The Best Shinobi

Reaching the Academy Late

In Hokage's Office,

Two Anbu appeared in front of Hokage and delivered him the message about Menma and Naruto's battle with those two brats.

Hokage who was sitting on his chair used his Telescope Jutsu and saw Naruto having dinner with Menma and his parents.

"Hmm….. They aren't actually hating him. That's good! Well, then there is nothing to worry about them. Yuki has trained in Konoha Hospital when Tsunade was there."

"And, if I am not wrong, her father died during that incident. Since she is having no problem with it, then let them be. Just watch over the house from afar."

"And, bring the information about that Menma to me," Sarutobi commanded.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Two Anbu disappeared.

Sarutobi looked at the crystal ball and thought 'I can suppress people from using those words but I can't suppress their hatred. That Danzo had already spread the words about Naruto.'

'Sorry, Minato, it seems like I can't do much for your son. I failed as a Hokage.'

.....

In Menma's house

After finishing Naruto's food, he went to the sink to clean the plate but Yuki stopped him.

"How can I let my guest do this? I will do it myself."

Naruto nodded his head but he was still avoiding her gaze. He bowed his head and said, "Thank you for treating me!"

Not only did she treat his wounds but also treated his food. He was very grateful to her.

"It's nothing. You are Menma's friend. So, you don't need to bow like this." Yuki pulled him up and shook her head.

Naruto walked out of the kitchen. When he saw Menma going to his room, he spoke "Thanks for the food! I should leave."

Saying so, he walked toward the door but suddenly, Menma pulled his collar.

"There is a heavy snowfall outside and it is already nighttime. What would you do even if you go there? Sleep with me tonight. It's not like you bring textbooks to the academy. So, we can go directly to the academy tomorrow."

Saying so, Menma pulled Naruto to his room.

Seeing this, his father sighed 'It seems like Menma wants to be his friend. Was it really because he learned about Naruto? Hah! Menma is innocent. He still doesn't know the feeling of losing someone close to him.'

'But, that's also good. At least, this made me believe that Menma won't be too mature at this age. This is not an age of war. He doesn't need to mature soon.'

He stood up and walked toward his wife. She was still washing the dishes. He embraced her from behind and asked.

"Are you alright?"

Yuki took a little while but eventually replied with a single nod of her head.

"I can't live in hatred forever. And, besides, those tears hit me hard."

"Yes, if Menma hadn't convinced us, we would never have understood his condition." Her husband replied. He paused for a moment before asking.

"Do you plan to tell him about the Clan heritage technique?"

Yuki shook her head and said "Up until now, our family hasn't produced a single jonin. Maybe letting him take a new route will help produce the first Jonin in our clan."

"You are right. Let's just sit back and watch our son grow. By the way, give this to him tomorrow. I might have to leave early." Saying so, he took out a huge stack of cash and handed it to Yuki.

"But…."

"There is no need to say anything. I am not a shinobi. I can't teach my son anything related to shinobi but I am still his father. This is the way I can support him. This should support him for a while." Her husband shook his head and forced her to pass that money to Menma.

"Alright!" Yuki bitterly smiled and put it away as they slowly went to their room. Soon, that night, it became a lot more wild. Naruto and Menma were too exhausted to wake up no matter how much sound they make.

Next Morning,

"Menma, Naruto, wake up! You are going to be late today." Yuki shouted while slamming the door from outside.

Inside the room, both of them opened their eyes instantly. Their eyes turned to the clock on the side. It was already nine in the morning.

"We are late."

Both of them screamed at the same time and rushed everything. They hurriedly change clothes, then went to wash their faces, and picked up the buns on the table where Naruto hesitated a bit but eventually did pick them up.

Before leaving though, Naruto gave a quick bow to Yuki and said "Thank you for everything!"

"Naruto, you can come here at any time you want. Since you live alone, come here once a week for dinner." Yuki smiled and invited him.

Hearing her words, Naruto was startled. He bit her lips and kept bowing for a long time until Menma smacked his back and pulled him.

"Idiot, we are already late."

Seeing her son pulling Naruto, Yuki chuckled. She was very satisfied with Naruto's reaction. She didn't dare to say that she could understand him but she does feel a bit sad for treating him like that.

At this moment, Menma and Naruto were running toward the academy at their full speed. While they were reaching closer to the Academy, Naruto turned his head at Menma and asked "Menma, will you talk to me in the academy?"

Although he fully believed that Menma was his friend now. He still finds it hard for him to talk during the academy. Because even Shikamaru and Choji normally do not talk to him in the academy.

Menma rolled his eyes and spoke "Of course, I will. I am your friend, idiot."

Slowly, a bright smile appeared on Naruto's face as he said.

"Yes"

'My first friend. I finally have a friend.'

At this moment, Naruto was so happy that he never had been this happy in his life. Inside his belly, there was a different reaction though. The orange fox sleeping behind the bars growled.

"That bastard! How dare he gets in my way? This brat was on the verge of weakening the seal. No, I don't need to waste my breath. This brat is hated by the whole village."

"Even if few people do not hate him, it doesn't matter. His hatred will naturally grow and weaken the seal. Then, I will be out once again. Fourth, you won't be here to seal me anymore."

"Let's just wait!"

The sound inside his belly slowly calmed down. Unfortunately, neither Naruto nor Menma could hear his voice.

After they reached in front of the door, they silently opened it. But, at this moment, a man was already standing in front of the door.

"You two…. Why are you so late?" Iruka Sensei shouted in theirs.

"Do you know it has already been over half an hour? And, what's with this food on your cheek? Don't tell you woke up just now? How can you be so lazy?" Iruka Sensei continued to scold them.

He even picked both of their ears. Suddenly, he turned around and shouted.

"And, you Murasaki, stop sleeping at the class!"

"Yawn!" Murasaki slowly opened his eyes and stretched out his hands but he felt soreness all over his body.

'Damn! I feel so tired. Menma's training is true hell. I barely managed to wake up in time thanks to my mom otherwise it would've been impossible. I am not surprised that he is waiting but why is he with Naruto?'

'Did they meet in the middle while coming to the academy?'

"Sorry Sensei, we got into a fight yesterday and got tired because of that. Don't worry, I will try to stay awake in the class." Menma answered

"Fight? Are you injured? As a sensei, he got worried about his student. But, Menma shook his head and said "My mother is a medical ninja. There is nothing to worry about. We were just tired."

"Alright! I will excuse you two this time. Go to your seats!" Iruka sighed and sent them to their respective seats. Because of what he said, there was whispering everywhere.

"Hey, did you think Naruto and Menma fight?"

"No! It felt like they got into a fight."

"Yea, they seem quite close as well."

"What made you say that?"

"I noticed that both of them had the same food remained on the cheeks."

"Cough! Cough!"

Iruka Sensei coughed out to gather everyone's attention at him.

"Alright, everyone! Today, I am going to teach you guys Body Replacement Jutsu. It is an important skill for a shinobi. So, look at my hand signs carefully."

Tiger - Boar - Ox - Dog - Snake

Thud!

Suddenly, the white fog appeared in his position and when the fog disappeared, instead of sensei, there was a piece of log. As for Sensei, he appeared from the door and spoke.

"This is the Body Replacement Jutsu. With this, you can come out alive from

dangerous opponents but you must be careful while using this. If you are even a bit late, you could get seriously injured."