Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 262 Infiltrating Amegakure

In the conference room on the top floor of the central administrative tower in Star City.

Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the spacious and bright space and making the gleaming floor shine.

Dressed in a black robe with red trim, Menma sat upright in the main seat. His young face appeared both calm and dignified amidst the interplay of light and shadow.

Behind him was a clear blue sky and a bustling metropolis taking shape below, symbolizing the vibrant energy of this nascent nation.

On both sides of the long table sat the core members of the Star Kingdom: Military Minister Uchiha Hikaru, Anbu Captain Hoshigaki Kisame, Finance Minister Miyajo En, Administrative Minister Uzumaki Kaoru, Justice Minister Yohoshi, and others.

In addition, there are two important figures who have recently officially joined the Land of Stars: Uchiha Shisui and Hyuga Hizashi.

The atmosphere of the meeting was solemn and serious. The topic focused on how to specifically settle and integrate the power of the large number of members from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans so that they could be efficiently integrated into the system of the Land of Stars.

"In summary, after initial reorganization, most of the ninjas from both clans have been incorporated into the various units of the Star Ninja Army according to their abilities and wishes, thus strengthening our military power." Uchiha Hikari reported in her uniquely cool voice, her gaze sweeping over Shisui and Hizashi.

"Next, we will discuss the construction of an internal security system."

Mianma nodded slightly and took over the conversation. His voice was not loud but clear enough to reach everyone's ears: "The stability of the Star Kingdom is not only due to its powerful army resisting foreign enemies, but also to a complete internal security system that ensures the daily safety and order of its citizens."

He looked at Shisui and Hizashi: "Shisui, you will serve as the Minister of Police, and Hizashi, you will serve as the Vice Minister."

These words moved both Shisui and Hizashi slightly.

Although they were newcomers and gained attention due to their family background and personal strength, being directly entrusted with such important and powerful positions as head and deputy head of a department was still an unexpected sign of trust.

Menma continued to explain: "The police department will be an internal security force based on ordinary police officers who have undergone rigorous training, with genin and chunin as the core backbone."

"Its responsibilities are mainly divided into two parts: first, routine security maintenance, including urban patrols, dispute mediation, preliminary investigations of criminal cases, disaster relief, etc.; second, the special mobile police force, as a paramilitary force, is responsible for dealing with more troublesome bandit gangs within the country, border patrols, and cooperating with the army to carry out some special tasks."

He emphasized one point in particular: "It is important to note that the police department only has law enforcement powers, namely, maintaining order, investigating cases, and arresting suspects. However, the final determination of whether a suspect is guilty and the specific sentencing will be conducted independently by the judicial department."

"In the absence of a formal arrest warrant issued by the judicial authorities, the police's coercive measures against any person are limited to listing them as a suspect and requiring their cooperation in the investigation, and the time limit shall not exceed 24 hours. We must ensure that power is checked and balanced to avoid wrongful convictions and abuse of power."

Shisui listened attentively, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes.

He nodded deeply, recalling the police department in Konoha Village that was once solely controlled by the Uchiha clan. It was not only responsible for law enforcement but also possessed some judicial power. Although the power was concentrated, it also accumulated a lot of conflicts due to the lack of effective supervision, and even exacerbated the estrangement between the villagers and the Uchiha clan.

The model of separating law enforcement and the judiciary proposed by Shura, although seemingly dispersing power, is more rigorous and fair, and can reduce many unnecessary troubles from an institutional perspective.

He said in a deep voice, "Understood, Lord Shura. Separating law enforcement power from judicial power can indeed better guarantee fairness."

Hizashi also spoke up, "The Hyuga clan's Byakugan has an advantage in reconnaissance and tracking, making it very suitable for security missions. We will do our utmost to maintain domestic stability."

He was equally moved, never expecting that the Asura would entrust such an important force, which also served as a security force and a potential military reserve, directly to their two races. This trust was immense.

At this moment, Uchiha Hikaru added, "Shisui, Hizashi, don't underestimate the police department. It's not only an internal security force, but also an important military reserve. With the addition of the Uchiha and Hyuga, the police department's strength will be greatly enhanced. In addition to being responsible for the daily security of each prefecture, you also need to strengthen the training of ordinary police officers."

"Most of them have undergone rigorous physical and disciplinary training, and can even refine a small amount of chakra, but their talent limits them to the level of a formal genin. However, in the future, once they are equipped with mass-produced chakra-powered armor, their general combat ability will be able to be raised to the genin level."

Shisui immediately grasped the deeper meaning: "Therefore, this police force, which is spread throughout the country, familiar with local conditions, and trained, is actually a military reserve force spread throughout the Star Kingdom. Once war breaks out, it can be quickly transformed into local defense or even auxiliary combat forces."

Risha suddenly realized and felt a deep admiration for Shura's plan.

This is not only a sign of trust between the two ethnic groups, but also an entrustment of one of the cornerstones of national security to them.

Menma nodded, confirming their understanding: "That's right. The Uchiha clan is upright and righteous, making them suitable for law enforcement; the Hyuga clan is decisive and sharp, and their Byakugan is good for surveillance, making them suitable for maintaining internal order. I hope you can make this system work efficiently."

His gaze swept over everyone present: "Whether it's the military system or the police department, there is a clear promotion process based on ability and merit. Regardless of whether you come from a ninja background or are an ordinary person, as long as you have the ability and make contributions, you can obtain higher-level ninjutsu and more important positions. I also hope that the Uchiha and Hyuga clans can use your heritage and experience to discover and cultivate more outstanding talents for the Land of Stars."

The meeting continued, discussing specific details regarding organization, equipment, and site allocation.

Just as the discussion was drawing to a close, Mianma's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

He received an urgent message from Gato, who was far away in the Land of Iron, through the "Chakra Imprint Network".

Akatsuki members appear and engage in battle with Kakuzu.

'The Akatsuki have started actively contacting outsiders? It seems their recruitment plan has entered a new phase.' Several thoughts flashed through Menma's mind in an instant.

Mianma quickly scanned the message and understood.

He raised his hand to interrupt Ye Xing, who was speaking, and said to everyone, "The specific handover work of the police department will be handled by Guang and Ye Xing, who will coordinate with Shi Shui and Ri Zai."

After saying that, without waiting for anyone's response, his figure blurred and disappeared silently from the spot, leaving only subtle spatial fluctuations in the air.

The Land of Iron, Tsuruga Port.

Kado, nervously hiding behind a cargo box, sensed a slight distortion in the air beside him and quickly bowed respectfully: "My lord!"

Menma's figure appeared out of thin air and nodded: "How is the situation?"

Kado quickly reported on Kakuzu's battle with the two Akatsuki members, especially the situation of the Sharingan-wielding boy.

Mianma's gaze fell upon the devastated battlefield in the distance.

At this moment, the battle seemed to have just reached a climax.

On the open ground of the port, Kakuzu looked somewhat disheveled. His black casual clothes were torn in half, revealing his slightly pale skin and countless fine black stitches underneath.

Most horrifyingly, there was a huge, terrifying knife wound on his left side, almost splitting him in two, deep enough to expose the bone; an ordinary person would have been dead long ago.

However, not much blood flowed from the wound. Instead, countless black tendrils-like threads were wriggling and intertwining wildly, forcibly stitching the torn body back together at a speed visible to the naked eye!
Opposite Kakuzu, Zabuza Momochi leaned on his ninja sword, slightly out of breath, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Uchiha Itachi stood a little further away, his expression solemn, his three-tomoe Sharingan fixed on Kakuzu's healing wound.

It turned out that the battle situation changed suddenly before Menma arrived.

Seeing that Kakuzu was incredibly strong and that the battle was going on for a long time without a clear winner, Itachi Uchiha found an excellent opportunity and used his Sharingan to cast a genjutsu.

Despite his unwavering resolve, Kakuzu's mind faltered during his intense confrontation with Zabuza, and he was instantly pulled into a genjutsu.

Taking this opportunity, Zabuza unleashed his full power, and the huge steel ninja sword, carrying the momentum to tear everything apart, slashed fiercely into Kakuzu's waist and abdomen!
That single strike nearly cleaved Kakuzu in two!
However, just when the two thought they had succeeded, a powerful chakra fluctuation erupted from a certain "heart" within Kakuzu's body, forcibly breaking through Itachi's genjutsu restraints!
Kakuzu roared, ignoring his horrific injuries, and formed hand seals:
"Wind Escape·Press!"

"Fire Escape·Tou Ke Ku!"

Composite Ninjutsu!

The violent wind pressure, carrying high-temperature flames, formed a destructive area, instantly forcing Zabuza and Itachi, who were approaching, to retreat!

"How is this possible?! After suffering such an injury, he can still..." Zabuza gasped as he looked at Kakuzu's wound, which was rapidly healing under the wriggling black threads. This was completely beyond his understanding of "life".

Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan spun wildly, analyzing Kakuzu's bizarre ability. "The intelligence was seriously flawed... This isn't a conventional medical ninjutsu or substitution jutsu. It's some kind of... forbidden technique that alters the essence of life. Is it close to immortality...?"

He made a quick decision and shouted to Zabuza, "Mission suddenly changed, retreat!"

Continuing to engage with such an incomprehensible and bizarre opponent carries extremely high risks.

Although Zabuza was unwilling, he knew that Itachi's judgment was correct. The two quickly retreated and disappeared into the port's buildings in a few leaps.

Kakuzu looked in the direction the two had fled. His wounds had mostly healed, leaving only a hideous pink mark of new flesh on his skin.

He was about to give chase when he sensed another person beside him.

Menma appeared beside him like a ghost, his gaze calmly fixed on the direction where the Akatsuki members had disappeared.

Kakuzu immediately knelt on one knee and respectfully asked, "My lord! Should we stop them?"

Menma shook his head and reached out to help Kakuzu to his feet.

“No need. Your abilities have already attracted their attention, and that’s enough.” He looked thoughtfully at the rapidly disappearing wounds on Kakuzu’s body.

'I never expected that after I recruited Kakuzu and Kisame, Zabuza Momochi would be recruited by the Akatsuki. This means the original Land of Waves storyline is probably completely over.'

He instructed Kakuzu, "Go back and assist Gato in handling the aftermath. If the Akatsuki members contact us again, don't hold back. Give them a good lesson, but don't initiate a war with them for now."

"Yes! I understand!" Kakuzu replied in a deep voice.

'Perfect timing. I was planning to go to Amegakure anyway to investigate Jigen and Amado's whereabouts.' Menma glanced once more in the direction where Zabuza and Itachi had disappeared, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave again.

The land of rain, a thousand miles away.

Menma's figure emerged from a secret basement in an abandoned town.

The room was empty, except for a specially made Flying Thunder God kunai hanging in the center of the room, which emitted a faint chakra fluctuation.

The Land of Rain, shrouded in gloomy skies and drizzling rain year-round, is filled with the damp and dusty scent of the air.

'After the last encounter with Pain, the Akatsuki went quiet for a while... I wonder what kind of 'talents' Nagato has recruited now,' Menma thought to himself.

He had snatched Kisame Hoshigaki and Kakuzu, two originally slated members, ahead of time, which would inevitably derail the Akatsuki's trajectory. This piqued his curiosity, and he decided to take advantage of this trip to visit Amegakure.

However, he did not directly storm into Amegakure.

Nagato's "Rain Tiger Free Technique" likely covered the entire village, and any unusual chakra fluctuations could alert him.

So he decided to take a more covert approach.

Leaving the basement, Menma blended into the rain, his figure flashing a few times before arriving at a nearby main trade route leading to Amegakure.

He silently infiltrated a caravan struggling through the rain, hiding deep within the cargo pile of a wagon loaded with cloth, concealing all his chakra fluctuations, like an inanimate object.

……

Meanwhile, in a dense forest on the border of the Land of Rain.

The raindrops pattered against the leaves, making a rustling sound.

Pain, Konan, and Ringo Ameyuri formed a triangle, blocking a figure in front of them.

The man had pale skin, golden snake eyes, and exuded a cold and dangerous aura.

It was Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, your spies have been quite active in the Land of Rain lately," Konan spoke first, her cold eyes filled with vigilance. "What are you trying to do by gathering information about the Akatsuki?"

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes scrutinized Pain with great interest, especially his Rinnegan with its ripples. A greedy and eerie smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Hehehe... What, are you here to kill me and silence me today?"

Although he was smiling, his body was already slightly tense, ready to take action at any moment.

'The legendary Rinnegan, what a fascinating treasure...' Despite Shura's repeated warnings that the Rinnegan was a deep and complex thing, Orochimaru's desire was almost uncontrollable when he saw the eyes he had longed for.

"You can understand it that way." Pain's voice was devoid of emotion, like a cold machine.

"That's quite direct." Orochimaru licked his lips. "However, I'm very interested in your Akatsuki organization. Perhaps... we could try communicating in a different way?"

Before he finished speaking, a powerful chakra aura suddenly erupted from his body. It was cold, viscous, and carried the stench of snakes, breaking the deadlock first!

"You're asking for it!" Ringo Yuri shouted, she had been holding back for a long time.

His figure darted out like lightning, and the seemingly ordinary ninja sword in his hand was instantly wrapped in dazzling lightning!

A fierce lightning strike slashed straight at Orochimaru's face!
Orochimaru seemed unperturbed, his body contorting at an ergonomically unnatural angle as he narrowly avoided the ninja sword.

He quickly formed hand seals:
"Latent Shadow Snake Hands!"

Several ferocious venomous snakes suddenly shot out from her sleeve, hissing as they lunged at Ringo Ameyuri.

Ringo Ameyuri reacted extremely quickly, brandishing her ninja sword with flashes of lightning, slicing and charring all the attacking venomous snakes!
She kept moving, closing in on Orochimaru, her swordsmanship swift and violent, lightning accompanying the blade, forming a deadly net of attacks!
Orochimaru's taijutsu is equally unpredictable; his body is as flexible as if it had no bones, and he can always avoid vital points in unbelievable ways.

He occasionally used Earth Release or Wind Release ninjutsu to interfere, but he didn't seem to be using his full strength; it was more like he was testing the waters.

The two moved and clashed at high speed in the rain, their movements a fierce display of flashing blades, snake shadows, and lightning.

In what appeared to be a dangerous confrontation, Orochimaru deliberately created an opening, slowing his movements by half a beat.

Ringo Ameyuri's eyes flashed with a sharp light. Seizing the opportunity, she thrust her ninja sword forward, piercing through Orochimaru's shoulder blade!

"Got it!" Ringo Ameyuri was overjoyed and kicked Orochimaru away, sending him flying and breaking a small tree.

Orochimaru lay motionless on the ground, as if he had lost all life.

Ringo Ameyuri sheathed her sword, a hint of disdain on her face: "Hmph, is this all the legendary Sannin are capable of? How disappointing."

However, the moment she let her guard down, something unexpected happened!
The mouth of the fallen Orochimaru corpse suddenly opened to its limit in an extremely terrifying way, and another intact Orochimaru emerged from it, wet and molting, as if shedding its skin!

Even more astonishingly, the newly appeared Orochimaru's body suddenly stretched and lengthened like rubber, his neck instantly extending several meters, and with lightning speed, his right hand lunged straight at Pain, who had been standing still watching the battle!

His goal was crystal clear.

Those Rinnegan eyes!
This turn of events was so sudden that even Xiao Nan didn't have time to react!
Orochimaru's calculations were ruthless and precise; the previous battles were all a prelude to this final surprise attack!
Just as his hand was about to touch Pain's eye socket, Pain's Rinnegan remained calm and composed, only slightly raising his hand.

"Shenra Tianzheng."

An irresistible and immense repulsive force erupted from the center of Pain!
Om-!
The air was humming under the strain!
Orochimaru's outstretched head and body were thrown back as if they had hit an invisible, indestructible wall, even faster than when they came!
It crashed through more than a dozen large trees before falling heavily onto the muddy ground, splashing up a large amount of water.

"Pfft!" Orochimaru spat out a mouthful of blood, his face filled with shock and disbelief.

"No seal... and such a powerful ninjutsu?! Is this... the power of the Rinnegan?!" He felt as if he were fighting against the entire world!

Ringo Ameyuri finally realized what was happening, and was both shocked and furious. She raised her ninja sword and pointed it at Orochimaru: "You cunning bastard!"

Orochimaru struggled to his feet, and despite his injuries, the excitement in his golden snake eyes intensified.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and chuckled, "Hehehe... As expected of the Rinnegan. I'm becoming more and more interested in the Akatsuki. So, Pain, how about considering letting me join? My knowledge and research abilities should be very useful to you."

Konan immediately flew to Pain's side and whispered, "Pain, Orochimaru is too dangerous. He clearly tried to take your eyes just now!"

Pain remained silent for a moment, his Rinnegan fixed on Orochimaru, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Finally, he coldly said, "Okay."

Pain said to Konan, "Rather than letting him spy from the outside, it's better to keep him under our watchful eyes."

He then looked at Orochimaru: "Welcome to Akatsuki, Orochimaru."

Orochimaru wore a triumphant smile: "A wise choice."

Ringo Yuri scoffed in dissatisfaction, but she knew it was the leader's decision.

Orochimaru followed Pain, Konan, and Ringo Ameyuri towards Amegakure.

He looked at the backs of Pain and Konan, especially their orange hair and familiar demeanor, feeling as if he had seen them somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place where.

After entering Amegakure's iconic underground base, shrouded in countless pipes and towers, Orochimaru looked around with great interest: "Tsk tsk, it's hidden right under Hanzo's nose. No wonder he's been searching for so many years without any clues."

At that moment, Zetsu's half-black, half-white figure emerged from the ground: "Boss, Zabuza and Itachi have returned with their mission report. There are some discrepancies. Their target, Kakuzu... seems to possess the ability of immortality, and they failed to capture him."

"Immortality?" Orochimaru's snake eyes immediately lit up, filled with the curiosity of a researcher.

……

Meanwhile, Menma, hiding in a caravan wagon, was resting with his eyes closed, waiting to enter Amegakure.

Suddenly, a commotion and cries came from outside the convoy.

Menma quietly activated Kagura's Mind's Eye, and his powerful perception spread out like ripples on water.

He "saw" a group of ragged refugees surge onto the road and surround the caravan, begging for alms.

However, among these emaciated refugees were a few strong, fierce-looking men with faint chakra fluctuations within them.

'As expected...' Menma knew in his heart that such tragedies were happening all over the ninja world.

When the Rain Village ninja squad hired by the caravan stepped forward to try to disperse these "refugees," an unexpected incident occurred!
Those strong men suddenly pulled out their weapons from under their tattered clothes and roared as they pounced on the Rain Village ninja!
The real refugees were terrified and scattered in all directions, plunging the scene into chaos.

The bandits disguised as refugees clashed fiercely with the Rain Village ninjas, the sounds of clashing metal, exploding ninjutsu, and screams filling the air.

Amidst the chaos, Menma's senses locked onto a peculiar figure.

She was a little girl who looked only eleven or twelve years old, with unusual short purple hair, her face covered in mud, but her big eyes were exceptionally bright.

With her forehead bound with Amegakure's headband, she hid behind the wreckage of an overturned carriage, nervously supporting her companions outside with kunai and shuriken.

'Hydrangea?' Menma recalled the name.

In the original work, it seems that he was an outer subordinate of the Akatsuki organization after they killed Hanzo the Salamander and took control of Amegakure. After his death, he was made into the Animal Path.

I never imagined she would become a ninja at such a young age.

Ninjas from smaller ninja villages outside the Five Great Ninja Villages don't have the tradition that genin (lower-rank ninjas) are forbidden from accepting B-rank missions. For genin from smaller ninja villages, as long as they can survive, they can do any mission.

The chaos in the Land of Rain has given rise to many more such seedlings.

He observed quietly, without any intention of intervening immediately.

(End of this chapter)