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44.44% Naruto: The Avenger of the Uzumaki clan / Chapter 48: Reunion

Chương 48: Reunion

---

"Villain? Selfish? Narrow-minded? Lacking justice? So what!?"

This was a world where the strong ruled and power determined everything. Was it wrong for him to be selfish?

He wasn't Naruto Uzumaki. He was Menma Uzumaki.

To achieve his goals, the first thing he needed was absolute freedom and greater power. Without those, talking about anything else was pointless.

"Your father and mother? So you really do know who you are, Menma-kun. And you're just like me? Haha, interesting. You're a fascinating one, Menma-kun." Orochimaru's snake-like eyes glimmered knowingly, as if he had expected this all along.

"Well, Menma-kun, that's enough for today. I look forward to our next meeting."

As his words faded, so did his figure. Within seconds, Orochimaru and Karin vanished from Menma's sight.

The forest fell silent once more, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. Within Menma's sensory range, Orochimaru's presence disappeared entirely. Menma exhaled deeply and sank down against the trunk of a large tree, feeling as though all his strength had drained from his body.

"Luckily, nothing went wrong..." Menma muttered, a sense of relief washing over him.

Though he had acted confidently in his dealings with Orochimaru, Menma knew that Orochimaru held the upper hand. If Orochimaru hadn't wanted to strike a deal, or worse, had chosen to betray him, Menma would have been powerless to stop him.

But why would Orochimaru do that? The answer was simple: this was the best option for both of them. And besides, Orochimaru was pragmatic. As long as he got what he wanted, he wouldn't break his word. He had proven that with Danzo, and the same held true when he dealt with Tsunade in the past.

Ninjas might not speak of trust, but in his own twisted way, Orochimaru was trustworthy. That was part of the reason Menma had approached him.

However, there was a certain "beast" who might not be as pleased.

"Hmph, brat, you're good at twisting things to your advantage. What's this about getting information from inside you? Are you implying I told you all that? And where did you come up with that nonsense about the connection between the Sharingan and the Rinnegan? You've got some nerve, using my chakra as a bargaining chip," the Nine-Tails growled, raising its head inside Menma's mind.

Normally, Menma could suppress and isolate Kurama's chakra, preventing it from learning anything about the outside world. But during his encounter with Orochimaru, Menma had drawn upon some of the Nine-Tails' chakra. That leakage was enough for Kurama to pick up on the conversation. Naturally, the fox was displeased and made its feelings known.

"Haha, don't be so impatient, Kurama. You needed a cover, didn't you? How else could I have convinced that guy? Don't sweat the small details," Menma replied with a smirk in their shared mental space.

"Who are you, brat? After 12 years, I may not know everything about you, but I know enough to be sure you haven't been in contact with anyone who'd know this kind of information. How do you know my name? And what about that Rinnegan? These aren't things you should know, are they?" Kurama's massive head lowered, its eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Shh, Kurama, these are forbidden topics. Like I said, you don't need to trust me. Think of this as a game to pass the time. Even if I fail, you can start over. At worst, you'll have to wait a while to be revived. Either way, I'm just a useful partner to you, Kurama. I'll tell you everything when the time comes. But not now."

Menma raised a finger to his lips, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Before Kurama could respond, Menma's consciousness withdrew from the mental space.

"You brat!" Kurama snarled, his voice booming in the darkness of the mental plane. In less than a second, Menma had vanished, leaving the Nine-Tails alone with its thoughts.

'Is it those two boys? Or is it you, old man?' Kurama mused, clenching its massive paws as a rare look of contemplation crossed its face.

Back in the real world, Menma's thoughts shifted to his imminent departure from the village he despised. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

The time had been set. The destination was clear. All that remained was to wait. The encounter with Orochimaru had given Menma a deeper understanding of Kurama's chakra, and he could feel his own power growing. The transformation of a Jinchuriki's body by the Tailed Beast's chakra was subtle, yet undeniable.

'Now, I just need to watch it all unfold,' Menma thought, glancing in the direction Orochimaru had left. He straightened up, brushing the dirt from his clothes, and began walking back toward the area where Orochimaru had fought Naruto and the others.

As Menma approached the spot where Sasuke and Naruto had fallen unconscious, he noticed that they were no longer there.

Menma wasn't surprised. He spread his senses, scanning the area.

"Eight o'clock," he murmured, pinpointing their location.

Channeling chakra to his feet, Menma leapt swiftly in that direction.

"Who's there!?"

Sakura's voice rang out as Menma neared a hollow tree. She stood ready, her body tense with fear and determination.

It only took a second for her to recognize him.

"It's me, Sakura," Menma said calmly.

Sakura's face lit up with relief.

"Menma-kun!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

The earlier battle had rattled her. The overwhelming power of Orochimaru, combined with the sight of Sasuke and Naruto lying unconscious, had filled her with dread. She had dragged them to the hollow tree, hoping it was a safer place, but fear still gnawed at her, making her wish Menma had stayed with them from the start.

Now, seeing Menma, her fears melted away. With him here, everything would be okay.

---

But only a few seconds later, Sakura tensed up again, gripping a kunai in one hand as she took a defensive stance.

"Are you really Menma!?"

It had been a while since graduation, nearly half a year now. Even Sakura had matured somewhat during that time. This was the Chunin Exams, after all—there was no way to know whether the person approaching was a friend or an enemy.

In recent months, Kakashi had noticed Sakura's aptitude for chakra control and had considered training her in genjutsu or medical ninjutsu. However, with limited time and his own lack of expertise in those areas, he'd only managed to teach her a few basics. As a result, Sakura was still in the early stages of learning and couldn't easily tell if the Menma in front of her was the real deal. Now, her senses were on high alert.

"Huh? Of course I'm Menma! Sakura, remember the extra allowance I gave you?"

Menma paused for a moment, recalling something only a few members of Team 7 knew.

Hearing his words, Sakura relaxed. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Menma, it really is you! Naruto and Sasuke—they're both...!"

"It's alright, Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke are just unconscious. They'll wake up soon. Don't worry. Now, tell me what happened. What kind of enemy did you face?" Menma asked as he walked over to Naruto and Sasuke, pretending to check their condition. He then turned to Sakura with a serious expression.

"Well, here's what happened, Menma..."

Despite her initial panic, Sakura began to explain. Over the past few months of missions, Menma had shown strength and decisiveness that earned him the respect of his teammates. Even Naruto and Sasuke, known for their stubbornness, had followed his lead on more than one occasion.

With Menma's arrival, Sakura's fear and anxiety began to subside. She described how Orochimaru had attacked them, how Naruto and Sasuke fought but ended up unconscious, and how Sasuke had been left with a strange mark on his neck. Unfortunately, due to the chaos of the battle, she could only recount part of what had happened.

"I see. This mark looks like a sealing technique of some kind, but I can't tell exactly what it is. Once we're out of the Forest of Death, we'll have Kakashi-sensei examine it," Menma said, pretending to think for a moment.

"Yeah, that makes sense," Sakura said, feeling more reassured now that Menma was with her. As long as Menma was around, she felt safe. She trusted his judgment.

"Stay here and keep an eye on Naruto and Sasuke. I'm going to set up traps around the area and find us some food. Don't worry, Sakura. Everything's going to be fine. Naruto and Sasuke will recover, and we'll get through this exam." Menma spoke softly but with a firmness that calmed her nerves.

"I understand, Menma," Sakura nodded, taking her place outside the tree hollow to keep watch over the unconscious Naruto and Sasuke.

As Menma walked away, his thoughts turned to the situation in the Forest of Death. Twenty-one teams had entered this dangerous territory, all from different villages, and each team was now fighting for survival. To pass the second round, they needed to collect both a Heaven Scroll and an Earth Scroll. But with only eleven of each available, even in the best-case scenario, only eleven teams could pass. In reality, far fewer would make it.

In the original timeline, twenty-six teams had entered the second round, but only six made it through. This time wouldn't be any different.

The sounds of distant battles and the rustling of the forest didn't concern Menma. His true purpose for entering the Chunin Exams had already been fulfilled. From this point onward, he just needed to follow the script he had planned.

Just as Menma predicted, Naruto woke up a few hours later—before Sasuke. His eyes snapped open, and he immediately jumped to his feet, ready for a fight.

"You're awake, Naruto," Menma said calmly, his presence immediately putting Naruto at ease.

"Menma! When did you find us? Where's Sakura?" Naruto asked, still disoriented but relieved to see a familiar face.

"Sakura's outside. She's making some food," Menma gestured toward the entrance of the tree hollow, where Sakura was busy setting up a pot over a small fire.

"How are you feeling?"

"Me? Just a little headache, but otherwise, I'm fine," Naruto said, rubbing the back of his head where he'd been struck. Suddenly, his memory came flooding back. "Wait! That creepy guy from the Grass Village—did you beat him, Menma?"

"No, I didn't run into him. When I found you and Sasuke, you were already unconscious. Sakura told me about that Grass ninja, but your scrolls were still here, untouched," Menma replied.

"That's strange. Why would he attack us and not take our scrolls?" Naruto frowned, trying to piece together what had happened.

"No point in thinking about it now. We'll report everything to Kakashi-sensei later. For now, you and Sasuke need to recover. Let's focus on getting through this round of the exam," Menma said, steering the conversation back to the more immediate concern.

----------------------------------------

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Chương 49: What to do if the child becomes distracted?

---

"Yeah, you're right, Menma," Naruto nodded after a moment, still processing the situation.

Outside, Sakura noticed Naruto was awake and approached with a smile, carrying a bowl of fish soup. In her mind, if Naruto had woken up, then Sasuke would be up soon as well.

"Naruto, here," she said, handing him the bowl.

"Thanks, Sakura. I'm starving," Naruto replied as the rich aroma of the fish soup hit him. His stomach growled loudly, and he quickly took the bowl, devouring the soup eagerly.

Sakura's gaze shifted to Sasuke, who still showed no signs of waking. Worried, she turned to Menma and asked, "Menma, Sasuke hasn't woken up yet. Is something wrong?"

"Don't worry, Sakura," Menma reassured her calmly. "Naruto's already awake, right? Sasuke just needs more time."

"Yeah, Sakura, don't stress. That guy Sasuke..." Naruto began, slurping down his soup. But before he could finish, something unexpected happened.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, a surge of chakra burst from Sasuke's unconscious form.

"What the—?"

"This chakra...?"

All three turned their attention to Sasuke as Menma's eyes narrowed. A dark, dense chakra began swirling around Sasuke's body, spreading rapidly.

Naruto and Sakura's faces mirrored the same shock.

"The Curse Mark's power? This... it feels like natural energy," Menma thought, recognizing the sinister energy around Sasuke. He knew that Orochimaru's Curse Mark stemmed from Jūgo's ability to absorb natural energy from the surroundings—a twisted form of Sage Mode. This energy, though potent, was highly volatile and dangerous, as Jūgo himself struggled to control it.

The black markings spread across Sasuke's skin at an alarming rate.

"Sasuke, what's happening?" Sakura asked, her voice laced with fear. She looked at Menma, seeking answers.

Menma stayed silent, focused on Sasuke's transformation. Suddenly, Sasuke's eyes shot open, revealing the vivid red of his Sharingan.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed, initially relieved. She moved to step forward but stopped as Sasuke met her gaze with a chilling, emotionless stare. She shuddered, sensing the cold, oppressive aura in the air.

Naruto's expression turned serious, his focus entirely on Sasuke.

"Sasuke, do you know what's happening? Are you still yourself?" Menma asked, his voice steady but edged with concern.

"What do you mean?" Sasuke's voice was low, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "I've never felt better. Sanity? Oh, I'm perfectly sane. What about that Grass ninja? Did you handle him, Menma?"

Sasuke's eyes shifted to Menma, his expression darkening. His presence was menacing, and the tension was palpable. Even someone as oblivious as Naruto could feel it.

Menma watched Sasuke's stance and could only think, "Looks like Sasuke's feeling invincible again."

The power of the Curse Mark was amplifying Sasuke's confidence. The tomoe of his Sharingan spun, reflecting the heightened sense of power.

"No, Sasuke. When I arrived, the Grass ninja was already gone," Menma replied calmly.

"Gone? Then let's go find him," Sasuke demanded, cutting Menma off. "No one targets Team 7 and gets away with it. We have to settle this."

Sasuke's chakra flared even more intensely, and it was obvious that the Curse Mark was affecting his mind, amplifying his negative emotions and personal desires. His pride as an Uchiha wouldn't allow any insult to go unpunished.

Naruto and Sakura exchanged worried looks as the dark chakra around Sasuke grew even denser, swirling ominously.

"Sasuke, what's wrong with you?" Naruto asked, trying to make sense of Sasuke's behavior.

"Wrong? Nothing's wrong," Sasuke replied, his voice dripping with cold resolve. "That guy beat us down. Don't you want to show him up, Naruto? We need to—"

Sasuke's eyes flashed dangerously, his posture becoming more aggressive.

"Sasuke, you need to calm down," Menma interjected, his eyes sharp as he matched Sasuke's intensity.

When a student refuses to listen, what's the solution? For Menma, the answer was clear: if the child misbehaves, you teach them a lesson.

Menma's own chakra flared, locking onto Sasuke's movements.

"Menma?" Naruto and Sakura looked between the two, alarmed by the rising tension.

"Stay back, Naruto, Sakura," Menma said, keeping his voice steady. "Sasuke's a bit worked up right now. I'll handle him."

A hint of predatory intent flashed in Menma's eyes, and the faint image of fox-like features flickered at the edges of his expression.

"So, you plan to stop me, Menma?" Sasuke sneered, his voice cold.

"Boom!"

Sasuke's chakra exploded beneath him.

"Whoosh!"

In an instant, Sasuke lunged at Menma, his speed far surpassing anything he'd shown before, moving like lightning.

---

Under the intense pressure of the atmosphere, Menma decided against using any flashy techniques.

He simply unleashed the Nine-Tails' chakra.

A red chakra cloak enveloped his body, not yet forming any tails, but the sheer force of the chakra was overwhelming.

**"!?"**

Sasuke's breath hitched the moment the chakra aura hit him. His eyes widened in shock, giving him no time to react.

**"Swoosh!"**

Menma moved with incredible speed, appearing beside Sasuke in an instant.

**"Bang!"**

His fist drove into Sasuke's abdomen.

**"Gah!"**

Though Menma held back his strength, the blow was still enough to force the air from Sasuke's lungs, his body instinctively curling up in pain.

But Menma didn't let up.

**"Menma!?"** Sakura shouted, panic creeping into her voice.

Without a word, Menma grabbed Sasuke by the collar and slammed him hard into the ground.

**"Bang!"**

The heavy impact reverberated through the forest, the ground beneath Sasuke cracking under the force.

Sasuke groaned in agony as pain coursed through his body, his vision swimming.

**"Ugh!"**

In mere moments, Sasuke had been completely overpowered.

Menma was now on top of him, pinning him down. His scarlet, fox-like eyes bored into Sasuke's.

**"How are you feeling now, Sasuke? Calmed down yet? If not, I can keep going,"** Menma said, his tone dark and menacing.

Sasuke's pupils dilated in shock, and for the first time, a chill ran down his spine. The oppressive rage that had clouded his mind began to fade, as if doused in cold water. The cursed seal marks on his skin slowly receded, and his breathing steadied. His Sharingan faded, reverting to its normal black.

Menma's expression softened as he stood up, releasing Sasuke.

Sasuke shakily got to his feet, his face returning to its usual stoic mask. Naruto and Sakura exchanged glances—this was the Sasuke they knew, not the one consumed by the curse mark's power.

They hurried over.

**"Sasuke, wanting power isn't wrong. A ninja's life is all about growing stronger,"** Menma said, his voice calm but firm. **"But letting power control you only proves how weak you are."**

Sasuke's expression tightened, but after a moment, he nodded. Though he said nothing, his reaction was as close to an apology as they would get.

**"Sasuke-kun, are you alright?"** Sakura asked, approaching him with a handkerchief, her eyes full of concern.

Sasuke frowned slightly but didn't move away. **"I'm fine,"** he muttered coolly, brushing off her worry.

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, recognizing the familiar Sasuke.

**"It's getting late. We should rest. This is only the first day of the Chunin Exams; there's no need to rush. We still have our scrolls. Once we're fully recovered, we'll go after the other teams,"** Menma suggested.

**"Yeah."**

**"Sounds like a plan!"** Naruto added, eager as always.

Sasuke gave a curt nod.

The team ate a simple meal and settled down for the night.

---

Meanwhile, at the central tower in the Forest of Death:

**"Are you alright, Anko?"** asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, his eyes full of concern as he observed the pale-faced Anko Mitarashi.

**"Yes, Lord Hokage. I've regained control over the curse mark,"** Anko replied, her usual bravado replaced by a somber tone.

Like in the original timeline, Anko had ventured into the Forest of Death in search of her former mentor, Orochimaru. She found him, but all it took was a few words and a flicker of her curse mark to leave her powerless.

It was clear Orochimaru still held some sentiment for his former student. If he had wanted to, he could've killed her easily.

**"Good. You should rest for now. The other examiners will handle the rest,"** Hiruzen said, his voice calm and measured.

**"But, Lord Hokage—"**

**"Anko,"** Hiruzen interrupted gently. **"Get some rest. I'll take care of everything. Don't worry."**

Anko hesitated, confused by the Hokage's calm demeanor regarding Orochimaru's return, but she bowed her head. **"Understood, Hokage-sama."**

With a respectful bow, she left the room.

As she departed, Hiruzen gazed out into the night, his expression grim.

**'Orochimaru... So, you've chosen to return. This will be the last time we meet as master and student. I won't let you escape again.'**

---

The night passed quietly.

At dawn, light filtered through the trees of the Forest of Death.

Naruto, Menma, and the others woke up, feeling refreshed after their night's rest. Naruto's wounds had almost completely healed, thanks to his Uzumaki bloodline. Sasuke, though still affected by the curse mark, seemed ready to continue, though a new wariness lingered in his eyes.

----------------------------------------

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