In Gato's manor, Menma had just returned after bringing Zabuza Momochi and Haku into their ranks. At that moment, both of them were still overwhelmed, struggling to process everything that had just happened.
Especially Zabuza.
His mind was blank, unable to think straight. Only one thought remained in his head—
There was no turning back.
A Path of No Return
Before this, Namikaze Menma had led Zabuza and Haku on a covert mission to the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Waves. However, instead of keeping a low profile, they had boldly walked straight in—without any disguise or stealth.
It wasn't difficult.
The Land of Waves was small and poor, so the Daimyo's guards were weak. None of them stood a chance against the three invaders. They had been easily overpowered—knocked out cold but not killed.
The Daimyo's family, however...
Under Menma's orders, Zabuza and Haku had executed every last one of them.
Not a single survivor.
When they walked out of the mansion, Zabuza felt as if something inside him had shattered.
He had always been a rogue ninja, but now—he had eradicated an entire ruling family.
There was no future left for him except to follow the Otherworld Empire.
If he ever abandoned them now, he would be hunted down and killed. There was no other option.
Menma, however, sneered at his hesitation.
"What's with that expression, Zabuza? You're acting like this is a big deal," Menma mocked. "Weren't you known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist? You slaughtered countless people during the Blood Mist era, yet now you're shaken by the deaths of some ordinary people?"
Zabuza remained silent, rolling his eyes.
Killing during missions and wiping out an entire Daimyo family—was that really the same thing?
...Then again, maybe it was.
They were all humans.
At the end of the day, there wasn't much difference in the way they died.
A Broken Illusion
Zabuza finally spoke, his voice uncertain.
"The Daimyo... they were just ordinary people..."
Menma scoffed. "Exactly. A bunch of ordinary people who deserved to die!"
The Land of Waves was a hellhole of poverty, yet the Daimyo and his family lived in luxury, hoarding wealth while the people starved in the streets.
If anyone deserved to die, it was them.
"This should have been done a long time ago," Menma added coldly.
Kakashi—who was now Black Kakashi due to his transformation—smirked. "Well, congratulations to both of you. You're officially part of the Empire now."
Zabuza snapped out of his daze, suddenly paying close attention.
Black Kakashi continued, "Work hard, and maybe in time, you'll be rewarded with a Sage Body Fusion Potion."
Zabuza's eyes widened.
He had seen firsthand how powerful that potion was.
Even the lowest level of fusion granted immense strength. If he could get his hands on one, then maybe—just maybe—he could finally break through to Kage-level power.
His heart pounded.
Suddenly, the dignity of the Daimyo seemed meaningless.
What use was honor when he could evolve beyond his limits?
Menma's Curiosity About Jiraiya
As the conversation shifted, Menma turned to Kakashi with curiosity.
"You mentioned earlier that Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin is coming," Menma said. "What kind of person is he?"
Menma had never met Jiraiya before.
He had heard stories, of course. His father, Namikaze Minato, had always spoken highly of him with deep respect.
Yet despite this, His Majesty—the ruler of the Otherworld Empire—had issued a strict order:
Jiraiya must never contact Menma.
At least, not in the past.
The restriction had eventually been lifted, but even then, Menma had never truly interacted with him.
Why?
What was so special about Jiraiya?
Why did His Majesty dislike him so much but not kill him?
Kakashi frowned slightly, as if recalling something.
"Honestly, I don't know much," he admitted. "All I know is that His Majesty never liked him. I don't know the reason."
Menma nodded slowly, deep in thought.
If His Majesty disliked someone, they were usually erased without hesitation.
Yet Jiraiya was still alive, still free.
That meant Jiraiya wasn't a bad person.
So what was the reason?
Menma needed to know.
Jiraiya and Mount Myoboku
Zabuza, who had been listening silently, spoke up.
"Jiraiya is a famous Kage-level ninja. One of the Legendary Sannin," he said. "He's been wandering around the world for years, writing books. He also has a Summoning Contract with Mount Myoboku—one of the three legendary summoning realms."
Menma's eyes immediately widened.
"Wait!" he interrupted, his tone sharp. "You just said Mount Myoboku?"
Zabuza nodded in confusion. "Yeah... what about it?"
Menma glanced at Black Kakashi.
The two exchanged a look.
They both knew.
"In our world," Menma began, "His Majesty personally conquered and forcibly opened the three summoning realms. But out of all of them... Mount Myoboku was the only one that was completely destroyed."
Flattened.
Erased from existence.
The fact that Jiraiya had ties to Mount Myoboku—
That was definitely the reason His Majesty had such a strong opinion of him.
Meeting Jiraiya
Meanwhile, by the Great Naruto Bridge in the Land of Waves—
Jiraiya had arrived.
He had first visited Tazuna's home to gather information before making his way to the bridge. Finally, he found his targets—Black Kakashi and Menma, who were waiting for him.
Of course, they were both disguised using their White Zetsu transformation abilities.
To Jiraiya, they looked like Kakashi and Naruto.
"Hey, Kakashi!" Jiraiya greeted with his usual grin. "Long time no see!"
Then, with a dramatic flourish, he pulled out a bright orange book from his bag.
"This is the latest volume of Icha Icha Paradise!" he declared proudly. "I bet you've been dying to read it!"
Black Kakashi stared at the book.
On the cover, a woman in revealing clothing was displayed prominently.
And the title—
Icha Icha Paradise.
A smut novel.
"...?"
Black Kakashi blinked, processing this information.
Was this seriously the book Jiraiya was most proud of?
Was this normal in the ninja world?
Beside him, Menma's expression twitched.
This was his father's teacher?
This was the legendary Jiraiya?
He looked like a shameless old pervert.
Menma felt instantly disappointed.
First impression?
Very bad.
To Be Continued...
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