Kushina's face was beaming with joy as she hurried to her husband's side: "Minato, I have something important to tell you."
She lowered her voice and recounted Karin Uzumaki's origins.
After listening, Minato thoughtfully glanced at Menma-kun, who was helping Karin Uzumaki with her food, then sat down and looked at the uneasy girl: "Karin Uzumaki, welcome to our home."
His clear blue eyes were filled with warmth, "From now on, this is your home."
"Tha-thank you, Uncle..."
Karin Uzumaki blushed and lowered her head, but her peripheral vision unconsciously darted towards Menma-kun.
Looking at the boy's golden hair, identical to his father's, she suddenly imagined what Menma-kun would look like when he grew up: 'Will Menma-kun be as handsome as Uncle Minato when he grows up?'
Late at night, Minato gently knocked on Menma-kun's door.
"Menma-kun, can we talk?"
Minato sat on the bed and spoke cautiously, "About the Wood Release..."
Menma-kun's heart skipped a beat.
He scratched his head, thinking quickly: "It might be a bloodline awakening... After all, the Uzumaki Clan and Senju Clan are distant relatives..."
He secretly peeked at his father's expression, then added, "Plus, I merged the nature transformations of Water Release and Earth Release, so I can learn Wood Release Ninjutsu."
Minato's eyes widened slightly. This explanation, though unexpected, seemed... plausible?
He couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to ruffle his son's soft golden hair: "No matter what, I'm proud to see you've become so strong."
Moonlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, casting a gentle silver glow on Minato's profile.
Menma-kun suddenly noticed fine lines had appeared around his father's eyes at some point.
"I will protect everyone."
Menma-kun promised solemnly.
Minato smiled with pride, gently embracing his son: "Your father believes in you."
After seeing his dad off, Menma-kun let out a long breath and took out the Wood Release scroll that Yamato had given him.
The words recording the First Hokage's powerful Ninjutsu flickered in and out of view in the night.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique... I've already mastered these."
His fingertips lightly traced the words "Sage Art" on the scroll, his brows slightly furrowed, "But Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands and Sage Art Wood Release: Gracious Deity Gates require Sage Mode to perform..."
Menma-kun leaned back against the headboard, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The First Hokage's Sage Mode had long been lost, and now Lady Tsunade, the only one who might know, was nowhere to be found.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Grandpa Sarutobi's three disciples, Orochimaru defected, Grandmaster Jiraiya is traveling the world, and Lady Tsunade is wandering outside..."
None of Konoha's top combatants were stationed in the village.
Lost in thought, he eventually fell into a deep sleep.
The morning sun shone on the Ninja Academy corridor.
Menma-kun and Naruto, one on each side, protected Karin Uzumaki as they walked towards the classroom amidst curious gazes. Thanks to the Hokage's privilege, Karin Uzumaki's enrollment process went exceptionally smoothly.
"Quiet!"
Iruka's loud shout instantly silenced the noisy classroom.
Even the usually most mischievous Naruto and Shikamaru sat up straight—this teacher held a special authority in the students' hearts.
"Today, our class welcomes a new classmate, Karin Uzumaki."
As applause broke out, Shikamaru nudged Naruto with his elbow: "Hey, she has the same surname as you, is she a relative of yours?"
"Something like that..."
Naruto scratched his head. Although he didn't fully understand the specifics, since she was a clan member brought back by his older brother, then they were family.
At the podium, Iruka gave Karin Uzumaki an encouraging smile: "Find a seat you like and sit down."
"Yes."
Karin Uzumaki pushed up her glasses, her gaze quickly scanning the classroom. When she locked onto Menma-kun's figure, she walked towards him without hesitation.
This action instantly stiffened Ino, who was sitting to Menma-kun's left.
The blonde girl narrowed her eyes, keenly sensing the special affection in Karin Uzumaki's eyes.
"She must be like an older sister or something..."
Ino mumbled, unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, "After all, they both have the same surname..."
However, when Karin Uzumaki naturally sat down next to Menma-kun, their red and golden hair shimmering together in the sunlight, an inexplicable unease still welled up in Ino's heart.
"Menma-kun..."
Hinata quietly lowered her head, a hint of sadness flashing in her pale eyes.
Menma-kun was completely oblivious to the subtle shift in atmosphere among the girls; he was focused on something more important—how to bring back Konoha's lost top combatants.
On the training ground, the sun scorched the dusty ground, kicking up fine particles.
Iruka led the students to the center of the training ground, his gaze darting between Naruto and Sasuke—the fighting spirit in their eyes was almost tangible, and the air around them seemed to grow tense.
"Begin!"
With Iruka's command, the golden and black figures instantly clashed.
Menma-kun stood by the side, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Ever since he taught Naruto Ninjutsu, Sasuke had never been able to gain the upper hand in a real fight. But today... "Bang!"
The dull thud of fists and feet colliding echoed continuously.
Sasuke's movements were sharper than ever, every turn, every punch carrying precise foresight.
Clearly, after the Uchiha incident, Itachi had put a lot of effort into his younger brother.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Sasuke seized an opening and quickly formed hand signs. A scorching fireball roared out, instantly engulfing several of Naruto's Shadow Clones. A sea of fire immediately erupted on the training ground, and the smell of scorched earth permeated the air.
"Rasengan!"
Naruto's tactics were simple and brutal.
A Shadow Clone grabbed the original's ankle and threw him with all its might. A blue Chakra sphere spun rapidly in his palm, hurtling towards Sasuke.
Iruka's face changed dramatically.
These two kids were actually fighting for real! He instinctively looked at Menma-kun, only to find him still standing calmly in place, showing no intention of intervening.
Sasuke's pupils suddenly constricted. Facing the incoming Rasengan, he found himself with nowhere to escape—
"Sasuke!"
Sakura's scream pierced the air.
"Boom—!"
A massive impact sent Sasuke flying, his chest instantly ripped open. Naruto himself was stunned, clearly not expecting to injure Sasuke so severely.
Just when everyone thought the match was decided, the "Sasuke" on the field suddenly turned into a charred log.
And the real Sasuke had somehow gotten behind Naruto!
"Substitution Jutsu?! When did he—"
Ino desperately held back Sakura, who wanted to rush into the arena, advising: "Iruka-sensei and Menma-kun aren't doing anything, don't go!"
"Lion Combo!"
Sasuke's figure leaped like a black lightning bolt, his sharp leg techniques leaving several afterimages in the air. Before Naruto could react, he was kicked repeatedly towards the ground by a series of blows, raising a cloud of dust.
"Damn it! You actually hit me that hard!"
Naruto struggled to get up, spitting out the dirt in his mouth, his clear blue eyes burning with fighting spirit.
He clasped his hands together abruptly: "Wind Release: Violent Whirlwind!"
A violent gust of wind swept over, and Sasuke instinctively raised his arm to block. In that instant—
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Dozens of shuriken whistled towards him. Sasuke hastily swung his kunai to block, but his sleeve was still torn, and blood dripped down his arm.
Even more shocking to him was that one of the shuriken suddenly turned into Naruto right before his eyes with a "bang"!
"Bang!"
A heavy punch slammed into his cheek, sending Sasuke flying backward, rolling several times in the sand before stopping.
"Stop!"
Iruka finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiping cold sweat as he announced: "Uzumaki Naruto wins! Form the Reconciliation Seal!"
Naruto walked towards Sasuke, breathing heavily, and extended his hand: "Hey, are you okay?"
Sasuke propped himself up, his messy black hair clinging to his sweaty forehead. When he saw the surprised or sympathetic looks of his classmates, a wave of humiliation washed over him.
"Slap!"
He violently slapped away Naruto's hand and walked off without looking back, his figure disheveled yet stubborn.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto stood bewildered, looking to his older brother for help.
Menma-kun merely shrugged, a helpless smile on his lips: "Young people these days, their stress tolerance is really getting worse and worse."
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