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After saying this, the boys scattered, running off as if they were fleeing a disaster. Under normal circumstances, they might have been eager to have a chance to get close to young Master Naruto, but today they were simply unlucky. Not knowing how Naruto felt about them, it was safer to slip away quickly.
Watching the boys flee, Naruto was slightly confused but relieved that the situation had been resolved smoothly.
Although his identity was different from that in the original story, Naruto seemed to be the same Naruto, only with his environment and mentality having undergone significant changes.
"They're gone, so you don't have to worry anymore. What's your name? My name is Naruto Namikaze."
Naruto turned around, flashing his familiar, cheerful smile at Hinata.
"Uh... My name... is... Hyūga Hinata... Thank you... Namikaze-kun..."
The situation felt similar, yet different. The development might have changed, but the outcome was nearly the same. At this moment, the little girl's eyes seemed to be filled with admiration for the boy standing before her, her soft words and expression conveying her gratitude.
"Oh? Hinata! That's a really nice name!"
Naruto responded warmly, his words causing Hinata's cheeks to flush even more. Her small hands fidgeted, and her hair moved slightly in the gentle breeze. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, it felt as if they were in two separate worlds.
Menma, standing at a distance, watched the scene with a somewhat wooden expression.
*'So, we really are different, Naruto...'*
Menma took one last look at Naruto and Hinata, who were still talking and smiling at each other. His eyelids drooped slightly before he turned around and walked away with determined strides.
The same winter snow blanketed the ground, but they existed in two completely different worlds. The gulf between them felt as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.
Menma walked away, leaving Naruto behind, accompanied by the Hyūga clan's guards and Naruto's personal ANBU escort. That joyful scene—*'Lady Hinata,'* *'Master Naruto'*—seemed like a match made in heaven, coming together sooner and more perfectly than in the original timeline.
All the excitement belonged to them. None of it had anything to do with Menma. The ripple that had briefly disturbed his emotions receded like a tide, quickly and quietly, as if nothing had happened.
Menma returned home as usual, his expression blank as he processed the ingredients he had gathered, cooked a simple meal, and sat at the dining table. The unique emptiness, loneliness, and indifference were feelings only Menma himself understood.
*'I shouldn't have had such extravagant hopes. These things aren't meant for me; they're for the true son of the Fourth Hokage.'*
Menma's heart grew colder.
It was December of Konoha Year 53, and this was the coldest winter Menma had ever felt since arriving in this world.
And on the last day of December, just as the New Year was about to begin...
"Little Menma, have you been resting and eating well during this time?"
The 'kindly' Third Hokage had once again come to visit Menma, bringing along a bunch of gifts—mostly treats that children loved. This had been a regular occurrence over the past five years. Sarutobi Hiruzen would visit Menma roughly once a month, especially on New Year's Eve, considering it an ideal opportunity to show his care for the boy.
In the original story, Naruto had been touched by Sarutobi Hiruzen's visits, considering him the first person he could talk to. But Menma was different. While this Third Hokage might have some genuine concern for him, his perspective was still that of the village leader, the Hokage.
Orphan? Son of the Fourth Hokage? No. He had only one identity: the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails for Konohagakure Village. Nothing more.
"Yes, Third Grandpa, I've been resting and eating well lately, and I exercise regularly. See? My body is much stronger than before."
Despite the resistance in his heart, Menma couldn't be as naive as Naruto from the original story. Naturally showing some closeness to Sarutobi Hiruzen was the most authentic performance Menma could manage. After all, he knew very well that in Konohagakure, only Sarutobi Hiruzen could "protect him" and grant him a degree of freedom and rights.
If forced to choose, Sarutobi Hiruzen was far better than that old fox, Shimura Danzō. At least the former, no matter how old and foolish, still had some sense of justice and cared about appearances.
Danzō was completely insidious and cunning. Falling into his hands would be a fate no one could accept.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, while far from perfect, still had some conscience.
"Oh? That's great to hear! Eat well, sleep well, and exercise often, and our little Menma will grow up strong."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled warmly at Menma.
"Yes, Third Grandpa."
Menma replied with a hint of respect.
"The New Year is approaching, Menma. Do you have any New Year's wishes?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked softly.
"Hmm? I want to grow up quickly and become a great ninja, recognized by everyone in the future."
Menma wrinkled his little nose as if deep in thought, then looked up at Sarutobi Hiruzen, speaking with a serious and firm tone.
"Oh? A great ninja recognized by everyone? That's a wonderful wish, but you'll need to work hard to achieve it, Menma."
Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Menma's head gently.
"Yes, I'll definitely work hard, Third Grandpa."
Menma nodded earnestly.
"Well, you're about to turn six, so you're almost the right age. You should be able to attend the Ninja Academy next year, Menma."
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
"Ninja Academy? Really? Third Grandpa, can I really go to the Ninja Academy?"
Menma's eyes lit up, his tone eager as he looked directly at Sarutobi Hiruzen. This time, Menma wasn't pretending at all.
As he grew older and approached his sixth birthday, Menma had been increasingly worried about whether he would be allowed to attend the Ninja Academy. After all, he wasn't Naruto—he was Menma! The plot of this world was already different from the original one. He could only treat the original story as a reference. Assuming that everything from the original would happen exactly the same in this timeline would be a grave mistake.
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