Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 358 Join in the fun
Evening in the Star City.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a brilliant orange-red, casting a warm halo over this modern city.

On the streets, people hurry home after a day's work, eager to enjoy a cozy dinner.

Upon returning to the Star Capital, Menma first left a shadow clone at the administrative center to handle some government affairs that required his attention, while his main body strolled leisurely along the familiar streets towards home.

Although he could have gone straight home, walking back slowly made him feel especially warm and cozy.

The shops on both sides of the street were still lit up, there weren't many pedestrians, and the evening breeze carried the scent of the Youhe River.

As Menma walked, he mentally reviewed the reserves of Genin in the Land of Stars.

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi is going to hold the Chunin Exams, let's give it a boost and make it a super-large Chunin Exam.

Since the Hidden Cloud Village has gone, shouldn't my Land of Stars go and join in the fun and lend a hand?
However, the ninja education system in the Land of Stars is different from that of other ninja villages. The ninja academy in the Star Capital alone graduates more than 300 students every year to become genin. Most of them will directly join the Star Ninja Army after graduation, undergo at least three years of more professional military and skills training, and then be assigned to various units.

Some ninjas will enter various other industries such as the medical system, intelligence system, ninja teacher system, and scientific research system, becoming a cog in the national machine of the Land of Stars.

Furthermore, the Ninja Academy in the Land of Stars gradually changed from a six-year system to a nine-year system. This means that a child with ninja talent enters the Ninja Academy at the age of six, graduates at the age of fifteen as a novice, and after joining the Star Ninja Army for military training, becomes an experienced ninja around the age of eighteen.

Although the training time for a ninja is longer, the first nine years are dedicated not only to teaching basic chakra knowledge and basic training, but also to more important cultural and ideological lessons. The three years spent in the Star Ninja Army are for instilling combat skills and even more rigorous training.

Ninjas trained in this way are not only much stronger in combat than Chunin from other villages, but also more cultured and ideologically advanced.

Such a ninja would be qualified to be the captain of a squad in any other ninja village.

Of course, some students can graduate early from the Star Ninja Academy, but the assessment requirements are very difficult.

This year, only a handful of genius ninjas were able to graduate early from the Star Ninja Academy: Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, Karin Uzumaki, Kurotsuchi, and the even younger Ranmaru.

"Mian... Mian Ma Ge?"

A slightly hesitant voice came from the side.

Menma turned his head and saw Hydrangea walking towards him from the direction of the Ninja Academy.

Her short purple hair swayed gently in the night breeze. She was holding several lesson plans in her arms, and her face showed signs of fatigue from the day. But when she saw Mianma, her eyes lit up instantly.

“Hydrangea.” Menma stopped and waited for the girl to approach.

"Just got off work?"

"Hmm." Ziyanghua nodded, quickly walked to his side, and then kept a little distance, a little embarrassed: "The school had a meeting today to organize the teaching plan for next semester, so I'm a little late."

The two walked side by side toward home.

The streetlights stretched their shadows longer and shorter.

"Are you getting used to school life?" Menma asked casually.

The hydrangea's steps became lighter.

She turned her head to look at Mianma, a faint blush appearing on her face, which was quickly concealed by the dim light of the street lamp.

“I’m very, very used to it,” she said softly, her voice brimming with undisguised joy. “The teachers at school are all very kind and helpful to each other. Principal Nono has been especially kind to me, arranging a lot of teaching training for me…”

She began to talk about interesting things at school, and her speech gradually became more fluent.

Which class has particularly mischievous children who always like to fidget in class? Which child is exceptionally talented? And those children who are clearly not very talented but work extra hard, practicing after school every day...

Mianma listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

Night gradually enveloped the city, and a gentle breeze blew through the streets, carrying the aroma of restaurants in the distance.

He could sense the vitality in the hydrangea's words; it was the state of someone who had truly emerged from the shadows and found their direction in life.

Five years ago, when I first met this girl in Amegakure, she was an orphan who was grieving the loss of her companions.

Now, she is a teacher at Xingren Academy, passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation.

This change made Mianma feel gratified.

Menma smiled and said, "It sounds like you really enjoy this job."

“Yes!” Ziyanghua nodded vigorously, her eyes shining under the streetlights: “Being able to teach children and watch them improve little by little, this feeling… is wonderful.”

The two turned the corner, and the lights of their home were already on ahead.

It was a three-story building, not particularly eye-catching compared to the Uchiha clan's territory next door, but the warmth it exuded was exceptionally genuine.

"Oh, right!" Hydrangea suddenly remembered something: "I just remembered, Aunt Kushina said that Aunt Mikoto and my Airo will be coming over to eat oden today."

Sure enough, when the two reached the door, they could see shadowy figures moving inside through the window.

Menma pushed open the door, and there were already several pairs of shoes in the entryway: Gaara's three siblings' shoes, Mikoto's shoes, and Minato and Hikaru's shoes.

"You've come back just in time!"

Kushina poked her head out of the kitchen. Her long red hair was tied back with a ribbon, and her green apron was stained with a little sauce. She smiled brightly and said, "Go sit in the living room. Dinner will be served soon! Hydrangea, come and bring out that plate of pickled radishes for me."

"Coming!" Ziyanghua replied, quickly changed into indoor shoes, and jogged into the kitchen.

The way he was so eager to help clearly showed that he had come to regard this home as his home.

Mianma smiled and changed into slippers as well.

As he passed by the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of a bustling scene inside.

Kushina and Mikoto were busy at the stove, one looking at the oden broth in the big pot, and the other preparing dipping sauce and side dishes, working together seamlessly.

Hydrangeas, like happy little butterflies, flit among the plants, helping to set the table and serve dishes.

The air is filled with the warm aroma of rich and savory oden broth, a flavor that evokes a sense of home and brings comfort.

Mianma didn't disturb them and went straight to the living room.

The atmosphere in the living room was somewhat... subtle.

Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, the three siblings, sat on the sofa.

Gaara remained relatively calm, simply sitting quietly with his hands on his knees, but his eyes seemed vacant, as if he were lost in thought.

Temari and Kankuro, on the other hand, were clearly uneasy. They stood up straight, gripped their trousers tightly with both hands, and kept glancing furtively at the single sofa.

Over there, Uchiha Hikaru was sitting quietly on a single sofa.

Today she was wearing a simple dark blue loungewear set, her long black hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, and she looked elegant.

Holding a cup of hot tea, he didn't deliberately exude any aura, but just sitting there, the invisible aura of a Kage-level powerhouse and the innate aloofness of the Uchiha clan were enough to make the three teenagers feel immense pressure, not daring to even breathe.

The appearance of the sesame paste was like a warm current, instantly breaking the somewhat stagnant atmosphere in the living room.

"Menma-nii!" Gaara and his two siblings breathed a sigh of relief almost simultaneously and greeted him as if they had found their pillar of support.

Even Minato put down his newspaper, stood up from the sofa, and smiled at Mimas, saying, "You're back just in time. Come help me move the table; there are a lot of people tonight, and one table isn't enough."

"Okay." Menma replied and walked towards the storage room with Minato.

"Don't be so reserved," Menma said to Gaara and his siblings as she helped move the table. "Just make yourself at home."

These words made Temari and Kankuro relax a little.

Gaara stood up: "Menma-kun, let's help out too."

Temari and Kankuro also got up and went forward to move the chairs.

Soon, a spare long table was brought out and placed together with the dining table to form a large table that could seat eight or nine people. The chairs were also neatly arranged.

At this moment, the women in the kitchen came out carrying food. Kushina and Mikoto worked together to carry the large pot of oden, while Ayaka followed behind, carrying several dishes: pickled radish, cold spinach salad, and tamagoyaki.

After placing the dishes on the table, Ziyanghua went into the kitchen and brought out: Chrysanthemum salad with shredded tofu, tempura, teriyaki okra and pork rolls...

A steaming pot of oden was placed in the center of the table, and its rich aroma immediately filled the air.

The pot is simmering with various ingredients: white radish stewed until translucent and flavorful, tofu soaked in broth, fish balls, bamboo shoots, konjac noodles, eggs... each one looks tempting.

"Come, come, come! Dinner's ready! Everyone, please sit down!" Kushina greeted them warmly, like a busy but happy hostess.

Once the bowls and chopsticks were distributed, everyone took their seats.

Minato sat in the main seat, Menma sat to his left, and Hikaru sat next to Menma.

Kushina was also to Minato's right, sitting next to Mikoto, followed by Gaara, his two siblings, and Hydrangea.

"I'm starting!"

With a unified sound, dinner officially began.

The soft clinking of chopsticks and bowls, the exclamations of delight at the food, and the relaxed chatter blended together, creating a warm and cozy family atmosphere.

Kankuro took a bite of the radish and his eyes immediately lit up: "Delicious! Much better than the oden in the cafeteria!"

“Of course,” Kushina said proudly. “This is a broth that I simmered for three hours with kelp and bonito flakes, and I also added a secret recipe.”

Temari carefully blew on the fish ball to cool it down, then put it in her mouth, a look of enjoyment on her face.

Gaara ate quietly, but at a considerable pace.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed.

As they ate, they chatted about their daily lives, from school lessons to recent missions and exciting moments from the Ninja Sword Tournament.

Halfway through the meal, Menma put down his chopsticks and casually said to Minato beside him, "Father, I have an idea about this year's Chunin Exams in Konoha. Tomorrow, arrange for the diplomatic team to formally submit a note to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and see if we can also send teams from the Land of Stars and Iwagakure to participate."

His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the idle chatter at the dinner table.

Minato and Uchiha Hikaru stopped picking up food almost simultaneously and looked at Menma with some surprise.

“I doubt the Third Hokage would agree,” Minato pondered, his brows furrowing slightly, his tone tinged with doubt. “After all, relations between the two countries aren’t good right now.”

After the departure of the Hyuga branch family and the Uchiha clan, relations between Konoha and the Land of Stars plummeted to a freezing point.

After the Land of Stars became the overlord of the western part of the ninja world, it was separated from the Land of Fire only by the Land of Rivers. Over the years, conflicts between Konoha ninjas and Star ninjas after encountering each other in some small countries and regions have continued to intensify.

Mianma picked up a piece of tofu and rolled it in the dipping sauce: "Go directly to the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Fire and start from there. It's unlikely that Konoha will refuse."

Although the relationship between the Star Country and the ninja villages of several major powers is tense, their private business dealings have never ceased.

Although countries officially prohibit goods from the Star Kingdom from entering their markets, Star Kingdom luxury goods, high-tech products, and rare ingredients are extremely popular among the nobility in those countries.

Every year, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire secretly purchases a large number of goods from the Land of Stars, and the private exchanges between merchants from the two countries are frequent.

The lords and nobles of various countries turned a blind eye; as long as they could make money, they were willing to do anything.

The Star Kingdom's intelligence network also infiltrated various countries and even the Daimyo's territory through these commercial channels.

Minato, being an extremely intelligent man, immediately understood Menma's intentions.

This is a typical "top-down approach".

Leveraging the powerful economic influence of the Land of Stars and its ties to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, they exerted direct political pressure, bypassing the outright rejection from the Leaf Village leadership.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to consider the Daimyo's attitude when it came to issues involving relations between the two countries.

Moreover, Konoha's hosting of the Chunin Exams was itself intended to expand its influence. If major powers like the Land of Stars and Iwagakure participated, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance the "standard" and attention of the exams, which might not be entirely a bad thing for Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi would likely take advantage of the situation to observe the strength of the new generation in the Land of Stars. Thinking this, Minato nodded, no longer hesitating, and slowly nodded: "That makes sense. The nobles of the Daimyo's residence are indeed very concerned about face. If the Land of Stars formally makes a request under the guise of 'promoting exchanges among the younger generation,' the Daimyo, to demonstrate the magnanimity of the Land of Fire, might even pressure Konoha to agree simply because he's angry."

"Moreover," Hikaru added softly, "this is also a good opportunity to gather intelligence. With Konoha hosting such a large-scale Chunin Exam, all the ninja villages are gathered here, which is a good opportunity to observe the strength and movements of each village."

Minato finally nodded: "Okay, I'll arrange for people to do it tomorrow. I'll personally give instructions to the Foreign Minister."

Menma nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Gaara and his siblings beside Mikoto: "What about you? Are you interested in participating in the Chunin Exams?"

"Us?" Gaara and the other two were all taken aback.

Kankuro and Temari subconsciously looked at Gaara. Although Gaara was the younger brother, he was the strongest and a Jinchūriki, and had unknowingly become the core of the team.

Gaara repeated in a low voice, "The Chunin Exams..."

His gaze unconsciously drifted to Uchiha Mikoto beside him.

This aunt, who has cared for them like a mother for many years, has a biological son, Uchiha Sasuke, who lives in Konoha.

Gaara had heard her mention the child more than once.

If I can go to Konoha, I might be able to see him.

Aunt Mikoto must miss her son very much...

Gaara looked at Menma again.

The brother who rescued him from his "cage" gave him a new life, a new family, and a new path.

If this is what Menma wants him to do...

“I’m willing to participate.” Gaara raised his head, his emerald green eyes looking at Menma, and nodded calmly but firmly.

Kankuro and Temari exchanged a glance and immediately nodded: "We'll join too!"

Menma smiled slightly and looked at Hikaru: "Let Karin and the others participate as well, so they can get some experience."

Mitsumasa, who was eating a radish, looked up when he heard this: "Karain's team includes Kurotsuchi, who is from Iwagakure. If Iwagakure also sends a team, how will the quota be coordinated? And are we only sending two teams?"

Mianma pondered for a moment.

Aside from Gaara's team and Karin's team, he didn't want to expose the other genin from the Land of Stars too much.

Two teams are enough; they can showcase their strength without revealing too much of their hand.

Moreover, Gaara and Karin were both the strongest geniuses among genin around the age of twelve.

As for Iwagakure...

"Just have Onoki send out one squad," Menma finally decided. "Three squads, nine people in total, is a moderate size. It won't attract too much attention, and it'll be enough for us to observe."

Dinner continued during the ensuing casual conversation.

The broth in the oden was almost gone, and the side dishes were almost finished.

As the last piece of tofu was scooped out, Kushina announced, "There's dessert too! I made strawberry daifuku!"

Amid cheers, dinner came to a sweet end.

After the meal, everyone started clearing the table.

Gaara and Hydrangea volunteered to help clean the dishes, while Kankuro and Temari wiped the table.

Mikoto and Kushina put the dishes and chopsticks into the kitchen to prepare for washing.

Menma walked up to Mikoto and took out a photo from her pocket.

"Aunt Mikoto, this is for you."

Mikoto dried her hands and took the photo with some confusion.

Her body trembled violently when her gaze fell on the photo!
That was a graduation photo from the Konoha Ninja Academy.

The 63rd graduates stood in three neat rows, each with a smile on their face, except for the black-haired boy standing in the middle of the second row.

He had his hands in his pockets, a cool expression, and looked impatient, but his dark eyes remained bright.

Sasuke Uchiha.

Mikoto's fingers trembled slightly.

She stroked her son's face in the photo, tears welling up uncontrollably and blurring her vision.

Five years have passed since she was rescued by Kushina that night, and she has never seen her son again.

They could only occasionally learn from the messages and photos brought back by Menma that Sasuke was still alive and had grown up in Konoha.

“He…” Mikoto’s voice choked with emotion, “He’s grown up…”

The Sasuke in the photo was much taller than she remembered, and the childishness on his face had faded, replaced by the sharpness of a young man.

But those eyes, besides revealing her familiar figure, also held an unyielding hatred.

"Thank you... thank you..." Mikoto clutched the photo tightly, tears dripping onto the photographic paper.

Gaara, who was tidying up the tables and chairs, looked up and saw the photo in Mikoto's hand.

Although he had never seen Sasuke before, his eyes were immediately drawn to the cool-looking boy in the crowd.

For some reason, seeing Mikoto crying for her son, Gaara felt a complex pang of sorrow.

Subsequently, this bitterness gradually turned into jealousy.

As night deepened, the guests gradually bid farewell.

When Mikoto left with Gaara and his two siblings, she was still clutching that photograph tightly in her hand.

After helping wash the dishes, Ziyanghua went back to her room; she had to go to work at 8 a.m. the next day.

Only Minato, Kushina, Hikaru, and Menma remained in the living room.

"About Iwagakure," Minato began, "who do you plan to send to inform Onoki?"

"Inahime is serving as the head of the military advisory group in Iwagakure." Menma said calmly, "Just let him go; Onoki wouldn't dare refuse."

Guang snorted lightly: "That old stubborn man is probably itching to get rid of him."

“Hate is useless.” Menma rested his chin on his hand, his tone cold and arrogant: “The defeated have no right to choose.”

The next day, in the Land of Earth, in Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village).

The heavy rock buildings are partially hidden in the gray-yellow mountains, and the air is filled with the smell of dust.

Compared to the bright and modern Star City, this place appears rugged, oppressive, and dull.

On the top floor of the Tsuchikage Building, in the office of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, the atmosphere was so heavy it could be squeezed out of one's skin.

Uchiha Inahisa stood in front of the desk, her figure as straight as a pine tree.

He was wearing a Star Ninja uniform, with the Uchiha clan crest embroidered on his dark blue jacket, and an armband on his left arm representing the head of the advisory group.

His expression was indifferent, and his eyes held the arrogance unique to Uchiha clan ninjas.

"Third Tsuchikage," Inahisa's voice was steady, but each word struck like a stone: "The Land of Stars has decided to send two genin teams to participate in the Konoha Chunin Exams."

"As per Lord Shura's orders, Iwagakure also needs to send a small team to participate. Please determine the candidates as soon as possible and submit the list to me within three days."

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, floated in mid-air with his short body, his face gloomy, and his figure somewhat hunched.

He stood with his back to the rice fire, facing the window, gazing at the scenery of Iwagakure Village outside.

The crushing defeat five years ago not only caused the Land of Earth to lose a large amount of rich territory, but also nearly broke the backbone of Iwagakure.

Today, the capital, goods, and even ideas of the Star Kingdom are constantly infiltrating the Earth Kingdom through various channels.

The "Will of the Stars," which opposed the daimyo and nobles, opposed the old system, and advocated change, spread like wildfire among the common people and some young ninjas. The daimyo of the Land of Earth sent samurai and ninjas to suppress it, but this backfired, and more and more people resisted, and the cracks in the old system became deeper and deeper.

As the Third Tsuchikage, he is now more like a puppet controlled by the Land of Stars, struggling to maintain the superficial independence of Iwagakure.

"I understand," Onoki finally said, his voice hoarse. "I will give you the list within three days."

Dao Huo nodded without any formalities and turned to leave.

The office door closed behind him with a slight sound.

The sound was particularly jarring in the quiet office.

The faces of the Iwagakure Jonin, including Huangtu, Chitu, and Wenya, were all grim, their eyes filled with suppressed anger and humiliation.

"Father!" Huang Tu said in a deep voice, his fists clenched tightly. "The intelligence from the Anbu intelligence team indicates that Takigakure, Kusagakure, Amegakure, Otogakure, and even Kumogakure have all received invitations to the Chunin Exams in Konoha. But why would the Land of Stars suddenly want to participate? What are they planning to do?"

Akatsuki added in a low voice, "And they only let us send one small team... This is clearly limiting our participation."

Wenya was even more direct: "Lord Tsuchikage, could this be some kind of test from the Land of Stars? Or... a trap?"

Onoki slowly turned around.

The morning light streamed in through the window, illuminating the deep wrinkles on his face.

This Kage-level powerhouse, who was once on par with the Third Hokage and the Third Raikage, now looks twenty years older.

His gaze swept over the Jonin present, and each of them avoided his eyes.

It wasn't a lack of respect, but rather an inability to bear seeing the profound weariness in Tsuchikage's eyes.

"Yellow Earth, call Deidara here." After a long silence, Onoki finally spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and tired.

"Everyone else, step back."

"Father!" Huang Tu wanted to say something more.

"Step back," Onoki repeated, his tone becoming more forceful.

Huang Tu opened his mouth, but ultimately lowered his head: "Yes."

He left the office with Chitu, Wenya, and others.

The heavy door closed again, leaving only Onoki in the room.

He slowly descended from the sky and sat on the large earthen shadow chair.

A moment later, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, completely different from his usual demeanor!
"Empty," he whispered.

A man emerged silently from the shadows.

He was wearing the ordinary ninja uniform of Iwagakure, with the red coat of the Tsuchikage's bodyguard over it. He had medium-length brown hair, and his bangs covered his right eye, leaving only his brown left eye exposed.

His face was ordinary, with the rugged features common to Iwagakure ninjas. He wasn't particularly tall, but his posture exuded a rock-solid steadiness and...deathly stillness.

Sora Ohnoki, Ohnoki's last trump card!

Sora walked up to Onoki, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head deeply: "Master, please give your orders."

(End of this chapter)