Menma stood at the entrance of the stronghold, Fox Mask's expression completely frozen. Kakuzu beside him opened the hood of his cloak and looked at the buildings in front of him with interest.
This... is the so-called "hidden stronghold"?
Just now, Menma used Flying Thunder God Technique to send himself and Kakuzu back to Land of Hot Water and back to the hotel room. However, this time he did not call Hizashi. Instead, he took Kakuzu to the base of the [Jin] organization that Hizashi spent a long time building.
The result is...
Menma's eyes moved from the exquisite arch bridge over the pond, to the meticulously trimmed pines and cypresses, and finally settled on the majestic main hall. The seven-story Japanese palace glowed with the luster of expensive wood in the sun, and the wind chimes hanging on the cornices tinkled with the breeze.
This doesn't look like the base of a terrorist organization, it's clearly the palace of a certain Daimyo!
"Ha..." Kakuzu's laughter came from under the mask, and he glanced at the obviously valuable building materials. "It seems that our organization's financial situation is quite good."
Menma pressed the mask silently. Although I had known that Hizashi was gifted in business, this was too...
Did that guy have any misunderstanding about the word "hidden"?!
"So..." Kakuzu's voice was a bit teasing, "This is the headquarters of the [Jin] organization that scares the big countries? I have to say... the taste is very unique."
Menma took a deep breath and decided to skip this topic. "... Follow me."
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Tanuma will come to meet you two soon."
The maid in a simple and elegant kimono bowed respectfully and stepped away. Menma watched this scene silently through Transformation Jutsu's disguised eyes - is this something that a terrorist organization can recruit?
But in order to maintain "Menma"'s aloof image, he just nodded slightly. After a while, the Japanese sliding door was suddenly opened.
Appearing at the door were two ordinary-looking people. The middle man was wearing a simple brown kimono, and he was followed by a little girl wearing round glasses. They had no characteristics. The two looked just like any ordinary residents on the street.
As the chakra fluctuated, the Transformation Jutsu of the two gradually faded away, Hizashi returned to its original appearance, and the "ordinary girl" turned back into Karin with red hair and red eyes. She opened her eyes wide in excitement and opened her lips slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she held it back under Hizashi's stern gaze and just bowed politely.
Menma also removes the second layer of camouflage, revealing the iconic Fox Mask.
"Sir Menma, I'm sorry to keep you waiting for so long." Hizashi bowed his head respectfully.
Just then.
[bite!]
[Congratulations to the host: you have established Bonds level 4 with the original character "Karin"!]
[Points obtained: 400 points!]
Menma is not surprised by the system points obtained. It seems that Hizashi has indeed taken good care of Karin. He was about to introduce the situation of Kakuzu first, and then discuss the issue of the stronghold with Hizashi, but Hizashi spoke first.
"Sir Menma, is this the member recruited by the organization?" Hizashi turned his attention to Kakuzu, who was wearing a cloak next to Menma.
"Yes. The immortal Ninja Kakuzu has the strength to serve as a great national shadow. From today on, he will be a member of [Jhin]."
He briefly explained the origin of Kakuzu, but deliberately ignored the story of fighting with First Hokage. When Hizashi heard that Kakuzu was over ninety, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
Kakuzu only said one sentence coldly throughout the whole process. "I originally thought that by joining [Jhin] I could receive more high-value bounties... But looking at the financial resources of the organization, it is obvious that this is not how to make money. As for the source of funds... you will tell me in detail later."
Facing Kakuzu who wanted to learn business management, Hizashi looked cautiously at Menma for instructions. Menma knew that Kakuzu liked making and saving money but didn't like spending money, so he nodded and agreed to the request.
Kakuzu's life can be summarized by the sentence "the person dies but the money is not spent". In the long years of the original work, he worked hard to accumulate dozens of kilos of wealth. It can be said that he did not touch a single kilo of wealth, and was eventually squandered by a prodigal daughter overnight.
Later, just when Naruto was about to question Hizashi about the connection between this magnificent palace and the word "hidden", Hizashi spoke first as if he had expected it.
"Master Menma, you must have many questions about this place." Hizashi made a respectful gesture of invitation, "But please follow me first."
Passing through the gorgeous cloister of the main hall, everyone arrived at the spacious backyard. There are only a few humble homemade cabins here, which are in sharp contrast to the luxury in front. Hizashi led them into one of the rooms and pushed open the furniture cabinets on both sides——
There was a soft "click", and the wide staircase hidden under the floor was revealed.
Naruto What does it mean... that is to say... this luxurious building outside is just a cover?
Going down the stairs, the scene in front of me gradually became familiar. The wide underground space, the cold stone walls, and the intricate passages-a bit like the secret base of the "Root" organization in the anime. Hizashi explained in detail on the side.
"This place has actually just been completed not long ago. The basic structure of the training ground, laboratory, archives and other facilities has been completed, but the equipment is still being configured. I will complete it as soon as possible."
He continued to add. "I have also set up multiple secret entrances leading here throughout the town, all sealed in a specific Sealing Jutsu way. Only members of the organization can enter..."
Faced with such careful arrangements, what else can Naruto say?
"... well done."