Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

Chapter 33 [Embers]

The scene before us can only be described as a natural disaster.

The enormous crater stretched to the horizon, its rock layers displaying jagged cracks from cooled lava, and the air was thick with an aura of scorching heat and destruction. This level of destructive power far exceeded the capabilities of ordinary ninjas—surpassing even the level of a "Kage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen such power in two different people.

Hashirama Senju. Madara Uchiha.

Those two legendary ninjas possessed power that transcended the realm of "humans." It's no exaggeration to say that their power was a level that only "gods" could reach.

Now... has the world gained another ninja demon? But the problem is—in today's ninja world, there is no "ninja god" who can stand against him.

The third generation's gaze trembled slightly. He didn't want to harm the innocent...? He understood completely.

Konoha's intact state was not due to the Four Red Yang Formation. If that dark "stardust" had landed directly in the center of the village, his barely erected barrier would have been utterly incapable of withstanding it. Did Menma deliberately avoid Konoha—or did he disdain destroying the village in this way?

"cough……!"

The backlash from the complete depletion of chakra caused the Third Hokage to cough up blood. He barely managed to steady himself, his gaze sweeping over the massive crater before him. The Raikage's fate was unknown, and the masked man…

"Looks like this guy got lucky and survived."

A cold voice came from high above, and the Third Hokage's body suddenly stiffened. He mechanically looked up at the slowly descending figure.

Menma dragged the Raikage's body with one hand, as if carrying a trivial trophy. Kumogakure's "A" was charred black all over, his muscular body covered with burn marks, his hair was singed and curly, and dried blood remained at the corner of his mouth.

"Is this all there is to 'shadow'?"

Mianma's voice came through the fox mask as he casually threw Raikage to the ground, making a dull thud.

"Thump—"

The Raikage's body slammed heavily onto the ground, kicking up a small cloud of dust.

Menma landed without a sound, the hem of his black robe fluttering slightly before falling back down. He surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sweeping over each of the Konoha ninjas who appeared to be on high alert.

The Konoha ninja gripped their kunai and bladed weapons tightly, their weapons trembling, their bodies instinctively shuddering at the overwhelming power they faced. Sweat dripped from their headbands, leaving streaks of disheveled dirt on their dusty faces.

"Actually, you don't need to be so wary of me."

The numb voice sent chills down everyone's spines.

"because..."

He paused deliberately, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth beneath the fox mask. "If I wanted to take your lives... you wouldn't be standing here right now."

These words struck everyone like a hammer blow. They all knew this wasn't a bluff—the massive crater, several kilometers in diameter, was the best proof. Several young Konoha ninja could no longer hold on; their knees buckled and they collapsed to the ground, but their hands still gripped their weapons tightly.

However, even with trembling legs and chattering teeth, not a single Konoha ninja laid down their weapons. Like a pack of wolves cornered, they knew they were outmatched but still bared their teeth.

"Let...let go of Lord Raikage!"

His voice squeezed out of his throat, struggling to suppress its trembling. As a sensory ninja, he could clearly sense the Raikage's faint chakra—he was still alive, but severely injured.

Just as hope was about to rush out, an arm blocked his chest.

Darui pressed his palm against hope, his gaze fixed on Menma, his usually languid tone now carrying an unprecedented seriousness. "Calm down, hope."

Lord Raikage is still alive... This monster didn't kill him.

Darui took a deep breath and forced himself to loosen his clenched teeth. He could feel his molars trembling uncontrollably, but his voice remained unusually steady.

"Lord Menma, Kumogakure... fully understands the current situation."

He deliberately omitted the slightly contemptuous term "masked man," and subtly used his right hand to shield hope from the back.

"Regarding the incident involving the delegation and the Byakugan, Kumogakure is willing to... let bygones be bygones. The so-called war will absolutely not be waged."

Darui's Adam's apple bobbed. He could feel cold sweat trickling down his back. He was deliberately avoiding mass killing... his goal was to stop the war, not to commit slaughter.

"Your desire to stop the war is something Kumogakure has deeply understood." Darui bowed slightly, a gesture that elicited incredulous expressions from several Kumogakure ninja. "But the Byakugan incident... wasn't Raikage-sama's unilateral decision, but rather the result of a collective resolution by the Kumogakure leadership."

He deliberately slowed his speech to ensure every word was clearly conveyed. "Furthermore, you didn't take the Raikage's life... presumably because you considered that if Kumogakure suddenly lost its 'Kage,' the resulting power vacuum would cause even greater turmoil."

Darui raised his voice. "If you're willing to show leniency this time—Kumakure is willing to offer any compensation!"

These words resonated deeply. Darui raised his head, staring directly into the pockmarked fox mask. His pupils trembled, but his gaze did not waver.

He's taking a gamble... He needs an "example," not a corpse.

A deathly silence fell over the scene. Everyone held their breath, awaiting a response from the figure in black robes. Even the Third Hokage involuntarily tensed up.

The wind carried the scent of scorched earth, fluttering his black robe. He stood there silently, his expression hidden beneath the mask.

"The Third Hokage."

Menma's voice suddenly rang out, but instead of looking at Darui, he turned directly to Hiruzen Sarutobi. This turn startled everyone present.

The Third Hokage slowly raised his head, his aged face still showing the pallor of depleted chakra.

"I advise you not to do anything foolish." Mianma's voice carried a hint of mockery. "I think I understand now. You can't really be called 'bad,' but you're definitely 'stupid.'"

The third generation's fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.

Menma's gaze fell on the Third Hokage's hand seal, which he hadn't fully lowered. "That seal... is it the Reaper Death Seal? It seems the battle at the Valley of the End left you with quite a few traumas."

His black robes fluttered without wind, and his voice, though pale, turned cold. "I have no intention of destroying Konoha... but after that ninjutsu, things might change."

Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on the Third Hokage's forehead. Finally, his taut fingers relaxed weakly. The hand seal completely dissipated, and this small movement made the Konoha Anbu members present secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Menma then turned back to Darui, his tone returning to its usual nonchalant teasing. "Compensation? Looks like you're a smart one."

He feigned deep thought, tapping his fingers lightly on his mask. "Let me think... Eight-Tails and Two-Tails might be a good idea."

Darui's face turned deathly pale. "...I'm sorry, this is the only option. Please consider something else...Kumakuya will do everything in its power to meet your needs."

Menma let out a soft laugh: "Heh..." This soft laugh made the hearts of all the Cloud Village ninjas jump into their throats.

"I was just joking." Menma waved his hand casually. "Because... if I wanted a Tailed Beast, do you think I would consult you?"

Darui's back was completely soaked with cold sweat, but he forced himself to stand still and not take a single step back.

"..."

"【ember】."

When this unfamiliar word came out of Mianma's mouth, everyone was stunned.

"...What?"

Darui instinctively asked a question, his brain racing—this word had never appeared in the ninja world before, neither in a known ninja village nor in any exiled organization.

"This is the name of the organization I lead."

His voice was calm and measured. "Make sure you remember this name well—"

Chakra suddenly surged, unleashing a violent shockwave centered on Menma. His black robes billowed wildly in the turbulent energy flow, and the phantom of the Nine-Faced Beast flickered behind him.

"Then let the name of fear spread throughout the ninja world!"

These words, like the tolling of a judgment bell, resounded heavily in everyone's heart.

Menma's figure began to blur, and the storm of chakra grew increasingly violent. In the last moment before disappearing, his voice pierced through the gale and clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Either you obediently continue living off the rotten fruits of peace... or let me teach you—what real 'war' is!"

"boom--!"

A violent chakra storm suddenly erupted, whipping up dust that forced everyone to raise their hands to shield themselves. Kunai slipped from their fingers, headbands were blown askew, and even standing became difficult.

When the sandstorm finally subsided—

In the center of the open space, only the unconscious Raikage remained. Mianma's figure vanished like a dream, leaving only deep cracks in the ground as proof of what had just happened.