The Land of Spring was a small island nation located in the southern seas.
Its territory was far smaller than that of the Five Great Nations and even smaller than neighboring countries such as the Land of Tea and the Land of Rainbows.
Yet despite its size, the Land of Spring was an exceptionally prosperous country.
One reason was its climate. True to its name, the nation enjoyed spring-like weather throughout the entire year. Almost any crop could flourish on its fertile soil. The people of the Land of Spring never worried about food shortages and were even able to export large quantities of agricultural products to surrounding countries, generating considerable wealth.
The second reason was its geographical location.
Unlike the somewhat remote Land of Tea and Land of Rainbows, the Land of Spring lay between the mainland and many of the southern island nations. Merchants and travelers moving between the southern seas and the continent often used the Land of Spring as a transit point.
Naturally, this brought endless business opportunities.
Countless merchants, sailors, and tourists passed through the country every year. The constant influx of foreigners further stimulated the development of the local service and tourism industries. Over time, the Land of Spring had become one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
Using a concept from his previous life, Menma could say that while the country's overall economic output could not compare to that of the Five Great Nations, its per-capita wealth and living standards were among the highest in the world.
In some aspects, it could even rival the Land of Fire.
Moreover, the various Shinobi World Wars had never truly reached this isolated nation. Apart from occasional disputes among the daimyō's heirs, the country had experienced almost no internal turmoil.
For decades perhaps even centuries the Land of Spring had enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity.
What was even more remarkable was its technological development.
Although it lacked advanced military research comparable to that of the great powers, its civilian technologies were among the most sophisticated in the world.
Therefore, when Menma finally stepped onto this land, he felt a rare sense of familiarity, as though he had returned to the civilized society of his previous life.
So this is the Land of Spring… It's even more developed than I imagined.
A look of surprise appeared on Menma's face as he walked through the largest northern port city.
If this nation continued to develop at its current pace and its rulers invested further in science and technology, Menma had every reason to believe that within a few decades, the Land of Spring might achieve a level of modernization similar to that of his previous world.
However, such thoughts were merely passing fantasies.
In a world where ninja wielded extraordinary powers, it was difficult for technology to follow the same developmental path.
If the daimyō and politicians of the various countries had possessed such foresight, they would have pursued that path long ago.
As for Menma…
He had no intention of interfering.
Unless one day all his enemies were eliminated and everything had finally come to an end, he would neither have the time nor the qualifications to concern himself with such matters.
For now, his only priority was becoming stronger.
After entering the port city, Menma followed Kabuto deeper into the country.
As someone who always prepared for every contingency, Orochimaru had long established a small intelligence base within the Land of Spring. Its purpose was simple: collect information and facilitate the transmission of intelligence.
Kabuto led Menma directly toward this hidden base along the northern coast.
However, what greeted them exceeded both of their expectations.
The stronghold had become nothing but ruins.
The destruction before them clearly indicated that it had been attacked and annihilated.
Menma expanded his sensory abilities, yet he detected no chakra signatures beneath the rubble.
This meant only two possibilities.
Either the personnel stationed here had been killed…
Or they had fled.
However, since Kabuto had received no reports whatsoever, the probability of the former was almost absolute.
At that moment, the usually calm and smiling Kabuto wore an extremely gloomy expression.
Destroyed bases were not uncommon.
Over the years, Orochimaru had become an enemy of numerous shinobi villages, and conflicts occurred from time to time.
Subordinates died.
Strongholds were destroyed.
Such incidents had happened more than once.
But there was always some warning or surviving intelligence.
This time was different.
The base had been eradicated completely.
Most importantly…
No information had been transmitted.
As Orochimaru's closest confidant, Kabuto understood far more than ordinary people.
The instant he saw the ruins, countless possibilities flashed through his mind.
Menma walked through the rubble and observed the surroundings.
Judging by the traces, this attack had occurred recently no earlier than yesterday.
"The attackers were overwhelmingly stronger than the personnel stationed here. There are hardly any signs of resistance."
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
"The Mist? Utakata? Or perhaps… someone else?"
He deliberately paused before the final words.
The implication was obvious.
Even without evidence, Menma's suspicions immediately turned toward Konoha.
More specifically
Shimura Danzō.
Kabuto naturally understood the hidden meaning behind those words.
Taking a slow breath, he replied,
"All of those possibilities exist. We should investigate first."
"Haha… that's your concern, Kabuto-san."
Menma waved his hand casually.
"What I need right now is information regarding the Six-Tails Jinchūriki Utakata. If this base has been destroyed, tracking his whereabouts will become difficult."
Menma had traveled all this way precisely because of Utakata.
In his future plans, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki represented an extremely important combat asset.
Regardless of the method, Menma intended to bring him onto his side.
"Please rest assured, Menma-kun. The personnel assigned to shadow him should still be alive. The destruction of this base is troublesome, but it isn't an irreparable problem. It will merely require more time."
Kabuto gradually regained his usual smile.
To him, losing a single stronghold was not a major issue.
The real concern was what this incident might signify.
"That's good."
Menma smiled lightly.
"Then please hurry, Kabuto-san. Utakata may have already left the Land of Spring. I don't want this trip to be in vain."
His concern was reasonable.
From the moment the information had reached him until his arrival here, several days had already passed.
To ordinary people, such a period was insignificant.
But for ninja?
Several days were enough to cross entire countries.
Especially for someone of Utakata's caliber.
"I understand, Menma-kun."
Kabuto nodded seriously.
If the stronghold had remained intact, contacting the operatives tracking Utakata would have been simple.
Now, however, everything would require additional effort.
More importantly…
There was no guarantee that the trackers were even alive.
Thus, Kabuto immediately began making arrangements.
Using a summoned snake as a messenger, he relayed the information to Orochimaru and requested additional support.
At the same time, he mobilized personnel from nearby strongholds and ordered them to conduct a thorough search throughout the Land of Spring while attempting to reconnect with every operative through their coded communication network.
At nearly the same time.
Deep within the southeastern region of the Land of Spring
A young man dressed in a blue, open-chested robe stood atop a rocky clearing.
A bubble-blowing pipe hung from his waist.
His orange eyes were cold and vigilant.
This was none other than the Six-Tails Jinchūriki
Utakata.
At that moment, more than ten shinobi had surrounded him.
Their uniforms and forehead protectors clearly identified them as ninja from Kumogakure.
The chakra emanating from these shinobi was powerful.
Especially the white-haired man standing at the front.
With only a single glance, Utakata knew that this man was exceptionally dangerous.
And his instincts were correct.
The white-haired shinobi was one of Kumogakure's strongest jōnin and the man acknowledged by many as the most likely successor to the title of Raikage.
Darui.
Although he had not yet reached the level of the Five Kage, he had already stepped into the ranks of elite Kage-level combatants.
"The Six-Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata."
Darui looked at him lazily and spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Under the orders of the Raikage-sama, we invite you to visit Kumogakure as our guest."
The words sounded polite.
Yet their meaning was unmistakable.
This was not an invitation.
It was a command.
Utakata's expression became increasingly grave.
"And if I refuse?"
he asked coldly.
Darui narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I'm afraid you don't have that choice."
A cold light flashed within his pupils.
As the Fourth Raikage's most trusted subordinate and one of Kumogakure's strongest shinobi, Darui possessed his own pride.
The Six-Tails Jinchūriki?
Indeed, he was powerful.
But so what?
Kumogakure never released prey it had already set its sights on.
"Move!"
Darui gave a low shout.
Boom!
A terrifying chakra erupted from his body.
Crackle! Crackle!
Black lightning suddenly burst forth.
The legendary Black Lightning (Kuroi Kaminari) crackled violently around his arm as Darui became the first to attack.