"Nine Tails… lend me your power," Menma said, standing before the giant fox behind the iron bars.
"No," the Nine Tails replied flatly, eyes closed.
Seriously? Just because I poked you once? What a temper. So impatient for someone so young.
Menma: "..."
Calm down… deep breaths… Menma exhaled, suppressing his irritation. Then he changed his approach.
"Alright, how about this—lend me your strength, and I'll finish the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story from last time."
"Hmph!" the Nine Tails huffed. Just hearing Romance of the Three Kingdoms made his fur bristle. You start whenever you want and stop whenever you feel like it? You think I don't have feelings too?!
Still unmoved?
Menma smirked.
"Okay, okay. I'll do you one better—how about I write the whole thing down? All of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and more—all kinds of stories. I'll even make Shadow Clones to help copy them if I have to."
"...How many?"
Now the Nine Tails was tempted.
Over the past two years living in Menma's body, he'd come to understand this boy was very different from other Jinchūriki. The stories Menma told had been so fascinating, the Nine Tails had nearly forgotten he was imprisoned.
Going outside? No thanks. The world out there was terrifying. He was the mighty Nine Tails, yet had been split in half. Even if he escaped, the other half was still sealed. There was no point in leaving.
Besides… this Menma kid might just be the "Child of Prophecy" the Sage of Six Paths spoke of long ago.
"A lot," Menma said confidently. "And after this, I'll even unlock this gate for you."
The Nine Tails opened one eye.
"...You serious? Open this gate? Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid of what?" Menma shrugged.
"You're only the Yin half of the Nine Tails. Even if you escaped, how far would you get? And besides—Madara Uchiha, the one who controlled you back then… he's still alive."
"Impossible!" The Nine Tails roared, suddenly wide-eyed.
He remembered clearly—Uchiha Madara, arrogant and powerful, had once called the Tailed Beasts mindless creatures, nothing more than tools of the Uchiha Clan. That insult and the experience of being forcefully controlled with the Sharingan had haunted him ever since.
"Believe it or not," Menma said calmly, "his body may be gone, but he left behind an heir. That heir plans to revive him—and worse."
The Nine Tails stared intently as Menma continued.
"His ultimate goal is to revive the Ten Tails, become its Jinchūriki, and ascend as the new Sage of Six Paths. He wants to become the most powerful being in the world and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi—trapping the entire world in an illusion of 'peace.'"
The Nine Tails' eyes went wide with shock.
Then, in a rare moment of understanding, he sighed, reached out his massive claw, and touched the iron bars.
Outside the Mindscape
Though it felt like a long conversation inside, only seconds had passed in the real world.
Menma's body was now surrounded by a blazing orange chakra—wild, potent, and unmistakably that of the Nine Tails.
"What?! The Nine Tails!" Kakashi stared in disbelief.
"Naruto, step back. Your brother's got business to handle." Menma smiled confidently.
"Okay, Brother! Beat him up good!" Naruto replied, sprinting off with his little legs.
Menma turned to Kakashi, a grin tugging at the edge of his lips.
"Kakashi… you're dead."
The ground cracked under his left foot as he launched forward. A deep footprint remained where he stood just a moment ago.
So fast! Kakashi didn't even see it—Menma had vanished.
In an instant, Menma reappeared behind him, throwing a punch straight toward his face. Kakashi barely raised his arm in time to block it.
"F—!"
Menma followed up with a swift kick aimed at Kakashi's stomach.
Bang!
Blocked again—Kakashi used his other arm to deflect, then pushed off and rolled.
"That was close…" Kakashi muttered, beads of sweat on his forehead.
Menma glared at him. Then his eyes narrowed—Kakashi's mask had shifted slightly.
Sharingan?!
No wonder he's keeping up…
Before Menma could react, Kakashi took advantage of the moment and delivered a kick to Menma's side, sending him flying.
Menma crashed into a tree ten meters away.
Thud!
Pain shot up his spine.
Damn… still not strong enough, even with Nine Tails Chakra?
He slowly pushed himself up, body already beginning to heal.
The chakra cloak faded.
Seeing that, Kakashi lowered his hand and covered his Sharingan again.
"Brother!" Naruto came running over, eyes wide with worry.
"You okay?! That bad guy kicked you really far!"
"I'm okay, Naruto," Menma said through clenched teeth. The worst of the pain was already gone—thank you, Nine Tails.
Kakashi casually walked over, smug as ever.
"Menma, Naruto—looks like I'm qualified to teach you now."
One word to describe his mood: unbeatable.
If I'd known earlier, I would've gone straight for another Thousand Years of Death… what a missed opportunity.
Menma stood up, brushing off the dirt.
"I admit defeat. You're qualified to teach us."
Then, with eyes gleaming coldly, he added:
"But let's be clear—one day, when I surpass you, I will beat you into a pulp."
Konoha Taijutsu Secret Technique: Thousand Years of Vengeance—coming soon to a Kakashi near you.
"We'll see about that," Kakashi said coolly. You're dreaming, kid.
"Call me teacher," Kakashi added, smirking.
Menma: "..."
"...Kakashi-sensei," Menma muttered reluctantly.
Seeing his brother do it, Naruto followed along.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi nodded in satisfaction.
Then Menma's eyes gleamed again.
"Kakashi-sensei, that battle made me hungry. Why don't we go get some more barbecue? Or Ichiraku Ramen?"
What?! Again?!
Kakashi panicked and vanished instantly with a classic excuse.
"Sorry, Menma, Naruto—Hokage-sama needs me! No time for teaching today! I'll find you tomorrow!"
Gone.
"Eh? Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto looked around, confused.
"Where'd he go?"
"He ran away," Menma sighed.
"Come on, let's go home, Naruto."
Coward, he muttered in his head. Leaving us in the middle of nowhere outside the village—what if an enemy showed up?
Grumbling to himself, Menma picked up the pace, pulling Naruto along until they reached the gates of Konoha.
Only then did he relax a bit.
Kakashi… just you wait. I'll remember this.
(End Of Chapter)
Gimme Powerstones :)))
Also Check out my Patreon at [Patreon.com/GGFanfiction]