The morning mist still clung to the training grounds 3 as Menma sprinted across the field, his tiny legs pumping relentlessly. Shisui watched with a relaxed posture, arms folded, but his eyes were sharp,measuring Menma's form, breath control, and endurance.
"Good, Menma," Shisui called out. "Keep the pace steady. Don't let your breathing break."
"Yes, Shisui-sensei!" Menma shouted back without slowing. Sweat dripped down his brow, but he refused to stop.
For nearly an hour, Menma ran laps across the field, his stamina slowly building. Most children his age would have quit instantly, but Menma persisted, pushing through the burn in his legs.
When Shisui finally lifted a hand, Menma slowed down, bending over with heavy breaths.
Shisui nodded. "Good work. Your willpower is stronger than most genin."
Menma grinned. "Thank you, Shisui-sensei."
Shisui softened. "Now some meditation. Let's sit."
The two sat beneath a tree, crossed-legged. The morning sun warmed their faces as they closed their eyes, inhaling deeply, letting their minds settle. For an hour, neither spoke, focusing on their inner chakra flow, quieting the mind.
When they were finished, Shisui patted Menma's head. "You're improving. Tomorrow we add body conditioning."
Menma nodded proudly. "I'll be ready, sensei."
Together they walked back toward the Uchiha compound. Ready to eat.
Mikoto had already set the table, the warm smell of miso soup drifting through the home. Itachi sat calmly while Sasuke kicked his feet impatiently beneath the table.
"Eat, you two," Mikoto said with a soft smile.
Sasuke puffed out his cheeks. "Itachi is so cool! Yesterday he showed me a new shuriken technique!"
Menma seeing the gleeful Sasuke decided to act like a child. It will be good for future undercover missions. Pouting with his arms crossed.
"Itachi is strong, yeah… but Shisui-sensei is cooler."
Sasuke gasped dramatically.
"No way! My brother is the strongest!"
Menma stuck out his tongue. "Nope! Shisui-sensei moves so fast you can't even see him!"
The two boys bickered like brothers while Itachi quietly hid a smile behind his tea cup. Mikoto chuckled.
"You two are adorable. Now eat before it gets cold."
Menma felt warmth in his chest. This is good. Sasuke wont ever have time go through that trauma. Neither will Itachi, but doesn't mean things will stay that way. I need to get stronger and make sure to protect this family. They are the key to help me revive the Uzumaki Clan, and stronger then before.
Hokage Mansion
Inside the Hokage's office, Fugaku sat before Hiruzen and Jiraiya. Tea still steaming between them. Official documents were neatly stacked on the desk, but the conversation was anything but light.
"So," Hiruzen began, "you wish for Itachi to accompany Jiraiya with his field work and help track the Akatsuki?"
Fugaku nodded. "Yes, Lord Third. Even though I could wait until I am officially in office to make this happen, the opportunity to align preparations early is valuable. And since both of you are here now, there is no better time."
Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Itachi possesses extraordinary talent for obe so young. It rivals Minato so much if not hust barely surpasses it. His Sharingan,would be invaluable in gathering intelligence and calm reasoning is a good quality."
Jiraiya arms folded. The kid's sharp. Quiet. A thinker. He won't slow me down… except when I'm at host clubs or brothels. Might cramp my style. He smirked. But the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
" If he wants to do it, I'll take him with me"
Hiruzen nodded. "Then, Jiraiya, I assume this means you are taking over Danzo's old position?"
Jiraiya made a face. "In a figurehead capacity. Ibiki will run day-to-day operations. I'm not made for desk jobs."
Fugaku nodded. "Understood, Lord Third I will preparing Shisui as my successor for the Military Police. He should be ready within two to three years, if he accepts."
Jiraiya gave a narrowed gaze. "Just don't wear yourself thin, Lord Fugaku."
Before the conversation could continue, small footsteps ran down the hall....
Then the door burst open.
"THERE YOU ARE, PERVY GRANDPA! AND GRANDPA HOKAGE!"
A tiny 3 year old Naruto barreled inside, bright smile blazing. Kakashi appeared behind him, sighing.
"Naruto you know better than to barge in while the Hokage is in a meeting…" Kakashi bowed. "Excuse our intrusion Lord Hokage."
"But big brother Kakashi!" Naruto whined. "Pervy Grandpa promised to take me for!"
Jiraiya whipped around. "WHAT did I tell you about calling me that?! And I'm not old...I'm in my forties!"
Naruto crossed his arms smugly.
"Well, if you didn't keep taking me peeking at bath houses with you, I wouldn't call you a pervert."
Fugaku slowly turned, giving Jiraiya a stare that said I know exactly what that means.
Jiraiya coughed loudly. "He's exaggerating."
(He was not.)
Jiraiya clapped his hands. "Well! Gentlemen, that's my cue. I'm taking the brat out to eat. Kakashi...come on. My treat."
Kakashi bowed slightly. "Thank you, Lord Jiraiya. Please let me buy you a drink. "
Jiraiya smirked. "Minato taught you well."
The three left with Naruto cheering.
Menma's Apartment
Back at home, Menma sat cross-legged before the large Wukong stone, feeding chakra into it for hours. No changes for now. But he could feel the buildup slowly increasing.
A shadow clone walked inside the bed room. "Boss! The books are done!"
Menma grinned wide as he stood up and followed the clone to the kitchen table.
Two manuscripts lay neatly stacked:
• Che Heart: The Demon Slayer
• Escanor: The Prideful Berserker
Menma and his clone shared matching smirks. These would sell beautifully.
Menma walked through the village with the manuscripts under his arm. People glared at him, but he ignored every one of them calmly. Then he found the building he was looking for.
The Mizu Publishing House. A book store and publisher store in the leaf village. When he entered the publishing shop, a bell chimed lightly. But no one was at the front desk.
"Hello, is anyone here?" he said politely.
A girl then emerged from the back. She had long black hair, with bright brown eyes. She looked no older than twelve or thirteen. She looked around the room until she noticed below the counter, since I was still very short. She blinked in surprise before bowing.
"Welcome! I'm Yuna Mizu. How can I help you today, would you like to read our childrens books?"
Menma stepped forward and placed the manuscripts on the counter.
"No thank you, I'd like to submit these manuscripts for review and publication."
Yuna blinked again. "Sorry but how old are you?"
Menma blinked. "I'm three years old and will be 4 in a few months"
Yuna's eyes widen in disbelief."A… a three-year-old wrote two manuscripts?"
Menma nodded simply.
Yuna was reluctant and hesitant at first , but decided to read before judging. She would let his words on the paper do the talking. Probably another slop or power fantasy
Yuna flipped one open( Che Heart: The Demon Slayer ). Within minutes her eyes widened. She read at incredible speed, turning pages quickly, expression shifting between surprise and awe. she finished both.
These are… really good, she thought. She stared at Menma. "And you wrote them yourself?"
Menma nodded again.
Yuna exhaled with a huge smile.
"Come back tomorrow afternoon. My father will be home then, he'll want to see these immediately."
"Ok I will, Thank you ms Mizu." Menma bowed politely and left.
Yuna stood frozen for a moment.
Then, stars sparkled in her eyes.
"Finally! Some good books with good potential. These books could appeal to younger readers! They have actual plot! Not another story about some overpowered man collecting women like trophies…"
She hugged the manuscripts to her chest.
"This kid might be the one I've been looking for!"