Naruto's declaration rang with conviction—loud, defiant, and filled with that fiery resolve that defined him.
It was the kind of answer only Uzumaki Naruto could give: passionate, idealistic, and utterly reckless.
But to Menma, it was also the stupidest answer possible.
At that moment, disappointment welled up in Menma's chest. He didn't see bravery in Naruto's words—he saw naïveté. Still, he didn't consider himself righteous either. His own path had never been one of selfless justice. It was one carved by purpose, by cold reasoning, and yes, by self-interest.
Yet, he wasn't lying when he said he valued his comrades. Beneath that pragmatic shell, Menma cared—deeply—for the people beside him. Naruto was his blood brother, bound not just by fate but by lineage. Even if Naruto didn't know the truth yet, the connection between them was real.
And perhaps that was why it frustrated Menma even more.
Naruto's stubbornness, his blind faith in "doing what's right," reminded him painfully of his younger brother from his previous life—of another fool who believed that sheer willpower could overcome the cruelty of reality.
Menma sighed inwardly. He knew he couldn't change Naruto's heart overnight, but still, he wanted him to see—to truly see—what the shinobi world was really like.
Because through this moment, he could already glimpse their future paths diverging.
One walking toward light.
The other, toward shadow.
Menma clenched his fists. For an instant, he even wanted to hit Naruto—to shake some sense into him.
'Is this… really who you are, Naruto?' he thought, suppressing his rising anger.
Naruto's resolve burned brighter than ever, but Sakura… she wasn't nearly as confident.
Just like in the original timeline, the difference between the Sakura of now and the one who would grow through Shippuden was stark.
This Sakura was sheltered—still the girl from the academy, untested by death or loss.
Her sympathy for Dazna came from a place of innocence, not strength. She hadn't yet witnessed the brutality of the shinobi world.
When Menma confronted her earlier, when he laid out the possibility of dying on this mission, reality finally hit her.
Death.
It was one thing to talk about helping others. It was another to realize that one's own life could be the price.
'He's right…' she thought, her hands trembling slightly. 'I'm the weakest one in Team 7. If Kado really can hire stronger shinobi, what will I do? Even Kakashi-sensei can't protect everyone at once…'
The fear crept in—quietly but completely.
Sakura was still just a child. No one could fault her for being afraid of dying.
As Naruto stood firm in his defiance, Sakura stayed silent. Pride kept her from speaking, but her silence was enough—it was a quiet surrender to fear.
Menma noticed, but he didn't care much about Sakura's hesitation. What angered him was Naruto's stubbornness.
"Damn it, Naruto…," he muttered under his breath, jaw tight.
Before Menma could speak again, Dazna suddenly broke his silence. The old bridge builder's voice was heavy, filled with guilt.
"Hey… Naruto-kun, Menma-kun, Kakashi-san… Menma's right. I deceived you all. This mission shouldn't have been classified as C-rank. It's dangerous—far more dangerous than you were told. You should turn back. You've done enough already."
Naruto turned sharply, eyes fierce. "Old man Dazna, that doesn't matter! I already said it—this is my ninja way! I don't care what rank the mission is!"
He looked at Kakashi with his usual fire. "Kakashi-sensei, I'm not backing down. I'll protect Dazna-san and make sure that bridge gets built! That's my promise!"
Menma sighed deeply. He could tell Naruto understood his logic—but he refused to accept it. Naruto didn't want the logical choice. He wanted the one that felt right to him.
Kakashi looked at Naruto for a long moment, then smiled under his mask. "You've got guts, Naruto." He lightly tapped Naruto's head with his hand.
"Eh!? Kakashi-sensei, what do you mean?"
Menma's brows furrowed instantly. The meaning behind Kakashi's tone was obvious—he was siding with Naruto.
After all that reasoning, after all the risks laid bare, Kakashi was still continuing the mission.
Menma stared in disbelief. Is this man serious?
Either Kakashi Hatake had the heart of a saint… or he was completely out of his mind.
"Sensei, with all due respect," Menma said sharply, "I've already explained the risks. Are you really taking a team of fresh genin into an unknown situation against elite enemy shinobi?"
Kakashi met his gaze calmly. "I've considered that, Menma. But remember this—if a shinobi gives up a mission halfway, it can affect their reputation and their team's standing. This is your first C-rank mission. It's best to see it through."
He gave a small smirk. "Besides, it's not that easy to hire a Jōnin-level shinobi. Don't worry. I have enough strength to protect you."
Kakashi's words weren't arrogant—they were simply confident. As a veteran of countless battles, a former ANBU captain, and one of Konoha's most skilled jōnin, Kakashi had every right to say so.
Still, Menma frowned. It wasn't that he doubted Kakashi's skill—far from it—but something didn't add up. Why would a man as sharp as Kakashi risk so much on an uncertain mission?
He felt that Kakashi knew something the others didn't—or perhaps, he was testing them deliberately.
Naruto grinned triumphantly. "See? I knew Kakashi-sensei wouldn't back down!"
Sakura still looked uneasy, her hands fidgeting slightly. She wanted to protest, but the moment passed, and she said nothing.
Sasuke, meanwhile, had been silent the entire time, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
To him, it didn't matter whether they continued or not. Menma's logic was sound—but Sasuke's ambition burned for something else entirely.
Danger wasn't something to avoid—it was something to seek.
After all, true strength could only be forged in blood and fire.
And this mission, he thought, might just be the first real test of Team 7.