Uchiha Itachi gently stroked his younger brother's head, then looked over at Menma.
He had originally planned to leave, but something Menma had said made him stop in his tracks. Somehow, he'd been drawn over, even sitting down without realizing it.
Right now, Itachi was deeply conflicted. With Uchiha Madara's defection and the suspicion cast upon the Uchiha Clan following the Nine Tails' attack, tensions between the clan and the village had only worsened. At his father's suggestion, he had joined the Anbu—though he knew very well that his true role was that of a spy.
But… would it really make any difference?
Itachi hated war. He longed for peace. As a child, he had witnessed the horror of the Third Ninja World War with his own eyes. The thought of his clan trying to start another war with Konoha made his stomach turn.
"Menma," he asked softly, "do you think family is more important than the village?"
"Family," Menma replied without hesitation.
That one word sent Itachi deep into thought.
"Then tell me, Itachi," Menma asked with a faint smile, "what is peace?"
Peace…
That was exactly what he'd always wanted.
Menma continued, "Since the First Hokage died, war has never stopped. One conflict after another. And no one knows when it'll finally end. But there's only one path to true peace: absolute strength—backed by a perfect system."
He looked off into the distance.
"I wishto live in a peaceful place. People wear smiles every day, work hard for themselves and their families, and live full, hopeful lives."
Absolute strength?
Menma turned back and added with a smirk, "And let me leave you with something else—it's an old saying: Think twice before you act. Your body, your hair, and your skin come from your parents. Cherish them. It's the beginning of true filial piety."
Then he leaned back, randomly played a game of rock-paper-scissors with the air, and fell silent.
Itachi stared at him, trying to grasp the full meaning. He wanted to ask more, but Menma never looked his way again.
So, silently, he got up, took Sasuke by the hand, and left.
After they were gone, Kakashi turned to Menma, speaking cautiously.
"Menma… maybe don't say things like that so openly. The Third Hokage probably already heard everything."
"It's fine. Naruto and I never owed Konoha anything." Menma's voice was calm. "If anything, Konoha owes us. What I said was from the heart."
He glanced at Kakashi with a smirk.
"Besides, you're still too young to understand."
Kakashi: "..."
Too young?!
Kakashi nearly choked. One day I'll show this smug brat what's what. Teacher, leave it to me—I'll raise your son right.
Just then, the delicious aroma of sizzling meat reached their table.
"I'm starting!" Naruto cheered, already reaching for a piece of barbecue.
"Ahh! Hot!" He yelped as the meat scalded his tongue.
Menma quickly poured him a glass of water.
"Here."
"Thanks, brother," Naruto said between gulps.
"Eat slowly. I'm not stealing your food. If you're still hungry, just ask for more," Menma said casually.
Kakashi: "..."
Wait, wasn't this my treat? Why does it feel like Menma's the host here?
"Okay, brother!" Naruto smiled and picked up a piece of meat, offering it to him.
"Brother, you eat too!"
"Thanks." Menma blew on the meat, then took a bite.
Delicious. Five-star flavor. As expected of the Akimichi clan—true meat connoisseurs.
The two brothers dug in with gusto, devouring everything on the table.
"Boss! Ten more plates!" Menma raised his hand.
As expected of Dad's disciple… treating his teacher's son to a feast is only natural.
When I grow up and make money, I'll return the favor.
That was Menma's logic. He didn't know when he'd be able to afford meals like this again, so he made sure to eat until he wasn't hungry anymore.
Soon, the table was piled high with plates. Kakashi's smile began to crack.
Can I just sneak out?
Nope. Not possible. Not when this was an Akimichi restaurant. Refusing to pay here meant you'd be blacklisted from half the village.
"Boss! Another 10!" Menma called again.
Kakashi: "..."
"...Menma, you sure you're not part of the Akimichi clan?"
Menma shot him a look.
"Are you stupid? I'm way too handsome to be Akimichi blood."
Then he paused, frowned, and pulled out a kunai.
"Kakashi… are you implying my mother cheated?"
Naruto mimicked Kakashi's deadpan stare, pointing at him with his chopsticks.
"How dare you accuse Mom of treason."
Kakashi: "..."
"I—I misspoke! I meant how can you eat so much?"
"Hmph! None of your business," Menma said, tucking the kunai back in his pocket.
"Hmph!" Naruto echoed, putting down his chopsticks with a proud little pout.
Kakashi: "..."
I regret everything.
Menma ignored him and turned back to Naruto.
"Can you still eat?"
Naruto hesitated—his stomach was full—but he didn't want to disappoint his brother.
"Yes, brother!"
Liar.
Menma bonked Naruto lightly on the head.
"Don't pretend. If you're full, you're full. There's no need to act tough. Remember this—never be reckless, got it?"
"I got it..." Naruto mumbled, rubbing his head. It really stung.
"You need to act within your limits. If I ever catch you overexerting yourself again, I'll hang you upside down and beat you senseless."
Naruto trembled.
"Y-yes, brother! I'll never push myself too far again!"
"Good."
At that moment, more barbecue arrived—and Menma resumed eating.
Naruto and Kakashi watched as the food disappeared faster than ever.
The plate pile grew taller and taller. Kakashi was slowly dying inside.
Naruto looked like he was about to cry. He wasn't upset about the food—he just hated that he couldn't eat as much as his brother.
Tears started streaming down.
Menma finally noticed.
"Naruto, what's wrong? Did I hit you too hard? Or did Kakashi bully you?"
His face immediately turned cold as he pulled a kunai from his pocket again.
Kakashi: What the hell?!
Naruto rushed to stop him.
"Brother! I just wish I could eat less… so you can eat more!"
Menma blinked, then relaxed and put the kunai away.
He patted Naruto's head.
"It's okay. Don't cry. I'll go borrow some money from the Third Hokage later."
Naruto wiped his face and sniffled.
"Then borrow a little more, brother."
"Alright. I'll ask for 10 more taels."
Kakashi: "..."
If the teacher and Kushina were still alive, these two wouldn't have to live like this...
He sighed.
Meanwhile, back at the Hokage's office:
The Third Hokage was already preparing his escape plan.
"They're going to ask again. Then again. And again... Ten taels at a time. When will it end?"
He turned to his assistant.
"From now on, if Menma and Naruto come looking for me—tell them I'm not here."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The old man sighed.
Good thing I have a crystal ball…
(End Of Chapter)
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