ALL NOVEL Chapter 63: Determined Target
Chapter
64: Determined Target
Including Kakashi-sensei, no one
could see through Menma's false mask. On the contrary, during this mission,
Kakashi-sensei made an extremely serious misjudgment of Menma. Menma's sharp
scolding and emotional venting to Inari made Kakashi-sensei truly feel that
Menma was indeed as Iruka had described—a person who is cold on the outside but
warm on the inside, someone who truly cares about his companions.
While not entirely wrong, this was
one-sided and untimely. The past Menma still carried the temperament and habits
of his previous life. He said he had completely integrated into this world, but
he still seemed a little out of place. However, he was different now.
Companion
Companions? Of course, you have to
care about them, but only like-minded companions. People who choose to take a
different path, or even an opposite route, cannot be considered companions. The
answer is obviously no.
Different road, non-phase plan.
During the night, Menma truly
understood the meaning of this phrase and strengthened his goals and will.
However, this reality was something Kakashi-sensei could never see through, at
least for now.
A peaceful night passed, and the
next morning came. The child named Inari, after being scolded coldly by Menma,
never appeared in Menma's sight again. Whether out of fear or because Tazuna
and Tsunami were worried about Menma taking action against Inari and asked him
to avoid Menma, it didn't matter. Menma didn't care.
The
Mission
Menma's primary focus now was to
find Gato as soon as possible. The big businessman had the scarce funds he
needed. Start-up capital was indispensable for his future plans. So, at first
light, just after breakfast, the seventh class took action.
Sakura and Sasuke were responsible
for escorting Tazuna today. Menma took Naruto out with him. The reason for
choosing Naruto was simple. Naruto knew the shadow clone technique, which had a
unique effect in searching for information. Menma was determined to collect as
much useful information as possible within the day. As long as Gato's specific
location could be determined, Menma would proceed directly.
Menma believed that Gato's wallet
would not let him down! This time, the goddess of fate seemed to favor Menma.
The search work only started briefly, and there was progress.
Gato's
Plan
"Interesting, does Mr. Gato
actually plan to take action personally like in the original work? And it's
today? Haha, it seems he is really confident," Menma said, standing in a
deserted corner of the route on the southeast side of town, holding a kunai to
a timid middle-aged man.
The information had been obtained
from this middle-aged man. Menma had caught him quickly because he followed
Menma and Naruto suspiciously after they separated. You could guess with your
toes that this guy must be a spy. When caught and threatened with a kunai, the
man told everything, including his identity, how he was bribed by Gato, and how
he betrayed his fellow villagers.
Such a person had no backbone.
Fortunately, Menma had prepared many methods to deal with him, but none were
needed. The man wasn't hard-nosed and knew little. The only useful information
was that Gato would personally lead people to deal with the Konoha ninjas. But
wasn't that enough?
"Well, Ninja-sama, I have told
you everything I know. Can I go?" The middle-aged man asked tremblingly,
looking at Menma with humility.
"Oh, of course, that's no
problem. I'll take you on your way in person," Menma said indifferently.
"Ah, then there's no need to
trouble you, sir. What? Send me on my way? This?" The middle-aged man
initially felt relieved, then horrified as realization dawned.
"Uh-huh." Without waiting
for a reaction, Menma turned his right hand. A little bit of cold light
bloomed.
"Pfft!" "Well!?"
Blood splattered out as the man's
pupils shrank. He subconsciously held his neck, trying to speak but powerless.
He fell limply to the ground, lifeless within seconds, his wide eyes seemingly
questioning Menma.
Menma looked at the man coldly and
turned away. A native of the Land of Waves who could easily betray his country
and fellow villagers was not worth sparing. Even the previous Menma would have
had no psychological burden. Such a person had no credibility. With the
information obtained, Menma immediately went to meet Naruto.
Reuniting
with Naruto
"Eh? What did you say? There is
information? So fast?" Naruto asked, wide-eyed, disbelieving the speed of
Menma's success.
"Well, luck was on my side.
Gato is planning to come to us. We don't need to spend more effort. We just
need to welcome him properly," Menma smiled faintly.
"Haha, another fight. This time
I must get ahead of you," Naruto said eagerly, eyes lit up.
Menma nodded gently, his faint smile
remaining. The two leaped and quickly headed for the location of the bridge.
According to the information, Gato had already come with a large army,
confident in solving the problem once and for all, dealing with the Konoha
ninjas and the last group of resistance personnel from the Land of Waves led by
Tazuna, to achieve his intention of completely controlling the Land of Waves.