Report and Choice

At the same time Menma steadily set foot on the path he had chosen for himself, Iruka, having finished the day's classes, neither stayed at the academy nor returned home. Instead, he headed for the Hokage Building Menma had been watching.

Unlike the ordinary teachers assigned to regular classes.

The class Iruka oversaw had quite a few important figures in it.

Even setting aside Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke.

Shikamaru, Ino, Shino, Choji, Kiba, and the others were all the rising next generation of Konoha's major shinobi clans. On that point alone, Iruka held a more special position than other teachers. Over the past few years.

Iruka had come to the Hokage Building every few days to report on the situation.

Especially regarding Menma and Sasuke.

The two of them were undoubtedly subjects of the highest level of attention.

One had the Nine-Tails within him, while the other had an older brother who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan watching over him.

The Konoha F4, led by Sarutobi Hiruzen, had no choice but to treat them with caution.

Iruka understood this very well. In his daily teaching, he paid close attention to their academic progress and, more importantly, their mental states.

Today, following the orders of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage, he had come to make a regular report. This might also be the last, and most important, report before graduation.

"Hokage!"

Familiar with the route, he passed through the corridors.

He went straight to the Hokage's private office.

The moment he entered, Iruka dropped to one knee. With a respectful expression, he looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was still diligently reviewing documents at the desk, and lowered his head in greeting.

"Ah? Iruka. No need for such formality. Get up and wait a moment while I finish this document."

"Yes, Third Lord."

After bowing his head in acknowledgment, Iruka slowly rose and stood with his hands folded before him at close proximity, quietly waiting.

Not long after.

Sarutobi Hiruzen finished handling the last document.

He raised his head and looked at Iruka below him.

"Iruka."

At the soft call.

"Yes, Third Lord. Here is the list."

Understanding immediately, Iruka stepped forward and handed the document he had brought to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

This document recorded the daily performance of several Little Ones in Iruka's class.

Naturally, the focus was on Menma and the others.

"Mm. You've worked hard these past few years, Iruka."

After reading the contents recorded in the document.

A faint smile appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.

He was truly very satisfied with Iruka's habit of reporting everything in meticulous detail.

That was precisely why he had chosen Iruka to lead this class in the first place.

Sasuke had been purely an accident.

As for Menma and Naruto, the pair of brothers, their instructor had absolutely needed to be chosen with care. Both were Minato and Kushina's children, and the former was also Konohagakure's current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Only after much consideration had Sarutobi Hiruzen selected Iruka.

His loyalty, ability, and personality all made him a choice Hiruzen was satisfied with.

Now, it seemed he had not made the slightest mistake in choosing him.

Over six years.

The entire class had been managed in perfect order.

That child Menma was still somewhat cold by nature, but overall, he had grown up normally.

That was enough.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had lived for so many years that he understood, more or less, what the Jinchuriki of other villages were like. He had always worried that Menma, who had been a Jinchuriki from childhood, might develop similarly—or even worse.

Now, it seemed everything was normal.

Next, they simply needed to continue down this path and further cultivate Menma's sense of belonging and loyalty toward the village, as well as mutual trust between him and others.

Only then could Menma become one of the village's most steadfast and important pillars, just like Uzumaki Mito and Uzumaki Kushina before him.

That was Sarutobi Hiruzen's hope.

"No, it is all my duty and responsibility."

Iruka still kept his head lowered as he responded respectfully.

"Mm. I will carefully consider your suggestion. You must also pay special attention to the graduation examination. This is the final step, so we need to proceed steadily."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said softly.

"Yes, Third Lord!"

Iruka bowed his head sharply in response.

Then, at Sarutobi Hiruzen's slight wave.

Iruka took two steps back, turned, and left the Hokage's Office.

It has already been twelve years. Time truly passes quickly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back slightly and glanced at the portraits of the past Hokage hanging on the other side. His gaze settled on the fourth one—Namikaze Minato's portrait.

Minato, your and Kushina's children have already grown up strong. I believe they will surely inherit your Will of Fire and become Konoha's most steadfast defenders.

A trace of emotion appeared in his cloudy eyes.

Then he took a dark Scroll from the drawer on his left. After spreading it open, his gaze traveled down the entries.

Finally, it settled on one particular name.

There was no need for any hesitation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen made his decision.

Let him lead the team!

He was an exceptionally suitable candidate—perhaps even the only candidate.

At least, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.

Within the current Konohagakure.

There was no one more suitable than him to take charge of Menma after graduation.

The son of the Konoha White Fang, the Fourth Hokage's direct subordinate, and one of the most steadfast inheritors of the Will of Fire in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes—Kakashi Hatake.

"Shin."

"Third Lord."

The moment he made his decision.

At his quiet call.

The next second.

A pitch-black figure appeared out of thin air and greeted him in a highly respectful tone.

"Go notify Kakashi. Tell him to come see me tonight."

"Yes!"

After answering in a low voice, the figure leaped away and disappeared from the spot.

After that Anbu departed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen held his pipe in his mouth and rose, walking to the broad floor-to-ceiling window behind him. Looking out at the scenery gradually darkening outside, he took a deep breath and gently exhaled a ring of smoke.

The new year is almost here again.

Time slipped by swiftly.

December passed in the blink of an eye.

When January of Year 60 of Konoha arrived.

Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and the others officially welcomed their graduation examination.

It was a graduation examination almost entirely unchanged from the Original Work—the mastery of the Three Body Techniques!

Among them, the Clone Technique was the most important.

But for Menma, it posed no problem at all.

"Clone Technique."

Inside a spacious classroom at the Ninja Academy.

Menma stood in the center. With his hands forming seals, he easily performed the Clone Technique.

"Mm, pass."

When he saw the two intangible clones appear beside Menma.

Iruka, serving as the graduation examiner at the head of the room, nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile.