It was an answer that fit Naruto perfectly.
It sounded and looked like an answer full of hot blood and righteousness.
But...
From Menma's perspective, it was the stupidest answer possible. In this moment, Menma was truly disappointed in his younger brother. Menma wouldn't claim that he was the one in the right; concepts like "justice" were alien to him.
The path he had always walked...
Was one of self-interest.
But he wasn't lying when he said he valued the bond between comrades—true comrades. And Naruto was his biological brother. Even though Naruto didn't know it, the same blood flowed in their veins.
Of course, it was also because Naruto's personality was so similar—so very similar—to his little brother from his past life.
Based on these two points...
Menma couldn't simply not care about Naruto.
He genuinely hoped that at some point in the future, in a specific situation, his brother would choose to stand by his side instead of pursuing the so-called "mutual understanding" and "righteousness" ending of the original story.
But now...
The figure of Naruto Namikaze in this life overlapped perfectly with Naruto Uzumaki from the original story, making Menma feel terrible.
He truly felt his brother was an utter fool.
And he felt like a fool himself for hoping otherwise.
This specific incident wasn't that important, but the underlying issue it revealed was critical.
Because through today...
Menma felt like he could already see the future of the two brothers.
In that moment...
Menma had a sudden urge to punch Naruto in the face, to wake him up with a good beating.
Is this 'Naruto'? Heh...
Menma took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger that threatened to erupt from his chest.
Naruto was resolute.
Sakura Haruno, however, was not so strong or brave. Just as she was in the original story, pre-Shippuden Sakura was a completely different person from Shippuden Sakura or the Sakura in later arcs.
One was "Sakura the Annoying."
The other was "Master Sakura."
The gap between them was clear to any Naruto fan, and the current Sakura was undeniably the "Annoying" version.
Earlier, her sympathy had overflowed, empathizing completely with Tazuna and naively assuming their squad could easily help him and the Land of Waves, completely oblivious to the dangers involved.
But after Menma ruthlessly pointed out the problems...
Fear naturally surfaced in Sakura's heart.
Death?!
As someone who grew up in the greenhouse of the Leaf Academy, Sakura had never witnessed the cruelty and darkness of the ninja world.
She couldn't possibly understand what true danger meant.
But hearing that she might actually die...
Sakura couldn't control her negative emotions.
That's right... I'm the weakest in Team 7. If that Gatō is a big tycoon, he definitely has the means to hire many powerful ninja. Kakashi-sensei might not be able to protect me then.
Thinking of this...
Sakura naturally wanted to retreat.
She was still just a child.
It was impossible for her to have the courage to face death head-on.
While Naruto insisted on his stance, Sakura maintained the utmost silence.
She didn't have the courage to speak up anymore.
If not for a shred of so-called pride, she would have openly agreed with Menma.
But her silence was a clear enough statement of her attitude.
"Naruto, you..."
Sakura's change of heart didn't bother Menma, honestly, but Naruto's stubborn attitude genuinely irritated him.
Why was his nominal younger brother so obstinate?!
"Sigh... Naruto-kun, you don't need to insist. Menma-kun is right. I deceived you. Your team shouldn't be executing a mission like this. Abandon the mission. That is the correct thing to do!"
Just as Menma was about to say more...
From the side...
Tazuna, who had remained silent until now, let out a long sigh and spoke slowly.
"Old Man Tazuna, this and that are two different things! I already said it: This is my Ninja Way!"
Naruto shook his head, sticking to his guns.
"Big Brother Kakashi, I want to continue this mission. I want to protect Old Man Tazuna until we reach the Land of Waves, and until that bridge is successfully built."
Naruto knew he couldn't convince Menma with "ninja rules." deep down, he understood that what Menma said was probably the most logical choice.
But he refused to walk that "logical" path. He wanted to stick to his heart, to what he believed was "right."
"Alright, alright, Naruto. I never said we weren't continuing the mission."
Kakashi patted Naruto's head with amusement.
"Eh? Big Brother Kakashi, you mean...?"
"?!"
Kakashi's clear statement of intent delighted Naruto, but Menma's expression turned slightly bizarre.
He had laid out the pros and cons so clearly.
Yet Kakashi still insisted on continuing the mission?!
Could it be that Mr. Copy Ninja was actually a great philanthropist of the ninja world?! That would be a massive joke.
Either Kakashi's brain was waterlogged, or there was some reason Menma hadn't thought of.
But no matter how Menma speculated, he couldn't find a reasonable explanation for Kakashi taking a freshly graduated Team 7 on a mission with such uncertain danger levels!
"Kakashi-sensei, this...?"
Menma made no attempt to hide his confusion, staring directly at Kakashi and openly questioning his decision.
"Ultimately, abandoning a mission will affect our record, Menma. And this is your first C-rank mission. It's most appropriate to try and complete it if possible. Of course, I've considered the issues you're worried about. Don't worry. Hiring Jōnin isn't that easy. And I have the ability to protect you all."
Kakashi smiled faintly, looking at Menma with supreme confidence.
As a Jōnin renowned throughout the ninja world...
Kakashi indeed had the standing to say such things.
As long as it wasn't the absolute top tier of the major villages coming for them, Kakashi really could handle multiple ordinary Jōnin on his own.
But Menma still couldn't understand.
Why did Kakashi insist on gambling with Team 7's safety?
Confidence or not, this wasn't how you did things, right?!
However, it was clear that Kakashi had no intention of explaining further—or perhaps it wasn't appropriate to explain right now.
This made Menma frown deeply.
"I knew Big Brother Kakashi definitely wouldn't give up on the mission!"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Naruto showed a very happy expression.
Sakura still looked uneasy.
She wanted to say something.
But in the end, she held back.
As for Sasuke... he had remained impassive throughout the whole exchange.
He felt that whether they continued the mission or not didn't really matter. Although he agreed that Menma made more sense...
From his own perspective, Sasuke didn't think there would be much danger.
Besides, wasn't danger better?!
A ninja needed to experience the tempering of blood and fire to truly grow!