The summer air pressed down on Konoha in thick waves of heat, as the Academy yard buzzed with noise and movement. Children ages six to twelve, were learning the ninja fundamentals, or getting ready to be assigned to a ninja squad.
Several months had passed since Menma classes began.
Iruka stood near the outer fence with his clipboard, observing as pairs of students rotated through taijutsu sparring drills. The dirt field had been flattened from countless footsteps, and chalked boundary lines marked the engagement space.
"Next pair!" Iruka called.
Naruto and Sasuke stepped forward almost instantly. A quiet ripple of anticipation moved through the class. The son of the Fourth Hokage and the son o the Fifth Hokage were going to sparr again.
Over the months the two built a reputation in the class, for being the class stars. They always competed with each other to see who was the best. Grades wise their were tied at second, with slight fluctuations here and their.
In the class Menma stood at the top with grades, followed by Naruto and Sasuke. Then Shino and Shikamaru, and Hinata.
Menma stood in the crowd, just finishing his sparring session with Kiba. The shade of a tree provided brief coolness from the summer heat. His eyes were focused on Naruto and Sasuke. He wanted to see who would win this time.
The two have a record of nine wins and nine losses each. So Menma knew the two were ready to to hit that ten first before the other.
Naruto rolled his shoulders once and bounced lightly on his feet. Menma noticed in this world, Naruto wasn't wild or reckless as much as he remembered. He's different, Menma thought. I can't keep comparing him to the version I watched growing up. This Naruto has an actual support system. Mentors, and recognition for being Minato's son, and It really showed.
Naruto did have his childish prankster side. But his motivations, must be different in this world. I wonder why he wanted to become a ninja, and if he still wants to be Hokage?
Sasuke stepped into stance, He seemed balanced, his weight evenly distributed, guard tight and disciplined. Considering he wants to impress his father and brother I'm not surprised. Sasuke works hard to be recognized.
Every since Itachi left he pushes himself harder so. I wonder if this version of Sasuke will surpass his original self, without having the same motivation for revenge against Itachi or the leaf village.
Well not like I won't have a hand in shaping their futures, considering I need their help with Madara and Kaguya. But that's only if Plan A doesn't work. His footwork was sharp, economical. No wasted motion.
Before the two began to spar, they faced each other and made The Seal of Confrontation, this seal, signaling that they have come to battle as rivals.
Iruka then raised a hand.
"Begin!"
Naruto moved first, but not with a blind charge. He circled Sasuke. Testing the distance and his reaction time. He then went in with a feinted jab.
Sasuke slipped it, countering with a quick low kick aimed at Naruto's thigh. Naruto pivoted, absorbing part of the impact, then returned a straight punch toward Sasuke's ribs.
Sasuke blocked and shifted, using Naruto's momentum to redirect him slightly off center. The countered and advanced against one another. Neither one trying to give any room. They were fast. definitely Faster than most of our classmates.
The girls clustered near the fence murmured.
"Sasuke-kun is so cool…"
"But Naruto's kinda cute when he gets serious…"
Ino crossed her arms. " I know Sasuke's gonna win."
Shikamaru, sitting back on the fence, squinted at the sky. "Maybe. But Naruto's too stubborn to lose so easily."
The fight intensified.
Naruto burst forward with a sudden spike of speed, attempting a combination, left hook, right straight, and low sweep. Sasuke parried the first two strikes, but stepped back half a beat too slow....
Naruto's sweep clipped his ankle. But Sasuke adjusted instantly, flipping backward and landing lightly.
Naruto pressed on, but ended up overcommitted.
Menma saw it the moment it happened.
Naruto lunged with too much weight behind a right cross. Sasuke pivoted sharply, driving a clean kick into Naruto's midsection.
The impact forced Naruto back, but instead of falling, Naruto slammed one palm into the ground and spun, leg whipping outward in a sweeping arc. Doing a great handstand kick counter.
Sasuke barely avoided it.
The crowd gasped in.
Naruto then grabbed Sasuke's shirt, pulling him inward. Sasuke mirrored the motion. Both boys threw punches at the exact same moment... in a perfect cross-counter.
As their fists connected. Both stumbled backward, blinking rapidly, dizzy.
Iruka stepped in immediately. "That's enough! Excellent work, both of you. This match is a draw."
Naruto and Sasuke scowled at each other. Then, immediately after a they both smirked. They stepped forward and formed the Seal of Reconciliation, fingers interlocked in the traditional academy gesture.
"I'll beat you next time," Naruto said.
"In your dreams," Sasuke replied. "I'll win first."
Menma watched them quietly.
I felt… happy that the two were close in this life. They weren't alone, which is something as a fan I can say I am happy for them. But beneath that warmth, something else stirred.
A dull ache. It's harder than I thought… being an adult mind in a child's body. Children his physical age felt like children to him, so he couldn't relate. Adults his mental age saw him only as a child. There was no clean place for him to stand.
Later that afternoon, classes ended. Students filtered out through the academy gates. Naruto jogged up beside Menma, Sasuke trailing slightly behind.
"Hey Menma!" Naruto grinned. "You gonna train today? Big brother Kakashi and Genma are on a mission, so why don't I train with you?"
Sasuke raised a brow. "Didn't Iruka-sensei assign you a five-page essay on genjutsu for falling asleep again?"
Naruto stiffened.
"That's not.... I wasn't asleep!"
"You were drooling and snoring, Naruto" Sasuke said flatly. Naruto scratched the back of his head. "I can do it later…"
Sasuke crossed his arms. "You're not using Menma as an excuse. Again."
Naruto huffed. "Fine, fine! I'll do it."
Naruto turned to Sasuke. "What about you?"
"Shino asked me to train with him in shuriken techniques. So I'm about to go meet him there."
Menma glanced at Naruto. "Naruto. Do you know what today is?" he asked.
Naruto blinked. " Isn't it July 10th. Why? Is Ichiraku doing a ramen special or something?"
Menma sighed softly. "Of course you don't know. It's nothing." Before Naruto could respond, a group of girls approached.
"Sasuke-kun! Naruto! Do you want to get some dumplings with us?"
Sasuke shook his head politely. "No, thank you. I already have plans."
The girls pouted. "What about you, Naruto?"
Naruto perked up. "Dumplings sound good!"
He looked at Menma. "You coming too?"
The girls stiffened. "Um… honorable son," one said carefully, "we were just inviting you and Sasuke. Not… him."
Naruto frowned. "Why not?"
The girls exchanged looks. "The adults don't like us hanging around him," one said quietly. "They say we should avoid him. You shouldn't be around him either. He's bad news."
Menma said nothing. He just placed his hand in his pocket, and stood still, his face unreadable.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Why would adults say that?"
"Because they said so!" another girl snapped. "And he's—"
Naruto cut in sharply. "He's what?"
The girl hesitated.
"You keep saying what adults say," Naruto continued, irritation creeping into his voice. "What do you think? Has Menma ever done anything to you?"
Silence.
Naruto's jaw tightened. "Menma's my friend. If you exclude him, you can exclude me too." Sasuke stepped forward. "Same here."
One girl blurted out, "Why are you defending a monster? He's the reason my mom is dead!" Said the girl with a eyes that burned with pain and hate.
The air froze.
Naruto stared at her. "That's not true. Right, Menma?"
But when Naruto an Sasuke turned around. Menma was gone.
Menma then reappeared inside his apartment. Next to specially marked Kunai on top of his bed. Menma used the Flying Raijin, to get back to his home. He laid there in bed for a moment .The silence was heavy.
Then Menma exhaled slowly, and Kurama's voice echoed gently.
It's not your fault, Menma.
Menma closed his eyes and continued to lay in bed. "I know, sensei," he said quietly. "But it doesn't hurt any less, when wherever I go, I see those eyes. Those from full of hatred."
Menma stood up and looked in a mirror for a long moment. Then he breathed and calmed down. He went to the bathroom and washed up and changed his clothes. Then he grabbed his wallet , and a special marked marked Kunai and left again.
"Where are we going?" Kurama asked.
"To pay my respects."
Menma made his way through the village, to a flower shop.
The Yamanaka Flower Shop smelled faintly of fresh soil and blossoms.
Ino stood near the front counter. "Oh. Menma," she said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Ino," he replied calmly. "I'd like to buy flowers."
"Oh is for a lady or a girl you have a crush on." She said with a small smile.
I shook my head. "No"
"Oh. Do you know what kind you want then?"
Menma nodded. "Yes. White lilies if you have any."
She blinked. "How many?"
"Ten please."
Ino nodded and moved to prepare them. After a few minutes, Inoichi stepped forward and handed Menma the wrapped bundle. "Here you go, and my condolences."
Menma bowed, paid quietly and left.
Ino looked at her father. "What was that about?"
Inoichi watched through the window as Menma walked away.
"Ino. White lilies are used for memorials," he said softly. "Your classmate is remembering someone. So today must the anniversary or birthday of someone's death. "
Ino frowned. "Oh. I wonder who they are for. I thought he was an orphan…"
The Konoha cemetery was quiet. Menma approached two graves side by side. He read the names. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
He divided the lilies evenly. Placing Five at each on their graves. Then he knelt. And pressed his hands together in a prayer.
"Happy Birthday, Mom," he whispered. "Even if I never knew you in this life… you're still the reason I'm here."
He swallowed. "Naruto is alive. He's healthy. He's happy. I promise I'll make sure he grows up well. And protecting him like a good brother should."
Menma got quiet and began to tremble. A breeze passed softly through the trees. Kurama's voice came again, quieter than usual. Are you alright?
Menma stared at the stone markers. "Yeah. I just… miss my family. From my world." His voice trembled slightly. "I'm scared that one day I won't even remember their faces."
Kurama was silent for a moment. I understand Menma. Just know this I'll be here with you, kid. All the way.
Menma smiled faintly. "Thank you, sensei." He stood and wiped his face before tears could form. "Okay. It's time to train. I need to summon Sun Wukong and start training with him."
Kurama sighed. Do what you want. But keep a clone free practicing chakra control.
"Yes, yes."
Menma walked toward the training fields. After arriving he stopped in the clearing. Bit his thumb. Formed hand signs.
"Summoning Jutsu."
Smoke burst outward. As it cleared, Sun stood there slightly taller, arms crossed, his smirk sharp. "It's been a while," Sun said.
Menma straightened. As the sun began to dip low behind the trees. The air grew still.
Menma nodded. "Okay. Wukong, teach me your ways.
Sun smiled. "I will try, but you will have to keep up."