Chapter 5

Chapter 5 — The Cloud Hidden Village Envoy Kidnaps Hinata

“Hey there, kid. First time here, right?” The owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi, narrowed his eyes in a friendly smile as he spoke to Menma. “Want me to recommend one of our popular specials?”

“It’s not my first time, old man Teuchi,” Menma replied, coming back to his senses. Looking at the chef in the hat, he casually ordered, “One miso chashu ramen. No narutomaki. Extra bamboo shoots.”

“Huh?” Teuchi studied the boy with confusion. He had absolutely no memory of him.

“My apologies, customer. Maybe I’m just getting old,” Teuchi said, scratching his head before smiling again. “Then as compensation, I’ll give you plenty of menma!”

In Japanese, bamboo shoots are pronounced the same as “Menma,” while narutomaki shares its pronunciation with “Naruto.”

Perhaps influenced by the Inifinite Tsukuyomi world, Menma also disliked fish cake and had a particular fondness for bamboo shoots.

While Teuchi prepared the ramen, Menma focused on listening to the two Konoha shinobi chatting nearby.

Either they had run out of useful information or noticed an outsider present, because the two stopped discussing the earlier topic and shifted to everyday gossip instead.

They even began talking about a newly published adult romance novel from the shop next door.

The conversation grew so explicit that Menma quickly pushed down the small Nine-Tails’ head when it tried to peek out from his fur collar.

When exactly was Jiraiya’s “Icha Icha Paradise” published? Menma wondered. That novel had become famous across the ninja world immediately after release. If it were already circulating, those two ninja would surely be discussing it.

“Kid, your miso chashu ramen is ready.”

Teuchi placed a steaming bowl before him.

A thick layer of bamboo shoots covered the surface. The aroma of the broth filled Menma’s senses. He picked up his chopsticks and began eating.

For three years since arriving in this world, he had lived only in the orphanage and never tasted food outside it.

Now he ate like a prisoner finally released, devouring the ramen in large mouthfuls.

The two ninja beside him glanced over, but seeing only a young boy without a forehead protector eating ravenously, they quickly lost interest.

After finishing the entire bowl, Menma set down his chopsticks, patted his stomach, and exhaled deeply.

Even though he was using a Transformation Technique, his real body was still that of a child. Eating this much inevitably left him full.

“Glad you liked it,” Teuchi said with a cheerful smile. For a ramen chef, a satisfied customer was the greatest praise.

“The money’s there.”

Menma placed a fifty-ryō note on the counter and left.

Teuchi picked up the bill, watching the boy’s departing figure with a strange feeling he couldn’t explain.

Leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Menma walked into the night breeze and slowly headed toward the Hyūga clan compound according to his memory.

“After eating, some exercise is appropriate.”

He took out the white three-eyed fox mask and put it on.

Hyūga Clan Estate

A masked ninja quietly infiltrated the clan leader’s residence.

“Too easy.”

Seeing the sleeping little girl on the bed, he pulled out a handkerchief soaked in anesthetic and pressed it over her face.

Once the drug took effect, he lifted the girl and quickly escaped.

Step—step—step—

Carrying her in one hand, the masked ninja sped through the Hyūga compound, excitement growing as he neared the exit.

“Perfect timing. The show begins.”

A voice suddenly sounded.

Startled, the ninja halted and looked up.

A figure stood atop the courtyard wall, gazing down at him.

“Damn! I’ve been discovered?” the ninja thought, preparing himself for death. This outcome had always been part of the plan.

“…Wait. Not a Hyūga ninja?”

The stranger wore a mask and lacked any Konoha forehead protector. His attire clearly differed from village shinobi.

Why was he here? What was his objective?

There was no time to think. Several figures landed nearby.

“Who dares cause trouble in the Hyūga clan!” Hyūga Hiashi appeared with several guards, positioning himself between the masked ninja and the mysterious figure.

“Hiashi! Hold off the masked man! I’ll rescue Hinata first!” he ordered.

“Yes!”

Hyūga Hizashi activated his Byakugan, veins bulging around his eyes, and rushed toward the masked figure on the wall.

“So eager to fight? Won’t you ask what I’m here for first?” Menma raised one hand, blocking Hizashi’s Gentle Fist strike while casually moving along the wall.

No matter how tricky the attack angles were, the masked man predicted every movement, evading effortlessly.

With only one hand, he neutralized all of Hizashi’s taijutsu techniques.

Hizashi grew increasingly alarmed. It felt as if the opponent already knew exactly which chakra points he intended to strike. Each time he attacked, chakra reinforced those points in advance, making his blows feel like hitting solid iron. He couldn’t seal a single tenketsu.

In over twenty years, he had never encountered such an enemy.

Why is he so familiar with Gentle Fist? Hizashi realized in shock that fighting this man felt like sparring with the clan head himself.

Below, Hiashi rushed forward and struck the masked kidnapper.

His original intention had been to cripple the enemy and interrogate him.

Instead, the ninja deliberately charged into the fatal blow.

Bang!

The attacker was sent flying. Hinata slipped from his grasp, and Hiashi caught her instantly.

“Clan head!”

The guards gathered around him.

“He’s dead?” Hiashi checked the man’s neck and confirmed it.

Removing the mask, he saw the forehead protector.

His expression changed instantly.

“A Cloud ninja?”

“Isn’t this the envoy from Kumogakure who arrived yesterday?”

The guards recognized him as well, unease spreading among them.

The envoy who should have been attending the Third Hokage’s banquet was now dead inside the Hyūga compound.

After only a brief moment of shock, Hiashi turned sharply toward the masked man fighting Hizashi.

“Hizashi! Capture him alive!”