NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: First meeting with iruka
Chapter
9: First Meeting with Iruka
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's firm
words, Koharu was taken aback. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly
nodded and said, "I hope you are right, Hiruzen. Maybe I am being a little
too sensitive and overthinking this..."
"Hehe, don't worry, En. Menma
will definitely become the most steadfast pillar of our village in the future,
just like Minato and Kushina!" Sarutobi Hiruzen reassured his friend with
a faint smile. Although he could make decisions on his own as Hokage, it was
always best to have the recognition and support of others. Koharu had been his
best friend for forty or fifty years, so if even he didn't understand and
support him, it would be a significant problem.
The night passed quietly, and dawn
slowly broke. Entering April, the breath of spring became stronger. The breeze
scattered the falling cherry blossoms, adding a warm hue to the Hidden Leaf
Village. Today was the annual opening day of the Hidden Leaf Village Ninja
Academy, and the atmosphere in the village was electric with excitement. Early
in the morning, countless children were chatting excitedly on the streets.
Although the registration time for the Ninja Academy had not yet arrived, many
parents and their children were already heading to the school.
Menma also got up early. After a
simple breakfast, he stayed home, as Sarutobi Hiruzen had instructed that
someone would come to pick him up for registration. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't
specify who it would be, but Menma could guess it was Umino Iruka, who had lost
his parents on the night of the Nine-Tails attack—a young Konoha ninja with
some talent. If nothing unexpected happened, this person would be the first
close figure that Sarutobi Hiruzen arranged for Menma as his "most
important" mentor.
Being assigned such an important
task by Sarutobi Hiruzen meant that Iruka was fully trusted by the Hokage in
terms of ability and loyalty. The current Konohagakure Village was not what it
was thirty or forty years ago. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had special
significance for Konoha, so not just anyone could approach or teach Menma. All
those who could approach Naruto during his growth period in the original work
were recognized by Sarutobi Hiruzen. After graduation, his teacher was Kakashi,
the direct subordinate of the Fourth Hokage, a ninja qualified to become
Hokage.
Menma in this life would receive the
same treatment. Sarutobi Hiruzen would never allow such an important existence
as Menma to escape his control. Only he or the people he trusted the most could
approach Menma.
Menma waited at home for almost half
an hour when he heard a crisp knock on the door. Although Menma couldn't fully
sense it, he felt a chakra presence outside the door. Menma's eyebrows raised
in curiosity.
'Is it time?' He stepped forward,
came to the entrance, and gently opened the door. The figure of a young man
wearing a Konoha standard vest came into Menma's view. The familiar gentle face
and the scar on the bridge of his nose—'Umino Iruka!' The moment he saw the
person, Menma's mind recalled the name.
This person had a profound impact on
Naruto in the original work. He was the first important supporting character
recognized by Naruto and was regarded as a brother. For Menma, the mood at this
moment was somewhat complicated. In the original work, Iruka was one of the few
characters not entangled with political or unnecessary factors. He was
genuinely moved by Naruto and recognized his existence. He was Naruto's first
beacon of hope.
'You are a gentle person by nature.
If possible, I hope to get along with you in a friendly way,' Menma thought
silently, looking up at Iruka with a calm expression. "Excuse me, are you
the person who came to pick me up as the Third Hokage said?"
"Yes, little Menma. I am a
teacher at the ninja academy and your future class teacher—Umino Iruka. You can
call me Iruka sensei!" Iruka bent down slightly and gently touched Menma's
head with a gentle smile.
Although Iruka's feelings for Menma
were still complicated, and there was a bit of resentment, he was a gentle
person by nature. He understood the relationship between Menma and the
Nine-Tails. As a Chunin and someone trusted by Sarutobi Hiruzen to undertake
important tasks, he knew about the Jinchuriki! But his parents had died on the
night of the Nine-Tails attack, so it was impossible for Iruka to have no
grudge against Menma. He just restrained his emotions very well. Perhaps in
Iruka's eyes, Menma was just a poor child.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei!" Menma
naturally was not aware of the complex emotions in Iruka's heart. Kagura's
Mind's Eye was not so powerful that it could see through people's hearts. It
was a powerful chakra sensing ability. Menma could capture slight changes in
human emotions, primarily based on his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Malice perception ability was attached, so negative emotions could be detected,
but only a little. Menma was only six years old now!
"Well, let's go, it's about
time!" Iruka, with a touch of gentleness, stretched out his right hand to
Menma. Even if there was no reference to the plot in the original work, Iruka's
attitude towards Menma was precious. At least he was worthy of his teacher
status!
"Yeah!" Menma also
stretched out his left hand without hesitation and held Iruka's hand. Two
figures, one big and one small, left the dilapidated apartment building and
headed straight for the Hidden Leaf Village Ninja Academy. Parents with their
children heading to the academy could be seen everywhere along the way. Most of
them were from civilian families. When they saw Menma, their faces changed, and
their malice was revealed. It was only when they saw Iruka wearing the Konoha
standard vest that they barely restrained themselves. This naked malice was
something Menma could certainly sense.