Sasuke's words made it clear: he saw Menma as a fellow Uchiha survivor. He believed Menma wanted Itachi dead to avenge the clan, and he suspected Menma's Mangekyō Sharingan had awakened while watching Itachi slaughter his friends and family.
After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch in the shinobi world. Everyone has a motive. Menma, possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan, certainly wasn't after Sasuke's eyes. The only logical explanation was revenge. And what better revenge than using the murderer's own younger brother to strike him down?
Just as Sasuke's thoughts spiraled in that direction, Kushina couldn't resist leaning closer.
"Hehehe, little Sasuke! I didn't expect you and our Naruto to be so close!" She nudged his side with her elbow, a mischievous grin on her face. "Don't deny it—we heard those heart-wrenching screams of 'Naruto!'"
She now understood why Menma had trained Sasuke. He was Naruto's best buddy!
Minato, however, sighed deeply. After a long moment, he stepped forward and patted Sasuke on the shoulder.
"Sasuke, the kind of 'camaraderie' running rampant in that tavern in the Land of Lightning is wrong. You can't be with Naruto..."
Minato had never seen anything like the bromance in the tavern where the giant bird spun around. It had a terrifying impact on him. Plus, Sasuke had spent a whole week 'happily' there! That was why his first thought was of swordplay fueled by bromance rather than the bond between comrades.
Of course, there was also the fact that Sasuke had cried out "Naruto!" with such sorrow and desperation.
"Sigh, never mind. If Naruto is willing, I, as his father, fully support you."
Sasuke: "???"
Sasuke's face darkened. His fist clenched and unclenched before he finally lowered it, resisting the urge to punch Minato in the face.
"Naruto and I have no relation. We're not friends. I was just confused by a genjutsu!"
"We understand. Both of us do. Kushina and I aren't old-fashioned," Minato nodded with a complicated expression.
"Life is short. Just be happy." Kushina, unusually, didn't disagree.
They had both died young, and they understood how precious it was to live happily.
"You!!!"
Sasuke felt like he was choking on blood. He glared hatefully at Menma. If Menma hadn't thrown him into the Giant Bird Tavern, keeping him awake for seven days while clutching his backside, Minato and Kushina never would have misunderstood his sexual orientation.
"Oh?" Seeing Sasuke glare at him, Menma's mask curled into a cold smile. "Still so energetic. Looks like you've had enough rest."
As he spoke, Menma used his chakra tail to push aside Kushina and Minato, who were surrounding him. At the same time, dark ocular power surged from his eyes. In a moment, a completely black, half-skeletal giant materialized.
"Itachi will arrive in three days. Therefore, you don't have much time left to master the Mangekyō Sharingan. Now, use your body to memorize and quickly master this ultimate power known as Susanoo."
Menma knew that once Sasuke gained power, he'd become arrogant and prone to taking hits. He planned to skip Sasuke's initial elation and directly lead him into a defensive posture.
As for Itachi three days later, Menma wasn't worried. Sasuke had already awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan. Itachi would definitely feign defeat, offering his eyes to Sasuke to achieve the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Of course, it was more likely that Itachi wouldn't feign defeat but would instead go all out and be killed by Sasuke. Because this wasn't an equal duel to begin with, and Menma was watching from the sidelines, ready to intervene at any time.
Even if this shadow clone only had a small amount of chakra, it was still enough to tip the scales of victory.
...
Time is like boarding a magical train through the starry sky. One second it's daytime, the next it's night, leaving behind only unfinished business.
Three days later.
Outside Four-Star Village.
"So this is Four-Star Village. It's as wealthy and prosperous as the rumors say, Itachi." Kisame lifted the brim of his straw hat, gazing at the towering buildings in the distance. "If Hidden Mist were compared to Mist Village, it would be like a bungalow, while Four-Star Village is a mansion."
"Let's go. The appointed time is approaching." Heavy with thoughts, Itachi had no intention of speaking to Kisame. Instead, he walked straight toward the gate. Kisame, ignoring him, quickly followed.
"Four-Star Village doesn't accept outsiders. Leave immediately!"
The two had barely approached when they were reprimanded by the gatekeeper ninjas.
Seeing this, Kisame lifted his straw hat, revealing his shark-like face, and smiled at the gatekeepers. "Gatekeeper, we are friends of Menma. Please inform him."
"Menma?" The two gatekeepers exchanged a glance, then waved them away impatiently. "We don't know any Menma. Without Lord Four-Star's permission or a pass, no one is allowed to approach! Get lost!"
Hearing the two lowly gatekeepers tell him to get lost, Kisame's smile turned dangerous, revealing his sharp teeth.
"What are you doing?"
Seeing Kisame's expression as if he was about to attack, the two gatekeeper ninjas suddenly glowed with Tailed Beast chakra.
The sudden appearance of Tailed Beast chakra startled Itachi and Kisame. They quickly retreated, standing a little further away.
"Hey, hey, hey, this is really outrageous! Both gatekeepers have been granted Tailed Beast chakra? That guy, Menma, what is he..."
Before Kisame could finish his thought, Yamanaka Fu, sensing the situation at the gate, suddenly appeared. After waving away the two gatekeeper ninjas, he looked at Itachi and Kisame. His calm and cold voice rang out.
"Come with me."
---
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