Chapter 240: Secret Technique! Thousand Years Of Death!
Spring sunlight filtered through the tender green new leaves, casting dappled light spots on the Ninja Academy training ground.
The air was filled with the scent of fresh grass and mud, mixed with the vibrant energy of boys and girls, and a faint sense of tension.
It was time for the weekly practical sparring class again.
Sasuke took a deep breath, his sharp gaze locking onto the figure on the other side of the field.
He hadn’t slacked off during the entire holiday, undergoing rigorous training under his brother Itachi’s occasional rare guidance. He felt himself stronger, faster, and his throwing technique more precise.
He was confident that this time he would redeem his previous defeat.
At the end of Sasuke’s line of sight, Menma was lazily leaning against the railing, seemingly completely unaware of the impending duel.
He was slightly tilting his head, saying something to Hinata Hyuga beside him.
Hinata kept her head low, her cheeks flushed red, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, responding in a soft, delicate voice, occasionally shaking her head lightly at something Menma said, her earlobes completely red.
This blatant intimacy, this carefree attitude, pricked at Sasuke’s proud heart like fine thorns.
The opponent never truly saw him as a rival worth preparing seriously for. This disregard annoyed him more than defeat.
“Sasuke! This time I’ll definitely beat you!” Naruto waved his fists nearby, shouting noisily, trying to attract Sasuke’s attention, but Sasuke completely ignored him.
His eyes were only on that black-haired spiky-haired guy.
“Hmph.” Sasuke snorted coldly, arms crossed over his chest, shifting his gaze away, trying to calm his somewhat restless mood, waiting for the teacher’s command.
At the edge of the field, Choji Akimichi crunched on potato chips, his round eyes watching Sasuke radiating confidence, mumbling unclearly to Shikamaru beside him: “Mmm… feels like Sasuke’s really confident this time.”
Shikamaru Nara let out a big yawn, looking utterly unmotivated about everything, lazily replying: “Ah~~~ Yeah. But the result probably won’t change much. What a hassle… This generation’s genius, probably no one can shake that guy’s position.”
Though he called it a hassle, his tone acknowledged the strength far surpassing theirs possessed by that peer named Menma.
Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru were howling cheers for Menma nearby, while Shino Aburame quietly stood in the corner, his gaze under the sunglasses unknown where it fell.
Ino Yamanaka and Sakura and other girls clustered together, cheering for Sasuke.
“Sasuke-kun, go for it!”
“You have to win, Sasuke-kun!”
Though Menma was also handsome and powerful, ever since last time when two arrogant first-year schoolgirls tried to ask Menma out to a movie over the weekend, only to be scared to tears by the instantly erupting killing intent from Hinata Hyuga, all the girls in school tacitly understood—Menma was Hinata Hyuga’s “exclusive territory,” untouchable.
In comparison, the cool-tempered, super handsome, and “unclaimed” Sasuke Uchiha naturally had even higher popularity.
Hinata heard the girls’ cheers, secretly glanced at Menma, saw he seemed completely uninterested, just looking at Sasuke on the field, then slightly relaxed, murmuring in a voice almost only she could hear: “Menma-kun… go for it…”
Iruka-sensei walked to the center of the field, looked at the two sides already prepared, especially Sasuke with burning eyes, smiled helplessly, and said loudly: “Alright, next match, Sasuke Uchiha vs. Menma! Remember, just taijutsu sparring, no lethal ninjutsu! Form the rival seal!”
Sasuke and Menma stepped forward, forming the rival seal with each other.
Sasuke’s gaze fixed tightly on Menma, as if trying to pierce him with his eyes.
Menma still had that half-asleep look.
“This time, I won’t lose to you again.” Sasuke lowered his voice, saying with full determination.
Menma yawned, dug his ear with his pinky, casually saying: “Ah… got it, got it. You said that last time too. Let’s start already, Iruka-sensei.”
Sasuke was so angry his teeth itched; this attitude was simply an insult to him!
“Begin!” Iruka-sensei swung his arm down.
Before the words finished, Sasuke’s figure had already darted out!
His speed was indeed much faster than before the holiday, stirring up a gust of wind, instantly closing the distance between them, a fierce straight punch aimed straight at Menma’s face.
Menma’s eyes shifted slightly, becoming a bit more serious.
He sidestepped to dodge the punch wind, raising his hand to block Sasuke’s following elbow strike.
The dull sound of fists and feet clashing echoed on the field.
‘Speed, power, reactions all much stronger than last time. Looks like he got a lot of guidance from Itachi Uchiha this summer vacation.’ Menma seemingly passively blocked and dodged while calmly assessing Sasuke’s progress.
‘But the rhythm’s still a bit rushed, too eager to prove himself, making it easy to expose openings.’
The reason he probed so carefully wasn’t because Sasuke posed a threat, but to “control the score.”
Sasuke was undoubtedly one of the top students in this class, a benchmark for “genius.”
As long as he gauged Sasuke’s level, Menma could precisely control the strength performance of “Ninja Academy student Menma” to be just a bit stronger than Sasuke, genius-level for a commoner but not world-shakingly so.
The nuance required careful handling.
The students below the field watched with rapt attention.
“So fast!”
“Sasuke’s attacks are so fierce!”
“Menma seems suppressed?”
“No, look how easily Menma dodges!”
In everyone’s eyes, the duel was intensely fierce, punches and kicks flying, figures crossing, highly entertaining.
Sasuke’s offense was like mercury pouring, relentless, while Menma was like a steady rock, always resolving crises at key moments, occasionally countering, steadily suppressing Sasuke.
Iruka-sensei watched from the side, nodding occasionally, inwardly praising: ‘Sasuke’s progress is very obvious, taijutsu increasingly refined. But this kid Menma… incredible, seems to be at a disadvantage but actually has plenty of room, grasp of timing and distance far beyond peers. This class’s top student belongs to none other than him.’
Sasuke’s prolonged attack yielded no results, his heart growing increasingly anxious.
He had used all the techniques learned during the holiday, even performing beyond his level, yet still couldn’t touch the opponent?
Menma’s defense was like an invisible net, seemingly with gaps but actually airtight.
His breathing began to quicken, fine sweat beading on his forehead.
At that moment, he spotted an opportunity, a high kick sweeping toward Menma’s head, trying to break the stalemate.
However, Menma simply leaned back, making this sure-hit leg miss.
‘Now!’ Sasuke’s heart stirred, based on past experience, the opponent had shifted center of gravity backward, lower body exposed, he prepared to drop his leg and execute a sweeping leg attack.
However, Menma’s reaction far exceeded his expectations.
In the instant before his raised leg fully descended, Menma used the slight momentum from the lean-back, his toes suddenly pushing off, his body twisting like a ghost, sliding to the ground behind Sasuke at an unbelievable speed and angle!
Sasuke’s kick missed, his heart shocked, sensing someone behind, immediately instinctively sinking his waist to crouch, stabilizing his lower body and preparing to counter.
All his attention focused on defending against low attacks.
But Menma didn’t attack his lower body.
Menma’s thumbs together, other four fingers curved and interlocked, forming a strange seal, seizing the instant Sasuke sank into a crouch with openings exposed, poking forward with pinpoint accuracy!
“Leaf Secret Taijutsu Hidden Art: Thousand Years of Death!”
“Pfft—!”
“Urghhh!!!”
A scream containing immense pain, humiliation, and disbelief erupted from Sasuke’s throat!
His whole body shot forward like a lit rocket several meters, then crashed heavily to the ground, body curled into a ball, hands clutching his behind desperately, body still trembling slightly.
The entire training ground instantly fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at this sudden, style-shifting scene.
The next second, huge uproar and gasps of cold air rose.
“Wha… what was that technique just now?”
“Dun… dunno… looks so painful!”
“Sasuke-kun!”
“Menma this guy… actually used that move…”
Naruto, Choji, Kiba and other boys instinctively clamped their legs, feeling a chill shoot from tailbone to the top of their heads.
Hinata let out an “Ah,” instantly face fully red, hands covering her face, but couldn’t help peeking at the innocent-standing Menma through her fingers.
Iruka-sensei’s mouth twitched violently, black threads appearing on his forehead.
He said no lethal ninjutsu… but this move…
Wasn’t wrong… just too… too indecent!
Sasuke struggled up from the ground, his handsome face flushed red, almost dripping blood.
He could feel the gazes from all directions.
Some concerned, some sympathetic, but mostly stunned and… stifled laughter.
Immense humiliation instantly overwhelmed him, he glared fiercely at Menma, eyes complex with anger, shame, and a trace of disbelief, then rushed out of the training ground without looking back, skipping even the afternoon classes.
“Sasuke-kun!” Sakura and Ino shouted worriedly, but couldn’t stop him.
The sighs and discussions in the field lingered.
“Wow! Menma! I wanna learn! Teach me that move!” Naruto’s eyes sparkled, laughing heartily toward the direction Sasuke disappeared.
Menma stood up from the Thousand Years of Death pose, lips suppressing a smile, walked to Iruka-sensei: “Sensei, that counts as my win, right?”
Iruka-sensei looked at his harmless face, held back for a long time, then weakly waved his hand: “Counts… counts as your win. Next time, no more using that… that weird move!”
“Oh.” Menma nodded obediently, but didn’t take it to heart.
Last time sparring with Sasuke, he forgot this important step; this time it was finally complete!
The dismissal bell rang, after the “earth-shattering strike” afternoon, students left school in twos and threes.
“Hey, Menma, Naruto, Hinata!” Choji packed his bag while calling: “Shikamaru, Ino, Kiba, Shino too, wanna go eat barbecue later? I went with family several times over holiday, got tons of coupons, my treat this time!”
Naruto’s eyes lit up instantly at the words, yelling excitedly: “Really? Choji! You’re the best! Hahaha, barbecue! Barbecue!”
He recalled Choji did say last year he’d treat him to something good; feeling remembered and valued by a friend now warmed his heart.
Shikamaru yawned: “Aah… barbecue again, hassle… but since it’s a dinner party, sure.”
Ino agreed readily: “Sure!” Kiba hugged Akamaru: “Meat? Of course!” Shino adjusted his sunglasses, nodded slightly.
Hinata looked at Menma, asking softly: “Menma-kun… wanna go together?”
Menma smiled: “Sure.”
He had some things to confirm anyway.
The group noisily arrived at a popular barbecue restaurant on Konoha Commercial Street.
The shop wasn’t big, but full of lively atmosphere, the sizzling sounds and aroma of grilling meat whetting appetites.
Choji boldly slapped down a stack of coupons, ordering several deluxe sets.
As soon as the meat slices arrived, everyone started grilling, atmosphere heated.
“Wow! So good!” Naruto stuffed his mouth full of grease, mumbling praise unclearly.
“This place’s meat is pretty good!” Kiba shoved grilled meat into his mouth, face satisfied.
“Ino, mind your manners.” Shikamaru lazily turned meat slices, reminding the overly excited Ino.
“None of your business!” Ino rolled her eyes at him.
Shino ate quietly, presence as low as ever.
Hinata ate in small bites, but not slowly, plates quickly stacking up before her.
Menma grilled meat while leaning close to Choji, asking lowly: “Coupons enough? Hinata seems to have a good appetite… I have some coupons too.”
He actually planned if Choji’s weren’t enough, to quietly cover Hinata’s excess himself.
Choji patted his chest hard upon hearing, confidently saying: “Don’t worry! Menma! More than enough! I’m a man who can eat over twenty plates of thick-cut grilled beef alone!”
He clearly underestimated some people’s potential.
However, reality was cruel.
Choji ultimately ate twenty-seven plates of barbecue, stuffed to the point of eyes rolling back, slumped in his seat unable to move.
While Hinata…
She had just gotten into the groove, seventy-two empty plates already before her, yet still sipping her drink with lingering relish, eyeing the grill, seemingly ready for more.
Everyone watched dumbfounded.
Kiba’s mouth gaped: “Hinata… you… you’re too amazing, right?”
Naruto forgot to put the meat in his mouth: “Seventy… seventy-two plates? More than me?”
Ino covered her mouth: “Oh my god…”
Shikamaru’s mouth twitched: “…This isn’t just good appetite level anymore…”
Shino’s sunglasses seemed to glint.
Menma looked at the collapsed Choji and the somewhat blushing still-not-full Hinata, smiled helplessly.
He patted Choji’s shoulder, took the now-deflated small bag of coupons from him, and said: “Alright, that’s it for today, let me handle it.”
He got up to the counter to pay, sure enough, Choji’s coupons were far from enough.
Menma calmly paid, then returned to the seat, handing a larger denomination barbecue restaurant coupon given by the shop after this consumption back to the dazed, lifeless Choji.
“Here, use it next time.”
Choji looked at the large coupon, moved tears nearly mixing with the stuffed tears flowing down.
Nighttime Konoha streets were much quieter.
After parting, Menma and Hinata walked side by side on the road to Hyuga Clan Territory.
Moonlight stretched their shadows long.
“Menma-kun… today… thank you.” Hinata said softly, referring to the payment, face still with some embarrassed flush.
“No problem, that guy Choji will remember the lesson next time.” Menma smiled: “But Hinata, your appetite… seems even better?”
“Ah… um…” Hinata’s head lowered more: “Maybe because… training’s been tough lately…”
She couldn’t exactly say it was because watching Menma-kun made her mood great so she ate extra well.
Soon, they reached the street opposite Hyuga Clan Territory gate, where Menma’s standalone small courtyard was.
“Then I’ll head back, Menma-kun, good night.” Hinata stood at the clan gate, waving to Menma.
“Good night, Hinata.” Menma nodded, watching Hinata enter the imposing gate before turning to take out his key, opening his own courtyard door.
The courtyard was very quiet.
The two maids he hired usually clocked out after cleaning and preparing dinner or midnight snacks.
If Menma didn’t come back to eat, they’d put the food in the fridge.
Menma didn’t turn on the lights, went straight through the living room to his training room on the second floor.
The room was very simple, no extra decorations besides necessary furniture and some training equipment.
He went to the desk, pulled open one drawer.
Not many stationery items inside, instead several special material blank letters lay quietly.
These were specially made for delivering “forewarning letters” during his previous attack on the Hyuga house, some unused left over.
Menma picked one up, fingers rubbing the smooth letter paper surface, gaze deepening.
‘Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall… should be soon. Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi have sharpened their knives, script and actors all in place…’ He recalled the info passed via engraving from Kabuto Yakushi that day; Danzō’s unusual actions undoubtedly heralded the coming storm.
‘Then, how can this grand play lack an audience?’ Menma’s lips curved slightly.
‘Moreover, such a good opportunity, taking only the Uchiha would be too wasteful…’
Names and faces flashed in his mind.
His parents Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki definitely needed notifying; they had the right to know Konoha’s extermination plan for the Uchiha Clan and participate in the rescue operation.
Shisui Uchiha, he was an even more VIP among the audience; Menma anticipated what kind of breakdown Shisui would have seeing the clan members he protected massacred by Itachi Uchiha.
Uchiha Hikari, Uzumaki Kushina, Miyashiro En, Kimimaro Kaguya.
Especially Kushina as Uzumaki Clan, Kimimaro as last survivor of Kaguya Clan, both qualified to witness the Uchiha Clan’s tragedy, see clearly that the ninja village system opened by Hashirama Senju was no different essentially from the Warring States Period.
And the Hyuga Clan’s branch family.
While Anbu and Root’s forces were drawn to Uchiha Compound, Konoha internals empty with reduced alert, it was the best chance to take away willing branch family members!
‘Right, Tono Katazuke too, can snatch him amid the chaos.’ Menma’s fingers lightly tapped the desk, beginning detailed planning.
