"Besides eliminating Danzo's Root, I also need a list of the Uchiha clan's radical faction."
Menma turned to leave, then suddenly looked back and added, "Oh, by the way, I've noticed that most of the Uchiha clan are civilians, and they're quite friendly."
These words were like a blunt knife, slowly piercing their hearts.
A flash of golden light, and the boy's figure had vanished.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?!"
Shisui's pupils contracted violently. "How old is he…?"
Itachi stood silently, feeling for the first time how ridiculous his title of genius was.
"Shisui, we…"
Itachi's voice was unusually calm.
Shisui smiled bitterly and shook his head, the dark Rasengan still vivid in his mind. "We have no choice, Itachi."
His voice was filled with exhaustion. "Facing such power, plus the Fourth Hokage, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Third Hokage… the clan's rebellion is doomed to fail."
The night wind blew, rustling a few withered leaves.
Two young Uchiha stood in the forest, seeing for the first time so clearly the price they would have to pay for the peace they desperately wanted to protect.
But for them, this was already the best solution.
"I'm home!"
Menma pushed open the door, and the warm yellow light immediately enveloped him. The aroma of miso soup wafted from the kitchen, and Naruto was curled up on the sofa reading a book, the entire living room filled with a warm atmosphere.
"Why are you so late today?"
Kushina poked her head out of the kitchen, her red hair still dusted with flour. She frowned slightly: "Usually, no matter how late, you'd be back before dark."
"I…"
Menma's eyes darted around, and his fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of his clothes. "I went to Ino's house to look at flowers, so…"
"Oh? To little Ino's house, huh~"
Kushina suddenly broke into a brilliant smile, but the next second, red chakra almost materialized, and her fiery red hair moved without a breeze.
Naruto on the sofa instantly curled into a ball, frantically winking at his older brother, his mouth opening and closing to form the words "Ino was here."
"Mom, let me explain!"
Menma felt a chill down his spine and quickly covered his head, trying to evoke her maternal love.
"You've learned to lie?"
Kushina grabbed Menma, moving so fast she left afterimages. "Lying children must be punished!"
She sat on the sofa, poised to strike.
"I'm sorry!"
Menma cried out, struggling, and just then
"I'm home."
Minato pushed open the door, his golden hair still damp with night dew. He blinked; usually, it was Naruto getting scolded, so why was it Menma this time?
Seeing this rare scene, he asked, "What happened here?"
Menma saw him as a savior, making a dash to hide behind his father, peeking out half his face from under Minato's arm, his blue eyes filled with pleading.
"Menma has learned to lie."
Kushina narrowed her eyes. "Did he learn it from you?"
"How could that be?"
Minato let out a dry laugh, his Adam's apple bobbing unnaturally. "I never lie."
As he spoke, he suddenly turned sideways, gently pushing Menma out.
"Dad!"
Menma's eyes widened in disbelief, not expecting his father to betray him so decisively.
Kushina had already opened her arms: "Menma…"
"I'm sorry!"
Menma immediately conceded, but to his surprise, the anticipated pain turned into a gentle caress.
"It's good that you know you're wrong."
Kushina ruffled his golden hair. "Children should be honest."
At the dinner table, Menma shoveled rice while questioning Naruto with his eyes: Why didn't you tell me earlier?
Naruto blinked his innocent blue eyes, his mouth full of grilled meat, and mumbled, "You didn't ask."
Menma's mouth twitched: My bad.
After dinner, Menma tiptoed into his father's study.
Under the dim desk lamp, Minato was reviewing documents. He looked up at the sound, his golden hair glowing warmly in the light.
"Dad, can I ask you a question?"
Menma closed the door.
Minato put down his pen, his clear blue eyes showing gentle curiosity: "What is it?"
"What do you… think of the Uchiha clan?"
Menma walked to the desk, his voice a few shades deeper than usual.
Minato raised an eyebrow slightly: "Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
"I heard from Kakashi-nii…"
Menma's eyes flickered, and he silently apologized to Kakashi in his heart. "The Uchiha have been acting a bit strangely lately."
Minato's expression became even more puzzled. He put down the document in his hand: "How would Kakashi…?"
He stopped mid-sentence, then showed his usual reassuring smile: "Don't worry about these things, Dad will handle them…"
"Dad!"
Menma suddenly raised his voice, leaning his hands on the desk. "I'm not a child anymore!"
His blue eyes were particularly bright under the lamplight. "Please… please treat me as someone you can discuss things with."
Minato froze.
Under the light, he suddenly noticed that his eldest son's features were more defined than he remembered; his once round face now showed the first signs of sharp angles.
A complex emotion welled up in his heartboth relief and a touch of reluctance.
"Menma… has really grown up."
Minato sighed softly. He pondered for a moment, then finally spoke: "I just received news that the Uchiha clan might be planning a rebellion…"
He noticed that Menma's expression hadn't changed at all, which surprised him a little.
"So, what are you planning to do, Dad?"
Menma pressed on.
The study fell silent for a moment, with only the ticking of the wall clock.
Minato leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the desk.
He hadn't wanted his son to get involved in these matters too early, but looking at the firm gaze in those blue eyes, identical to his own, he finally recounted his concerns and plans.
"But this is just a temporary solution, not a permanent cure."
Menma's voice carried a maturity beyond his years. "The longer superficial peace is maintained, the deeper the resentment will become, and the more violently it will erupt in the end!"
Minato sighed softly, looking at his son with a complex gaze.
For the first time, he looked at the growing boy as an equal: "Does Menma have any suggestions?"
"My method may not be perfect, but it can resolve the current predicament."
Menma leaned forward, a faint light flickering in his clear blue eyes. "Dad, if someone threatens the safety of the village, what would you do?"
Minato suddenly sat upright, his pupils contracting sharply: "You're not thinking of… doing something to the Uchiha, are you?"
His voice trembled slightly.
"Dad! What are you thinking?"
Menma frowned in dissatisfaction, watching his father give a sheepish smile, then said solemnly: "I'm going to be the Fifth Hokage, how could I do anything that harms the village?"
He silently added in his heart: "The position of Hokage should be passed down through our family. This world, where ninja wars break out at the drop of a hat, needs a complete revolution."
Minato looked at his son's determined eyes, a smile of satisfaction unconsciously curving his lips.
He seemed to see his younger selfthat pure Will of Fire, shining brightly in the next generation.
"Dad, you still haven't answered my question."
Menma's voice broke the silence.
Minato looked up, a hint of sharpness flashing in his clear blue eyes: "Anyone who harms the village is my enemy."
His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable power.
"Then I'm relieved."
Menma's mouth curved slightly, then he said seriously: "There's an enemy like that hidden in the village right now."
"Who is it?"
Minato immediately asked.
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