"Help me publish this, and you can stay here," Menma said again. Only by earning money could he truly be self-reliant. The meager stipend the village gave them each month wasn't enough—not even close. Sure, he could still "borrow" from the Third Hokage, but that was no long-term solution.
And just at the right time, Jiraiya had returned to the village. That gave Menma an idea.
Now that he and Naruto were stabilized in Konoha, with Jiraiya and Kakashi around, Menma believed no one would dare touch them.
Why had Menma been so high-profile earlier?
He had no choice. They had no money. Food and basic necessities were a daily struggle. If they relied only on the village's stipend, they'd be stuck eating cup noodles every few days.
And cup noodles? They were just fast food—filling, but lacking in balanced nutrients. Naruto and Menma were still children; they needed proper nutrition to grow. So Menma made a bold move—he played the identity card. He laid it all on the table before the Third Hokage: the son of the Fourth Hokage and a dual Nine Tails Jinchūriki.
He also subtly revealed his ability to control Kurama—and implied he was on the path to becoming a perfect Jinchūriki.
The conditions for becoming a Jinchūriki were harsh. It required immense willpower to restrain a tailed beast, massive vitality, a high chakra reserve, and the knowledge of sealing techniques.
And historically, no clan fit those conditions better than the Uzumaki.
The first Nine Tails Jinchūriki was Mito, of the Uzumaki clan. Even after the Uzumaki clan was decimated and their village destroyed, Mito's time was running out. The Nine Tails couldn't be contained for long.
So the Hidden Leaf searched far and wide for another suitable vessel—and they found Kushina, born in Uzushio of the Land of Whirlpools, a survivor of the clan's destruction. She was secretly brought back to Konoha and made the second Nine Tails Jinchūriki.
And after that came the third generation: a pair of twins—Menma and Naruto. Each with half of the Nine Tails sealed within them.
Because of how difficult it was to find a suitable Jinchūriki, Menma deliberately used this information as leverage. Now, even if someone wanted to harm him or Naruto, they'd have to get the Third Hokage's approval first.
Right now, all the Third Hokage could do was try to "guide" Menma and Naruto—to raise them into weapons loyal to the village. That's why he sent Kakashi, someone proven to be "successfully brainwashed," to become their teacher.
What the Third Hokage didn't expect… was Jiraiya's sudden return. And after discovering how the boys had been treated, Jiraiya was furious—so much so that he declared he'd become their guardian.
That actually worked in the Third Hokage's favor. He had been planning to make Jiraiya the next Hokage, since he was getting old himself.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village… and new leaves will grow."
Everything was still going according to Menma's plan. Jiraiya's return was just an unexpected bonus. After all, Jiraiya was far more useful than Kakashi—especially politically.
Disciple of the Third Hokage, teacher of the Fourth, and one of the legendary Sannin.
"No problem," Jiraiya agreed readily.
"Then, happy cooperation," Menma said, holding out his left hand.
"Happy cooperation," Jiraiya replied, shaking it.
From that moment on, Jiraiya no longer saw Menma as a child—but as an adult. Naruto, however, was still very much a kid in his eyes.
And so, Jiraiya moved in and officially became the guardian of Menma and Naruto.
When Kakashi arrived the next day, he was surprised to see Jiraiya there.
"Master Jiraiya, you…?"
"From today on, I'm the guardian of Menma and Naruto," Jiraiya replied.
"Oh!" Kakashi immediately perked up. Finally, I'm off the hook. Especially with Menma, who held grudges like a pro. All I did was stick a bucket up his butt. What's the big deal?
If Menma had heard that, he would've exploded on the spot. He might've even released Kurama just to fight Kakashi to the death.
Bucket of chrysanthemums? Not a big deal?!
A proud young man—violated like that? If that news ever got out, his future would be over!
"I'll leave Menma and Naruto to you, Master Jiraiya. I'll report to the Third Hokage." Kakashi turned, clearly ready to bolt.
But Menma stopped him cold.
"Mr. Kakashi, you're still our teacher. Where are you trying to go?"
Trying to escape? Not on my watch.
Kakashi froze at the sound of Menma's childish but firm voice. He had a bad feeling about this.
Naruto exchanged a glance with Menma, then clung to Kakashi's leg.
"Mr. Kakashi, can you teach me the Shadow Clone Technique?" Naruto asked with puppy-dog eyes.
He already knew, thanks to Menma, that Kakashi could use Shadow Clones even better than his brother.
Kakashi: "…"
I want to refuse.
But Jiraiya spoke up.
"Kakashi, I may be their guardian now, but you're still responsible for teaching them ninjutsu."
Whether it was Kakashi or himself doing the teaching, Jiraiya didn't mind. From what he could see, Menma and Naruto actually liked Kakashi—though in Menma's case, it might be more of a complicated love-hate thing.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya…" Kakashi sighed. He looked at Naruto, who was clinging to him lovingly, and then at Menma—who stood there expressionless, eyes full of murderous intent.
This is my life now, huh?
"Well then, I'll leave them in your care for now," Jiraiya said, holding up the Romance of the Three Kingdoms manuscript that Menma's clones had written overnight. He planned to deliver it to the publishing office—and maybe pick up a few missions too.
Otherwise, he really would be stuck eating air for dinner.
With that, Jiraiya vanished.
Kakashi, meanwhile, took Menma and Naruto to the back mountain, where their ninjutsu lessons officially began.
Of course, before teaching them anything, he had to brainwash them first.
Menma: "…"
(End Of Chapter)
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