I Am Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 369 - 369 The Start of Battle

Simultaneously, inside the simple underground base of the Akatsuki, the atmosphere was equally heavy.

Yahiko stood before a makeshift table pieced together from wooden crates, his spiky orange hair particularly striking under the dim light.

Before him gathered the current core members of Akatsuki.

Besides Konan and Nagato, there were two other trusted backbone members whose strength in the organization was second only to the three of them: Tendo Kyusuke and Daibutsu.

Tendo had medium-length black hair, most notably his vertical pupils resembling those of a feline and several symmetrical blue markings on his cheeks like tear tracks.

He was a war orphan from Amegakure, meticulous, skilled in intelligence gathering and analysis. Convinced by Yahiko's ideals, he was one of the early founders of Akatsuki.

Daibutsu, true to his name, was exceptionally burly and robust, with a shiny bald head and a benevolent face like the Maitreya Buddha in a temple. But beneath this honest exterior lay not inconsiderable strength.

He was originally a Wandering Ninja who joined Akatsuki after being won over by Yahiko's ideals and charisma, earning Yahiko's deep trust, especially skilled in Water Release Ninjutsu.

Yahiko's gaze swept over the face of every comrade present. He took a deep breath, speaking in as steady a tone as possible: "I've called everyone here because of an urgent situation."

"According to reliable intelligence, Amegakure is likely to be forcibly dragged into a conflict we cannot stay out of within a short time. Some extremely powerful Ninja have already infiltrated the village. If a fight breaks out between them, our primary task is to do our utmost to protect Amegakure's civilians and assist them in safely evacuating the conflict zone!"

As his words fell, suppressed exclamations and whispers immediately rose in the meeting room.

"What? A fight breaking out inside Amegakure?"

"Who's so bold? Daring to act on Hanzo-sama's turf?"

Kyusuke's vertical pupils slightly contracted, clear confusion on his face. He stepped forward and asked: "Leader, with Hanzo-sama overseeing Amegakure, he's hailed as the Demigod of the Ninja World! Who exactly dares to so blatantly attack Amegakure?"

At this time, Hanzo's prestige in Amegakure and even the entire Land of Rain was at its peak.

He was a hero who fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the Second Great Ninja War, successfully preserving Amegakure.

Though the Land of Rain remained turbulent and impoverished internally, at least within Amegakure and its surroundings, thanks to Hanzo's strong rule and deterrence, relative surface peace was maintained.

Therefore, even members of Akatsuki, who took changing the Land of Rain as their mission, held considerable awe, even worship, for this [Demigod] deep in their hearts.

Hearing Kyusuke mention Hanzo, Yahiko's mind involuntarily flashed back to the 'future' scene Menma had shown him.

That once hero dedicated to ending the Land of Rain's chaos ultimately, out of fear that Akatsuki threatened his ruling position, conspired with Konoha's Danzo, setting an ambush, almost slaughtering Akatsuki to the last man...

He forcefully shook his head as if trying to drive that bloody, despairing image from his mind.

Yahiko steadied himself, meeting Kyusuke and the other members' questioning gazes, explaining firmly: "The enemy's strength... is extraordinary. Even Hanzo-sama probably cannot achieve an easy victory in a short time."

He couldn't accurately describe the enemy's power. If he said even the Demigod of the Ninja World might not be a match, likely no one present would believe him, thinking he was alarmist instead.

Thus, he chose this relatively vague yet sufficiently attention-grabbing way of putting it.

Though Akatsuki's members found it somewhat strange, they understood Yahiko's character, knowing he would never make baseless claims.

The reason they gathered here was precisely because they were drawn by Yahiko's fervent ideals and sincere charisma.

Therefore, though doubts remained in their hearts, no one objected.

"Understood, Leader!"

"We'll prepare immediately!"

"If that's really the case, we must not only prioritize civilian evacuation but also prepare sufficient food!"

Everyone accepted their orders, preparing to act immediately.

"Konan, Nagato," Yahiko turned to his two most trusted companions: "Go inventory the funds and important supplies stored in the base, prepare for immediate relocation. If the situation deteriorates, we'll need these resources to resettle refugees."

Konan and Nagato nodded, about to turn and execute the command—

Boom——!!!

A tremendous explosion sound came from outside without warning!

Immediately after, the ground beneath their feet shook violently! Dust and tiny gravel fell from above, the dim lights swaying wildly as if about to go out at any moment!

"What's going on?!"

"An explosion? Where from?!"

"Someone's fighting in Amegakure?"

Akatsuki members inside the base instantly panicked, steadying themselves, their faces etched with shock.

"Let's go see!" Yahiko decided promptly, rushing towards the base exit first.

Konan, Nagato, Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and the others followed closely.

When they rushed out of the base onto the damp streets, the scene before them made everyone suck in a cold breath!

They saw the sky in the northern part of the village was already shrouded in billowing thick smoke, clearly visible even through the continuous rain curtain!

Blinding flames surged skyward from that direction, dyeing the low-hanging dark clouds an ominous orange-red!

Faintly, they could still hear distant, continuous terrified cries and the roar of collapsing buildings!

"It's the northern district! The area near the port!" Kyusuke, relying on his familiarity with the terrain, immediately judged the approximate location of the explosion, his vertical pupils dilated with shock.

"That's mostly residential areas and warehouses... How could such a huge-scale explosion happen?! This can't be an accident, it's a battle! Ninjas are fighting there!"

As if to confirm his judgment-

Bang bang!

Boom—!

Several even more intense, terrifying explosions sounded in succession!

Visible shockwaves even parted the rain curtain in the air, forming brief vacuum rings!

Amegakure's northern district had completely turned into a sea of flames and ruins. Thick smoke, carrying sparks, soared skyward. Even from far away, that destructive power could be felt!

Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and the other Akatsuki's members looked at the apocalyptic scene in the distance, their Adam's apples bobbing as they swallowed hard with difficulty, their faces filled with unprecedented shock and horror.

Only now did they truly, cruelly understand what their leader Yahiko meant by 'powerful enemies'!

This was nothing like the Ninja Battles they knew before… this was a natural disaster!

Yahiko also quickly snapped out of his initial shock. He knew what Menma had predicted was happening!

Forcing himself to calm down, his voice carrying undeniable decisiveness, he ordered loudly: "Konan! Nagato! Immediately organize all available manpower, head to the edge of the northern district at the fastest speed! Rescue the wounded, evacuate the residents there! Prioritize protecting the elderly, women, and children!"

"Kyusuke! Daibutsu! All combat personnel, come with me, move towards the explosion center area! We need to ascertain the situation, try to prevent the battle from affecting wider areas! Move!"

"Yes, Leader!" Everyone responded in unison. Though fear remained in their hearts, under Yahiko's command, they immediately found their backbone, starting to prepare weapons and equipment, determination and resolve on their faces.

Just then, three figures landed on the open ground outside the Akatsuki's base.

"Who goes there?!" Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and other combat members immediately became alert, drawing weapons because they saw the other party wasn't wearing any village forehead protectors.

But Yahiko and Konan recognized one of them immediately as Kanon, who had parted from them not long ago. The middle-aged man beside her, closely protecting his daughter, looking terrified, also seemed somewhat familiar.

It was the village's famous ninja tool repairman, Amado and his daughter Akebi.

"Kanon-san! Amado-san!" Yahiko immediately stepped forward. His gaze swept over the three, especially Akebi, held tightly in Amado's arms, seemingly frightened.

He inquired urgently: "You are...? What happened?"

Kanon breathed rapidly, somewhat worriedly turning her head to look at the soaring flames and thick smoke in the north, saying anxiously: "Yahiko-san! Menma-sama is already fighting that enemy! The battle is very intense! These two are Amado-san and Akebi-san. Menma-sama ordered me to bring them to you. Please ensure their safety!"

"Yahiko-san, long time no see." Amado, at this moment, could care less. He carefully set his daughter down, giving Yahiko and the others a bitter yet grateful expression.

He knew Yahiko and his Akatsuki. He knew these young people, though idealistic, were kind-hearted, often helping the poor.

When he occasionally received orders from Akatsuki, he would put extra effort into them, appreciating their ideals.

Yahiko immediately understood the situation. Without hesitation, he nodded, turning to Konan beside him: "Konan, arrange a team to escort Amado-san and Akebi-san. Evacuate with the first batch of villagers immediately out of the village. Ensure their safety!"

"Understood!" Konan responded coolly, immediately calling over several non-combat member organization members.

Amado hurriedly expressed thanks: "Thank you!"

He took his daughter's hand, preparing to follow Konan to evacuate.

Before leaving, Akebi, her face still somewhat pale but her eyes regaining some sparkle, looked worriedly at Kanon, who remained standing in place without moving, asking softly: "Kanon-san... you, aren't you coming with us to a safe place?"

Kanon looked at this gentle girl who had just escaped the torment of illness. A firm smile appeared on her face as she shook her head. Her red eyes flashed with a resolute light: "Though my abilities are still very limited... Menma-sama is fighting to stop that dangerous enemy! I can't stand idly by! I also want to... do my part!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried courage.

Yahiko, seeing the determination in Kanon's eyes, felt moved. He stepped forward, saying earnestly to Kanon: "We're preparing to head to the core combat area to investigate the situation and do our best to rescue the wounded, prevent the disaster from expanding. Kanon-san, if you're resolved, then come with us! Together, we can exert greater strength!"

Kanon looked at Yahiko. Behind Yahiko, Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and other Akatsuki's combat members gathered behind Yahiko, eyes sharp, ready for battle.

"Mm!" Kanon nodded firmly.

After Nagato and Konan quickly arranged the evacuation matters for the first batch of villagers, they also brought several members skilled in Medical Ninjutsu to Yahiko's side.

Their task was to follow the main force, ready to treat innocents injured in the conflict at any time.

Yahiko took one last look at the increasingly fierce flames in the north and the continuous explosive booms. Taking a deep breath of air carrying the smell of burning and rain, he waved his hand vigorously:

"Move out! To the battlefield!"