Chapter 137 Next Step

"Going out to find someone? If I'm not wrong, Orochimaru-san should be planning to find Tsunade-san, right?"

Menma looked at Orochimaru with a half-smile and said.

"It's true that nothing can be hidden from Menma-kun, but don't get me wrong, Menma-kun. It's not that I don't trust Menma-kun, I just have some things that I need to confirm with Tsunade."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, and then said with a smile.

"That's okay. I just need to see that Orochimaru-san approves the content of the transaction between us. As for what Orochimaru-san wants to do, it must still be Orochimaru-san's own freedom, right?"

Orochimaru's words.

Menma didn't believe a word of it, but this was the most correct thing to do.

If people like them had any trust, it would be the biggest joke in the world.

"Haha, that's the best, then? Does Menma-kun want to meet Tsunade with me? If I'm lucky, this former teammate of mine may give Menma-kun some of his research. I’m not sure if you can bring more help.”

Orochimaru gently looked at Menma and said meaningfully.

Menma's eyes narrowed slightly, but after only a second, he smiled nonchalantly and said: "No, I won't go. In the next few days, I just need to go out and have some things of my own." Things need to be dealt with.”

"Oh? Menma-kun wants to go out too? Maybe it's not that appropriate at this time, right?"

Orochimaru didn't really care whether Menma went with him or not, but when he heard that Menma needed to leave Otogakure Village temporarily, Orochimaru's expression changed slightly.

"What? Orochimaru-san still wants to restrict my freedom? This seems to be different from what we agreed before, right?"

Menma's expression instantly turned cold, and his slightly narrowed eyes revealed a dangerous coldness.

He and Orochimaru were just collaborators.

In order to get Orochimaru's help, Menma doesn't mind cooperating with Orochimaru in other aspects, and even being a little restrained to some extent at this stage is not a big problem.

But this does not mean that Menma will be at the mercy of Orochimaru in everything.

This is not only a practical need.

It was something that was forbidden in Menma's mind.

The momentum that was induced but not released gradually spread out, and the wild chakra fluctuations spread out.

Kabuto Yakushi, who witnessed Menma's clean kill of Shiranui Genma, felt the aura on Menma's body, his body trembled subconsciously, and his expression became more solemn than ever before.

Orochimaru still looked calm and replied with a smile: "Why would Menma-kun think so? I feel very happy about the cooperative relationship between us, at least for now. I just want to remind you. Next, Ma-kun, the ninja world today is not so peaceful. Not only Konoha, but also Kumogakure and Iwagakure have taken action. As far as I know, the targets are all Menma-kun. What is the reason? I I think Menma-kun should know it very well, right?”

"Oh? So that's it? It's true that I misunderstood Orochimaru-san. I have considered these issues. Orochimaru-san doesn't need to worry about anything. I won't leave too far away. I'm just going to do something. It’s just a small thing.”

Menma also nodded with a look of 'sudden realization' and replied with a chuckle.

"Oh, that's the best. Then please pay close attention to your own safety, Menma-kun. Also, this stronghold will be abandoned in the near future. Menma-kun, it's best to come back as soon as possible."

Orochimaru stared at Menma with his narrow snake eyes and said.

There was obviously a hint of warning in the words.

"Well, I understand, it's only a few days. You might as well come back before Orochimaru-san. Besides, there are other means of contact, right?"

Menma replied nonchalantly.

"Haha, Menma-kun knows in his heart that it is naturally the best. Then I am here to wish Menma-kun all the best."

Orochimaru looked at Menma deeply, and then nodded slowly.

He didn’t even ask what Menma was going to do.

Asking is in vain.

Through such a conversation today, Orochimaru also further confirmed the positioning and relationship between them.

The fear of face numbness in my heart is getting higher and higher.

The initial impression of Mian Ma had long been wiped out.

Orochimaru completely treats Menma as an equal existence mentally, and will never underestimate Menma because of his age.

"I hereby accept Orochimaru-san's good wishes."

Menma said with raised eyebrows.

Soon after.

Orochimaru also took Yakushi Kabuto and turned around and left.

Looking at Orochimaru's back as he left.

Menma's pupils also showed a faint color.

"Menma, are we leaving here? Where are we going?"

On the side, Xiang Rin remained silent from beginning to end. After Orochimaru left, she turned to look at Menma and asked softly.

"Well, this is something that was settled before leaving Konoha. There is something that I need to get as soon as possible. It will be a very good help for us now, and it won't be very far. It is located in the western direction of Tian Country and at the junction with Takino Country. It is probably less than half a day’s journey from here.”

Menma replied warmly.

"The country of Taki?"

Karin nodded, not quite understanding.

Menma did not explain much.

"Let's go, pack our luggage, and we'll leave in the afternoon."

The two turned around and returned to the house behind. After a simple packing, when Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi had just left, Menma took Karin and left the Sound Village and headed towards his predetermined target location.

Takigakure.

As one of the few countries in the ninja world that has a ninja village.

The status of Takigakure is second only to the five major countries. The reason is very simple. Takigakure has a tailed beast. This was allocated to Takigakure by the first generation Hokage, Hashirama Senju, when the tailed beast was distributed decades ago. Obviously, this is because the strength of Takigakure at that time was really second only to the five major ninja villages. Otherwise, why didn't Kusagakure, Yugakure, and Yugakure get the tailed beast distribution! ?

Kakuzu, the financial manager of Akatsuki, was from Takigakure Village, and the forbidden technique of Earth Grudge that he relied on to become stronger originally belonged to Takigakure Village.

This was originally a ninja village that had the potential to catch up with the five major ninja villages and even become one of the six major countries, but in the following decades, Takigakure Village continued to decline, both because of the Ninja World War and because of its own reasons. Kakuzu's defection was also one of the reasons.

Takigakure Village, which has been declining over the years, can only be tougher against other small ninja villages.

Once it faces the five major countries, Takigakure Village will still have to be a tail between its legs.

The five major countries still maintain an absolute crushing situation when facing these other small ninja villages.

The reason why these small ninja villages can continue to exist is because of the tacit understanding between the five major countries. Before no one has it, or feels that they do not have the strength to flatten the entire ninja world, these small ninja villages have a meaning of existence.

Just like the blue planet where Menma lived in his previous life, why didn't the former colonial powers localize their colonies? Truly integrate them into the country?

Do those politicians have no foresight at all? Do they fully see the benefits of doing so?

The answer is obviously no.

The reason why those powers have always maintained a large number of colonies is because doing so can maximize their interests.

This is similar to the reason why the five major powers deliberately left these small countries between them.