"Kakashi, Naruto's safety is in your hands."
Jiraiya's voice was calm but firm as he handed the responsibility to him.
Kakashi nodded, swallowing the question he wanted to ask Menma—just what exactly did he know? And more importantly, how did he know? Was it the Toad Sage, or... the Nine Tails?
"Wait, wait. I never said I agreed!" Menma suddenly interrupted.
Leaving the village meant leaving Naruto. And honestly? That made Menma uneasy.
"Quit whining," Jiraiya said bluntly. "You don't get a choice. And besides... have you ever beaten me?"
He didn't talk to Menma like a kid—but as a peer. Straightforward and without sugar-coating.
Menma: "…"
This old man's got nerve.
One day, when I surpass you, I'll beat you down so hard you'll regret today. Just wait.
And so, Jiraiya earned a place in Menma's mental revenge journal, right beside Kakashi, who already held the title of Mother's Enemy.
You two better pray I never catch up to you.
"I don't trust Mr. Kakashi," Menma added. "So I'll leave a clone behind. Better to rely on myself."
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof! A cloud of smoke burst, and another Menma appeared in front of them.
The original lost about half his chakra in the process, distributing it evenly with the clone. Normally, Shadow Clones were unstable, but Menma's chakra reserves were far from normal. Even as a child, his capacity—thanks to being of the Uzumaki bloodline and housing Kurama—was absurd.
Kakashi clenched his fists.
Still the same cocky brat, even after three years…
"Let's go, Master." Menma's original body leapt down from the tree, and with a single stomp, launched himself forward. The ground cracked under his feet as he vanished into the forest.
"Idiot! Wait for me! Do you even know where we're going?!" Jiraiya shouted, chasing after him.
Realizing his mistake, Menma skidded to a halt. "Right... where are we going?"
Jiraiya grinned as he overtook him. "You'll find out when we get there."
His eyes softened for a moment. I wonder how she's doing these days...
Back at the Academy…
The shadow clone of Menma returned just as class resumed. As he opened the classroom door, all the little kids turned toward him.
"Whaaa?! Why are there two of you?!" Kiba blinked between the Menma next to Naruto and the one at the door.
Even their chakra felt identical.
Naruto stood up defensively. "Who are you? Why are you pretending to be my brother?!"
The Menma at the door rolled his eyes. "Idiot."
He raised his left hand and waved through the air. The Menma beside Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Ah—sorry, bro! I didn't realize it was a clone," Naruto said sheepishly.
"It's fine." The real Menma smiled and walked over. "I had to step away for something, so I left a clone behind to keep you company."
"Why not do the opposite?" Naruto asked curiously. "Why not send a clone for that and stay here yourself?"
"Because the clone can't handle that task," Menma said, ruffling Naruto's yellow hair. "Only I can."
From the back of the room, Hinata Hyuga and Sasuke Uchiha exchanged glances. Something about Menma felt... off. But neither could quite put their finger on it.
Still, Naruto didn't question a thing. As long as his brother was by his side, nothing else mattered.
Meanwhile, back on the road...
"You doing okay, Menma?" Jiraiya asked. "Need a break?"
"No need," Menma replied immediately. He just wanted to finish this mission quickly and get back to Naruto.
But an idea popped into his head.
He stopped running. "You take over for a while. I'm gonna rest."
Before his clone could say a word, the main body hopped onto its back, wrapped his arms around its neck, and leaned his head down to rest.
The clone: "…"
Really?
This was happening? The main body just climbed on like a backpack. The clone sighed internally. He'd always avoided wasting chakra on things like this, but Menma's situation was different. He was an Uzumaki. With the Nine Tails, his chakra pool was massive—and constantly replenished.
Inside his subconscious...
Menma sat cross-legged in front of Kurama, wearing glasses, reading a light novel.
"Kurama, I need some chakra," he said without looking up.
The Nine Tails, curled up and reading a different novel, replied flatly, "Novel first."
Since Menma brought in translated volumes from the outside world, Kurama had become a complete bookworm. If he wasn't eating or napping, he was reading. A true shut-in.
"…Fine." Menma sighed. This power bank was getting way too cocky.
"Okay, deal."
Kurama lazily raised a paw, and instantly, Menma's chakra surged—restored completely.
Menma nodded in satisfaction. "You really are the fastest mobile charger alive."
"How long will it take to get me the next volume?" Kurama asked without glancing up from his book.
"I don't know. I'm on a mission. Maybe a few days?"
"Ten. Ten days. No novel in ten days, no chakra next time," Kurama said coldly.
"Wha—?! You're gonna go on strike?!"
"Ten days."
"…Fine, ten days."
Then a grin slowly crept onto Menma's face.
Kurama noticed immediately.
Uh-oh. He's planning something. That face always means trouble.
They'd been together for six years. Kurama knew all of Menma's tricks.
Outside, Jiraiya furrowed his brow.
What the hell?
He'd sensed a massive burst of chakra from Menma—followed by a rapid restoration.
Was that the Nine Tails just now...?
(End Of Chapter)
Gimme Powerstones :)))
Also Check out my Patreon at [Patreon.com/GGFanfiction]