Chapter 385: Respective Expectations

Everything still depends on the subsequent development.

At this point.

Menma himself still had a relatively clear understanding. Anyway, it was already the 62nd year of Konoha, and it was completely entering the final countdown. If he didn't take action, Obito and Nagato should also take action.

The next thing to compete is how each of them competes for speed.

Shikaku wants to continue negotiating.

There needs to be further inducement from Konoha Hidden Village. With the information from Orochimaru and the information vaguely mentioned by Shikaku, it is 100% certain that Iwagakure Village is hooking up with Konoha Hidden Village. This is of course It's to be expected.

But Menma definitely doesn't want to continue fighting with Konoha and Iwagakure now. This is not in line with Menma's expectations.

Fortunately, it will take some time for Yanyin Village to fully digest the benefits obtained from Yunyin Village, and it is absolutely impossible for Yanyin Village to attack them alone.

As long as he can hold Konoha's hand slightly steady.

It doesn’t take too long. If you come here for half a year or ten months, your preparations will be complete enough.

Therefore, some necessary strategies still need to be launched as soon as possible.

As for Naruto.

It is absolutely impossible for Menma to let them meet. The filter was only available at the beginning, and everything later was shattered to pieces. Those former companions in Konoha Hidden Village?

It can only be said that they have different paths and do not conspire against each other.

What they want to think and how they want to act is their business, and Menma won't spoil it.

Everything still has to be based on yourself.

Menma's right index finger was slightly bent, and he tapped the table gently, looking at the scenery of his ninja village outside the window, his eyes became deep at this moment, and he was quietly thinking about his other arrangements.

And it was just as Menma himself had guessed.

When Shikaku left, he was not as excited and happy as he had shown in the office before.

Although it does feel somewhat relaxing.

But more importantly, I am worried about the future.

Menma's performance is already superb, but with as much life experience as Shikaku, his acuity is still maxed out.

How could Shikaku not see through Menma's disguise?

Just under this disguise.

There is still a little bit of true feelings revealed.

At this point, Shikaku can still be sure. It is also based on this that Shikaku feels confident in his heart, not to mention the topic about Naruto that he himself mentioned inadvertently later.

Shikaku could be sure that Menma's expression at that moment did not contain any watery ingredients.

Then combined with the "neighbor intelligence" that Suo had investigated previously, which seemed insignificant but still had a certain effect, Shikaku was already close to 99% certain that Naruto was definitely still alive.

Verify this information.

This is the biggest reason why Shikaku volunteered to come to Guangyin Village!

'Fortunately, Naruto is still alive. In this case, at least it's not the worst situation. . . ’

As Shikaku walked towards the place where his delegation was staying, he was thinking happily in his heart.

The relationship between Shikaku and Minato is quite good.

They have fought side by side several times.

In the year when Minato first came to power, Shikaku was Minato's most important arm. It should be said that Shikaku was the most staunch Minato figure both in public and private matters. It was a pity that Minato was so unfaithful. He died in battle at a young age.

It is also based on this.

Menma's defection.

There was still a part of guilt in Shikaku's heart.

It's just that the three clans of Ino, Deer and Butterfly have always been the most determined ninja clan of the Hokage faction. They will obey the orders of whoever is the Hokage 100%. At that time, they could not and did not dare to disobey the orders of the Third Hokage.

Unless Tsunade and Jiraiya can take the lead.

It was possible for Shikaku to get involved.

And it's just possible.

The positioning of the Inar, Deer, and Butterfly Tribes in Konoha Hidden Village has always been very clear and firm. This is also their way of survival and cannot be changed easily.

Therefore, Shikaku felt a certain amount of guilt towards Minato in his heart.

This was exacerbated by the news of Naruto's death in battle at Menma's hands, and it was now certain that Naruto was still alive.

Shikaku's whole body relaxed.

‘In this case, there is still some room for improvement. . . ’

Wait until Shikaku returns to the hotel.

Kakashi, Haiichi, Metkai and others were already waiting for Shikaku's return in his room.

"Shikaku, how are you?"

The moment he saw Shikaku returning safely.

All three of them breathed a sigh of relief at first.

After all, it was Menma.

Once angered, it is possible to be cruel at any time, and Kakashi himself is the best proof. If there were no accidents, Kakashi would have died in the hands of Menma in the Valley of the End.

Shikaku still had the intention to have the most direct negotiation with Menma. God knows what Menma's attitude would be.

"Well, let's just say we have accomplished our most basic intention."

Shikaku came to the three of them, sat down cross-legged, and said with a slightly relaxed look.

Seeing Shikaku's appearance.

The three of them felt somewhat confident.

Following from that.

"Just now....."

Shikaku used relatively concise words to briefly explain the negotiation process between himself and Menma, as well as the most important result.

in the process of listening.

The expressions of Kakashi, Haiichi, and Gai also changed many times according to Shikaku's different descriptions, especially when they heard Shikaku speculate that a considerable part of Menma was acting deliberately. They all became more solemn than ever before.

In their opinion, this should be the most dangerous signal, right?

But as Shikaku's subsequent descriptions and most importantly personal speculations unfold.

The expressions of the three people gradually softened a lot.

"That's it. It does seem like there is some hope..."

Haiyi nodded slightly and said in agreement.

"Is this really certain? Shikaku, is it really all a lie?"

Kakashi still looked very worried, looking directly at Shikaku and asked.

"It's not impossible, but as Haiyi said, there is still a little hope, and although there is still no clear evidence yet, it is very likely that Naruto is indeed still alive and in this Hidden Light Village. "

Lu Jiu took a deep breath and made this most important judgment.

And it was also at the moment when I heard Shikaku's words.

Kakashi, Haiichi and Metkai all widened their eyes slightly in an instant, especially the former's face, which showed an obvious look of joy and urgency.

"Shikaku, are you really sure!?"

"Well, we are close, but Menma may not let Naruto come to see us. Therefore, although we can tell Hinata and the others this news, we must also pay attention to it. Don't be overly excited or do anything inappropriate. Act rationally and remember that this is Guangyin Village and we cannot mess around. "

Shikaku was still a little worried about the little guys down there messing around.

Especially Hinata.

The girl seemed to be a particularly stubborn person, and Shikaku was afraid that she would do something extreme and directly irritate Menma.

In that case, the gains outweigh the losses.

"Well, don't worry, Shikaku, we will explain it later."

Hearing Shikaku's second confirmation.

Kakashi's face also showed a sincere look of relaxation and happiness.

You must find the words of the most reliable person in Konoha Hidden Village.

Shikaku must be on the list.

His intelligence, his overall view, and his judgment have always been second to none in Konohagakure.

And generally.

If he is not sure, Shikaku will not say absolute words easily.

Since Shikaku dares to do this, he is indeed very confident, and Kakashi will naturally feel very happy.

Never mind whether this is self-impression.

Is this cheap self-salvation?

Anyway, in Kakashi's heart, Naruto is the only one who is worthy of his Minato teacher, if Naruto really dies in this battle.

Kakashi is really uneasy.

During that period of time in the past, Hinata was not the only one who was suffering internally, but Kakashi was also suffering from it. It was just that the adults concealed it very well.

Now I can really breathe a sigh of relief.

Kakashi firmly believes that Shikaku will not deceive him about this kind of thing, and there is no need for it, right?

"Well, the next step is to discuss some details. Haiichi, write a letter and send it directly back to the village. Inform Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama of the general situation and confirm the key points."

The purpose of this mission.

It has basically been implemented.

The rest cannot be accomplished overnight.

The alliance between Uchiha and Senju will take a long time to work out, and it may not succeed, let alone now.

But as long as the first step is taken, Lujiu will have the corresponding confidence to complete the next operations. Everything must be earned through his own efforts.

Of course, before that, you still need to report to Tsunade in the village. Even if Shikaku himself has obtained full power, after all, it involves the relationship between the two villages and Menma, the Nine-Tailed Jinchuuriki.

Shikaku must be more cautious.

More importantly, the current relaxation does not represent the future relationship.

Just like in the interview.

Menma himself mentioned the issue of future opportunities.

Shikaku himself is also very clear about the significance of Kyuubi to Konoha Hidden Village, but the current situation in the ninja world is indeed too special. The Kumogakure and Kirigakure villages were severely damaged one after another, and they were all from Konoha Hidden Village. pot.

The establishment of Guangyin Village and the further expansion of Yanyin Village.

All of these make the situation facing Konoha Hidden Village very delicate.

Shikaku is very clear about the wishes of his Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama. The Kyuubi definitely wants to take it back, but he is unwilling to really fight to the end with Menma. This is not just an emotional issue; An ambivalence that arises based on realistic factors.

Does Konoha Hidden Village really dare to say that it has a greater confidence in winning against the current Hidden Leaf Village?

I'm afraid that's not possible.

Even Shikaku's subconscious felt that if it were one-on-one, the probability of defeat of his ninja village would be higher.

This is definitely not alarmist.

Yes.

Making such a judgment can be said to be a matter of course.

"Yeah, I understand."

Hai nodded and said.

"By the way, those two people haven't done anything, right? In the past few days."

Shikaku's eyes flashed, and he spoke with a slightly lower tone.

"Don't worry, Shikaku, we've been keeping an eye on them these past few days. It's basically normal behavior."

Haiyi replied softly.

"Still can't take it lightly. I don't quite believe that Danzo sent these two people here just for a walk. There must be some hidden mission, so we must keep an eye on it!"

Shikaku nodded first, then shook his head, and explained in a very serious tone.

"Um!"

Haiichi, Kakashi, and Metkai nodded simultaneously and replied.

They all know what kind of ruthless character Shimura Danzo is, and what a dangerous department his roots are.

And these guys are really desperate for their lives.

All it takes is an order from Danzo.

He will really do anything.

After all, they are still companions of his own Ninja Village. Shikaku really doesn't want to see them commit crimes. To say the least, if they really die, it won't be a big problem. He is afraid that the entire Hidden Leaf Village will be directly implicated.

Whether it can be successful or not is one thing.

But whether there is a probability is another matter.

Lu Jiu never wanted to see things being artificially destroyed when things finally turned around.

These are completely two different things.

The four people negotiated.

That is to say, they split up to perform their own responsibilities.

News of the order to go down.

It was also through Shikaku's son that Shikamaru told the little guys in the mission when they learned that Naruto was still alive.

Kiba, Choji and others all breathed a sigh of relief.

Hinata even cried with joy.

"Great, great, Naruto-kun, Naruto-kun..."

His eyes were already wet.

Hinata covered her face and cried softly.

"Hinata..."

Ino, who was on one side and came to Koyakumura to accompany Hinata, also patted Hinata's shoulder lightly and said with a complicated expression.

"Although this news can be confirmed, it is obvious that Menma will not let us see Naruto. Dad and the others also want to tell us not to mess around. After all, we don't know very well that Naruto is in Mitsukakure now. Given the situation in the village, any rash move may bring unpredictable dangers to Naruto."

Shikamaru took a deep breath and then spoke softly.

"this..."

Hinata, who was originally very happy, suddenly froze when she heard Shikamaru's words.

Can't see Naruto-kun?

So what should I do?

At that moment, Hinata's heart surged with infinite impulse, but at that moment she was restrained by herself.

She cannot harm other companions in the mission because of her own impulse.

Menma is no longer the Menma they were familiar with before.

Although Hinata really wanted to see Naruto and was even willing to risk everything, that was only for herself.

It is absolutely forbidden to involve other people.