Over the past six years at the Academy, these two had gotten close to Menma on several occasions.
You couldn't exactly call them close friends.
But they were familiar enough. At the very least, Menma didn't give them the cold shoulder. The future was uncertain, of course.
But that didn't stop them from having normal interactions now, did it?
"It's not that exaggerated. Hard work is one thing, but sometimes you need a little luck too," Menma replied softly.
"Luck, huh? Heh heh, that's a pretty modest way of putting it, Menma!"
Kiba grinned, glancing pointedly at Sasuke, who was sitting diagonally in front of them with his usual look of icy indifference.
Menma couldn't help but chuckle.
Kiba definitely had a bit of a mischievous streak.
"But hey, Menma, for a ninja, the Academy is just the starting line. The real show starts after graduation. Akamaru and I aren't going to lose to you!"
Kiba declared with a face full of confidence.
Woof! Woof!
The little white dog perched on Kiba's head, Akamaru, barked in agreement.
The "Konoha 12" in the original series all had distinct personalities.
Among them, Kiba Inuzuka was clearly the competitive type. This was evident during the Chūnin Exams arc.
His later actions further proved that this boy hated losing!
His initiative to talk to Menma in the past stemmed from his acknowledgment of Menma's strength, but that same acknowledgment made Kiba want to surpass him even more!
If young people weren't competitive and full of fire, could you even call them young?
At least in Kiba's eyes, this was how it should be!
"Okay, I'll be waiting, Kiba."
Menma didn't dislike Kiba's personality at all. It was always easier to deal with straightforward people.
"I don't see that happening. When it comes to hard work, Kiba, you can't compare to Menma! Over the last six years, you've slept in class and skipped school almost as much as I have. Impossible. It's absolutely impossible!"
Before Menma could say anything, Chōji, still munching on his chips, calmly delivered a critical hit.
Fast, accurate, and ruthless.
Kiba's face turned a delightful shade of red and green.
The next second!
"Wah! Chōji, you traitor! Akamaru, get him! Let's show this guy what we're made of!"
Woof! Woof!
With a loud shout, the two boys and the dog started wrestling playfully.
"Hey... stop... tell Akamaru to stop, Kiba... Ahhh~~~~"
Watching them play...
A faint smile appeared in Menma's eyes.
In the past, there had been times when Menma wondered if it would have been better to follow the original protagonist's path.
At least there wouldn't be so much resistance and trouble, and he could gain a lot of support.
Plus, in this life, he wasn't alone.
With the existence of his brother, "Naruto Namikaze," Menma could have walked a smoother path!
But that thought never lasted more than a few seconds before Menma threw it out of his mind!
Why?
Because he couldn't swallow the resentment in his heart!
You could argue that Menma could just wait until he seized control of the Hidden Leaf and then do whatever he wanted!
But firstly, how many years would that take?
And secondly, while Menma wouldn't bother with the foolish civilians, the entity known as the "Hidden Leaf Village"...
Menma didn't want it to continue existing!
That's right!
The truest ambition hidden deep within Menma's heart was to destroy the so-called "Number One Ninja Village"!
He could exercise some restraint, adhering to a final shred of rationality for his father's sake, and avoid mass slaughter or insane revenge.
But this village!
The words "Hidden Leaf"!
To Menma, they represented ultimate mockery and irritation!
And those so-called higher-ups of the Leaf were one of Menma's deepest obsessions. Only by dealing with them could he truly find peace of mind!
This village is completely rotten. Tearing it down and starting over is the correct path, Menma thought silently.
Beside him, Shikamaru seemed to sense the shift in Menma's mood but didn't ask anything. Everyone had their secrets. Besides, with Shikamaru's personality, he wouldn't bother with other people's business unless absolutely necessary.
The graduation ceremony arrived on time.
This was a day of celebration for the graduates.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, took time out of his schedule to visit the Academy. Standing on the grand training ground, facing all the gathered graduates, he delivered a speech that was enough to make 99% of them boil with excitement.
Under Hiruzen's encouragement...
They all seemed to see a future where they became heroes of the village!
The eager and excited looks in their eyes were proof enough.
Hiruzen had maxed out his "Talk no Jutsu" skill!
Menma couldn't help but sigh. As expected of the Hokage who once saved the Leaf from disaster. Even if he was old and senile now, one couldn't ignore his past achievements.
At least during the time when the Sannin were rising, when Sakumo Hatake was still alive, and when Hiruzen himself was in his prime, the Leaf had experienced a renaissance. But afterward, the Third Hokage rapidly decayed, becoming foolish, narrow-minded, and laughably weak.
It reminded Menma of a phrase used to describe certain ancient emperors in his past life.
Everything was good, except he died too late.
That seemed fitting for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The lively graduation ceremony ended.
The last item on the agenda was the most important part of the graduation ritual: Team Assignments!
Back in their respective classrooms, the students looked at their homeroom teachers with shining eyes!
Even an idiot knew that getting placed in a strong team was a huge advantage.
And then there was the team leader.
Most of the kids were clueless, but a few knew that every year, a few Jōnin were assigned to lead teams!
Jōnin and Chūnin!
The difference was like heaven and earth!
Who wouldn't want their sensei to be a Jōnin?!
As soon as Iruka entered the classroom, he felt the intense gaze of almost every student. He saw right through their thoughts.
A gentle smile appeared on Iruka's face.
"First of all, congratulations on your successful graduation. Starting today, you are official ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. I hope you will always remember your duty as ninja. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you become excellent shinobi in the future!"
Iruka leaned on the podium, his gaze sweeping slowly across the students as he spoke in his warmest tone.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei!"
The dozens of boys and girls responded in unison.