"Hey Kakashi, why were you dumb enough to provoke Tsunade?"
Jiraiya had heard that Kakashi got sent straight to the hospital by Tsunade and immediately tossed aside the official documents on his desk to rush over.
When he saw Kakashi lying on the bed like a beaten ragdoll, Jiraiya couldn't help but think back to the time he was nearly sent to heaven by Tsunade's punch.
"Sigh... I said something I shouldn't have," Kakashi muttered, eyes downcast. "Didn't expect Lady Tsunade to go that far."
"Rest up. I'm sure she's calmed down now," Jiraiya said, trying to console him. "She won't hit you again after this."
Kakashi: "…"
If she hits me again, I'm going straight to heaven to see my dad!
Then, Kakashi suddenly looked at Jiraiya with a serious expression. "Master Jiraiya, I need to ask you something—and I hope you'll answer me honestly."
Jiraiya nodded, no longer joking.
Kakashi then told him everything Menma had said.
"Is it true, Master Jiraiya? Everything Menma told me...?"
Jiraiya didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to the window, where a beam of sunlight filtered through the curtains and cast a glow on his weathered face.
"Kakashi, do you know why we—the Sannin—left the village? Even Orochimaru... why do you think he chose betrayal?"
There was a long pause before Jiraiya continued.
"It's because we lost sight of hope. That's why we left. But now, we've come back—because that hope is here again."
"Kakashi… let go of the past. Live your life well. Like Menma."
With that, Jiraiya left the ward, his own brow furrowed in thought.
Why did I even tell him that…? What's this strange feeling gnawing at me?
Over ten days passed in a blur.
Finally, the day of Tsunade's official inauguration as Hokage arrived.
Her face was freshly engraved onto the Hokage Rock, becoming Konoha's first female Hokage.
All the other great shinobi villages sent delegates to congratulate her. The entire village bustled with activity—it felt like a grand festival.
Naturally, Naruto wasn't going to miss such a lively day.
Wearing a new outfit, he grabbed Menma's hand, eager to explore the celebration.
Their first stop was the Uchiha household.
"Let's go, Sasuke!" Naruto said cheerfully. "Come out and play!"
Sasuke didn't respond right away and glanced at his older brother.
Itachi looked at his little brother's hopeful expression. Although he'd have preferred Sasuke to stay home today, when he saw Menma standing at the door, he felt reassured.
Even if something happened, Itachi believed Menma could protect Sasuke.
"Go on," Itachi said. "But listen to Menma."
"Okay! Thanks, nii-san! You're the best!" Sasuke beamed.
The Uzumaki brothers and Sasuke then headed for the Hyuga compound.
"Hinata, let's go!" Naruto called happily.
Somewhere, a certain someone was silently unscrewing a massive jar of jealousy.
Sasuke, you feel it too, don't you?
Menma could already see the sour look on Sasuke's face and smirked.
"Getting a little jealous, huh?"
Sasuke's cheeks turned red. Nailed it.
"Actually, Sasuke, it's okay to feel that way. People have seven emotions and six desires: love, friendship, family. Sometimes they blend together."
"When you're sad and lost, someone to offer comfort. When you're hesitant and doubting yourself, someone to give confidence. When you're happy and victorious, someone to share your joy. That's what friends are for—like you and Naruto."
"Now love—that's something different. It's a deep emotional connection. Love is made of two things: the emotion of love and the desire for intimacy. But love itself—without the extra stuff—is the soul of it."
"Like Naruto and Hinata. Or your brother Itachi and Izumi."
"Then there's kinship—that unbreakable bond between family. No matter good or evil, rich or poor, sick or healthy—you love them no matter what. Like me and Naruto, or you and your brother."
"So don't worry. Naruto sees Hinata as love, and you as friendship. They're both important. No one is more or less."
Sasuke was completely dazed. What the hell did I just hear?
Seeing his confusion, Menma added with a smile, "It's fine if you don't get it. You will when you're older."
Just then, Naruto came out holding hands with a blushing Hinata.
Sasuke's eye twitched. That damn Naruto...
But then, Menma's words echoed in his head:
He loves her. He's your friend. Both matter.
Sigh... our friendship beats your romance anyway.
They continued visiting homes—Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi... soon they had gathered a small army of kids to roam the festival.
Menma sighed as he summoned a dozen shadow clones just to keep up with the chaos.
"Ugh... Naruto, you really know how to create trouble."
Kurama:You're ditching me again, huh? No novel today either?
Menma chuckled to himself. Sorry, Kurama... my brain's been completely drained.
Meanwhile, inside him, Kurama adjusted his imaginary glasses and went back to reading his novel.
Hmph. Doesn't matter. You still owe me a book.
While the group was walking down the street, they ran into Kakashi, who was with a man sporting thick eyebrows, a kappa bowl cut, and dressed in an eye-burning green jumpsuit.
Menma's face stiffened immediately.
The moment he saw that man, he turned to escape—only for Kakashi to call out.
"Menma! What are you doing here?"
Menma forced a smile and pointed toward the crowd of kids. "Babysitting duty."
Kakashi looked ahead and nodded with a faint smile.
Then he turned back and introduced, "Menma, this is Might Guy."
"Nice to meet you! I'm Might Guy, Konoha's proud green beast! Let's BURN with YOUTH! AHHHHHHHHHH~!!"
I knew it...
Menma quickly greeted him and made his exit.
Strong. Kind. Determined. Passionate.
And... unfortunately... extremely loud.
Watching Menma walk off, Guy asked, "That's the prodigy you mentioned?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yeah. In a few years, the younger generation might not be able to touch him."
He paused for a moment.
"…Guy, what are you doing the next few days?"
Guy gave a big thumbs-up. "Training with you, of course—my eternal rival!"
Kakashi gave a tired sigh. What did I just sign up for...?
(End of Chapter)
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