NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: One year and Genocide
Chapter
12: One Year and Genocide
What Naruto didn't notice was that
when he turned around and focused his attention on Iruka and the other
classmates, Menma in the back looked at him with deep eyes. Envy, jealousy, or
perhaps even a trace of resentment? Maybe all of these. But just as Naruto felt
a moment of intimacy with Menma, Menma, who was 100% sure they were biological
brothers, had an even more special sense of Naruto.
All his sufferings had nothing to do
with Naruto. It was impossible for Naruto to have the same sense of
self-awareness from birth. Naruto was simply deceived by Sarutobi Hiruzen to
some extent.
Menma was indeed jealous of Naruto's
current living environment. At certain moments, he couldn't help but feel
resentful. Why were they treated so differently despite being born to the same
parents? But in the end, the bond of blood still restrained Menma's negative
emotions. He could hate everyone else, but he couldn't hate Naruto. This was
his biological brother! Even though he was born just a little later, he was
Menma's younger brother, and this was something Menma could be sure of.
Another important reason is that
Menma had a younger brother in his previous life. He was also carefree and
optimistic, with a personality that seemed to overlap with Naruto's. This made
Menma's feelings for Naruto even more special.
'Naruto, I hope your future will not
be on a completely opposite path to mine.'
After Menma took a deep look at
Naruto's back, he thought silently in his heart.
"Great! Now that we've introduced ourselves, you all
have a basic understanding of each other. From the moment you step into this
ninja academy , you are already considered quasi-ninjas. Your future success
will depend not only on talent but also on hard work. Remember, those who slack
off will struggle to become excellent ninjas. Whether you graduate or not
depends entirely on your own efforts. None of you want to see your peers moving
ahead while you repeat the grade indefinitely, right? A strong foundation is
crucial, so keep this in mind as you progress!"
Iruka looked at the dozens of young students below with a
serious expression, speaking in a deep and authoritative tone.
Establishing this initial attitude was important. As their
class teacher, Iruka didn't want any of his students to fall behind over the
next six years. This was his duty as an educator.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei!" the children responded in
unison, showing their willingness to cooperate with their homeroom teacher.
The children below at least showed that they were
cooperative with their homeroom teacher, responding in unison.
"Well! Very good. Then, let's take the first lesson:
what is a ninja, and what is the essence of a ninja..."
The first day of ninja academy was peaceful and stable. Although Menma's
enrollment caused quite a stir in certain circles, it didn't create too much
commotion. In the Hidden Leaf Village, Sarutobi Hiruzen still had absolute
prestige and power. As the elderly grew older, they became more indecisive.
Otherwise, even Shimura Danzo couldn't cause any waves if Sarutobi Hiruzen
didn't allow it.
In the final analysis, Danzo's influence was partly his own
doing, but also a result of Sarutobi Hiruzen's own leniency. Therefore, if
Sarutobi Hiruzen had a firmer attitude, Menma's daily life and education
wouldn't be a big problem.
On the first day after entering the ninja academy , Menma
encountered many strange looks from 'ordinary people,' but no one stood up to
question it because it was a 'Hokage order'! They could discuss it privately
and look at Menma with hostility when there were few people around, but it
couldn't be shown in public.
Of course, this had no real impact on Menma. He was already
used to it. It was just some looks, and it couldn't harm him, so why bother?
The sun set, and dusk fell. The first day of ninja
academy ended. Menma was the last to
leave the Ninja Academy , standing at the main entrance, looking at the
teaching building bathed in the afterglow. Watching the children leaving in
other directions, facing the sunset, Menma's expression was slightly cold. This
wasn't where he belonged. It was the cage that bound him. One day, he would
break this cage with his own hands and gain true freedom.
'This is the real first step! No one can restrict my
future!'
After taking a deep breath, Menma turned around and walked
along another path, gradually getting further away, his figure merging into the
shadows.
In the following days, Menma's life became more regular
than it had been in the past five years. It could almost be described as a
three-point routine: ninja academy , home, and the jungle personal training
ground. While constantly strengthening his physical fitness, he was also
improving his control over chakra bit by bit.
A few months after entering academy , Menma officially put
chakra control on the agenda. Climbing trees and treading water, the two most
basic chakra controls, were added to his training plan. In the absence of
learning ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu, these basic trainings were the focus
of Menma's efforts.
When Menma devoted himself to his training, time passed
quickly. In the blink of an eye, more than a year had passed. It was June of
the 55th year of Konoha.
One morning, as Menma finished his morning exercise and
headed towards the ninja academy , he noticed several ninjas in a hurry. Each
of them had a stern look on their face. On the avenue, some people in the
surrounding positions also had looks of shock, fear, and disbelief.
'Hmm? What happened?'
It was clear that something big must have happened in the
village, but Menma couldn't tell what it was. However, this doubt only lasted
until he reached the ninja academy . When class time had passed, but a certain
figure hadn't arrived, Menma suddenly realized.
'It turned out to be the plot of the Uchiha clan being
annihilated!'
Looking at the empty seat of Uchiha Sasuke, Menma
immediately recalled one of the most important events in the original work.