Menma picked up his teacup and looked around the table.
"Today," he said, "I, Menma, raise my cup in a toast — to thank the Uchiha clan for their help."
The members of the Uchiha clan quickly stood up, smiling as they responded politely.
"What are you talking about, Menma? This is what we should do. We're also part of Konoha," Itachi said sincerely. In truth, he wanted to thank Menma for giving the Uchiha clan such an important mission and a chance to prove themselves.
Of course, what Menma wanted to say was: It's not that your clan is strong or anything — but come on, three people with Mangekyō Sharingan and three Susanoo! You didn't even need my help.
"I said that wrong — I should drink to that," Menma said and downed his tea in one gulp. The Uchiha clan followed suit.
Then, everyone began to eat.
"Sister Izumi, eat more," Menma said, handing grilled meat to the pregnant Uchiha Izumi beside him.
In the ninja world, people had strong bodies — especially kunoichi — so eating normally during pregnancy wasn't an issue at all.
"Thank you, Menma." Izumi smiled, taking a bite. "Mmm, delicious!" she said with a little hum, then sighed playfully. "I wonder which lucky woman will become your wife someday — Menma, you're so thoughtful!"
"It should be you, Sister Izumi," Menma said with a grin.
Before Izumi could react, Itachi spoke up immediately. "No chance. Izumi is mine."
"Hmph! That's only because I let you have her."
"Let me? I don't need your permission."
"Of course you do! I'm good at charming girls — that's my specialty."
"I can do it too."
Izumi couldn't help but laugh as the two bickered. Only Menma could make the ever-serious Itachi act so childish.
At another table, Sasuke and Naruto were stunned. (ΩДΩ)
Turns out my brother can actually joke around!
Shikamaru, sitting beside Sasuke, leaned closer. "Hey Sasuke, why are your clan members so afraid of Menma?" he asked curiously. "They're supposed to be the strongest family in Konoha, but they all look terrified of him."
Sasuke leaned in and whispered, "Probably because they've been beaten up by him before."
He'd heard the rumors himself — the Uchiha called Menma a devil. Yet whenever Menma visited the compound, everyone treated him with extreme respect. Sasuke had once asked Itachi about it, but his brother avoided the question. When he asked the other clan members, they all grew nervous — one even almost hit him — so Sasuke ran away.
His conclusion? They were all beaten by Brother Menma.
When Shikamaru heard that, he remembered something — he had been beaten by Menma as a kid too. More than once.
Actually, three times.
Realizing that even the Uchiha shared that fate, Shikamaru's mood suddenly improved. He took a bite of barbecue — somehow, it tasted even better.
Naruto chimed in, "It's true! My brother's beaten me too."
He recalled one day when Menma came home in a great mood. Curious, Naruto had asked why.
Menma had smiled and said, "Just taught a few dozen mice over at Itachi's house."
Sasuke: (ω)! Just as I thought.
Shikamaru: ^_^ Well done, Menma.
As time passed, people began to put down their chopsticks, sipping tea and chatting casually. Only Menma kept eating — while one of his shadow clones was busy at the Hokage Tower.
"Sister Tsunade, reimbursement!" the shadow clone shouted as he opened the office door — only to find two pairs of angry eyes staring at him.
Awkward. ￣□￣｜｜
"Am I interrupting something?" Menma asked just as Tsunade hurled a vase at him. He barely dodged.
"Brat! What are you doing here?" Tsunade yelled, fuming. She wanted to grab him, strip him, and spank him herself.
"Lady Hokage, I'm here to collect my reward! I just treated the heroic Uchiha clan to a feast at the Akimichi barbecue restaurant. I urgently need reimbursement!" Menma said seriously.
Tsunade: "…" That fast?
It wasn't just a treat — she was sure he'd eaten half the cost himself.
"How much?" she asked flatly.
"Twenty for now, Hokage-sama!" Menma replied immediately.
Tsunade: (ω)!
"Is that too little?" Menma added quickly. "Actually, it's probably more than twenty — I didn't eat enough. Make it forty!"
Tsunade's veins bulged. ε＝ε＝ε＝(#>д<)
She slammed her palm onto the desk — it shattered instantly.
"Ten! That's all you get!" she snapped. "What are you eating, dragon meat!?"
The others in the room were also stunned. Forty for one meal!?
Menma blinked innocently. "Only ten? Fine, but the Akimichi shop's turnover this month will probably affect my dividend too—"
"Forty!" Tsunade shouted before he could finish. "Take it and get out!"
"Thank you, Hokage-sama! You're the best!" Menma said cheerfully, forming a heart with his hands. (`)
Tsunade couldn't help smirking. This brat…
"Wait!" she said, stopping him just as he turned to leave.
"?" Menma looked back, confused.
"As for the compensation from the Land of Wind — what's your opinion?" she asked.
Menma scratched his head. "Ah, I'm just a shadow clone. I can't represent the main body."
"If you don't answer, the forty stays here."
Menma sighed. "Fine. Honestly, the Land of Wind doesn't have much worth taking. The territory's mostly desert. We'd gain nothing by claiming it. Their people aren't as prosperous as Konoha's either. But their puppetry techniques could be useful — that's where we should start."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Get out."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Menma said, bolting out of the room.
Watching him leave, Tsunade smiled slightly before turning back to the meeting.
Moments later, Menma's clone handed a bundle of cash to the Akimichi shop owner.
"Here's forty. Is that enough?"
The owner grinned. "More than enough!"
"Oh, keep the change for next time," Menma said. The clone disappeared.
Back at the restaurant, the real Menma smirked faintly. Well done, shadow clone — you've probably just made Tsunade lose her mind.
After everyone finished eating and drinking, they returned home, each heading back to their families.
The next morning, Menma and Shikamaru were summoned to the Hokage Tower.
"Congratulations, you two," Tsunade said with a proud smile. "From today onward, you're officially Chunin."
Menma: w(Д)w
Wait — I have a share too!?
(End of Chapter)
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