The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

After all, Mizuki was just a Chunin, and a ninja who had been away from the front lines for many years. In terms of strength, he could only bully those real Genin; he wasn't particularly strong.

Defeating an enemy like that offers absolutely no sense of accomplishment.

Naruto in the original work could do it easily.

In this timeline, I'm much stronger than that Naruto. If I still can't handle things with ease, I might as well buy a block of tofu and smash my head against it!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 27 Mixed Emotions

However, on the surface...

Mianma deliberately revealed a complex expression that contained a trace of anger and confusion.

He's still under the Third Hokage's surveillance.

Having just learned her 'true identity' and then defeated Mizuki out of anger, she absolutely had to control her facial expressions perfectly.

We mustn't let Hiruzen Sarutobi notice anything amiss.

In addition, Mizuki cannot die.

The rest of the show will still need this main supporting actor!

"A fox spirit? I really am..."

Menma deliberately pursed his lips, a bitter smile on his face, and gently shook his head. After muttering these words in a low voice, he also sighed softly.

This really takes all aspects into account.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was monitoring from a distance, naturally didn't notice anything unusual. The Third Hokage would never have imagined that a child under 12 years old would have such realistic acting skills and such deep cunning.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was actually worried about Menma's mentality.

However, it seems that Menma's mentality is still very stable, although he seems a little confused, which is why Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't seem to be in a hurry.

And it was just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was considering whether he needed to do something.

"Whoosh!"

A tall, straight figure then came into Hiruzen Sarutobi's view.

Under the moonlight.

Upon seeing Iruka's familiar face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's slightly tense nerves relaxed a little.

With the arrival of this specially chosen "guardian" for Menma, and considering that Menma's emotions are currently relatively stable, everything should still be under control.

Hiruzen Sarutobi can be seen.

Menma was able to sense the arrival of his teacher, Iruka, in advance.

Menma was already considering whether to take Mizuki back and 'turn himself in', but now he can just wait for Iruka to arrive, it's perfect!

Of course, when it comes to superficial appearances, Mianma hasn't forgotten a single detail, nor has he skimped on any of them.

A back turn!

A defensive posture, held upright.

"Mianma, don't be nervous, it's me!"

As Iruka noticed his wary posture, he quickly spoke up to identify himself.

Menma also naturally showed a relaxed expression.

Immediately afterwards.

He looked at Iruka, who had come closer, with a perfect blend of guilt, unease, and a hint of estrangement or even suspicion.

That complicated expression, and those steps that were clearly taken instinctively and subconsciously, perfectly illustrated what it means to be a teenager with a wavering mindset!

Iruka was unaware of what had happened before.

But Iruka saw Menma's expression and actions.

Then, along with the fallen Mizuki and the enormous Book of Seals.

Iruka felt as if he had guessed something.

"Don't worry, Mianma, your teacher believes in you. There must be some unexpected situation, right? Tell your teacher everything, okay? If there really is a problem, your teacher will definitely help you deal with it, including with Teacher Shuimu. Tell your teacher everything, okay?"

It's clear that Mianma's mindset isn't very stable right now.

Iruka stopped where he was, no longer provoking Menma, and tried to calm Menma's 'turbulent' emotions in the gentlest tone.

"All of them?"

Menma chuckled, seemingly at his own mockery, but still looked at Iruka with a strange expression.

"Can I really trust you, Iruka-sensei?"

Those sounds were clearly very superficial, lacking any strength or credibility.

Iruka's heart tightened instantly.

"That's for sure, Menma, I am..."

"Even if I were the fox demon who killed your parents 12 years ago, would you still believe me? Instead of seeing me as the greatest calamity in the village, like Mizuki and the ordinary people do?"

Before Iruka could finish speaking...

Menma's eyes suddenly lifted, and the words he spoke seemed hurried, accompanied by a hint of wavering and doubt on his face.

Unlike his previous encounters with Mizuki, where it was almost entirely a performance of acting, this time, facing Iruka...

Menma's words and expressions, including his mindset, may not all be acting, because after six years of getting along, and with all the little things shown in the original work, it is enough to prove that Iruka really cares about him!

In this village, Mianma doesn't care.

Her previous thoughts and plans could not be shaken in any way. Originally, she only had that one foolish younger brother, whom she needed to care about. But now, she also had to take Iruka into account. Menma was not sure what she was thinking. Did she hope that Iruka was a completely fake and hypocritical person, or did she really hope that Iruka was a close person who treated her like a younger brother?

Even Mianma himself doesn't understand it!

This directly reflects the emotions!

Iruka was instantly stunned.

"Mianma, you..."

Although Iruka is not an exceptionally intelligent person, the fact that he is trusted by Hiruzen Sarutobi and acts as a 'guardian' to educate and guide Menma speaks volumes about his excellence in many aspects.

With just that one sentence, Iruka could vaguely guess that what was happening here was very likely completely different from what he had imagined before.

Mizuki!

It is highly likely that he played an extremely disgraceful role in Menma's theft of the Book of Seals!

This is certainly very important.

But for now...

My mental state is the top priority!

This is Iruka's judgment!

"No, Menma, you are not a demon fox. In my heart, you are a boy named Uzumaki Menma. I don't know where you learned this information, but Menma, what I want to tell you is that you are you, and the demon fox is the demon fox. The two of you have never been one. In fact, you are the hero of the village. The other people in the village don't understand you now, and they even reject you, but I believe that you can definitely gain their recognition and understanding through your own efforts. Menma, believe in me, believe in yourself, and believe in the Hokage. Come back, and all problems can be solved!"

Iruka extended his right hand, looking intently at Menma in the distance, and spoke in a soft yet firm tone.

Thoughts that come from the bottom of one's heart.

At this moment, Iruka had no intention of deceiving Menma.

He genuinely treated Mianma as a teenager.

Just as he himself said, the fox spirit is the fox spirit, and Menma is Menma!

Furthermore, Menma, who sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox as a vessel in his infancy, should not be hated or isolated by the people of Konoha, but should be treated as a hero!

These are all things I've learned from spending six years with Mianma.

Iruka's most genuine thought and opinion!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 28 Return

That resolute gaze and gentle tone.

Ordinary people would think this is a trustworthy person, not to mention that Menma also possesses the most orthodox Uzumaki bloodline, with immense sensory power, coupled with the Nine-Tails' exclusive ability to sense malice, making him far more special than his mother Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Karin's Kagura Mind's Eye. Karin can even sense the coldness and warmth of chakra.

At this moment, Menma could easily sense Iruka's incredibly sincere heart.

He wasn't deceiving himself!

In that instant.

Menma wasn't sure if she was simply happy or if she felt something else entirely.

But at least I felt a sense of relief.

This might sound a bit pretentious, or even a little affected, but ultimately, Menma couldn't completely ignore other people's goodwill. In his past life, he really was just an ordinary person.

Mianma will not repay evil with kindness, but he is even less likely to repay kindness with evil.

Repay kindness with kindness, and repay injustice with justice!

This is the life motto that Menma has always adhered to.

Even for Iruka, this might not even qualify as 'virtue'.

Looking at the expressionless face that remained silent for a long time.

This gradually amplified Iruka's inner unease, and just when Iruka thought he was about to mess things up...

"Yes, I believe you, Iruka-sensei. If even you are not trustworthy, then perhaps there is really no one worth trusting!"

After taking a deep breath, Menma looked at Iruka with the same serious expression and said this.

Upon hearing Menma's words...