Naruto: The Avenger of the Uzumaki clan

---

For Ōnoki, only two matters held utmost importance now. The first was selecting a worthy successor—someone capable of safeguarding and elevating the Hidden Stone Village. This decision was not one to be rushed, for the future of Iwagakure hinged upon it. The second was the precarious alliance with Menma. On the surface, Ōnoki had appeared swayed by Menma's arguments, agreeing to their partnership. Yet both men were acutely aware that their relationship was one of mutual exploitation.

Ōnoki planned to evaluate Menma carefully, gauging whether his promises to deliver a decisive blow to Konoha could be trusted. If successful, this alliance presented a near-riskless opportunity to weaken the Hidden Leaf. Despite his age and declining strength, Ōnoki's ambition burned brighter than ever. His dream of leading the Hidden Stone to surpass all other villages remained intact.

A reminder of his earlier ambitions lingered in the bitter memory of his clash with the Third Raikage over a decade ago. Ōnoki had commanded tens of thousands of Stone ninja, not just to repel the Hidden Cloud but to press into their territory and extract significant concessions. Victory seemed assured when the Cloud forces began their retreat. However, Ōnoki made a fateful decision—to pursue their leader, the Third Raikage, in hopes of securing a complete and crushing victory.

Ōnoki had underestimated the man.

The Third Raikage, renowned for his unparalleled resilience, had stood alone against the 10,000 Stone shinobi. Though he hadn't slain any of his enemies outright, the sheer scale of injuries and exhaustion he inflicted forced Ōnoki to retreat. The Hidden Stone suffered staggering losses, and any hope of advancing further was abandoned. Ōnoki's gamble had failed spectacularly.

In hindsight, the battle had cemented the Third Raikage's legendary reputation. His rumored ability to battle the Eight-Tails to a standstill—once thought to be an exaggeration—was now indisputable. Only a shinobi of extraordinary caliber could endure three days of relentless combat and emerge unbroken.

Since then, Ōnoki had tempered his decisions with caution. He refrained from rash action in the wake of major events, such as the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, the Hyūga Clan Incident with the Hidden Cloud, and the failed Konoha Crush. Yet Ōnoki's restraint was not born of fear or weakness; it was calculated patience. When an opportunity arose, he would seize it with decisive force.

His alliance with Menma was one such opportunity. If Menma succeeded in weakening Konoha, it would pave the way for Iwagakure to rise in power. However, Ōnoki remained wary, keeping contingencies in place to neutralize Menma if needed. The potential to claim the Nine-Tails for Iwagakure made the risk worthwhile.

---

Menma, too, understood the precarious nature of this alliance. While fostering a sense of trust with Ōnoki, he deliberately concealed his true intentions. Takigakure was central to his plans, but its current strength paled in comparison to even the weakest of the Five Great Nations. Menma knew he couldn't afford to reveal his full hand—not until Takigakure was ready.

For now, time was Menma's greatest asset.

Months of preparation had brought Takigakure to a pivotal moment: the implementation of a super-large sensory barrier under Menma's guidance. This advanced barrier, capable of encompassing the entire village, was a bold undertaking—one that, if successful, would elevate Takigakure's strategic standing.

When Menma informed Shibuki, the young and somewhat hesitant leader of Takigakure, that the time had come, Shibuki couldn't hide his excitement. He immediately summoned the village's senior shinobi, including Ajun, Fushimi. These individuals, considered the backbone of Takigakure's leadership, had been privy to the project's details over the past months.

However, their initial reactions were mixed.

"A super-large sensory barrier?" Fushimi had scoffed during an earlier briefing. "That's the kind of jutsu only the Five Great Nations have mastered. And even among them, Konoha is the only one to implement it successfully on this scale."

Others nodded in agreement. "What makes you so certain this will work, Shirogane-san? The resources and expertise needed for such a barrier are far beyond what Takigakure has ever possessed."

Menma had met their skepticism with calm confidence. "Doubt me if you wish. But the seals I've developed are based on years of research and battle-tested techniques. With your cooperation, this barrier will not only protect Takigakure but will rival the barriers of the Five Great Nations."

While his words had planted seeds of hope, many of Takigakure's shinobi remained wary. Menma's sudden rise to prominence in their village was a source of both awe and suspicion.

---

At the designated site, Menma's preparations were nearly complete. The ninja he had trained over the past two months moved with precision, finalizing the setups at twelve anchor points around Takigakure's perimeter.

"Point 1 is ready!"

"Point 2 operational!"

"Point 3 needs final calibration!"

"Point 4 is engraving the seal now!"

"Point 5 is nearly complete..."

The reports streamed in through the intercom system, a simple yet efficient tool that facilitated communication across the operation. While technological advancements in the shinobi world were often inconsistent, devices like this had proven invaluable for coordinating large-scale efforts.

Menma stood at the center of the operation—the core node. The twelve outer points served as anchors, each critical to the barrier's stability and functionality. Once active, these points would require periodic maintenance to ensure the barrier's longevity.

The design of the barrier was inspired by Konoha's advanced Four-Corner Barrier (Shishienjin) and sensory network. Menma had studied it extensively, ultimately concluding that twelve anchor points were optimal for Takigakure's size and resources. More would overextend their manpower; fewer would compromise effectiveness.

The theory was sound. Yet, as Menma knew all too well, theory and practice were two different battles.

"This is the first time I've implemented a barrier of this magnitude," he admitted to himself. "Odds are 70–80%, based on calculations alone. But chakra is unpredictable—anything could happen."

Despite these concerns, Menma's calm, commanding demeanor never wavered.

---

"Status updates from all points," Menma said into the intercom, his voice steady. "Final checks are mandatory. Double-check your seals, chakra pathways, and alignment. Timing is critical—understood?"

"Understood!" the team responded in unison.

Menma's voice carried a weight of authority that belied his age. His composure instilled confidence in those who heard him, even those who harbored doubts.

"How's it going? Are we ready to begin, Shirogane-san?"

Shibuki had arrived to oversee the operation personally. His tone betrayed his excitement; the thought of a fully operational sensory barrier was a game-changer for Takigakure. A barrier of this scale would make the village nearly impervious to infiltration, even by elite Jōnin-level shinobi.

"The final nodes are still being calibrated," Menma replied, his tone measured. "Give us another ten minutes, and we'll be ready."

"That's excellent news," Shibuki said with a smile. "I'll leave it in your hands."

Despite being the official leader of Takigakure, Shibuki deferred to Menma on matters like this. Menma's expertise and results had earned Shibuki's trust, though Shibuki couldn't help but feel humbled. Menma, no older than thirteen, carried himself with more assurance and capability than most seasoned leaders.

"Don't worry, Shibuki-san," Menma said with a slight smirk. "We'll get this done."

The informal way Menma addressed Takigakure's leader drew mixed reactions from the other senior ninja. Ajun, in particular, bristled at what he perceived as disrespect. Strict decorum was expected when addressing the village head.

Still, Shibuki didn't seem to mind.

"Shirogane..." AJun thought, narrowing his eyes as he watched the boy. "Could he really be the one to change Takigakure's future?"

---

After another ten minutes, reports confirming the readiness of all nodes began streaming in.

"All points prepared and standing by!"

A young Taki-nin, barely seventeen, sprinted to Menma's side to deliver the final confirmation. His respect for Menma was evident in the way he bowed deeply and spoke with reverence.

Menma's reputation among the village's younger ninja had skyrocketed. For them, he wasn't just an outsider—he was a beacon of hope. His knowledge, composure, and strength were qualities they admired deeply.

"Well done," Menma said, nodding to the young ninja. "Relay the order to proceed. All points must synchronize their chakra flow with the central node. Timing is crucial—no delays, no deviations."

"Yes, sir!"

The young Taki-nin bowed deeply before turning to the intercom system, his voice steady as he relayed Menma's orders. He repeated them twice, ensuring every assigned ninja confirmed their readiness.

Taking a deep breath, Menma stepped into the center of the pre-engraved rune formation. This core circle would serve as the focal point for activating the Chōkyū Kekkai no Jutsu (Super-Sensory Barrier Technique). From here, Menma would infuse his chakra to establish the array, which would then synchronize with the twelve outer points.

Typically, creating a barrier of this scale required several high-chakra Jōnin working in perfect unison. However, Menma's immense chakra reserves allowed him to shoulder the burden single-handedly.

---

"Karin. Suigetsu."

Menma glanced at his two allies stationed nearby.

"On it!" Karin replied, adjusting her glasses with a confident smile.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with," Suigetsu grumbled, though his grin betrayed his amusement.

As Menma formed a series of hand seals, Karin mirrored his movements, while Suigetsu worked on activating the chakra calibration instruments. The synchronized actions were seamless—clearly the result of meticulous preparation.

---

"Fūinjutsu: Infinite Array Technique!"

Menma completed the final seal, clapping his hands together.

A surge of chakra erupted from his body, flowing into the array with a sharp hum.

"Whirr!"

A brilliant pillar of light shot upward from the center of the formation, piercing the sky.

---

"What's happening!?"

"Is that coming from the village center?"

"Could it be... an attack?"

Villagers across Takigakure stared in awe as the radiant beam illuminated the sky. Speculation rippled through the crowd—some feared an enemy invasion, while others marveled at the display.

"It's beautiful..." a young child murmured, their wide eyes reflecting the light.

Meanwhile, Taki-nin assigned to crowd control moved swiftly, keeping curious onlookers at bay.

---

The moment the central pillar of light appeared, the ninja stationed at the cardinal points sprang into action.

"Signal received! Activate the secondary arrays!"

Each ninja stepped into their designated rune circles, forming hand seals with practiced precision. Chakra poured into the arrays, and one by one, twelve smaller beams of light erupted from the village's perimeter, converging toward the central pillar.

"Buzz!"

The synchronization was flawless.

---

"Look! More beams!"

"This is incredible!"

"Our village's ninja are amazing!"

The spectacle left the villagers spellbound. For a village that had largely avoided the chaos of the Great Ninja Wars, this dramatic display was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.

---

At the center of the formation, Menma's sharp eyes monitored the convergence of chakra. He adjusted his seals, refining the flow to ensure stability. Any misstep—no matter how minor—could destabilize the entire barrier.

"Condense!"

With a commanding shout, Menma completed the final phase.

The central beam of light stabilized, merging seamlessly with the twelve supporting beams. The chakra surged outward, forming a transparent dome that enveloped Takigakure.

For a moment, the air hummed with residual energy before settling into an almost serene stillness.

---

It was done.

Menma allowed himself a small smile as he surveyed the completed barrier. The sensory array was fully functional. From this moment on, any unauthorized intrusion would be detected immediately, giving Takigakure an unprecedented level of security.

Shibuki, who had been observing from a safe distance, exhaled deeply. His initial nerves gave way to overwhelming relief and pride.

"Shirogane-san, it's... it's amazing!" Shibuki's voice wavered slightly with emotion. "The barrier—it's perfect!"

"To confirm, Shibuki-san," Menma replied calmly. "Would you like to test its functionality?"

"Of course!"

Menma gestured for a few Taki-nin to approach the barrier. As they crossed the perimeter, the central monitoring crystal flared to life, displaying their positions and movements in real-time.

The test was a success. Every attempt to enter or exit the barrier was flawlessly recorded.

Shibuki's doubts melted away, replaced by pure joy. "This is revolutionary! Takigakure's defenses have never been stronger. You've truly outdone yourself, Shirogane-san."

Menma shook his head humbly. "It's nothing special. Protecting the village is my duty."

"Haha, well said!" Shibuki laughed heartily, his pride evident.

---

While Shibuki basked in the barrier's success, the senior Taki-nin exchanged uneasy glances.

Ajun's lips pressed into a thin line as he observed Menma from the shadows. "His power, his influence—it's growing too quickly."

Others nodded subtly. "We can't deny his achievements. But the more the village relies on him, the more precarious our position becomes."

Fushimi remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed Menma's every move.

In their hearts, they knew Menma was reshaping Takigakure. Whether this change was for better or worse, only time would tell.

---