33 Chapter 033 Bounty rise and Hydra sealing

-Konoha-

The widows in Konoha are getting pregnant everywhere within the village. The Hokage has a headache because so many babies have been born this year. The widows are giving birth to babies, some are having twins, some have triplets, and it's rumored that Tsume gave birth to four babies at once. Even many married women are giving birth to multiple children as well.

Except for the Uchiha clan, every other clan has experienced a significant increase in population due to childbirth. The Hyuga, Sarutobi, Nara, Akamichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans have all seen a surge in childbirth among their members. No one knows why this phenomenon occurred. Additionally, numerous married women from these various clans have given birth at around the same time.

The Third Hokage was sitting in his office. He gazed out at the village from within it. A ring of smoke escaped his lips as he puffed on his pipe. Resting comfortably in his right hand was this trusty smoking device.

Standing behind the Hokage, Shikaku says, "Lord Third, are you concerned about the sudden increase in births?"

Hiruzen said, "No, I am not worried about it. I am worried that there are so many single mothers in Konoha. If Menma hadn't left behind financial aid for their future, it would have been difficult for all of them."

Shikaku was aware of this problem, but Menma had taken care of it for the time being. Shikaku said, "By doing so, he has made it clear that he is well-known and respected in Konoha. He even went as far as giving many of the widows' children his surname, even though they aren't from any clan. Additionally, he provided them with living spaces within his clan territory."

Hiruzen said, "Danzo also made a fuss about him taking their land for more than the fair price. By giving them his surname, he made the Satoshi clan bloom from one person to thousands of people, not including the widows he took in to support them. I am quite sure that, since he is taking care of their expenses, he will be their adoptive father at such a young age."

Shikaku said, "Lord Danzo was also making a fuss about the Satoshi clan's sudden return to clan politics. Now, with over 1,130 clan members, even if they are babies right now, well, we cannot say much since the widows sold all their possessions to give their children a chance to live safely within a clan. Menma purchased all of their land and businesses. Lord Danzo objected to it, but the property was a private matter and remained under the control of those women. No one could say anything. The only thing that changed was the owner's name on the properties."

Hiruzen said, "It is nothing new, Danzo always makes a fuss whenever anything comes up regarding Menma. He talks about a conspiracy by Menma. And how he is gaining more power within Konoha's economy. The same thing goes for Menma; he makes a fuss whenever Danzo tries to do something. They are like enemies of each other. Menma is rich, he is more like a business-minded person. He has sponsored many people inside Konoha, from civilians to clan members. So no one objects to his actions. He gives donations to Konoha shinobi to prevent any new members of his clan from joining the Root organization."

Hiruzen could see that Menma did not trust Danzo at all; both were wary of the other's movements.

Shikaku said, "I heard that Menma has been paying for a long time having Anbu keep constant watch over his clan's area, especially the children and women. It will continue until Danzo is still alive."

Hiruzen sighed after hearing it. He could not say anything about it, as it was a daily mission for Anbu. Menma had paid for it in advance; so Hiruzen accepted it without hesitation.

Hiruzen said, "The village looks peaceful. But there is a growing tension between Konoha and the Uchiha clan. I hope it will be resolved with time."

Shikaku said, "I hope so. I heard there was a new bounty on Menma in the bounty book. It's now up to 70 million ryo from Cloud and Iwa."

Hiruzen sighed once more after hearing this.

Hiruzen asked, "So, have you heard anything about Menma since he left Konoha for some time? I heard the last place he was seen was talking with Tsunade. After that, his whereabouts are unknown."

Shikaku said, "I heard that he went to sell some rare stones to a rich merchant. Then he sold the largest diamond at a large auction. He also collected some bounty from the bounty collection office."

Hiruzen said, "We have no time to worry about it anyway. Have you heard anything from Jiraya? Did he send any secret messages?"

Shikaku shook his head. "We have not received any secret messages from him this year. Just a plain message delivered by the bird; it seems the borders are stable for now. Orochimaru has gone into hiding."

Hiruzen and Shikaku are making plans for any incoming threats.

-Fire Country-

-Unknown place-

Menma killed another bounty hunter. He checked his pockets and found the bounty poster with updated bounty information.

Menma said, "Damn, I should just kill myself and take the money." Then he laughed at his joke.

Suddenly, he thought of a dangerous idea. The news quickly spread among the shinobi, rogue ninjas, samurai, and bounty hunters.

Menma has challenged anyone who wishes to take him on within a month near the border between the Fire and Wave countries. He will be waiting for them at the designated location starting next month. He will remain there for a week.

He achieved this by spreading the word through merchants, bounty offices, and other locations using his clones. He challenges anyone who wishes to take him down.

-General People Reactions-

One person at the bar said, "Have you heard? Menma Satoshi's bounty has gone up to 70 million. Not only that, but he's challenging anyone who wants to take him down in a deathmatch near the fire and wave country border."

Another person beside him said, "I heard it. Many bounty hunters are going there to cash in on their luck."

In another place, bounty hunters were talking.

One of them said, "It is our golden chance to make a lot of money. He will be alone if he chooses to come. We will strike while he is fighting with others."

Another one said, "Are you sure he'll come? I heard he's an Elite Jonin from records. Even Jonins would back out if the rumors are true that there are so many bounty hunters after his head."

The third one said, "He challenges everyone. Not just bounty hunters, ronin, rogue ninjas, rogue samurai, or even other great ninja villages; they'll all send someone to take advantage of this opportunity. Everyone wants to eliminate him."

The fourth one said, "He challenges everyone. If he is not there, he will lose his pride. I think he is already waiting for everyone at that place."

Somewhere in a bounty collection office.

The manager told the two people who had come to confirm the news, "You heard it right. Menma Satoshi, who has a 70 million bounty on him, has openly challenged anyone who wants to collect it. He came to deliver the message at various bounty collection agencies."

Kakazu asked him, "How many people are at the given location?"

Hidan laughed behind him. They were both new members of Akatsuki, alongside Sasori and Orochimaru, and had been collecting bounties recently.

The manager said, "Many small and large groups of bandits, including some rogue ninja, are also heading toward that location. If we mix them with other rogue ronin, samurai, and ninjas, as well as bounty hunters who have expressed interest and are traveling to that area, then the total number of participants could exceed 4,000. Additionally, there are other nation's bounty hunters who are also interested in this pursuit. Therefore, the unknown factor may cause the total number of participants to surpass 5,000."

Hidan said, "So many people to kill just one person."

Kakuzu looked at him and said, "It's 70 million for you. Everyone loves money and such a big amount; his open declaration may cause a riot in the bounty hunter circle."

In another place, Orochimaru and Sasori have the same thoughts. Pain allowed them to go after Menma as the bounty was too high to ignore.

Tobi also showed some enthusiasm for it and followed with Zetsu to keep an eye on the two pairs from a distance.

Menma attracted six Akatsuki members in one declaration. Pain and Konan decided to stay out of it. As it was not their time to reveal themselves.

Menma's P.O.V.

He left the capital after making sure Damiyo's wife was pregnant with his child in a secret affair. The next Damiyo would be his son.

He also met Asuma, who is now a member of the Twelve Fire Guardian. He went as a guest; some of the Guardians grumbled, but they didn't say anything. Under their noses, he spent days with Damiyo's wife. Damiyo was very pleased with his gifts.

Fire Damiyo also issued a decree that any adopted children by Menma would be considered members of the Satoshi clan from that day forward. Unbeknownst to him, his wife would eventually give birth to several sons and daughters from the Satoshi clan, and one of them would go on to become the next Fire Damiyo. She had grown tired of not being able to have a biological child with Fire Damiyo.

Damiyo will get this news of his wife's pregnancy after two months. He will get five healthy children from his wife. And he will throw a big party for it.

She even promised Menma that she would help him anytime if he needed her. As Menma told her about his pregnancy. Her happiness was not only because she was pregnant; but now no other woman could take her place.

Menma is in a secret cave again and has made a lot of Fuinjutsu seals around it. It is a massive cave. The Fuinjustu symbols crawled on his body for hours. They eventually formed into a six-pointed star with a zero inside it.

It is now placed on his right-hand wrist so he can see the numbers.

Menma muttered to himself, "I need to hunt some bandits to raise my numbers. It will be a lifesaver for me. It will work like Izanagi. I will call it 'Hydra Sealing.' No one can kill me until the number reaches zero. But even then, it will be difficult to kill me like a Hydra."

Menma laughed as he watched his 'Hydra Sealing' technique. Then he went to meditate. While focusing on the fourth chakra point in his chest area, he was attempting to awaken it. He had already finished his actual work by creating the Hydra Sealing technique. This idea came to him after he upgraded his knowledge of Uzumaki Fuinjutsu.

He felt that if the Uzumaki clan were still alive, they would have a better fighting chance against the Otsutsuki.

He still has two weeks of free time before he can pursue the people who believe him to be prey.

Menma entered a deep state of chakra meditation.