly: "Since that's the case, it's also okay if I don't accept the challenge, right?"
"Eh?"
Chōji beside him also came back to his senses, asking with a simple-minded expression: "Shikamaru, are you serious? You'll get points deducted for this."
Although it was indeed allowed to refuse challenges in practical class, Teacher Iruka would very likely deduct points from the practical class score, so generally, no one would refuse.
"Getting points deducted is indeed troublesome, but it doesn't matter anymore."
Shikamaru looked at Chōji and advised: "Chōji, if you don't want to get beaten up, it's best not to accept the challenge either."
With that, he looked up again at Naruto on the stage, who wore a gentle smile.
"Someone's mood today... doesn't seem too good."
Compared to getting points deducted, he'd rather not become someone's punching bag.
While the two discussed in low voices,
The others also reacted, all showing different expressions.
Astonishment, anger, timidity, doubt...
One person challenging everyone, and only using taijutsu at that.
Even if the opponent was Naruto, wasn't this looking down on people a bit too much!
"Naruto, are you sure about this?"
Iruka frowned, confirming again: "You can only use taijutsu, okay."
Ever since Sasuke and Naruto used ninjutsu and secret techniques to bombard each other last time, nearly causing accidental injury,
He had established the rule: "Under normal circumstances, only taijutsu is allowed in practical class."
"I'm sure, Iruka-sensei."
Looking down at the students with varied expressions, Naruto smiled comfortingly: "So much time has passed; presumably, my classmates have also become much stronger."
"Besides, I'll go easy on you."
As soon as these words were spoken, although no malice could be detected, it still made these hot-blooded children's faces flush red.
"Bring it on!"
One classmate, face full of defiance, directly stepped onto the stage: "I don't believe so many of us still can't beat you alone!"
"Don't go crying when you get hurt later!"
With the first example set, the other students also looked at each other.
Finally, instigated by friends, they also stepped onto the stage together.
Only Hinata, Ino, Chōji, and a few others remained below the stage.
Ino looked at Hinata beside her, asking somewhat puzzledly: "Hinata, aren't you going either?"
She remembered before, Hinata once wanted to challenge Naruto.
Just didn't know why, she was decisively rejected by Naruto.
Now that the chance had come, why not accept the challenge?
"I... I..."
Seeing Ino actually approach her proactively, Little Hinata, who was originally looking up at the stage, instantly lowered her head.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally said softly: "Want one-on-one, don't want to bully with numbers."
"Is... is that so? Ahaha."
Ino heard this, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Saying such words in such a timid tone, it really did create a strong sense of incongruity.
Just as the two were conversing,
"Ah! Bastard! Why did you hit me?!"
"No, it wasn't me, he hit me!"
"Ah! Who's hitting my face?"
A series of wretched screams suddenly sounded, but instantly turned into noisy cursing.
This strange sound instantly attracted the attention of the few people below the stage.
Thump! Crack!
On the stage, Naruto faced his numerous opponents alone, continuously dodging and weaving amidst the multitude of punches and kicks.
The attacks originally aimed at him actually struck other people in a bizarre manner.
For a moment, sounds of complaint, pained cries, and curses filled the entire stage.
At the very beginning, they could still barely muster their spirits and attack Naruto together again.
But after being hit by each other two or three times, some people completely lost their temper.
"This is the fourth time! You brat must be deliberately retaliating against me!?"
"You clearly hit me first! Ah! You bit me!"
Friends who seemed like good buddies just moments ago were now actually fighting like enemies.
All sorts of nasty, vicious words spewed from their mouths, their usually hidden dissatisfaction also erupting at this moment.
From initially attacking Naruto together, it developed into this inexplicable mutual brawl.
The entire process didn't even exceed one minute.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Iruka, standing below the stage, originally hadn't paid much mind to these classmates' accidental injuries.
Until he heard something break, and saw everyone's faces flush red as they began to brawl.
"Wait! Stop! Stop quickly!"
Only then did he react, hurriedly shouting to try and stop them.
But everyone was already seeing red, simply not listening to his counsel.
Iruka frantically jumped onto the stage, attempting to pull them apart.
But the scene was a complete mess.
He had just pulled apart one pair here, and those two over there would get entangled again.
Even he himself, in the process of pulling them apart, didn't know who had punched or kicked him several times.
Listening to the various nasty, vicious curses around him, and those unspeakable little secrets,
Iruka seemed to be infected by this atmosphere, his expression and mood also becoming more irritable.
"Enough!! You all..."
Iruka had just roared out.
But the next moment, he felt a chill.
"Water Style: Waterfall Basin Technique!"
Splosh!
The instant Naruto's voice fell, a torrent of water appeared above everyone.
It then drenched everyone on the stage to the bone.
The raging fire of anger in their hearts also gradually extinguished, as if doused by a basin of cold water.
"Sorry, Iruka-sensei."
Naruto stood on a pillar of the stage, saying apologetically: "Didn't expect it to turn out like this. It's all my fault."
Everyone subconsciously followed his gaze towards the center of the stage.
"This..."
Seeing Teacher Iruka, bruised and battered, looking extremely wretched, only then did they react.
The pain originally suppressed by dopamine and adrenaline also suddenly surged up, instantly making them grimace in pain and roll around on the floor.
Iruka, soaked to the bone, also gradually calmed down.
"Sigh!"
Looking at the devastated stage, Iruka sighed deeply.
He originally thought that facing everyone's coordinated attack, Naruto would either win by a narrow margin or lose by a narrow margin.
But unexpectedly, Naruto hadn't even made a move yet, and they started infighting, eventually developing to this point.
In this situation, who could he blame?
Just now, even he himself had almost lost his reason.
If Naruto hadn't used Water Release, it might have escalated to an even more serious situation.
Thinking this, Iruka's heart instantly filled with bitterness.
"Naruto, you're not to blame. These guys are just too terrible."
Iruka waved his hand, then looked at the apprehensive crowd: "Look at yourselves! And you still want to graduate smoothly and become ninja?"
"If you were on the battlefield, you'd all be comrades relying on each other! Would you start fighting each other then too?!"
"Hurry up and apologize to each other!"
Iruka's reprimanding tone was very stern.
The crowd on the stage looked at each other, at the classmates they had just brawled with.
"Sorry."
"Apologies!"
Naruto stood aside, looking at the extremely wretched crowd.
Although his expression showed some apology, his eyes held neither joy nor sorrow.
He really detested the rotten smell of this village.
Vicious words like "no dad, no mom" actually came from the mouths of these children.
And in such an incredibly naive tone.
This made Naruto feel a wave of nausea, even souring his mood.
His mood was very bad, so he also needed to vent.
And this was his little revenge.
Although they had already bowed their heads and apologized to each other, from their eyes, Naruto could still see their malice towards each other.
Just as Menma-nii said.
"Friendship, can also become a deadly means."
However, their feelings were truly more fragile than Naruto had imagined.
(End of Chapter)
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