Menma could feel the malice thick in the air, like an oppressive fog surrounding him. It wasn't just paranoia—it was something tangible, almost suffocating. The way the villagers and even some shinobi looked at him confirmed it.
Their thoughts, though unspoken, were loud.
Demon Fox.
That word echoed repeatedly in their hearts, a silent accusation he could hear through the strange perception ability he had recently developed. If he focused, he could even sense the deeper emotions behind their glares—fear, anger, resentment.
Menma frowned.
Do these people… know that Naruto is the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki?
According to Kakashi, the Third Hokage had deliberately concealed Naruto's true identity. Not only had he hidden his status as the Fourth Hokage's son, but he had also kept his role as the vessel for the Nine Tails a secret. And yet… here they were, glaring at Naruto with undisguised contempt.
Something was wrong.
Before he could dwell on it further, Naruto's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hey, we're here!"
Menma looked up to see a small, unassuming ramen shop. The worn wooden sign read Ichiraku Ramen in faded calligraphy.
"This place?" Menma raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah! This is Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto declared proudly before pushing aside the noren curtain and stepping inside.
The moment Menma followed him in, he felt the pressure around him lift.
The thick malice that clung to his skin outside evaporated almost instantly. It was strange—like stepping into a bubble where hatred couldn't reach.
He glanced around and quickly realized why.
The owner, Teuchi, stood behind the counter, his perpetual squinting smile welcoming. His daughter, Ayame, was just as warm. Their gazes held no malice, only genuine kindness.
Menma exhaled.
"You come here often?" he asked, taking in the cozy atmosphere.
"Of course!" Naruto grinned. He waved at Teuchi and called out, "Uncle Teuchi! One super pork bone ramen, extra meat—lots of meat!"
"Oh, Naruto! Back from a mission?" Teuchi asked as he wiped his hands with a towel.
"Yep! And today, I can order as much as I want—because he's paying!" Naruto declared, pointing a thumb at Menma.
Menma twitched. "... It's just a few bowls of ramen."
Naruto beamed, completely satisfied. It was such a simple thing, but Menma could tell—this meant the world to him.
Soon, the ramen was served.
Menma's bowl was a simple portion, garnished with bamboo shoots. Naruto's bowl, on the other hand, was stacked high with meat, nearly overflowing.
"Hey? You like bamboo shoots?" Naruto made a face at Menma's bowl. "I hate those things!"
Menma smirked. "And I assume you like Naruto rolls more?"
Naruto grinned. "Of course!"
Menma chuckled. Even their taste preferences differed—just another reminder that, despite being counterparts, they were still vastly different.
The two ate in relative silence, save for Naruto slurping down multiple bowls like a bottomless pit.
"Haaaah—so full!" Naruto patted his stomach, looking incredibly content. "This is the most I've ever eaten here."
Menma shook his head. "It was only a few bowls… but I guess, for you, that's a lot."
He wasn't blind to Naruto's situation. A thousand taels for ramen might seem insignificant to others, but for Naruto, it was probably his whole month's living expenses.
This guy…
As they left Ichiraku, a young voice called out.
"Naruto-nii-san!"
Menma turned his head to see a small boy running toward them. His scarf flapped in the wind, and his goggles rested on his forehead.
"Oh, it's Konohamaru!" Naruto grinned.
Konohamaru…?
Menma frowned. That name didn't exist in his world.
In his timeline, Sarutobi Hiruzen's entire family had been wiped out over twenty years ago. His father, his clan—completely erased. But here, the Third Hokage's grandson was alive and well, standing right before him.
"By the way, Naruto!" Konohamaru dug into his pocket and pulled out a scarf. "I found something weird at home today!"
Naruto took it and examined it. "It's just a scarf… what's so weird about it?"
"No, look!" Konohamaru pointed. "There's something embroidered here!"
Naruto squinted. "It says… 'Naru…' Wait."
His hands trembled slightly.
His name.
It was embroidered onto the fabric in delicate stitching.
"That's why it's weird!" Konohamaru nodded eagerly. "I found it in Grandpa's stuff! Your name was already on it! Isn't that strange?"
Menma's eyes sharpened.
This scarf… was found in the Third Hokage's belongings?
Naruto, who had been grinning just moments ago, had completely frozen. His expression turned rigid, his fingers tightening around the scarf.
Inside his mind, deep within the sealed space—
Laughter erupted.
A deep, guttural chuckle that shook the entire chamber.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Nine Tails cackled behind its prison bars.
"Naruto… do you want to know why your name is on that scarf?"
Naruto's breath hitched.
He was suddenly standing in that dark sewer-like domain, staring at the massive fox trapped behind the iron gate.
"You… you're the Nine Tails?"
Nine Tails sneered. "Heh. Took you long enough to realize. But forget that—let's talk about the scarf."
Naruto swallowed hard. "... What do you mean?"
"You really don't get it?" Nine Tails grinned, baring its fangs. "That scarf was made by your mother."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"What—"
"When she was pregnant with you, your mother sat down and knit that scarf with her own hands." Nine Tails' voice dripped with satisfaction. "Every stitch was made with love. And she embroidered your name on it."
Naruto's heartbeat pounded in his ears.
"But now," Nine Tails continued, its voice cruel, "it was found among Sarutobi Hiruzen's belongings."
Silence.
Then—
Naruto's hands clenched so tightly around the scarf that his knuckles turned white.
His breath grew heavy.
His once bright blue eyes flickered to red.
Boom.
A violent chakra surge erupted from his body. The air around him became thick with malice, sending chills down Konohamaru's spine.
The markings on Naruto's cheeks darkened. His pupils became slits.
"W-What's wrong, Naruto-nii?" Konohamaru stammered, stepping back.
But Naruto wasn't listening.
His entire body trembled.
His parents' inheritance… was stolen.
"Tell me."
Naruto's voice was eerily low, laced with rage.
He grabbed Konohamaru by the collar and lifted him effortlessly.
"Why was this scarf in your house?!"
Konohamaru's eyes widened in terror.
"I-I don't know…!"
"Let him go."
A hand clamped onto Naruto's shoulder.
Menma.
A pulse of chakra flowed from Menma's hand, reaching deep into Naruto's body.
Inside the sealed space—
Nine Tails' grin faltered.
Golden chains materialized out of nowhere, wrapping tightly around its limbs.
"You again?!" Nine Tails roared.
Menma ignored it.
"Calm down, Naruto," he said quietly.
Naruto's breathing hitched. His grip on Konohamaru loosened.
He looked down at the trembling boy… at the scarf in his hand.
His mother's scarf.
Stolen by the man who claimed to protect him.
Naruto's eyes burned with emotion.
He was going to find out the truth.
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