"At the beginning of human life, nature is good. People are similar in nature, but differ in habits: when a person is born, their nature is kind. Everyone starts off the same, but due to different living and learning environments, people grow increasingly different."
"Without education, one's nature will change. The key to teaching is dedication: if you aren't taught properly from a young age, your good nature may deteriorate. To prevent this, the most important thing is to focus on educating children."
Every time Naruto read this part, he couldn't help but think—his brother only hit him for his own good.
"In ancient times, Mencius's mother chose where to live carefully. When he wouldn't study, she cut the loom to teach him a lesson: During the Warring States Period, Mencius's mother moved three times to provide the best learning environment. When Mencius lost interest in studying, she cut the loom's thread to show him that giving up halfway wastes all previous efforts."
Naruto once curiously asked his brother when the Warring States Period was, and who Mencius was. His brother didn't explain, just smiled and said, "I'll tell you later."
When Menma heard Naruto reading so seriously, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
As for the book Naruto was reading—it was The Three Character Classic, written by Menma!
Menma didn't fully agree with Konoha Village's "Will of Fire", especially now that power seemed to corrupt so easily.
He sighed silently. The task is heavy, and the road is long.
After finishing his daily reading, Naruto quietly picked up his homework and began working. He encouraged himself, "Come on, Naruto, you can do it!"
In the living room, Menma's smile deepened slightly.
Time passed quickly. Suddenly, the door flew open—little Naruto ran in, paper in hand, beaming brightly.
"Brother! I finished my reading and homework! Can we go eat Ichiraku Ramen now?"
"Let me see your homework first," Menma said, taking the paper from Naruto's hand.
A moment later, his face darkened.
"3 + 3 equals 7?"
"That's right, brother. 3 + 3 equals 7!" Naruto nodded confidently.
Pfft!
Menma spat out an imaginary mouthful of invisible, tasteless blood—utterly outraged. Then, he knocked Naruto on the head.
"Ow! That hurt, brother!" Naruto whined, still convinced 3 + 3 equals 7.
Menma kept correcting the homework. There were more X's than checks. His face got darker and darker.
Naruto, watching closely, quietly took a step back... then another.
"Naruto, come here," Menma sighed.
Naruto hesitated but eventually walked over.
Menma stood up. "Let's go eat ramen."
"Really?!" Naruto's smile lit up instantly.
Menma nodded and walked toward the door. Naruto followed quickly.
The two brothers left home and made their way to Ichiraku Ramen.
Along the way, no one acknowledged them.
"The demon fox is out again."
"Let's get away!"
People avoided them.
Menma didn't react. Instead, he looked sideways at Naruto. Though Naruto still wore a smile, there was confusion in his eyes.
He was just a child, but this sort of treatment had happened so many times that it was impossible not to notice.
Menma grew quietly annoyed. He pulled a kunai from his pocket and hurled it at a 45-degree angle toward a tree.
Thud!
A chunk of wood was pierced.
Substitution Technique!
Count yourself lucky for running.
Menma stuffed his hands back in his pockets.
"Wow, brother! What was that just now?" Naruto asked. Something had definitely flown from his brother's hand.
"Nothing. Just squashed an ungrateful mosquito. Do you know what 'ungrateful' means, Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head—it was his first time hearing that word.
Menma began telling a story:
"A long time ago, there were two boys—Shi Yi and Wang En.
One day, while playing near a temple, an old man in tattered clothes walked up to them with a cane and a bowl.
Wang En held his nose and ran off. But Shi Yi took the old man home.
His mother cooked a good meal for the old man. Before leaving, the old man took Shi Yi's hand and said:
'My child, listen well. After I leave, build a boat from straw. If the eyes of the stone lions outside the temple turn red, a flood will come. Rush home, load your family and essentials onto the boat, and you'll be safe. Don't tell anyone what I said.'
Shi Yi did as told. But Wang En, being wicked, secretly painted the lion's eyes red.
Seeing this, Shi Yi rushed home and set out with his mother. A flood came. They were safe on the boat.
Soon, they saw Wang En calling for help. Shi Yi wanted to save him.
His mother warned him of the old man's words, but they still helped Wang En.
The boat drifted to high ground, where they lived simply by collecting firewood and vegetables.
One day, while chopping wood, a black whirlwind approached. Shi Yi attacked it and found a severed foot and trail of blood.
He followed it to a cave and discovered a nine-headed demon that had been harming people.
Later, the Emperor posted a decree—whoever found the missing royal aunt would marry her. Shi Yi stepped forward and asked for a pigeon, a pulley, and a sharp knife. He ventured into the cave, found the aunt, and slew the demon by cutting off the central head first, then the rest.
But when he sent her up, Wang En lied, claiming to be Shi Yi.
The aunt, unable to see clearly in the dark, believed him. She left with Wang En.
Shi Yi, left behind, found a sealed stone box deep in the cave. Upon opening it, a small white dragon emerged.
The dragon had been imprisoned for breaking the rules of heaven. To thank Shi Yi, it flew him out and took him to the capital."
Naruto shouted, "That's so unfair! Wang En is the worst!"
Menma patted his head.
"Then Naruto must never be like Wang En. Always remember those who are kind to you. Even a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring."
Naruto nodded solemnly.
Before they knew it, they'd arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen stall. It had only five seats in a row, but it was early, and the place was empty. Menma led Naruto straight in.
"Menma, Naruto! You're here?" Teuchi greeted them, wondering who had come so early—it turned out to be his regulars.
"Hello, Uncle Teuchi!" both brothers greeted in unison.
"Ramen, ramen!" Naruto mumbled, nearly drooling.
"It'll be ready soon," Teuchi chuckled.
Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were set before the brothers.
"Let's eat!" Naruto cheered, shoving noodles into his mouth.
"Slow down, slow down," Menma said with a helpless smile. It was always like this.
"Mmffmmmrf!" Naruto mumbled, mouth stuffed.
Menma couldn't understand a word. Oh well. He picked up his own chopsticks and dug in.
Ichiraku Ramen was delicious. But more importantly, Naruto loved this place—because it was the one place where he wasn't shunned or hated.
Uncle Teuchi treated them just like any other customer.
This place was warm.
It felt like home.
(End Of Chapter)
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