Cap 179: What could go wrong?
Cap 179: What could go wrong?
"Don't call me that... not when we're not related..." - said Kurama coldly as his silhouette appeared in front of the blonde.
"No matter how much you mutate your DNA, Minato and Kushina will always be your parents..." - Menma answered with disdain - "But I don't think you appeared in front of me to talk about those technicalities, neither do I think I have the moral right when I'm as insane as you are... although if I'm honest, you have a much more acceptable excuse than I do..."
"I see the years have made you a lot crazier than I thought... Did absorbing all that hate, fear and jealousy make you change?" - asked Kurama with disdain as he felt how sunk the boy in front of him in the darkness.
"There are people who choose to fall into darkness to gain power, Uzumaki Kurama..." - said Menma as he looked at the man in front of him - "We can't all be as lucky as you"
"You're right..." - Nodded the ginger. "If things had been different, it's quite possible that I'd be the one who's sunk in darkness while wishing for the destruction of the world..."
"But I don't think you came here to talk to me about the 'what if' scenario..." - Menma said neutrally - "Tell me why you came here because I hate you and you probably feel something similar..."
"Right... I don't hate you but you're not that far away" - answered Kurama as his pupils sharpened - "You're also right in saying that I want this to be over quickly..."
"Just tell me you want to talk so you can go and finish fucking that bitch..." - Menma was going to keep talking but a kunai passed by a few millimeters from his cheek - "You need to learn how to socialize, Kurama-san..."
"When you don't talk with your ass, maybe I'll deign to say a few words of encouragement" - answered the redheaded man with disdain - "Besides, I'm not here as an ambassador so fuck your socialization"
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk! That's why you don't have wood like Hokage," said Menma as he shrugged.
"That's good to hear because I don't plan to be," replied Kurama with a scowl. "And as a tip, don't try to buy time, first, you don't have the power to stop me, second, I'm not the original, and third, you just make me want to kill you a lot more..."
Menma just burst out laughing and uncovered his right eye which was covered by a patch, showing an appearance he knew very well - "I know you're a clone, I can see it with my eye ... that's why I'm not afraid of you ..."
"I have more than enough power to destroy you" - said Kurama coolly as his fangs grew - "Not even that Sharingan can save you"
"That's where you're wrong, my friend," replied the blonde as he released his chakra.
"That chakra... is not yours... neither belong to my brothers..." - murmured Kurama as he frowned at a chakra that was somewhat familiar - "But it's a bit similar... maybe a similar application to Kisame"
"Meet the Reibi or Zero Tails" - said Menma as her chakra took the form of a slug that curled up around her neck - "This little one has the ability to absorb my opponents' energy as long as they are in a state of pain, sadness, hatred... and thus make my power grow..."
"A pity that your body can't hold so much power" - answered Kurama with disdain - "I can see how your body is slowly starting to break down"
". . ." - Menma was silent when he heard this because it was true. His body was on the verge of destroying itself with all the energy that the Reibi was accumulating and his training was not keeping pace with his chakra increase.
"That's why I have a deal for you," Kurama said with a smile. "I can give you one more year of life in exchange for a small favor.
"What do you want me to do..." - Menma said coolly when he saw he'd lost the edge in his conversation. His life itself was not important, but the problem was that with only two or three more months to live, his mother would end up in a state of disrepair, more so knowing that Orochimaru would no longer protect her.
"It's good to know we can talk like civilized people..." - Kurama smiled as he burst out laughing at the blond man's annoyed expression - "Okay, what I want you to do is this... I want you to use this seal when Orochimaru prepares to change bodies"
"Do you want me to die?" - Menma asked coolly.
"Calmly, this seal is not like the others," said Kurama calmly. "It won't do any harm in the process that Orochimaru is changing bodies"
"So?" - the blond man asked curiously as he looked at the scroll Kurama was handing him.
"I know from Sasuke that Orochimaru will try to change bodies during the next month..." - said the redhead - "When that happens, you will activate this Jutsu that will create an imperceptible aura that will join Orochimaru's new body, or rather his soul, as he will be vulnerable at that time"
Menma's expression became more and more horrible when he heard the redhead's words - "I see... I guess Sasuke was never on our side... it's no big surprise after thinking things through, although it's a shame I didn't find out until you threw it at my face..."
Kurama didn't say anything, just gave him a smile that was starting to bug him.
"Ok, I accept" - said Menma seriously - "I'll do what you ask and you'll give me one more year of life..."
He didn't need more, with one year, he could get the means to extend his life even more.
"I want you to do something else for me, too," said Kurama calmly. "I want you not to send the report on Sasuke's 'capture' so soon"
"That will be easy" - answered the blond.
"Hmm... that would be all..." - said Kurama as he looked at his 'brother' - "With this second scroll you will be able to contact me... but keep this in mind... if you do something stupid or lie to me, then your life will be over..."
"Do you really think I'll put that bastard Orochimaru's life ahead of mine?" - Menma asked disdainfully - "Now just go and take Sasuke with you, without him out Oto, I'll be able to move more freely"
". . ." - Kurama took one last look at him before disappearing into a smoke screen.
"One more year of life..." - murmured Menma as he narrowed his eyes and covered his Sharingan.
* * * * *
"How did it go?" - asked Sasuke, who was already on the run with Kurama and the others.
"The clone I sent to speak to Menma has accomplished his mission," Kurama said calmly. "Whereas the clone I sent to the Fuma Clan is sending them to Uzu no Kuni"
"Do you really think it's a good idea for them to be in that place?" - the Uchiha asked as he frowned. He knew full well how ambitious those members of the Fuma clan were.
"Relax, I have them under control" - said Kurama with a smile - "There are ten Moku Bunshin guarding the place so they better behave or Kin will have fewer relatives than planned"
"So? What are we waiting for to teleport to Konoha?" - Sasuke asked as the others nodded.
"Kakashi told me that we would have to do it the traditional way this time," replied Kurama when he received one last message from Neko as he prepared to leave. "According to him, it is to create a better impact for the village, after all, we are bringing back one of the heroes who decided to sacrifice his honor to gather information from one of Konoha's greatest enemies"
Sasuke frowned when he heard this but still nodded - "I understand, though I feel it is too much.
"Just enjoy the ride back and seeing how the villagers greet you," said Kurama as he rolled his eyes. "Now let's continue the journey, I feel it will be a little more surprising than we thought"
"I think surprisingly, it will mean troublesome..." - replied the Hyuga boy - "Great, now I sound like Shikamaru..."
"Relax, Neji... I agree with you" - said Tenten as she put her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"I think you're exaggerating" - said Lee as he looked at the others - "I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"
"He didn't say that line, did he?" - said Sasuke with a serious expression on his face.
"Oh, he did say it..." - Tenten nodded seriously.
"Huh? Did I say something wrong?" - Lee asked in surprise.
"Something bad? What you said is much worse than bad!" - exclaimed Neji as he looked at his teammate - "Don't you remember what happened when you said that sentence a year ago?"
"Huh? Are you sticking with that?" - asked Lee as he looked at his two teammates - "It was just a coincidence, even Gai sensei said it"
"Believe me... when someone says that phrase and something bad happens, then it's not a coincidence..." - Neji said seriously.
"I think you're being superstitious" - denied the Taijutsu expert boy as the group continued to move forward.