The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

It's not just Iruka.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had initially thought he wouldn't be able to move out immediately, breathed a sigh of relief at this moment.

The Third Hokage also genuinely admired and recognized Iruka more and more.

He also felt in his heart that handing Menma over to Iruka was the right thing to do. He believed that as long as he and Iruka were the fulcrum, and Menma gained more recognition and affection from others, Menma would definitely become the hero of Konoha Village that he wanted to see!

This has always been Hiruzen Sarutobi's wish!

Iruka smiled and nodded slightly. After clearly seeing Menma relax, he walked lightly to Menma's side.

"Now tell the teacher what happened, Menma!"

"Yes, Teacher Iruka!"

Mianma nodded, and after sorting out his thoughts, he recounted the whole story in simple and unadorned language.

He even revealed that he had opened and read the Book of Seals.

Anyway, all of this is under Hiruzen Sarutobi's surveillance, so it's perfectly fine!

Iruka's expression kept changing as he listened; he truly hadn't expected that Mizuki would be the one to stir things up.

From the most logical point of view, without considering any unexpected factors, most people would not believe that Mianma could say such a thing.

But at this moment, Iruka was willing to believe Menma's words, both rationally and emotionally.

This is not only based on the promises mentioned earlier.

It is also Iruka's subjective judgment based on his many years of interaction with Menma.

He didn't think, and he didn't believe, that Mianma could be such a bad kid!

"Yes, I believe what you say, Menma. However, this matter has indeed escalated a bit. Let's take Mizuki and go back to report to the Third Hokage. Don't worry, I believe the Third Hokage will also believe you!"

Iruka took a deep breath and said this.

As if to enhance the credibility of his words and soothe Menma's emotions, he patted Menma's shoulder slightly with force.

"Yes, I also believe in my third-generation grandfather!"

Mianma raised his head and said with a serious expression.

Then.

Iruka and Menma, one carrying Mizuki and the other carrying the Book of Seals, left the forest far from the village's core area and flew back towards the Hokage Building.

Beneath the crystal.

Upon seeing this scene and hearing Menma's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face revealed a faint, gentle smile.

Over the years, we've gotten to know each other.

This is exactly the kind of relationship he's looking for.

Now it seems...

The results were exactly as he expected, and he passed this final little test perfectly!

"Minato, your children have truly grown up. Whether it's Naruto or Menma, they will surely become steadfast defenders of the Will of Fire, just like you!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a breath of stale air, silently thinking to himself.

On the other side, Iruka and Menma, who had been speeding back, were just approaching the Hokage Building.

Two people dressed in the uniform of the Dark Guard appeared near Iruka and Menma.

Iruka was immediately startled.

But before Iruka could say anything...

"Leave the rogue ninja Mizuki to us. The Hokage is already inside waiting for you!"

The member of the ANBU on the left spoke in a hoarse voice.

These are blatantly definitive statements.

Don't even mention Mianma, who already knew everything.

Iruka, who reacted quickly enough, immediately relaxed when he heard the words "traitorous ninja Mizuki".

Since Mizuki has been defined as a rogue ninja.

Then everything else became simple. Although Iruka was a little concerned about why the village reacted so quickly, he was very clear about his own duty. Many times, in many things, playing dumb was the right thing to do.

Iruka is no longer the naive rookie who just graduated from the Ninja Academy.

"Let's go, Mianma!"

After handing Mizuki over to the opposing Anbu.

Iruka smiled and spoke to Menma in the gentlest tone.

It seems that this method can alleviate Menma's tense emotions.

But in fact.

Most of Mianma's expressions are feigned.

His heart was completely unmoved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi monitored the entire process, and none of the Anbu members made a move. This is enough to show Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude. There's also the plot from the original work to refer to, unless something unexpected really happens.

Otherwise, Mianma wouldn't need to worry about anything at all.

"Yes, Teacher Iruka!"

It can only be said that Menma's acting skills are truly improving.

The two went straight into the Hokage Building and went up the stairs to the most special office on the top floor.

A gentle knock on the door.

"Come in!"

After Hiruzen Sarutobi's slightly low voice rang out from inside.

Iruka also carefully pushed open the door.

After entering with the dough,

Just as Iruka was about to kneel down and bow with Menma,

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and waved his hand, stopping the two.

"Alright, there's no need to be so reserved, Iruka, and you too, Menma. I already know what happened just now. It wasn't your fault, Menma, and you even contributed to the success, so there's nothing to worry about!"

Then, with a gentle expression, he smiled and said...

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 29 The Curtain Falls

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Clear and unambiguous words.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't need to beat around the bush. Moreover, since he was facing Iruka and Menma, he didn't need to pretend to be profound; he could just state his attitude directly.

Having anticipated and prepared for this, Iruka felt completely relieved after hearing these words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is not like Tsunade or Minato. As someone who was appointed Hokage during a time of crisis and led Konoha to rise to prominence, and who served as the Hokage of Konoha for three or four decades, Hiruzen Sarutobi has supreme prestige in the village. His words are enough to decide everything in Konoha.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Iruka, his face also showing a hint of excitement, quickly bowed his head in response.

Only Menma, with a clear look of worry and unease, looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi at the head of the table, took a deep breath, and as if to muster all his courage, said, "But I also peeked at the Scroll of Seals. It seems that only the Hokage of each generation is qualified to read the village's top secrets. My identity is still..."

"You are you, Menma. You are the child I've watched grow up since you were little. I've always believed in you. You have no other identity; you are simply a ninja from Konoha—Uzumaki Menma. This is my recognition of you as the Hokage. You can ignore the opinions of others. Prove it with your own actions in the future. As for the Scroll of Sealing, it doesn't matter. Didn't you defeat the rogue ninja Mizuki? Consider it a reward for you. You don't need to worry about this at all, Menma."

Before Mianma could finish speaking.

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and shook his head, interrupting Menma with gentle words. The endless gentleness in his eyes made him seem like a kind old man who sincerely cared for his descendants.

Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi did indeed speak a tiny bit from the bottom of his heart.

However, Menma was more inclined to believe that everything Hiruzen Sarutobi did and said was based on upholding the so-called righteousness of Konoha.

Menma will not be deceived by Hiruzen Sarutobi's outward appearance.

Or to be more precise, Hiruzen Sarutobi's sense of justice, Konoha's sense of justice, is not his sense of justice. This village is not his home, his future is outside, in any other possibility, but it will never be in Konoha.

Of course, on the surface, Menma still needed to deliberately appear relaxed and excited, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, replying with a hint of gratitude, "Yes, Third Hokage."

That expression seemed to be one of genuine joy and happiness.

That's when it came into Hiruzen Sarutobi's view.

A faint look of satisfaction appeared on the face of the Third Hokage.

This is exactly the kind of development and outcome he wanted.

Everything is under control!

"Let's leave this matter here. It's getting late, and there's still the graduation ceremony tomorrow. You two should go home and get some rest!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the two of them and said gently.

Starting from 22 PM, after all the back and forth, it's already past 3 AM.

"Yes, Lord Hokage (Third Hokage)!"

Iruka and Menma bowed in response.

They then left the spacious Hokage's office together.

"Menma, although everything is over today, I still want to remind you that you must be more cautious and meticulous in your actions from now on. Tomorrow, oh no, it should be today, you will be a formal ninja. From now on, you will be carrying out all kinds of missions. Any carelessness could potentially lead to very dangerous results. I hope you can remember this."

Stepping out of the Hokage Building, at the fork in the street, Iruka looked at Menma with a serious expression and said this.

"Yes, I've got it, Teacher Iruka. I'll definitely be more careful in the future!"

Mianma nodded emphatically and said.

"Ah."