Menma Uzumaki

The next morning came without fanfare. The torch outside Menma's room had burned low during the night, leaving the small space bathed in shadows. The quiet was almost peaceful, but that peace didn't last long.

A sharp knock echoed through the room, jolting Menma out of his restless thoughts.

"Get up," Tayuya's familiar voice barked from the other side. "Lord Orochimaru wants to see you."

Menma groaned, swinging his legs over the edge of the cot. "And here I thought I'd get a breakfast in bed."

The door slammed open, and Tayuya leaned against the frame, arms crossed and scowling. "Cute. Now hurry the fuck up before I drag you there myself."

Menma grabbed his cloak from the corner and draped it over his shoulders, his movements deliberate. "Alright, alright. Keep your flute in your pants."

Her glare sharpened, but there was the faintest flicker of amusement in her eyes. "You think you're funny, huh? Let's see if you're still cracking jokes when Orochimaru's done with you."

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The halls felt even colder this time, the air heavy with tension. Tayuya led the way, her steps brisk and purposeful. Menma followed, his mind on high alert.

The route she took was different, winding deeper into the heart of the lair. The dim torches were spaced farther apart, their flickering light casting ominous shadows on the damp stone walls. The further they went, the less human the place felt.

They stopped in front of a massive double door, its surface etched with intricate carvings of snakes. Tayuya didn't bother knocking—she pushed the doors open with a force that sent them creaking on their hinges.

The room beyond was cavernous, the air cool and stagnant. Massive stone pillars lined the walls, their bases coiled with carved serpents. At the far end of the chamber, Orochimaru sat on an ornate stone throne, his pale face calm but watchful.

Kimimaro stood beside him, as still and serene as ever. His green eyes locked onto Menma the moment he entered, scanning him with that same unyielding intensity.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a slow smile. "Menma," he said, his voice as smooth as silk. "I trust you slept well?"

Menma shrugged, keeping his tone casual. "About as well as you'd expect in a snake pit."

Orochimaru chuckled softly, the sound low and unnerving. "You have spirit. Good. You'll need it for what comes next."

Menma's instincts flared at those words. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Orochimaru's smile widened. "Consider it a… demonstration of your abilities. I need to know just how much potential you truly have."

Kimimaro stepped forward, his calm voice breaking the tension. "You will face an opponent of Lord Orochimaru's choosing. Prove yourself, and you will earn a place here. Fail…" He let the word hang in the air, its meaning clear.

Menma's jaw tightened. "Let me guess. You're the opponent?"

Before Kimimaro could respond, Orochimaru raised a hand. "Not today. That honor belongs to someone else."

The torches around the room dimmed, and a low rumble echoed from the far side of the chamber. A massive iron gate creaked open, and from the shadows emerged a towering figure.

It was a creature—no, a monstrosity. Easily eight feet tall, its body was a grotesque amalgamation of scales, claws, and muscle. Its yellow eyes glowed with savage intelligence, and its elongated fangs dripped with venom.

"A little experiment of mine," Orochimaru said, his tone almost playful. "It's not quite perfected, but it should provide sufficient entertainment."

The creature let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the chamber. Menma could feel its malice, its hunger, and the raw chakra radiating from its twisted form.

Tayuya smirked from the sidelines. "Better hope all that attitude comes with skills to back it up, smartass."

The beast charged without warning, its massive claws tearing into the stone floor as it lunged. Menma's body reacted instinctively, his feet shifting as he sidestepped the attack.

Fast, he thought, his mind racing. But not fast enough.

The dark chakra surged within him, coiling around his hand as he formed a Dark Rasengan. The swirling orb of energy pulsed with destructive force, and without hesitation, he slammed it into the creature's side.

The explosion was deafening. The beast let out a pained roar as it was thrown backward, crashing into a pillar and shattering the stone.

Menma didn't let up. He darted forward, his newfound speed carrying him across the chamber in an instant. The beast swiped at him with a claw, but he ducked under it, driving his fist into its abdomen with enough force to send shockwaves through its body.

But the creature was relentless. It recovered quickly, its tail whipping around to strike him. Menma barely managed to leap back, the tail slamming into the ground where he'd stood a moment before.

"Damn," he muttered, breathing slow. "You're tougher than you look."

The beast roared again, its chakra flaring as it charged him once more. This time, Menma allowed the dark chakra to flow freely through his body. He could feel it amplifying his strength, his speed, his senses. It was intoxicating, but he couldn't let it consume him.

"Alright," he said, his voice low and steady. "Rasen Ring."

He formed another Rasengan, this one larger and darker than before. The beast lunged, but Menma met it head-on, driving the Rasengan straight into its chest.

The impact was catastrophic. The creature let out one final, anguished roar, its voice trembling as it whispered its last, dying word: "Akari." With that, it collapsed to the ground, its massive lower body that are left twitching before going still.

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The silence that followed was deafening. Menma stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving as the dark chakra slowly dissipated.

Orochimaru clapped his hands, the sound echoing through the chamber. "Magnificent," he said, his golden eyes gleaming. "You truly are something special, Menma."

Menma turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Was that enough of a demonstration for you?"

Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Oh, more than enough. You've exceeded my expectations."

Kimimaro stepped forward, his gaze unreadable. "You fought well. But strength alone is not enough to survive here. Remember that."

Menma didn't respond, his eyes flicking between Kimimaro and Orochimaru. He could feel the weight of their expectations, the unspoken challenges in their words.

As he walked back toward the room, his

mind sharp, one thought lingered above all else:

I'm not just surviving here. I'm going to take control of this damn place.