"What's so funny, brat?" Tsunade scolded, her tone sharp. She'd spoken seriously, and here Menma was—laughing in her face.
She clenched her fist, resisting the sudden urge to deck him.
"Calm down, Lady Tsunade!" Shizune quickly grabbed her arm, trying to prevent an explosion.
After finally getting his laugh out, Menma wiped the corner of his eye and looked at her seriously.
"Lady Tsunade, have you ever heard the saying: 'Do not do unto others what you would not want done to yourself'?"
Tsunade and Shizune blinked.
Tsunade tilted her head. "...What?"
Clearly, the quote was unfamiliar to them—especially Tsunade, who'd lived many years but never heard such words.
Menma explained patiently, "It means: Before you do something to others, ask yourself how you'd feel if it were done to you. It's about empathy, understanding others, and not forcing your own standards onto people."
Tsunade scowled. [○｀Д○]
"You trying to say I'm forcing you into something?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Menma replied calmly. "Sister Tsunade, do you know how my brother and I have lived for the past six years in Konoha Village?"
He picked up Tsunade's cup of sake, poured the contents into his own, and downed it in a single gulp.
Ugh. This stuff is weak… Not even close to Erguotou,Menma thought, silently judging the alcohol.
"Brat! Who said you could drink?" Tsunade snapped. "You're way too young! You'll become a degenerate at this rate!"
Menma gave her a pointed look.
Oh really? And who's been drinking and gambling like a pro since they were a kid?
But he kept his mouth shut. No need to trigger her fists of fury.
"You're the sons of the Fourth Hokage. Of course you should've been taken care of," Tsunade said with certainty. "That's how it should be."
"Hahahaha," Menma laughed bitterly. "If that were true, do you think I'd have snapped the way I did? My parents gave everything to protect the village—they died heroes. But because of that, my brother and I were left behind… and treated like monsters."
Tsunade was stunned silent.
Could it be…?
"We weren't taken care of," Menma continued, voice rising. "We were ostracized. The villagers believed we were the reincarnations of the Nine Tails. They threw us out of stores, called us names. If I hadn't been a genius, my brother and I would've starved to death."
"And only three years ago, after Jiraiya returned, things started to change—barely. The villagers stopped saying 'demon fox' to our faces. But deep down? That's still what they believe."
"I can take it. But I won't let my brother Naruto suffer the same way."
"Why? Why is it like this?" he asked, his fists clenching. "Why are we—the children of a Hokage—treated like this?"
His voice echoed through the small restaurant, drawing everyone's attention.
Tsunade sat up, tense. "Don't they know you're the Fourth Hokage's sons?!"
Menma let out a cold chuckle. "Less than 20 people in the entire village know the truth."
"Maybe a few ANBU know. Anyone with eyes might guess it from my hair and my mother's name—Kushina Uzumaki. But no one's allowed to talk about it."
Sarutobi-sensei. Danzo. Mitokado Homura. Koharu.
What are you people doing? You forgot the sacrifices of the Uzumaki Clan. You forgot the White Fang. Now you're ignoring Minato's own children.
With a loud crack, Tsunade slammed her fist into the table.
The table: o(╥﹏╥)o
A group of strong staff members rushed over, alerted by the noise.
Before anything could escalate, Menma calmly took out a thick wad of cash and handed it to the owner.
"This should cover the table, the meal, and the drinks."
The owner instantly changed his tune. "No problem, no problem! Please enjoy yourselves! I'll get you a new table and fresh food right away."
That's the power of money.
Once things settled, Tsunade sighed, glancing at the pile of cash. "Menma, maybe try to save some of the money Jiraiya gave you…"
Menma almost choked.
Excuse me?! Jiraiya gave me money?!
"Lady Tsunade… are you okay in the head?" he asked, completely serious.
Tsunade: [○｀Д○] Don't test me, brat.
Her fist tightened again.
"Lady Tsunade, calm down!" Shizune quickly restrained her. "He's just a kid! Don't let him get to you!"
Meanwhile, Menma had already scooted his chair a safe three meters away.
Tsunade smirked. Even 30 meters wouldn't save you if I really wanted to hit you.
Still, she let it go—for now.
"Come back here," she ordered.
Reluctantly, Menma returned to the table.
"Speak."
"I made that money myself," he said. "Jiraiya still owes me thirty months of back rent. Thirty months!"
Just then, a familiar voice called out from the entrance.
"Menma, talking behind my back again?"
All three turned toward the door.
There stood a tall man with long white hair, red lines under his eyes, and a big red cloak. A forehead protector with the kanji for "Oil" rested on his brow. He wore a pair of clogs and armor plating over his sleeves.
"Jiraiya…" Menma muttered, raising an eyebrow.
"Am I wrong, Master Jiraiya?" he said coolly.
Jiraiya scratched his head with a sheepish smile. "I get it, I get it. Thirty months of unpaid rent, yeah, yeah. I'll accept a mission and pay it off, I swear."
Menma rolled his eyes.
You've said that for three years…
Jiraiya turned his gaze to the woman sitting at the table and smiled gently.
"Long time no see, Tsunade."
Tsunade poured herself another drink and nodded.
"Long time no see, Jiraiya."
Seeing each other again after so long stirred a wave of emotions—some joyful, others painful. So many memories, so many regrets. But above all… it was nostalgic.
(End Of Chapter)
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