"Jiraiya, what do you think?"
The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe as he stared out the window, passing the responsibility onto Jiraiya with a heavy sigh.
Jiraiya didn't answer right away. He knew exactly what he wanted to say.
"Why didn't you ever announce that Menma and Naruto are the children of Minato?" he asked quietly. "If people knew the truth, they wouldn't be calling them demon foxes. What were you thinking?"
You said it was to protect them. But did you ever consider what kind of damage that would do to their hearts?
Even if the villagers of Konoha no longer openly call them demon foxes, deep down, that's still what they believe—Menma and Naruto are nothing but monsters to them.
"You don't understand, Jiraiya," the Third Hokage replied, still looking out the window.
Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
It's not that I don't understand. It's that I don't understand you anymore, Sensei.
"I'll take Menma with me on a mission," Jiraiya said. He'd just received a new assignment from the Hokage, and with everything that had just happened, it was the only solution he could think of—to take Menma out of the village for a while.
"I approve," the Third Hokage said without hesitation.
Though the incident was serious, thanks to Kakashi and Yamato, it hadn't turned into a catastrophe. Still, Menma's actions couldn't be overlooked. A mission away from the village would be the perfect way to let things cool down—and for Menma to make amends in his own way.
Jiraiya nodded and turned to leave the Hokage Office.
But just as he stepped out, another visitor arrived—Danzo.
"Hiruzen," Danzo began without pleasantries, "I heard about what happened at the Ninja Academy. What are you planning to do about the demon fox?"
"So rare to see you in person, Danzo," the Third said, puffing smoke. "I've assigned the matter to Jiraiya."
Danzo slammed a hand on the desk. "You can't be serious! This is a ticking time bomb. It needs to be handled now!"
"Trust Jiraiya. He'll take care of it," the Hokage replied calmly. "Anyway, Danzo, it's been a while since we sat down together. Why don't we have some tea and catch up?"
They hadn't spoken alone since the assassination attempt. The Hokage had hoped to mend some distance between them.
"Drink it yourself. I'm busy." Danzo turned and stormed out.
The Third Hokage watched him go, sighing deeply.
Danzo… don't do anything foolish. If you make a move, I won't hold back.
Meanwhile...
Kakashi had followed Menma to the back of the training grounds.
There, Menma sat beneath a massive tree, eyes closed, letting the sounds of nature calm his seething heart.
Kishimoto, you dog, he thought. How could you design something like this? And Naruto still doesn't go dark? Seriously?
He finally understood the phrase: Don't judge a person until you've walked in their shoes.
Back then, watching Naruto on TV, he'd thought of him as just another hot-blooded shonen protagonist. As the story unfolded, he had begun to pity him—lonely, desperate for recognition, trying to win the village's love through sheer determination.
But now that Menma had lived that life himself, he felt only one thing: rage.
Screw the Will of Fire. Screw Konoha Village.
But for now, there was nothing he could do. So he'd do the next best thing: protect Naruto with everything he had. Make sure his little brother could smile and grow up happy.
Just a little longer, Naruto. When I'm stronger, I'll let you meet our parents.
Kakashi watched from below, sensing Menma's shifting emotions. He leapt up and landed beside him.
Sensing his presence, Menma opened his eyes. "Mr. Kakashi… could you leave me alone for a bit?"
But Kakashi didn't budge. He sat cross-legged on the branch and said, "You've got something on your mind, don't you? Talk to me. It might help."
Looking at Menma, he couldn't help but think of himself as a child. But even back then, Kakashi had it better. He'd known his parents, even if only for a short while. When they died, at least he had enough strength to survive.
But Menma and Naruto? Their parents died the night they were born. They were alone from the start—and hated.
"I'm not sad," Menma said. "I just hate myself for being too weak. If I were stronger, no one would dare call us demon foxes."
He clenched his fists tightly.
Kakashi asked, "So… you really mind being called that?"
"No," Menma said flatly. "They can say whatever they want about me. I don't care. But if anyone says a single word about Naruto—if they so much as look at him wrong—I'll make them pay."
Kakashi's thoughts drifted back to Passerby C's mother.
So that's why he nearly killed her...
Menma continued, "Naruto isn't a demon fox. He's the son of a hero. He is a hero. He sealed the Nine Tails inside himself to protect this village. He should be celebrated."
Then he turned his gaze to Kakashi.
"Just like your father."
Kakashi flinched.
"Your father gave everything for the village—sacrificed the mission to save his comrades. And what did he get in return? He touched the wrong interests and was forced to commit suicide. Pathetic. Disgusting."
He laughed bitterly.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
Forced to commit suicide...?
It was the first time he'd heard someone say it so bluntly.
Kakashi had always believed the mission came before anything else. After his father's disgrace, that belief became absolute—until Obito changed it. But he'd never questioned why his father's death had spiraled so fast. He'd never asked who started the rumors.
And now Menma was saying… it wasn't just disgrace. It was murder.
Kakashi felt his stomach twist.
Before he could ask, a familiar voice called out, "Ah, so this is where you've been hiding."
Jiraiya stepped into the clearing.
"Hey, Kakashi. Didn't expect to find you here too."
Menma looked down at him from the tree. "Master, you here to arrest me?"
Jiraiya grinned. "What's wrong, brat? Getting scared now?"
Menma: "…"
Scared your sister.
"Don't worry," Jiraiya said. "As long as I'm here, no one will lay a finger on you. But if you mess up… you've gotta face the consequences."
"Punishment?" Menma raised an eyebrow.
Jiraiya smirked.
"Yep. You're coming with me to complete a mission outside the village."
"…A mission?"
(End Of Chapter)
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