"Menma, like this—yes, that's right… no, wait—like this."
Namikaze Minato stood behind Menma, patiently instructing him in the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Menma blinked, stunned.
What… did he just say?
As he tried to make sense of the technique, a terrible realization dawned on him.
No wonder Kakashi's the only one left from Team Minato.
Dad, you're not cut out to be a teacher…
"Wahahahahaha! Brat, you might as well let me teach you!" the Nine Tails suddenly cackled from the back of the cage.
Having once been sealed inside Kushina, the fox had observed Minato long enough to know—he might be a great ninja, but he was a terrible instructor.
Minato: "…"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Minato cleared his throat and tried again—this time even more carefully, patiently explaining every detail.
But by the end, Menma's face was still blank.
"…Huh?"
Minato sighed, patted Menma's shoulder, and said, "Maybe Flying Thunder God isn't your thing. I've got another move—Rasengan! I'll teach you that instead."
The Rasengan—a legendary jutsu created by Minato himself after three years of development, inspired by the Tailed Beast Bomb. By focusing chakra into the palm, circulating it in random directions, and compressing it, a small but devastating orb is formed. It's pure power, no hand signs needed.
"No need, Dad. I already know the method." Menma waved him off.
The Rasengan training was divided into four stages:
Stage One: Gather chakra into your palm. Stage Two: Maintain chakra flow inside a water-filled balloon until it bursts—developing internal rotation. Stage Three: Replace water with a rubber ball—forcing the chakra to materialize. Stage Four: Combine the three previous steps into one, compressing and stabilizing chakra into a focused spinning sphere.
Menma hadn't trained it yet, but he knew it all. And with his talent—born of a Hokage and an Uzumaki—he'd master it soon enough.
Being a true Uzumaki, he had inherited his mother's red hair and massive chakra reserves. He even had more chakra than his little brother. On top of that, his mental strength was insane—when the Nine Tails had given him chakra, he'd stayed completely unaffected.
His physical strength? Also off the charts. Even older kids couldn't match him.
"…You already know it?" Minato was stunned.
What kind of child is this?!
As a father, Minato wanted to be a role model… to have something he could teach his son. But now?
He slowly turned around, staring into space in defeat.
"Wahahahaha!"
The Nine Tails rolled on the floor, laughing hysterically.
Watching your old enemy suffer? Priceless.
"Nine Tails, enough. That's my father you're mocking." Menma frowned. Even if he's my cheap dad, he's still my dad.
But the fox didn't care. "Tch! Don't mind me, brat!" he said, waving him off and resuming his laughter.
Menma: "…"
One day, I'll pay you back. I'll make you taste what Naruto gave Shukaku—Explosive Talisman Millennium Kill…
A wicked grin spread across Menma's face.
The Nine Tails froze mid-laugh.
He narrowed his eyes. Something's wrong.
He stared at Menma intensely.
"Brat. You're plotting something."
Menma smacked his forehead.
Damn, I forgot he can sense intent.
"I won't lie. I'm planning to use explosive tags for a thousand years of death."
The fox: "…"
"…You what?"
"Yeah, I'll even name it: 'Nine Tails' Explosive Assassination Technique.'"
The fox lost it.
"YOU LITTLE—!"
He roared, lunging at Menma. But Namikaze Minato calmly stepped in front of his son, shielding him.
Seeing that, the Nine Tails snorted and turned away.
This brat… If I ever get the chance, I'll hit you with my Millennium Kill.
A sly smile crept across his face.
At that moment, Minato looked at Menma, sadness in his eyes.
"Menma… I'm sorry. I don't have much chakra left. I'm about to disappear." His voice trembled slightly. "Promise me—don't touch the seal."
But Menma shook his head.
"No, Dad. I need the Nine Tails' power. We've already come to an agreement. It'll be fine."
Minato hesitated. "Even so…"
"I'm your son. I'm Mom's son. Nothing bad will happen. And besides…" Menma turned to the Nine Tails and smirked. "Kurama is really kind and cute."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING CUTE?!"
The fox whipped around in a rage, eyes blazing. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
The Nine Tails—the most feared of all tailed beasts—was now being called cute. If the others ever found out…
Menma just pointed at him with a smug grin.
"You, cutie."
A dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes.
One day, I'll make plushies, keychains, shirts—all Nine Tails-themed. You'll be rich, and I'll be richer!
Peripherals of Kurama… hehehe…
The image of mountains of ryo danced before his eyes.
The Nine Tails roared again.
"STINKY BRAT!"
Minato watched the bickering, quietly smiling.
It's like they're already friends... maybe I don't need to worry.
As Minato's body began to fade into glowing particles, he turned to Menma with a soft expression.
"Son… I believe in you. Meeting you today was the greatest joy of my afterlife. I'm proud of you."
Menma nodded, eyes gleaming with determination.
"I'll become a better ninja than you, Dad. And I'll take care of my little brother."
"Your brother…" Minato's smile softened even more. "I wish I could've seen him."
"He looks just like me," Menma said. "Same face. But he's got your yellow hair and blue eyes."
Minato closed his eyes, imagining it. The two boys. Happy. Safe. He smiled one last time…
And vanished.
As the last traces of light disappeared, Menma stood in silence, heart heavy.
"…Don't worry, Dad," he murmured. "One day, I'll bring you back to life."
He turned toward the giant iron gate, the seal still half-ripped.
Without hesitation, he gripped the sealing tag—
—and tore it off.
The gate creaked open.
(End Of Chapter)
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