NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 117: Excessive
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"The Rinnegan, the natural art of reincarnation!?" Menma's voice rang out, carrying a mixture of revelation and intrigue.
Kyuubi's expression darkened, the weight of centuries settling in his eyes. As an ancient being—one who had existed since the dawn of the Sage of Six Paths—Kurama had witnessed countless cycles of ambition and war.
"Those eyes of Samsara... Uchiha Madara's contingency plan. Nine-Tails, do you wish to return to the days when you were nothing but a pawn in someone else's game?" Menma's lips curled into a sly smile, his words deliberate as his gaze bore into the beast.
"And it's not just Madara we're talking about."
The mention of Madara was like a sharp blade slicing through Kurama's composure. Memories of his enslavement under the Uchiha's cursed Mangekyō Sharingan flooded his mind—the indignity of being summoned like a mere weapon and controlled as if he were nothing more than a tool. Kurama growled, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of realization and fury.
"The Rinnegan… resurrection… and a plan to unite the tailed beasts. Could it be…?" Menma's smirk deepened, his tone almost taunting.
"Exactly what you're thinking, Kurama."
The Nine-Tails' massive form loomed over Menma, his fiery eyes gleaming with suspicion.
"You know far too much for a child. Who are you really?"
Tailed beasts like Kurama were often regarded as immortal forces of nature. To most of the shinobi world, their deaths were temporary, their forms reappearing over time. But the truth was far darker—a truth only they knew.
The reformation of the Ten-Tails, the being from which they were born, would erase them entirely. Not a rebirth, but the end of their very existence.
Hearing Menma speak so casually of these forbidden matters struck a nerve. Kurama had long suspected this possibility, but Menma's words brought the terrible truth to the forefront.
For a moment, Kurama studied Menma, searching his every movement and word. Was he... connected to the Sage of Six Paths? Could he be the reincarnation of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki—or, perhaps worse, Hamura?
After all, Kurama had witnessed the endless cycle of reincarnation between Hagoromo's sons, Asura and Indra. If Menma truly bore some connection to that lineage, it would explain his unsettling knowledge and strange aura.
But before Kurama could voice his thoughts, Menma spoke again, his voice calm yet commanding.
"Don't overthink it, Kurama." His soft smile seemed almost genuine, yet his words remained frustratingly cryptic. "My identity isn't as complicated as you believe. In time, everything will become clear."
Kurama snorted, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "You're as maddening as the old man was." But beneath the sarcasm, there was a faint flicker of trust.
The Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, had been more than a creator to the tailed beasts—he was their father. His words, spoken centuries ago, still resonated within Kurama: One day, you will find someone worthy to guide you. Someone who will treat you not as a tool but as a companion.
Kurama's eyes softened for the briefest moment, though he masked it with a scoff. Could Menma truly be that person?
For now, Kurama chose to wait and observe. But one thing was clear: Menma was no ordinary Jinchūriki, and the Nine-Tails wasn't about to let his guard down.
Kurama's instincts whispered that Menma might indeed be the person the Sage of Six Paths had foretold.
"That's enough for now," Menma said, waving dismissively. "Prepare yourself, Kurama. Soon, we'll see just how far your chakra can take us at its peak."
With that, Menma's spiritual form shimmered, his presence dissipating from the Nine-Tails' mindscape in an instant.
Kurama's fox-like eyes narrowed, glinting with an uncharacteristic hint of amusement as he gazed at the empty spot. "Uzumaki Menma? Haha, old man... is this the fate you spoke of?"
For the first time in over a millennium, the Nine-Tails felt his heart stir. The insurmountable barrier he had always faced now seemed within reach of being overcome.
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When Menma opened his eyes in the physical world, a confident smirk spread across his face.
"Menma? Did it work?" Karin asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.
Menma didn't need to answer. The look on his face said it all, but Karin asked anyway, eager for confirmation.
"Yeah," he replied with a nod, sitting upright. "Everything went smoothly."
In fact, it had gone better than expected. Not only had Menma successfully weakened the **Eight Trigrams Seal**, granting him greater access to Kurama's chakra, but his father, Minato, had passed on critical insights about forbidden techniques—**Flying Thunder God Jutsu** and the **Reaper Death Seal**.
Whether Menma could master these techniques was another matter entirely. Both jutsu were notoriously difficult, with only Minato having fully mastered the Flying Thunder God after its invention by the Second Hokage. Still, Menma knew that even basic proficiency in such jutsu could provide significant advantages, whether for evading enemies or gaining the upper hand in battle.
"I'll need to revise my training regimen," Menma thought, excitement flickering in his eyes. The combination of **Nine-Tails Chakra Mode** and **Flying Thunder God Jutsu** presented endless possibilities. Even the idea of moving instantly across a battlefield left him impatient to begin.
"That's amazing! Congratulations, Menma!" Karin beamed, her earlier worry melting away. To her, Menma's success was her success.
"Do you want to test it now?" Karin asked eagerly, her excitement bubbling over.
Menma chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Not just yet. I still need time to adjust. And this isn't the place for a full power test."
Karin flushed slightly, realizing her mistake. "You're right. I got carried away."
"It's fine," Menma said, pulling his shirt back on and stepping off the experimental table. "Let's wrap up for today. We'll need to organize the data from this session—especially the findings on cell activation. We'll run further tests when we're ready."
"You can count on me! I'll have the data sorted by tomorrow," Karin replied confidently.
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The next few days passed in relative calm. Menma and Karin dedicated their time to analyzing the results of their experiments. With the Eight Trigrams Seal no longer limiting Kurama's chakra, they knew they were venturing into uncharted territory and proceeded with caution.
However, Menma's ambitions extended beyond his experiments. Publicly, he had taken up a prominent role in Takigakure. To establish his influence, Menma needed to be seen as an integral part of village life, not just a mysterious outsider. Karin, in the meantime, had joined the village's medical team to strengthen their credibility.
Takigakure was now their home base.
After finalizing their research notes, Menma prepared for his first official day as the deputy commander of the village's garrison unit. Shibuki, Takigakure's leader, had placed him under the command of Ajun, his most trusted subordinate. Though not the leader himself, Menma's rank afforded him influence and access to village operations—an ideal position to expand his plans.
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The government hall of Takigakure lacked the grandeur of the five great nations' Kage buildings. Instead, it was a modest structure where village leaders convened. The adjacent offices housed various departments, with the garrison's headquarters located in a two-story building to the hall's left.
As Menma approached, a guard stationed at the entrance immediately straightened. "Lord Shirogane," the shinobi greeted with a deep bow, using the name Menma had adopted for his role in Takigakure.
Menma returned a polite nod before heading upstairs to the garrison's main office. Inside, Ajun, a seasoned shinobi with a stern demeanor, rose to greet him.
"Ah, Lord Shirogane! I thought Shibuki had given you a few more days to settle in," Ajun said with a faint smile. "What brings you here today?"
Despite his welcoming tone, there was a subtle air of caution in Ajun's voice. As Shibuki's right-hand man, Ajun knew more about Menma's background than most. He was well aware that Menma's arrival had been endorsed by the late Elder Mizuno, a revered figure in Takigakure. While Ajun respected Elder's decision, he couldn't ignore the fact that Menma was still an outsider—a shinobi whose loyalties remained uncertain.
"I wanted to familiarize myself with the team and review the unit's current assignments," Menma replied evenly. His calm, confident demeanor put Ajun slightly at ease, though the wariness in his gaze lingered.
Ajun nodded. "Of course. I'll provide you with the latest reports. Our patrol teams have been focused on maintaining security along the northern borders. Bandit activity has increased recently, and with our limited manpower, it's been challenging to cover all the routes."
Menma listened intently, already forming a strategy in his mind. He knew that to truly gain the village's trust, he needed to prove himself—not just with power but with results.
"I'll join the next patrol myself," Menma said decisively. "We need to set an example for the rest of the unit. If we're to defend Takigakure effectively, the garrison must be stronger, more disciplined."
Ajun raised an eyebrow, surprised by Menma's direct approach. "Very well. I'll arrange for you to lead the team tomorrow. Let's see what you can do, Lord Shirogane."
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