A massive, ancient statue with ten fingers extended toward the sky loomed within the eerie cavern. The Gedo Statue stood motionless, an ominous presence casting long shadows over the cold stone walls.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
One by one, spectral figures flickered into existence, each appearing atop the statue's outstretched fingers. The members of the infamous Akatsuki had gathered once more.
"Why the hell are we having a sudden meeting?" Deidara grumbled, arms crossed impatiently. "Make it quick. I'm busy."
"I hope this doesn't take long," Kakuzu added, his green eyes gleaming with irritation. "Wasting time means losing money."
At the center of the gathering, Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki, surveyed the group before speaking. "Jue, tell everyone what you discovered."
White Zetsu's voice carried a sly amusement. "I recently investigated some strange activity around the Dragon Vein in the Land of Wind. You'll never guess who I ran into there."
"Tch." Deidara smirked, unimpressed. "What, another Five Kage? Big deal."
White Zetsu nodded. "That's right. But not just any Kage. This is someone far beyond what you'd expect."
The room fell silent. Even the most fearless among them—Kisame, Itachi, and Kakuzu—leaned in slightly, intrigued.
"In the Land of Wind, you'd expect the Kazekage," Kisame mused. "But from how you're talking, I take it that's not the case?"
"No, it's someone even more shocking," White Zetsu confirmed.
The Akatsuki members began throwing out guesses.
"Could it be that old man Tsuchikage?" Deidara asked.
"Or maybe the Raikage?" Kakuzu speculated. "Cloud Village has always been interested in power like the Dragon Vein."
"The Hokage?" Scorpion muttered.
They covered every possibility—until Hidan, resting his scythe against his shoulder, scoffed. "What's with all the speculation? We've fought Kage before! Kakuzu even fought the First Hokage!"
Kakuzu's expression darkened instantly.
"Hidan, shut up!" he snapped.
But it was too late.
"Yes! That's exactly right," White Zetsu said, grinning. "The person I saw was none other than Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage!"
Silence.
A thick, suffocating tension settled over the room.
"…Hey, Kakuzu," Hidan said, raising an eyebrow. "What's with your breathing? You sound like you just saw a ghost."
Kakuzu clenched his fists. A ghost? More like a nightmare reborn.
"The First Hokage… has been dead for over forty years," Kisame muttered.
"Was it Impure World Reincarnation?" Itachi asked, his crimson Sharingan flickering ominously.
"Exactly." Black Zetsu's voice rasped through the darkness. "He was revived through Impure World Reincarnation. And guess what? He effortlessly captured One-Tail Shukaku."
Everyone froze.
Kakuzu, recalling the legend of Hashirama, felt his stomach churn. The First Hokage wasn't just strong—he had dominated the battlefield. He wielded Wood Release, which could suppress tailed beasts with ease.
Even Itachi looked unsettled.
"We don't know who performed the jutsu," Black Zetsu continued, "but there's a high chance it was Orochimaru."
Tendo Pain's expression remained indifferent. "It doesn't matter. Whether it's the God of Shinobi himself, I am the one who will reshape the ninja world."
His declaration silenced any doubts.
"For now, we prioritize taking down Orochimaru," Pain ordered. "Kill him, and bring back One-Tail's Jinchūriki."
One by one, the Akatsuki members nodded.
Konoha Village – Team 7's Return
After their mission in the Land of Waves, Kuro Kakashi, Menma, Naruto, and Sakura walked through the streets of Konoha. Thanks to Kuro Kakashi's ninjutsu, the bridge had been completed ahead of schedule, marking the end of their mission.
However, there were some critical changes.
Menma, disguised as Sasuke, was actually a warrior from the Empire.
Kuro Kakashi, disguised as White Kakashi, was keeping an eye on things.
Naruto and Sakura were the only real members of Team 7 present.
Naruto, of course, was unaware of the deception.
As they walked through the village, Menma glanced around, unimpressed. "So this is one of the Five Great Nations?" His voice was filled with disappointment. "It's barely better than an abandoned ruin."
Sakura shivered. She knew the truth—the boy next to her wasn't Sasuke. And yet, she couldn't expose him.
Naruto clenched his fists. He still wanted to fight for Sasuke's return, but his body refused to move.
Menma smirked. "Still resisting, huh?"
He placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You're stubborn. But tell me—do you even understand what power is?"
Naruto glared at him, but something made him hesitate.
Then, suddenly—
Whispers.
Murmurs.
People were watching them.
"Look, it's that kid."
"The little fox demon is back."
"Shh! Don't say that too loud. The Hokage forbade us from talking about it."
"Tsk. Who cares? It's not like anyone will punish us."
Naruto's eyes darkened, his expression tightening. He was used to this.
A child tugged at their mother's sleeve. "Mom, why are people avoiding him?"
"Just stay away from him, honey."
Menma frowned.
This was… unnatural.
"The hell's with these people?" Menma muttered. "Why do they hate you so much?"
Naruto lowered his head. "I… don't care."
Menma narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you definitely care."
Even Kuro Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "It seems like the entire village… has turned against him."
Haruno Sakura remained silent. She already knew the truth.
Naruto wasn't like other kids.
He was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.
The living sacrifice that bore the burden of the beast that nearly destroyed the village.
But still… this level of rejection… was this how Konoha treated their heroes?
Menma's disgust deepened. This village is rotten.
"…Tch." Naruto forced a laugh. "I don't care."
Menma's gaze softened slightly.
Liar.
"You're an idiot," Menma said, shaking his head. "Instead of whining, get stronger. Otherwise, you'll always be nothing but their scapegoat."
Naruto's fists trembled.
That's what I'm trying to do.
Menma's Unspoken Thoughts
That night, as the village lights dimmed, Menma sat on a rooftop, looking down at the quiet streets.
Even in the so-called strongest village, the people lived in ignorance and fear.
He glanced at Naruto's apartment—a rundown, barely livable space on the outskirts of the village. Alone. Cold. Forgotten.
"This place… really is worthless," he muttered.
The Empire was far beyond this.
Perhaps one day, Naruto would see that for himself.
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