Barbara!
"Naruto, eat slowly." Mina watched as Naruto stuffed food into his mouth with a spoon and couldn't help but speak up. Her face was filled with a gentle smile. If her own child acted like this, how could she not feel a little sad as a mother?
Compared to Naruto, Menma was much quieter. He sat upright, eating slowly and gracefully, with the demeanor of a refined gentleman.
Seeing the contrast, Mina chuckled. Shouldn't their hair colors have been reversed instead?
"I'm full!" A few minutes later, Naruto announced with satisfaction. Then he glanced at his brother with a beaming smile and said, "Brother, I won, hahaha." Since they were little, Naruto was always behind his brother in everything—except for cooking, where he had always been ahead.
"Yeah, you won. But what are you going to do after eating?" Menma asked calmly, still holding his posture like a proper cook.
"Wash the dishes!" Naruto quickly grabbed his bowl and moved the small stool over—he still wasn't quite tall enough.
"Naruto, let me do it," Sarutobi Shinnosuke offered, getting up to help.
"Brother Shinnosuke, it's okay! Naruto is used to doing it at home," Menma said.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke didn't listen. He went straight into the kitchen to help, grabbing Naruto's bowl with the intention of washing it.
"Brother Shinnosuke, what are you doing? I haven't even started yet!" Naruto said, clearly annoyed.
"I'm helping you," Shinnosuke replied, rolling up his sleeves, ready to wash.
Little Naruto pushed at him with all his might—though it didn't do much—and insisted, "Don't help me! My brother said I have to do my own tasks myself!" If Menma found out Shinnosuke helped, Naruto would be done when they got home.
Naruto! Double homework! Headache incoming!
Naruto nervously peeked toward the kitchen door—hoping his brother hadn't heard anything.
Shinnosuke couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's nervous antics. "Naruto, are you really that scared of Menma?" In his eyes, Menma was like a little adult—organized and dependable as he looked after his brother.
Naruto nodded seriously. He wasn't afraid of the sky or the earth—just his brother. Naruto glanced around, then motioned for Shinnosuke to come closer with his tiny hand.
Understanding, Shinnosuke leaned down to Naruto's level.
"Brother Shinnosuke, my brother is super scary. He makes me do chores every day and keeps checking my homework. Math is so hard! And I have to memorize texts too! My head hurts!" Naruto whispered with a pout.
Shinnosuke burst into laughter, and even Mina in the living room couldn't help but laugh. She looked at Menma, who was finishing his meal, and said, "Menma, you're too strict with Naruto—making him do chores and his homework."
"Sister Mina, Naruto is too energetic. He can't sit still. If I don't give him things to do, he'll sneak out and play. You know how the villagers look at us," Menma said calmly, his tone unchanged.
Mina's smile faded. She understood the brothers' situation. As someone soon to become a mother herself, her heart ached for them. If their mother knew what was going on, she might flip the entire Hidden Leaf Village upside down.
Just as Mina was about to say something—the door opened.
She looked over, stood up quickly, and said, "Lord Third!"
At her words, the normally composed Menma's lips curved into a slight smile. The God of Wealth had arrived.
He returned to a neutral expression, turned to the door, and greeted, "Grandpa Third."
"Menma, you're here," the Third Hokage said kindly. He looked around the room. "Where's Naruto?"
"He's washing dishes in the kitchen."
The Third nodded without surprise. He knew more than most about the two brothers' lives—especially how Naruto was being "disciplined" by Menma.
"Grandpa Third!" Speak of the devil—Naruto, who had just finished cleaning up, ran over excitedly when he saw him.
The Third stroked Naruto's head, and Naruto beamed in delight.
With greetings done, it was time to get to the main topic.
"Grandpa, my brother and I are growing up, and money's tight. Do you know anywhere we can work?" Menma asked.
"Grandpa Third, my brother and I can do all sorts of things! I can mop, wash dishes, do laundry—" Naruto counted on his fingers, then realized even his ten fingers weren't enough. "Anyway, we can do a lot! My brother said if we have money, we can eat more ramen!"
There was a noodle shop in Konoha called Ichiraku Ramen. After Naruto tried it once, he couldn't forget it. But his brother said they could only eat there once a month—because of money.
The Third Hokage began to sweat nervously. Work? Really?
"No, no, you two are still too young. Why don't I lend you some money for now? Just pay me back when you can."
That was all Menma needed to hear. "Then… how could we possibly say no? Grandpa Third!" He stretched his hands out.
The Third: "…" Brat… how many times have you used that line already?
"Wait here," the Third said, heading to his room. He returned with a wad of cash and handed it to Menma.
Naruto tried to snatch it excitedly but was stopped by a glare from Menma, making him pull back immediately.
Mina and Shinnosuke both laughed. How was Menma raising this kid?
"Thank you, Grandpa Third." Menma gave the money a quick glance—it was a few thousand yen. The details could wait until later. He pocketed it and held Naruto's small hand.
"Grandpa Third, Sister Mina, Brother Shinnosuke—it's getting late. We'll head home now," Menma said.
Naruto chimed in, "Grandpa Third, Sister Mina, Brother Shinnosuke—bye-bye!"
As soon as he finished, Menma grabbed Naruto and left.
The Third: "…"
"Father, can't their identities be made public?" Shinnosuke asked quietly. He'd heard what Menma said earlier. It was heartbreaking—especially for someone who knew the truth.
"Exactly, Father-in-law! Menma and Naruto have been treated unfairly by Konoha. They shouldn't—" Mina agreed, but was cut off by the Third.
He turned to the window, looked up at the sky, and said, "This is to protect Menma and Naruto."
—
Two children walked home.
"Brother, we're rich! Can we go eat Ichiraku Ramen now?!" Naruto asked excitedly, practically drooling.
"Tomorrow."
"OH YES!" Naruto cheered—but in the next second, his face fell.
"But only after you finish your homework. Did you memorize your readings?"
Naruto: ┭┮﹏┭┮ No will to live.
He was dragged home by Menma.
Behind the two brothers, several tails silently followed.
(End Of Chapter)
Gimme Powerstones :)))
Also Check out my Patreon at [Patreon.com/GGFanfiction]