So-Called Naivety and Passion

The gazes focused directly on him.

"I still think we should abandon this mission, Teacher Kakashi. This is not only about following the rules ninja are supposed to obey, but also about being responsible for ourselves. We have no idea what dangers await us ahead. There are already two Mist Ninja here. Since Gato can control an entire country's economy, it would not be impossible for him to pay a greater price to hire Jonin from Kirigakure. Perhaps you can handle one of them, Teacher Kakashi, but what if there are more? We cannot gamble the safety of our entire team on an uncertain unknown, Teacher Kakashi."

Before Kakashi could speak,

Menma spoke again with a stern expression.

At first, Menma's words had merely reflected his personal judgment. Whether they ultimately abandoned the mission or continued with it, he did not particularly care. With Kakashi around, clashing with Zabuza and Haku could count as training for him. But after hearing Naruto and Sakura's words,

Menma completely changed his mind.

He could not stand this sort of self-righteousness and inability to recognize one's own limits.

Therefore, he had to stop Kakashi from agreeing to continue the mission.

Menma did not know whether Kakashi in the Original Work had truly been overwhelmed by sympathy, believed he could handle everything and boldly treated this mission as a special trial for Naruto, Sasuke, and the others, or had simply lost his mind in that moment.

He had directly led Team Seven onward with the mission.

But in this life,

Menma believed that as long as he laid everything out in the open, there was a high chance he could persuade Kakashi to stop.

In his earlier words, Menma had repeatedly hinted to Kakashi that he was not carrying out the mission alone. He was leading a bunch of rookies—rookies with highly special identities, at that!

One Jonin.

Kakashi could handle one, and he could overpower or even kill the vast majority of Jonin. But what about two? Three!?

Could he still manage with ease!?

Could he still protect the four rookies of Team Seven!?

If Sakura Haruno died, that might not matter.

But let one of the other three die and see what happened.

Sure enough,

while Menma's words caused Tazuna's expression to change drastically,

Kakashi's expression also turned grave. Regardless of what happened in the Original Work, Menma had now laid the matter bare before him.

Kakashi had to consider all those factors.

As someone trusted by the Third Hokage and chosen to lead Team Seven, the burden on his shoulders was far heavier than it appeared.

Kakashi fell silent again.

When Naruto saw this, his expression tightened with anxiety. Even Sakura, standing beside him, seemed to look at Menma differently at that moment.

"Menma, how can you say that!? Ninja shouldn't fear hardship or danger. When we see people in trouble, shouldn't we help them!? So this is the kind of person you are, Menma? I was wrong about you!"

Naruto glared at Menma, cheeks puffed out in anger, and shouted.

"I also think that would be inappropriate, Menma-kun. Tazuna-san and the people of the Land of Waves are truly suffering and in danger. We should still help them."

Sakura at the side did not dare speak as bluntly as Naruto, but her words clearly revealed her stance and faint dissatisfaction with Menma.

In Sakura Haruno's eyes,

Menma's attitude and actions were truly excessive.

"Should? Shouldn't? Naruto, Sakura, do you even know what you're saying?"

Menma said with a slightly cold expression.

"Does that mean you have to help every person in the world who is in trouble, Naruto? Sakura? Across the Shinobi World, countless people die every day in the many small countries and ninja villages. Can you help them all? Yes, ninja should not fear hardship or danger, but that depends on the circumstances. Charging ahead without caring about anything is something only fools would do!"

Menma's tone turned exceptionally cold at that moment.

"I don't know what you're thinking, Naruto, but I have to think about myself and all of you too. In my eyes, companions are far more important than anything else. I will not put my life or my companions' lives on the gambling table. Naruto, perhaps you are confident in your strength. Perhaps you truly do not fear sacrifice. But do you want to watch your companions die in battle? For some so-called righteous reason!? If we continue this mission and Sakura dies before your eyes because of it, what will you do then!? Regret it afterward!? Or do you really think you're strong enough now? So arrogant that you can protect everything!? Even Teacher Kakashi wouldn't dare say that!"

"And you, Sakura. I'm not trying to be harsh, but don't you have even the slightest awareness of your own strength? Forget stronger enemies—even against the attackers from just now, would you have stood a chance!? Have you never considered the possibility that you might die!? We're twelve years old. We only just graduated. Do you want your parents to receive news of your death in battle right away!?"

The further he spoke,

the more rapid and severe Menma's tone became.

His words were three parts truth and seven parts falsehood, but his attitude was entirely genuine. He was truly angry at Naruto and Sakura for failing to see the situation clearly.

He was practically scolding Naruto and Sakura to their faces.

As Naruto and Sakura listened to Menma's words, their expressions gradually changed, and they slowly fell silent.

Kakashi, standing off to the side, also gave Menma a deep look.

Sasuke looked as though he were getting to know Menma all over again, a strange glimmer flashing through his pupils.

Even Tazuna, who had previously looked at Menma with some resentment, fell silent at that moment.

From his own perspective, Tazuna had every reason to dislike and resent Menma. From the standpoint of pure personal interest, if Menma had not spoken up, Team Seven would likely have continued protecting him, and his bridge-building mission could have been completed smoothly!

But Menma's words were the most correct.

Why should they risk their lives to accompany him on such a dangerous venture!?

For the reward of a mere C-rank mission and some so-called justice?

Tazuna was not that naive. Having lived for decades, he could see the darkness and cruelty of this world just as clearly. Did he not know how his son-in-law had died?

Perhaps this is fate...

Tazuna thought silently to himself.

Just as everyone thought the matter was about to reach its final conclusion—

"Perhaps you're right, Menma. I really can't help everyone. But my Nindo is to keep my word. Things that are too far away or too complicated are beyond my ability to consider. I can only see what is right in front of me. I have no right to demand anything of you, but even if I'm the only one, I will continue protecting Tazuna-san!"

Naruto, who had slowly lowered his head earlier, suddenly raised it. A look of determination appeared in his azure eyes as he declared those words with unwavering conviction.