Avengers of the Whirlpool Family.

Chapter 106 So-called Guilt and Ridiculous Hope
"I'll have some barbecued pork noodles too."

Menma said softly.

Ichiraku Ramen.

As the most famous delicacy in the original work, Menma had naturally eaten it after coming to this world. Of course, this was also due to the fact that he knew that the owner of Ichiraku Ramen would not hate and reject Menma like ordinary people. He treated Menma as an ordinary child just like he treated other customers.

Menma naturally wants to come to this store.

This was also the only place where Menma could dine out in the 12 years before graduation. Of course, he had to go in when there were no other guests, and he ate very quickly every time. Once he sensed that other people had arrived, Menma would leave early, regardless of whether they were grateful or not.

People just treat themselves normally.

But in a ninja village like this, the boss's behavior is already very rare and very friendly.

Menma certainly wasn't going to be so touched.

But at least deep down, I definitely don't want to affect other people's business because of myself.

The owner of Ichiraku Ramen naturally knew Menma. He actually felt a little bit of pity for Menma's experience and situation. He also felt that some other people were going a little too far. After all, Menma was just a child, but he could understand those neighbors. You know, in the chaos 12 years ago, countless people lost their relatives and friends. Such hatred is difficult to curb.

Not to mention that the boss is just an ordinary person.

It is impossible for me to have any say or ability in this regard. At most, I can only secretly add more food to Mian Ma when he comes to eat.

This can be considered as a kind of concern on his part.

"Well, two more servings of char siu, Master Jiraiya, please wait a moment."

After the boss bowed again, he immediately turned around to prepare three servings of ramen.

Not long after.

Three servings of steaming ramen that were clearly much larger than the usual amount were placed in front of the three people.

"I'm gonna start now!"

Naruto, who was sitting in the middle seat, immediately had his eyes lit up. After saying this impatiently, he began to eat voraciously.

It seems that for Naruto, all the delicacies in the world cannot compare to a bowl of fragrant Ichiraku Ramen.

In just a few minutes.

This bowl of ramen, which most ordinary people might not be able to finish, all went into Naruto's stomach.

And Menma next to him was no less miserable.

He had a big appetite to begin with, and he had been practicing all day today, so he finished a bowl of ramen in the blink of an eye.

Jiraiya, who was standing by, was watching Naruto and Menma's almost synchronized eating movements, and a hint of reminiscence unconsciously emerged in the depths of his pupils.

Same red hair, same blonde hair.

That face is somewhat similar to Minato's, and has a similar appearance to Kushina.

at that moment.

Jiraiya felt as if he had returned to more than ten years ago, when he was having a meal with one of his disciples at his home.

'Has it been 12 years already?'

Jiraiya couldn't help but think silently in his heart.

It seems as if all this happened just yesterday.

Twelve years ago, when he received the news that his apprentice and his wife had died in battle, Jiraiya simply couldn't believe his ears. In his opinion, his gifted apprentice would have led Konoha for at least another twenty or thirty years, right? How could he die so easily?

He didn't believe it, or he didn't want to believe it.

But when he returned to Konoha, he saw the bodies of Minato and Kushina, who had become completely cold and stiff, and the newly born Naruto and Menma, who were still in their cradles. At that moment, Jiraiya was undoubtedly filled with sadness in his heart, and looking at the young Menma and Naruto, Jiraiya was even more full of pity.

It would be a lie to say that Jiraiya had never thought of returning to the Hidden Leaf Village to personally take care of Naruto and the Menma brothers.

But in the end, he chose to leave Konoha again for some reason, maybe because of the ridiculous prophecy of the 'Child of Prophecy' on Myoboku Mountain, or maybe because of a series of words said by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But no matter what, Jiraiya ultimately evaded his responsibility.

That's right, it's responsibility.

An identity different from others.

Jiraiya is actually Minato's mentor.

Even in the world of Naruto, this kind of master-disciple relationship is almost like that between father and son.

Just like how Naruto calls Jiraiya in this life, Jiraiya is Menma and Naruto's 'grandfather' in the real sense!
But what about this? Has Jiraiya fulfilled his duties and responsibilities as a grandfather in the past 12 years?
Oh, I mean in terms of facial numbness.

After all, Naruto has the halo of "the son of the Fourth Hokage".

Jiraiya had occasionally returned to Konoha in the past 12 years, but he only went to see Naruto and never visited Menma, not even once.

That's why Jiraiya felt full of guilt towards Menma.

But as some fans have said in the previous life, if Jiraiya knew about Naruto's childhood experiences but did not take care of him, then Jiraiya is bad. If he has no idea about Naruto's childhood experiences, then he is stupid, and hopelessly stupid.

No matter what the possibility is.

Jiraiya cannot shirk his responsibility.

Menma naturally had no idea what Jiraiya was thinking at the moment. Even if he knew, he would only sneer.

Guilt?

This kind of emotion is always the most luxurious and useless.

To paraphrase a line from Menma's previous life.

'If apologies work, what's the point of having police?'

Menma is no longer the same person he was when he first came into this world.

That ridiculous filter of the previous life had long been discarded by Menma.

Now, he has only one criterion for judging anyone in this world: someone who is willing to walk side by side with him, or an enemy who is blocking his way.

Therefore, Menma views Jiraiya just like he views Kakashi and others, as a stranger. What attitude he will have in the future depends on what choices they make.

Of course, this is basically foreseeable.

"Menma, the direction you just came from is the mountains on the west side of the village, right? What are you going there and doing?"

After eating and drinking enough.

Step out of the store.

Naruto burped and patted his belly with satisfaction, then tilted his head and looked at Menma and asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Ah, I'm training there. Isn't there still some time before the third round of the competition? I want to make myself as strong as possible."

Menma replied with a smile.

"Oh! Training, indeed, that guy Sasuke was also taken away by Brother Kakashi to do some training. I also plan to let Grandpa Jiraiya guide me in training. Hey, Menma, how about you come with us, okay? Grandpa Jiraiya!?"

(End of this chapter)