Dreams & Hopes
Book I - Stitch by Stitch
Chapter 2 - History Books Material
An entire month had passed, and it made the Yamanaka heiress, Ino, feel ashamed, as she hadn't visited her newly made friend, ever since their very first meeting in his hospital room.
While the heiress was worrying about Menma, she was making her way towards the hospital, in order to introduce to Menma her two childhood friends, clan heirs, like herself, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chouko.
Ino nervously gulped, and hoped to Kami, that they'd all get along upon meeting. This was wished as she really liked the golden eye youth. She carefully made her way to Kagetora Menma's room, her two good friends following silently behind her, and with a deep breath to steady herself, rose her hand 'knock, knock' a moment of complete silence filled the air, as Ino waited with slightly bathed breath for an answer. "Yes?" She breathed in relief at hearing his voice, soft as she remembered. "Um, it's me, Yamanaka Ino?"
She wasn't sure he'd remember her, as it had been some time since her last visit… her first visit, to the snow haired youth. "Ah, yes! Ino-san, come in! It is good to see you again." Menma was smiling warmly at Ino, as he tried to make himself more comfortable on the hospital bed, golden eye scanning carefully over her posture and expression, seemingly reading her like a good book, before settling into his usual friendliness. "Um, I brought two of my friends with me to meet you, Menma-san."
Menma's smile grew a fraction wider at that, before carefully eyeing the two new arrivals that followed Ino into his room. His eye shining with burning interest. Ino carefully stood closer to him, so as to observe his complete and truthful reaction to the guests she brought.
Menma was pleasantly surprised by Ino visiting with her future squad mates, he had already seen and had known of Nara Shikamaru, but the white haired boy was pleasantly surprised when he finally met Akimichi Chouko, heiress to the Akimichi clan.
The girl was, to his eyes… eye, an incredible beauty, and was irresistibly cute! The petite, yet slightly on the chubby side Akimichi, made him want to squeal 'Kawaii' and hug her close, all the while whispering sweet nothings into her ear, and he had to seriously fight the urge to do so… though he had to also admire her soft brown eyes that held him damn near captive in their mesmerizing beauty, as well as their glowing kindness and compassion! Menma felt as if in the presence of a true angel of Kami.
Ino noticed his polite smile at Shikamaru, which was a very good start, but when Menma saw Chouko, Ino was surprised by a soft blush blossoming onto his face, the red cheeks making him even more adorable and cuter than how he usually was, as it made the scars on his smooth lined face look like oddly formed birthmarks, Ino wanted to squeal at Menma's adorableness.
'But it's Chouko that is making this cutie blush like that!' Were at the same time, Ino's slightly jealousy tainted thoughts, feeling slightly remorseful at bringing Chouko to meet the boy, and guilty for feeling that way towards a friend.
"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you two. I feel honored to be in the presence of the children and successors of the legendary Ino-Shika-Cho." Menma said in a soft and polite voice, his standing point and trademark, though this time his cheeks held a soft red shade, darkening when ever he would meet Chouko's beautiful gaze, which confused the poor girl, much to Shikamaru's amusement, who suspected why the Kagetora was acting that way in the adorable Akimichi's presence.
Menma then turned his focus onto the child of the tactical genius of Konoha, Nara Shikamaru.
"Nara-san, I have heard that many of your clan members pride themselves in their shogi and go abilities. May I ask for a simple game, or could it be that there are exceptions to that skill?" The white haired boy then gave a very soft chuckle and motioned at an ornate shogi board. "And I haven't had a decent game, ever since the Sandaime last came to visit my humble self."
Shikamaru was immediately all for it, and this had the young inventor giddy, as he made himself comfortable for the game. "Let's see how much of a challenge I can offer you, Shikamaru-san." Were the white haired boys opening words, and then, the game of minds began…
Shikamaru wanted to cry in honest frustration as he played, Kagetora Menma never played with one strategy up his sleeve, but rather with multiple ones, switching between them easily when one of them was blocked, ineffective, or simply to confuse the poor genius out of his mind with his unpredictability and randomness. "Hope you're feeling some slight pressure from the game, Shikamaru-san?"
The forever lazy, and forever cloud gazing genius, had to fight the urge to growl at his white haired adversary. "Feels good, doesn't it?" Shikamaru blinked in open surprise at the sudden question and seemingly random change of topic. "Um, what?" Menma laughed heartily at that, before refocusing on the game. "When there is a challenge, forcing you to grow in order to overcome it, it is an incredible sensation… I would know it well, after all, I'm living with one."
Shikamaru immediately understood what was meant with that, and nodded in understanding, right before preparing an attack. "Nice choice, Shikamaru-san." This had Shikamaru nearly cursing out loud, as Menma, it would seem, knew his plan and had a counter for it, of that the lazy genius was sure.
Ino and Chouko were both wide eyed as they observed the battle of wits and intelligence, neither having ever seen such an intense game before. "I've never seen Shikamaru this much into a shogi game, ever." This caught Menma's attention, as he hadn't really taken the time to appraise the adorable Akimichi's voice, it had sounded so irresistibly soft, yet with a timber of power, he froze and stopped breathing, just to listen as clearly as possible to it.
The realization of what he had been doing, had the white haired boy looking at her, before moving his gaze back onto the shogi board, his cheeks ablaze with embarrassment, as his eye had met hers.
The repeat of his strange reaction offset poor Chouko completely, as she just couldn't figure out why he would react that way towards her, never having had that experience before, having been friends with Ino, so she turned to ask Ino silently what it could possibly mean.
"Um, Ino-chan?" The platinum blonde haired girl looked at her good friend in confusion. "Yeah, Chouko-chan?" Said girl carefully lowered her voice. "Menma-san has been reacting weirdly to me, its been like that since my arrival! I don't understand why?!" Ino looked at Chouko in confusion, before realization dawned on the blonde, and she broke into a fit of giggles at Chouko's confusion. "That's because he likes you, silly!"
Chouko looked at Ino for a few moments, before her face erupted into a fiery red blush, as the realization of what the blonde said, sunk in. Menma and Shikamaru had missed the small byplay of the girls, which had them looking at the girls in confusion, when Chouko twisted her body around, hiding her face from their curious gazes, and making Menma blush at her adorableness.
"Feeling alright, Chouko?" Shikamaru asked calmly, confused by the poor girls reaction, and making Menma envious as he didn't need to speak to the cute Akimichi while using a suffix.
Chouko still kept facing the window. "It's nothing, just thinking about something." This had Ino nearly breaking down in giggles, only to get a shot in the ribs from the flustered Akimichi.
Menma and Shikamaru decided to shrug the matter off, and continued their game with renewed intensity. 'Troublesome…' was the only parting thought, offered by Shikamaru, suspicious of what had been the reason for Chouko's odd behaviour.
Two hours later, in the Nara household, Nara Shikaku entered the kitchen and stared at his son in surprise. "What's got you in such a good mood?" He just had to ask, noticing his sons high spirits, as well as the slight grin on his face.
Shikamaru smiled even wider, and focused his gaze onto his father, his energy catching the man off guard. "I had one of the best damn shogi matches I've ever had!"
The enthusiastic proclamation, an oddity amongst male Nara clan members, caught both of Shikamaru's parents by storm, and made them increasingly confused.
Nara Shikaku blinked in surprise, before facing his wife, who was equally surprised. "And mom…?' Nara Yoshino turned to face her son, face set in confusion. '…Nara Yoshino, nicknamed 'Sinful water sister' when still a member of the 'Elemental Sisterhood', A-rank when alone, S-rank when with the rest of the 'Sisterhood'. Her weapon of choice was her trusty whip, as she used it in conjunction with her water manipulation for her trademark attack, the Snake whip assault. Sought after by the water Daimiyo, who wanted her as his bride, but her heart belonged to the tactical genius of the Nara clan, the 'Shadow Weaver' Nara Shikaku."
Shikamaru's mother was shocked speechless, her mouth slightly agape, as Shikamaru spoke on. "Kagetora Menma says information is power, and I tend to agree with that assessment… Well, time for a nap." His parents were left dumbstruck, as the young genius left for his room to take a well deserved nap.
Cracking his neck, Sarutobi Hiruzen yawned in boredom as he looked at the mountains of paperwork stacked before him. "That is quite the stack of paper work, Jiji."
The old Kage faced the boy, intent on rebuking the statement, only to freeze in shock at what he saw. "Menma?!" The boy smirked as he stood in the doorway, arms crossed and standing on two feet. "Don't get your hopes up. I'm just a Kage Bunshin, the boss is still unable to gain them back." Hiruzen sighed at that, though he felt hope. "But you are making progress. That is more than anyone else can say in that position."
The young inventor chuckled warmly at that, before focusing on more important matters. "You received my files?" Silence reigned over the room, as the Sandaime gave a deep sigh. "I have." Menma seemed suddenly reproachful. "What will you do, Jiji?"
The old Kage carefully gazed at Menma, before giving his response. "I am going to need your help." As if in response to those words, Menma gave a big grin of happiness, and pulled out a file.
"Then I have something you will enjoy, Sandaime-sama." With that, the white haired boy put the file onto the Hokage's desk, and poof-ed away.
The Sandaime pulled the files closer, before seeing the name of the project in large writing on the upper half. "The Zero Hour Division" it read, and Hiruzen opened it to read.
Fifteen minutes later the Sandaime leaned back, chuckling in surprise at the genius that was Kagetora Menma. "This is one hell of a help! And I appreciate it." The old fire shadow whispered softly, a big grin on his face.
Another year passed, and this one was an important year…
The first thing to happen in the year, was the slaughter of the Uchiha clan, done by their own prodigy and hope, Uchiha Itachi.
The Sandaime and Menma knew that it was Danzo and his Root that had done the manipulation of the clan into a revolt, and so leading to their downfall, but Menma couldn't really complain on that, as he had some personal issues with the aforementioned clan.
Second was that Uchiha Sasuke had, after therapy, joined the academy class of his age, now a classmate of many of the clan heirs.
After having found and destroyed the tablet in the Naka shrine, and having deciphered the tablets contents, and finding that the tablet had been obviously manipulated, the "Zero Hour Division" became Menma's dominant project, so as to not lose sight of the coming danger that would be the collecting of the Bijuu by anyone who wanted it.
On top of all of this was the first failure Menma had experienced, he had succeeded in developing a procedure to regrow his legs… but the taxing effect on the body would then lock him down as a civilian, as the damage to his chakra coils would render him unable to mold chakra ever again.
He had cried for days after that revelation of his first failure. He had cursed the heavens and destroyed his hospital room, but hadn't given up, he was going to make sure! He would walk!
Not too much of a shock then, was his slow and methodical destruction of the Root forces that Danzo commanded, as he had quite a lot of anger and frustration to work out, and the retarded war hawk was just what the doctor ordered!
Well… that and pain meds… but more about that later!
He had taken to simple assassinations that made it look like the mission had failed, mixing in seasoned members of ANBU and sometimes his missing ninja contacts, so as to avoid suspicion.
Danzo was none the wiser on the mater, and simply upped the training of his Root forces, so as not to 'disappoint him again'. Menma knew he was probably enjoying mind fucking Danzo a bit too much for it to be healthy… But who gives a damn about things like that?!
Back onto the track of things, we find Naruto going through a massive amount of scrolls, it had been about six months ago, that he was named an official advisor to the Sandaime, and was preparing for a meeting with an envoy from Sunagakure no Sato. He carefully read through the information on the most problematic of the Suna envoy, her aged face showing the intention of bodily harm to even the man who was taking the picture.
"The puppet goddess… This can turn the meeting into a slugfest if I'm not careful enough." Menma idly grumbled to himself, his golden eye skimming over the paper swiftly.
"Hello, Inu-san."
The ANBU, who was attempting a cool entry, stumbled in surprise at being caught by the young boy so swiftly, landing in an ungraceful heap before the boys bed, then looking at the boy with some embarrassment in his body language, to Menma's amusement. "Um… hello."
Menma chuckled at the startled response of the ANBU. "The envoy from Suna has arrived, I presume?"
The dog masked ANBU nodded, before the boy ran through some hand seals with one hand, and conjured a couple of Bunshin, that immediately began preparing him for the meeting. "I will be ready in about ten minutes, Inu-san." The white haired boy said softly, as his eye gave the dog masked ANBU an even clearer message, of his wanting him to leave.
After the ANBU left his room, Menma undressed, presenting to the world the many scars that littered his body, and changed into the more traditional robes for a political meeting.
Outside of the room, ANBU codenamed Inu, also known as Hatake Kakashi carefully thought over his first meeting of the Kagetora… or rather, Uzumaki.
He was one of the rare few people that knew who the Kagetora really was, and was as such the best choice to guard him. "I am ready, ANBU-san." The young boy said, being wheeled out by his clone.
"Nice to make your official acquaintance, Inu-san. I seem to have forgotten my manners before." The silver haired ANBU bowed respectfully to the Kagetora, and they made their way to the Hokage tower.
Sarutobi Hiruzen maintained a steady stare at the representative of Suna, the Kazekage and the legendary 'Puppet Goddess'.
He could see that both seemed unusually tense and even slightly irritated, giving each other a glare from time to time.
The old Kage began to wonder if he would have to intervene in a fist fight, by any chance.
Finally, the door to the office opened, and wheeled in was Kagetora Menma, who immediately took notice of the tension that was present in the office. "Hokage-sama, Kazekage-sama, Chiyo-sama."
The one eyed youth seemed intent on lifting the tension, as he used a pinpoint blast of killing intent that made everyone jump, dispersing the tension. "Now that the tension has cleared, we can all speak openly… and honestly."
The Bunshin behind Menma ran through some hand seals, and then slammed them onto the ground. "There, that should do it. You are now in my truth zone."
The two Kage ninja, and one Kage level kunoichi, blinked, drawing a chuckle from Menma, as he was wheeled closer. "I am Kagetora Menma, advisor of Sandaime-sama and one of Konoha's invention specialists, nice to meet you."
The boy calmly leveled his golden eye upon the Kazekage and the elder Chiyo, his raw chakra pressure making them nervous, despite his condition
"A child as an advisor, the Leaf has truly gone soft."
The Kazekage seemed surprised by what he had said instead of a polite greeting, the young boy sitting across from him, chuckled at his words. "Were I not chained to this wheelchair, I would be considered at the very least a B-rank shinobi, so do not presume me weak."
Again the Kazekage was surprised when he opened his mouth for an apology. "I am doubtful of that. Only a jinchuuriki can claim such a thing, and you are not one." The soft spoken boy lost any humor at those words, his eyes turning hard, and he nearly growled out his response. "Akasuna No Sasori."
The Kazekage flinched at that name, as did the elder Chiyo.
The Sandaime knew how dangerous Menma's truth zone was, as it was one of the reasons he couldn't be double crossed by anyone in the elemental nations, but it was more prudent to prevent an argument between Menma and the Kazekage. "We should move this discussion onto the true reason for it, the missions being sent to Konoha by the wind Daimiyo."
Immediately, this had the arguing Kazekage and Kagetora silent, as their focus was diverted onto the true issue at hand "Why did the wind Daimiyo begin sending the missions to Konoha, in the first place?"
Menma seemed intently focused on the matter from that perspective. "We are not sure… He has been spending more and more time with the rice Daimiyo and the leader of that lords hidden village, Otogakure no Sato."
This had an immediate effect, as Menma grew deathly pale, his eyes going wide. "That conniving piece of shit!" This immediately had the Kazekage and his elder confused, and had worried the Sandaime Hokage.
"Orochimaru has started his own hidden village of Otogakure in rice country, and now we know that he is trying to ruin the relations between Suna and Konoha, so he has begun his elaborate game of chess and ruining lives, but it does make me wonder what the checkmate is."
This had all present silent, and caused the Sandaime great grief…
"Luckily, I am a crafty little bastard myself, so I can run some severe interference on the snakes plans, and it is my advice to you, Sandaime-sama, to redirect all missions sent by the wind Daimiyo, back to Suna, for relations and counter manipulations sake."
This had the Kazekage floored, as it was exactly as they were hoping and dreaming off, but believed impossible. "Thank you, Kagetora-sama."
The young child smiled at the Kazekage, before focusing on the Hokage, who smiled softly. "You are right, for relations sake, we shall divert some missions to Suna, but instead of the ones the Daimiyo sends, we will send some of our own!"
The Kazekage was struck speechless, he was in awe. "What can we do to repay you for this?"
Menma waved his words off, though Chiyo kept her gaze focused on the lack of his three other limbs…
"I can help you regain your limbs."
Silence suddenly reigned over the room, as even the silver haired ANBU, guarding the immobilized child, was silent and tense, after that proclamation from the elderly woman. "Could you, please… repeat that?"
Chiyo chose not to speak, but rather unsheathed the hidden blade from her puppet arm. "I used puppetry to replace my lost arm, I believe I can do the same for you."
The Kazekage seemed confronted by the elderly woman's words, and even the Sandaime seemed worried, but Menma was more direct, as he looked her into the eyes with his golden one. "No, but you have just given me my needed jump to an answer. Puppetry wouldn't work in my aid in the long run, but with this new idea, I might succeed, and now I am deeply in Sunagakure's debt."
Both Chiyo and the Kazekage sat there, utterly speechless, and this had both Menma and the Sandaime laughing heartily. "How about we figure out some other issues, since the first issue has been handled with such surprising swiftness?" Menma proposed calmly, gaining pleased nods from the others present in the room.
The nurse at the door seemed noticeably uncomfortable and nervous, as she entered the room of Kagetora Menma, knowing how difficult the youth could be on the matter. "Menma-san?"
The young boy looked up from his current book on mechanics. "Yes, beautiful nurse-san?"
The response didn't ease the nurses nerves even one bit. "It is time for your bath, Menma-san."
The boy flinched, his golden eye darkening noticeably, but then he simply sighed, and nodded with a sad smile.
The nurse immediately begun removing the one eyed boys shirt, and blushed upon revealing what it hid.
'He has lost his arm and legs almost three years ago, how can he be so buff?! And why don't all the scars take from the handsomeness he holds?!'
The thoughts in bewilderment weren't in vain, as her eyes roamed at the six pack abs, and thick muscled arm, he didn't have the body of a nine year old, he seemed to have the body of an adult that did extreme conditioning, at the cost of some height.
The nurse tried to compose herself, but her hands often blurred the line between washing and caressing, but Menma didn't seem to mind, he even seemed to relish in her caresses, hoping they would send the same nurse the next time he needed. "Softer on the back, please… The wounds still sting sometimes." He stated, and answered, the question in her eyes, with a smile.
The nurse finally finished the bath, and left the room, leaving a mightily relaxed Menma, who hoped they'd send the same one for the next bath.
Said one eyed genius focused his eyes on the shadows of his room, a small smile on his lips. "You can come out now, toad Sannin Jiraiya." The form that melted out of the wall was… unique, to say the least.
Long white hair, red markings going down his cheeks, and the hitai-ate with 'oil' in kanji, the man was the legendary toad sage, Jiraiya of the Sannin.
Menma easily knew who the man was, and he hated the guys guts… if he were still Naruto he would attack him, humiliate him… but he was now Kagetora Menma "I presume you have business with me, Jiraiya?"
The white haired Sannin nodded, stepping forward, though from his expression, the lack of suffix clearly bothered him. "The Sandaime sent me to aid you in learning seals."
Menma nodded in understanding, his golden eye sparking with interest. "That is good. I am eager to finish my project… and that is impossible without more improved knowledge of seals."
Jiraiya couldn't help but shrug in an uncaring manner, not like the kid could be the new Yondaime.
Five hours later and Jiraiya knew, the kid wasn't a new Yondaime.
He was better!
The kid was absorbing everything he was taught, like a damn sponge! It was truly intimidating, how quickly the boy was learning and adapting his gained knowledge to new possibilities.
Jiraiya was in awe at such incredible adaptability and understanding. "Kid, you're a genius!"
His words actually got an irritated sigh from the golden eyed child, with a soft muttering of 'tainted skill' that had Jiraiya blinking in confusion. "That should be it for today, I would like to rest." Jiraiya nodded, before making his way to the nearest hot spring, while Menma got ready for a good nights sleep.
Growls of honest frustration lingered in the air, as Kagetora Menma fought off the pain of his many burn marks, testament of his last moments as Uzumaki Naruto. 'It hurts too much!'
The young boy nearly howled out, as another wave of red hot pain wracked his body.
Menma was aware that he should have taken the time to find a way to at least dull the pain… but something about the pain appealed to him, it awakened something in his very depths, in his very soul…
'I like it.'
Menma came to the shocked conclusion, his eye darkening at the revelation.
Pain is measured with the highest thing we experienced, we measure most things that way.
We know cold by the coldest we've been, and we know hot in the same way, and the same is pain.
We measure pain with the greatest pain we have ever felt.
For someone with Kagetora Menma's old life, to be brought to tears by a pain meant it was tremendous, and that rang true.
Menma nearly howled each and every time a wave struck him, and that was truly a show of the intensity of said pains, but also his willpower, as he withstood.
"Menma-san?" The youth cast his smoldering gaze on the nurse that had washed him that day. "I'm alright, nurse-san. I just need to relax for a bit."
This had the nurse nervous, and she opened her mouth to voice it, but Menma cut her off, before she even had the chance to get the words out. "I will be fine, you can leave."
The young nurse stopped for a moment, before nodding and leaving, just as Menma was wracked by another wave of pain.
It had been three agonizing hours, but the pain had finally passed, and Menma fell into the restful sleep he had wanted so badly, missing the soft crimson glow of his lone eye.
Menma felt deeply irritated as he glared down the toad sage. "Nothing of such, Jiraiya-sama. I am uninterested in your… 'research'. Any more mentioning of that slanderous porn, and I will rip your throat out, or maybe I'll start with something lower."
The toad sage immediately went to protect his manhood, gulping nervously. "But my books…" Menma's glare could have stopped a charging bull, despite being delivered from a single eye.
"No."
The even tone Menma spoke in, made it only worse and more threatening.
The argument had started innocently enough, but quickly dissolved into a slug fest in verbal form. "Now, let us finish today's Fuinjutsu lesson."
Menma's voice made it clear, retreat was not an option, so Jiraiya sighed, before nodding.
Menma felt as if he was burning up, having experienced it once, he knew the feeling well, much to his displeasure.
Slowly he exhaled, ignoring the almost blinding bouts of pain, and finding that his mind only seemed sharper under the pain. 'Maybe I can see what I could improve in project 'Legacy'.'
He idly thought, before opening a small, black scroll, and going through its contents.
Many people might wonder how Konoha was governed… Well… That is going to take a while to explain, so take a seat.
Konoha was officially, a shinobi village, and a military dictatorship.
It was by official Daimiyo decree, that any village housing part of the land of fires military power, could only be a military dictatorship, with the Daimiyo as the highest power.
As has been stated, that is labeled under 'officially'. Unofficially, the village suffered from the issue of a too lax ruler, as the council of Konoha (read - civilian and elder council) were out ruling the Hokage and putting rules into place that were siphoning the power out of the village, weakening the military of it, immensely.
The reason the Hokage couldn't stop them? Good heart and an overzealous peace obsession.
The Sandaime had seen too much war, so it should have come as no surprise that he used all of his power to maintain peace… thus causing many issues, the Hyūga/Kumo incident being just the tip of the outrageously huge iceberg he had created.
Menma knew that the only way to bring the village back under control, was to purge and remove the cancer and corruption… unfortunately, this would lead to a bloody massacre, similar to the Kiri bloodline purges…
Only the casualties of this one, would be most of the civilian populace.
Danzo as well, with his Root, that always made sure to piss upon the attempts of peace by the Sandaime, and left only war and desolation in their wake, believing their deeds to be good and right…
It would seem the old war hawk had forgotten that in the end, he would be spending the eternity answering for his mortal decisions.
Then there were the elder advisors…
Those miserable piles of flesh would enter the history books as grade A traitors. And, let us not forget, the Uchiha clan… If Itachi thought that he wouldn't lay bare their sins, he would be in for the most fucked up surprise.
And while pissed at the Uchiha, those miserable piles of flesh were dead, so he would have to let out his frustrations on the Hyūga clan.
Knowledge was power, that was something Menma knew… and the using of knowledge for a betterment was understandable, but to actually betray allied clans with knowledge?! Outrageous!
Menma felt an incredible wave of bloodlust pass him again, and felt happy for having installed privacy seals. "Damn it! How could the Sandaime and Yondaime make such a mess out of the village?"
He growled it out in anger, his eyes almost casting flames as he let his anger flow free upon the collected knowledge of his spies. "I am seriously going to relish in purging the village."
Suddenly, the boy was caught in a large coughing fit, having slightly agitated his still wounded lungs, as he would still need about six more months to recover completely, but that had just reminded him to relish in the hunt, before capturing his prey, like the predator he was.
But even his patience couldn't help with the fact that he was meeting Hyūga Hiashi tomorrow, and the fact that it would not aid his goal to kill the man prematurely...
Even if the thought was incredibly tempting to him.
The Hyūga clan was known for quite a number of things in the elemental nations.
Their bloodline was barely the tip of the iceberg there, as they held influence in many royal houses and even the fire Daimiyo's court.
The clan had many businesses and investments that made them quite monetarily secure, and gave them leeway.
All of this was only reinforced by their remarkable combat prowess and their very much coveted bloodline. 360 degree x-ray vision was something that everyone would want, no matter the implementation of it, from simple weapon smithing, down to arts.
Menma gave a soft sigh, as he tried to relax and sleep, so as not to throttle the damn head of said clan when they met, despite how deserving of it, he was.
Hyūga Hiashi was known as the legendary clan head of the Hyūga clan, the perfect Hyūga, emotions had no control over him, and no secrets could be read from his face or body. It was this same man, that was feeling jittery at meeting the legendary Kagetora Menma. A man, it was rumored, who couldn't be lied to, or manipulated.
His clan was known for its stoic nature and emotionless image…
But that didn't mean the clan was indeed emotionless!
After all, bloodline or not, the Hyūga were simply human.
Menma felt sickened as his golden eye fleetingly flew over the bandaged forehead of a branch house member.
There weren't many things that Menma openly hated and/or resented…
Betrayal. He had been betrayed much in his old life and even in his new one, had seen and found many betrayals.
Rape. It was a despicable act of savage lust, unforgivable… and the perpetrator deserved to be castrated for it.
Blind devotion. A brain and instincts exist for a reason, trusting someone deeply didn't mean they were suddenly excused of mistakes and doubts.
Slavery. No man deserves to stand above others by means that do not show right… and a slave seal that could cause brain death and was forced when the recipient was just four years old? Nope, not a show of right, actually, it was quite the opposite of that.
It was with this then, that it was understandable, that Kagetora Menma immediately grew to dislike the Hyūga clan…
At least the main house, that is.
But back to the business at hand. Menma focused on the elders and clan head awaiting him.
Hyūga Hiashi looked exactly like every member of the Hyūga was expected to look, long black hair, pure white, pupil-less eyes, and the white clothing with the Hyūga crest, all of that of exquisite quality.
Not many things could be discussed in any manner privately with the Byakugan, but Menma was pretty sure the clan had figured out how to at least shield themselves from accidental nudity and such, along the years.
The room the clan head led him in, was a simple gathering and council room. Menma would have felt quite comfortable, if not for the fact he was amongst enemies there.
Hiashi observed as Menma made some one handed hand seals, bringing forth a Bunshin, who then made some hand seals, and slammed them into the ground.
A wave of chakra swept across the large room, catching every elders attention. "What was that, Kagetora-san?"
Menma nearly flinched as he heard the grating voice of an elder, irritating him greatly. "My truth zone, I am a man that permits no lies."
Silence reigned for a second, before Menma's eye met Hiashi's, blazing in challenge. "Why did you ask for my appearance and this talk, Hiashi-sama?"
Hiashi opened his mouth, no doubt to give some lie, well… surprise b**ch!
"You are a possible threat, of course we would want to evaluate you."
Silence filled the chambers, as Hiashi's eyes widened in shock. Menma nearly burst into laughter as he saw the powerful clan head, the master of stoicism, freak out at having spoken the truth.
"As I have said, I do not permit lies." Menma's voice was harsh, and his glare unnerved Hiashi greatly.
"You speak as if you can threaten us!" A elder had attempted an apology, but the truth was quicker, at least when with Menma.
Menma chuckled at the elders startled expression, before going serious again.
"I am Kagetora Menma, Fuinjutsu god, and master of spies more skilled than even Jiraiya. One does not need more than that, to cause issues, Hyūga-san."
The elders were visibly furious, and wanted to attack the Kagetora clan head, but Hiashi rose his hand, stopping them in their tracks.
The Hyūga clan head felt that something off, but decided to speak again. "We did not wish for hostilities, Menma-san."
The young Kagetora smiled at Hiashi's honesty on that one, despite the suffix being the wrong one. "But will you be a threat to the Hyūga?"
Menma chuckled "So you figured it out." Hiashi nodded, drawing a predator like smile from Menma, who then spoke…
"I am enemy to all who would dare betray or harm Konoha." Hiashi fell silent, not wanting to show how bothered by the answer he was. 'Then our enemy, you are.' He idly thought, before rising.
"This meeting is over, thank you for your time, Menma-san."
Menma chuckled, before his Bunshin began wheeling him away, oddly blank faced the entire time of the discussion. "Oh… And Hiashi-sama?' The clan head gazed at the boy, and was nearly forced onto his knees from the killing intent that flooded the room, as the young genius gave a grin of a demon. 'It is Menma-sama, a title I have worked very hard for! And one I have earned, truly earned." And with that, the young Kagetora finally left.
Menma had a healthy laugh as he was wheeled by his emotionless Kage Bunshin, before feeling a new presence approach his position from the left side. "Do you require my aid, Inu-san?" The dog masked ANBU, this time without stumbling, stepped out of the shadows, facing the Kagetora.
"Not me exactly… but you may be able to help my friend of a friend."
Menma chuckled warmly at those words, liking the presence of the ANBU more and more. "Good. Now, tell me who and tell me with what, my canine masked friend?"
-AN-
All right of -Naruto-, belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
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