"Shadow Clone."
Uchiha Itachi answered as a matter of course, a smile unconsciously gracing his lips.
"Huh?"
Menma's eyes widened. He clapped his hands, annoyed, and exclaimed, "Right! Why didn't I think of that?!"
He wrinkled his nose, muttering softly about his foolishness.
"Is there anything else, Menma?"
Shisui asked gently.
"No, Shisui-nii, Brother Itachi."
Menma smiled and waved his hand, watching them leave.
Once their figures disappeared into the woods, he took a deep breath, his eyes once again sharp.
There were a myriad of things to do. Convincing his father, the Hokage, was just one. The most important thing was to keep a close eye on the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobihis prestige in Konoha was unrivaled, and if he appeared during the operation, the plan would surely encounter unexpected complications.
"Once everything settles, the old man will just have to accept reality."
Menma murmured to himself, a glint flashing in his deep blue eyes.
On the way back, familiar boisterous sounds came from nearby.
Menma looked up to see Might Guy enthusiastically challenging Kakashi to a spar, while Kakashi, as always, had a dead-fish look in his eyes, his face screaming "life is meaningless."
Noticing Menma, a flicker of light suddenly appeared in Kakashi's eyes.
Menma's heart skipped a beat. He knew it was bad news and turned to make a quick escape.
"Menma!"
Kakashi was quick. With a flash, he blocked Menma's path.
"Brother Kakashi…"
Menma froze in place, forcing a gentle smile.
"Oh! Menma, long time no see!"
Might Guy energetically ran over, flashing his signature bright white teeth, exuding an undeniable enthusiasm.
"Brother Guy…"
Menma's scalp tingled. He remembered how, in his younger days, he had challenged Kakashi to a spar, only to be thrown to Might Guy as a "sparring partner" by that scoundrel. Since then, he had been trapped in a nightmare dominated by "youth."
No matter how many times he defeated Might Guy, he would always shout "Youth never gives up!" and revive to fight again.
"Menma! I sense the aura of youth on you!"
Might Guy gave a thumbs-up, his eyes burning. "The strongest genius in the Village, let's have a passionate match!"
"Brother Guy!"
Menma's face changed drastically, his voice rising a few octaves in urgency. "My mom is waiting for me to eat dinner! Next time!"
Before he finished speaking, he bolted like a startled rabbit, disappearing around the corner in a flash.
Might Guy stood stunned, watching Menma's retreating back, then turned aroundKakashi was already gone.
He clenched his fists, tears welling up as he shouted, "When did he leave… As expected of my rival, Kakashi!"
In the empty street, only his "youthful" shouts echoed.
At night, the lights of Konoha Village gradually lit up.
Menma stood at the study door, gently tapping the wooden door with his knuckles.
"Come in."
Minato's voice came from inside.
Pushing the door open, Menma saw his father hunched over his desk, reviewing documents. The Hokage's hat rested to the side, and the candlelight illuminated his slightly weary face.
"Dad, have you decided?"
Menma asked directly.
Minato put down his pen, looked up at his son, his eyes complex and deep: "Menma… if this matter goes wrong, it will cause irreparable damage to the Village…"
"Everything has a risk of failure."
Menma did not back down. "If it fails, I will take responsibility."
He deliberately emphasized his words, his gaze fixed on his father's eyesthis was a gamble he had to win.
Minato frowned slightly: "Menma…"
"Dad!"
Menma interrupted him, his voice firm, "Change isn't about compromise, it requires bloodshed and sacrifice!"
He took a step forward and stood before the desk. "If the Village is sick, it needs to be treated. Even if the process is painful, the root cause must be eradicatedif the tumor isn't removed, new sprouts can never grow towards the sun!"
Minato put down his brush, interlacing his fingers beneath his chin. The cicada's chirping outside the window suddenly became piercing, unsettling him.
"The Village was established only a few decades ago, yet it has already experienced three Great Ninja Wars… The average lifespan of a Ninja is less than thirty, how many children are sent to the battlefield right after graduating… You know all this better than anyone."
Menma looked directly into his father's eyes: "No matter what decision you ultimately make, I am still your son."
Minato was silent for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I didn't expect that I would be less decisive than a child…"
He slowly stood up, walked in front of Menma, and placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes finally showing determination: "You're right. Change requires sacrifice, but this responsibility shouldn't be yours to bear."
His voice was gentle yet firm: "Whatever the outcome, I trust you to protect Mom and Naruto. The rest, leave it to me."
"I will definitely protect them."
Menma nodded solemnly, then took a scroll from his embrace and handed it to Minato, "This is the list of Uchiha radicals."
Minato took the scroll, and as he unrolled a corner, his pupils slightly contracted.
Seeing this, Menma smiled faintly and laid out his entire planthe movements of the Uchiha Clan, Danzo, the Third Hokage, and the various great families were all taken into consideration.
After listening, Minato took a deep breath, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't expected Menma to have planned so thoroughly.
"I understand."
Minato put away the scroll, no longer hesitating, "I will go prepare immediately."
He patted his son's shoulder one last time, then turned and walked towards the door.
His Hokage robe fluttered behind him, his back more resolute than ever.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through a gap in the curtains.
Menma gently pushed open Naruto's door and saw his brother sleeping sprawled out, clutching his blanket, his golden hair a mess.
"Naruto, wake up."
Menma shook his shoulder, "We're going to Grandpa Sarutobi's house soon."
"Mmm…"
Naruto groggily rolled over, his sleep cap askew, revealing half of a spiky cowlick.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes, his voice still thick with drowsiness: "Big brother, why are we going to Grandpa Sarutobi's house?"
"To play."
Menma took out two neatly ironed casual outfits from the wardrobe and casually tossed Naruto's onto his head.
Naruto sat up with the clothes on his head, letting out a big yawn: "What's fun about Grandpa Sarutobi's house… I was supposed to go on a picnic in the back mountains with Shikamaru and the others today…"
"Another day."
Menma walked to the window, alertly scanning the street outside, then lowered his voice and leaned closer to Naruto: "Listen, I have an important mission for you today."
"A mission?"
Naruto instantly sobered up, his deep blue eyes lighting up. He quickly pulled on his clothes, even putting his slippers on the wrong feet, and rushed out: "Give me five minutes!"
Watching his brother energetically rush towards the bathroom, Menma's lips curved slightly upward.
The scent of fried eggs wafted from downstairs.
Kushina, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen. Seeing her two sons come downstairs, she set a hearty breakfast on the table: "Hurry and eat, I made your favorite tamagoyaki."
During the meal, Naruto was so excited he almost spilled the miso soup, and Menma gently tapped the back of his hand.
Kushina looked suspiciously at her unusually excited younger son and her overly calm older son: "Why are you two acting so strange today?"
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