Fugaku's Decision

"If we give up our authority over the Konoha Military Police Force, won't our Uchiha Clan be left with nothing? Won't the other clans start targeting us then?" Fugaku asked.

"No, Uncle. You're only looking at the surface. In truth, the real reason the Uchiha Clan is declining is the Konoha Military Police Force. At first, the others will indeed be wary of the Uchiha Clan, but over time, wariness will turn into hostility. Then the other clans will be even less willing to interact with the Uchiha Clan. With less interaction, they'll naturally start to distance themselves, and the Uchiha Clan will keep getting pushed to the margins." Menma glanced at the two of them and explained.

It seemed Itachi understood. After thinking it over carefully, he realized Menma was right. "Father, Menma is right. For now, the solution he proposed really is the best one," Itachi said.

"Looks like this is our only option." Fugaku sighed helplessly. There didn't seem to be a better solution at the moment.

"Since you agree with this plan, I'll tell you the secret." As he spoke, Menma stood up.

"When my father sealed the Nine-Tails, he left some chakra in the seal. The last time the seal weakened, I saw my father." As he spoke, Menma looked at Minato's Hokage cloak.

The two were stunned, staring at Menma in disbelief. That explained a lot of things.

"Now, Uncle, what you need to do is eliminate the hardliners in the clan as soon as possible, then resign from every position in the Konoha Military Police Force," Menma said.

"Mm, I understand." Fugaku nodded.

"As for Danzo, he's already a dead man in my eyes. All that's missing is a reasonable excuse." Menma's expression remained utterly calm, as if he were talking about some trivial matter.

"Mm, I understand. If you need any help, just let us know," Fugaku said.

"Come on, let's go downstairs. They might be getting impatient." With that, Menma left the room.

Fugaku glanced at Minato's Hokage cloak and couldn't help thinking, Minato, you have an exceptional child. His future is limitless.

The three people downstairs heard the commotion upstairs. After coming down, Menma went straight to sit beside Naruto.

"Your name's Menma, right? We still have unfinished business from this morning. I'll prove to you that I'm not a baby!" Sasuke stood up and glared at Menma, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

"Come on, Sasuke. Menma should be calling you big brother." Mikoto held Sasuke back and glanced at Menma.

"Even though I don't know what Menma did to annoy you, as his big brother, I won't let you bully my little brother." Naruto stood up and stepped in front of Menma.

"Tch! You!" Sasuke raised his fist, ready to fight Naruto.

The other three saw what was happening and were about to stop them.

"Don't bother. You can't beat my big brother," Menma said calmly from the sofa, looking at Sasuke.

"Hmph! Don't underestimate me!" Sasuke leaped up and swung a fist at Naruto.

"Sasuke, stop!" Mikoto shouted.

"Sasuke!" Fugaku called sternly.

Whoosh! In an instant, Menma activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and transported Naruto straight to his room. Sasuke's punch struck empty air.

Sasuke stared at the Naruto who had suddenly vanished, looking around for him but finding no sign of him. He then turned his attention to Menma.

Just as Sasuke was about to attack, Itachi stepped in front of him, hoisted him up, and carried him outside.

"I'm really sorry, Menma. We've caused you trouble," Mikoto said, looking a little embarrassed.

Just then, Naruto ran out of Menma's room and asked in confusion, "What just happened?"

Everyone turned to look at the second floor, and Naruto ran back downstairs.

"Eh? Are you leaving?" Naruto asked, looking at the people by the door.

"Mm, that's right. We'll come visit you again another day." Mikoto walked over to Naruto, crouched down, and patted his head.

Menma stood up from the sofa and walked over to them. "You haven't eaten yet, have you?" he asked.

That was true. Naruto and Menma had planned to make do with instant noodles when they got home. Fugaku and the others had arrived around three in the afternoon and waited outside Naruto and Menma's house for nearly an hour before they returned.

"Ah, we haven't. Want to eat together?" Mikoto asked with a smile.

Menma nodded, then rested his hands behind his head, looking relaxed as he said, "Then let's go. Anything but ramen."

"Eh? No ramen?" Naruto looked disappointed.

Mikoto giggled to herself, while Fugaku watched Menma thoughtfully.

"Hey! Let's go eat hot pot," Mikoto said, as if she'd just had an idea.

"Mm, works for me," Fugaku agreed.

"Okay! Then let's go!" Naruto suddenly came over to Menma again, slung an arm over his shoulder, and chatted and laughed with him.

"Sasuke, go join them." Itachi set Sasuke down and looked at him with a smile.

"I don't want to." Still sulking, Sasuke glanced at Itachi, then at the two brothers, Naruto and Menma.

Seeing this, Itachi simply led Sasuke over to Naruto and Menma. After the four of them exchanged a few words, Naruto burst out laughing, but Sasuke seemed even angrier and chased after him.

Fugaku and Mikoto watched the scene and smiled at each other.

"I've decided. I'll trust Menma," Fugaku told Mikoto.

Although Mikoto didn't know what Menma and Fugaku had discussed, she smiled at Fugaku and said, "I don't know what you talked about, but I'll always support you."

The sun was setting. The figures of Naruto, Menma, Itachi, and Sasuke fooling around up ahead were reflected in Fugaku and Mikoto's eyes. The two watched quietly as they followed behind them.

The next day was only one day away from Kakashi's eighteenth birthday. Menma had slept in for once.

"Yosh! No matter what, I'm going to beat that guy Kiba today!" Naruto shouted from his room.

Hearing the noise next door, Menma pulled the covers over his head and went back to sleep.

Suddenly, the door flew open with a bang. "Menma, get up! I'm going to teach that guy Kiba a lesson today. You have to come watch!" Naruto shouted.

"You're so loud. Let me sleep a little longer." Menma didn't move, continuing to sleep.

"Hey! Menma!" Naruto pulled the covers off him.

Only then did Menma get up, looking reluctant. He'd wanted to take the day off, since over a month of intense daily training had pushed his body close to its limits.

"By the way, tomorrow's Kakashi-sensei's birthday. Have you prepared a present?" Menma suddenly seemed to remember something and looked at Naruto.

"I think... I forgot." Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.

"Sigh, didn't I tell you a week ago? Sigh, forget it. Hurry up and get something ready today."

"But..." Naruto seemed to want to say more.

"You can go after you've picked out a birthday present," Menma said, looking at Naruto helplessly.

"Fine. I guess that's what I'll have to do." Naruto walked out, still wondering what to give Kakashi.

Menma got out of bed, changed his clothes, washed up, and went downstairs.

Naruto was still struggling to decide what to give Kakashi. He really couldn't think of anything suitable.

"Come on, let's get breakfast, then look around. Maybe you'll figure out what to get him."

The two went to a dango shop and each ordered a serving. As they were eating, a very familiar figure walked in.

"Big Brother Itachi." Naruto greeted the person when he saw him.

Uchiha Itachi walked over, with someone following behind him. It was Shisui Uchiha.

Uchiha Itachi came over to Naruto and Menma and sat down with Shisui.

"Let me introduce you. This is Shisui Uchiha, a good friend of mine. Shisui, this is Naruto Uzumaki, and this is Menma Uzumaki," Itachi said, introducing them to each other.

"Hello, Big Brother Shisui. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to become Hokage. I'll earn everyone's recognition!" Naruto said, making sure to emphasize his dream.

Menma remained silent, quietly eating his dango.

"Don't mind Menma too much, Big Brother Shisui. He's just like that. Sometimes he gets lost in thought, and no matter how many times you call him, he doesn't respond." Naruto glanced at Shisui, then at Menma.

"I see. They're both adorable kids. Judging by their age, they should be about the same age as your younger brother, right?" Shisui asked, looking at Itachi.

"That's right. They're the same age. In two years, they'll be able to attend the Ninja Academy together," Itachi replied with a smile.

Menma snapped out of his thoughts. The idea of having to attend the Ninja Academy in two years gave him a headache. He really wanted to graduate early and become a Genin, then advance to Chunin and Jonin on the strength of his overwhelming abilities. But he also wanted to stay by Naruto's side, and he was torn.

"Hello, Big Brother Shisui. Sorry, I was lost in thought just now." Menma scratched his head and smiled apologetically at Shisui.

"It's all right. If you were thinking about something so intently, it must be important," Shisui said with a smile, looking at Menma.

"Not exactly important. I'm just torn," Menma said.

"Oh? What are you torn about? Would you like to tell us? Maybe we can help you figure something out," Shisui said, continuing to look at Menma.

"How should I put it? I'm torn between personal achievement and my friends and family. I don't know what to do." Menma didn't spell it out, speaking rather vaguely.

"Well, that's something only you can decide. We can't give you much advice, but you should just follow your heart," Shisui said.

"Follow my heart? I understand." Menma repeated the words, then seemed lost in thought again, wondering what to do.