I lay awake in bed long after midnight, staring at the ceiling.
Was it smarter to wait before trying to change anything? What if just my presence had already shifted things more than I realized? The butterfly effect was not exactly forgiving.
There was no real reason to wait for Mizuki to manipulate me into stealing the Scroll of Sealing. Sure, it would make things easier to explain later, but getting stronger sooner was the smarter move.
Besides, I had no guarantee I would end up on Naruto's squad. Trying to follow canon too closely felt risky. Life was about to start throwing bullshit at us fast, and I did not want to be underprepared.
I started mapping things out in my head.
First, talk to Kurama. That I could do immediately.
Second, increase my strength. Refine my jutsu. Graduate from the Academy early if possible.
Lastly, speak to the Hokage.
The village's greatest enemy was itself. If I could stop it from tearing itself apart, starting with the massacre a little over a year from now, maybe we would be better positioned when the Akatsuki showed up. And later, the Ōtsutsuki.
Figuring out how to get through to Hiruzen was a problem for another day.
For now, it was time to talk to the fox. Time to raise his rent.
I closed my eyes and slipped into my mindscape.
It looked nothing like Naruto's. I did not fear Kurama, so my subconscious had not built him a sewer prison. There were no dark tunnels or flooded corridors. Instead, I stood in an open green plain beneath a wide sky. Maple trees dotted the landscape, their leaves deep crimson like my hair.
It reminded me of the tree that once stood in front of my old house. The nostalgia hit quietly.
In the distance, something that looked like a mountain rose from the earth. Inside it sat a massive gate. Even from here, I could feel the chakra seeping through the bars, heavy and hostile.
"Little human," his voice rumbled from within. "I feel you drawing on my power. On my rage. Free me, and we will destroy everyone in this village who has wronged you."
Only his glowing eyes and sharp teeth were visible through the darkness. I tapped my chin like I was actually considering it.
"Tempting. But no."
Before I could say anything else, claws shot forward, straining against the bars, stopping just short of me.
I did not move.
"Kurama, we really need to work on your people skills. Did Hagoromo not cover basic manners? He was pretty kind when I spoke to him."
That did it.
His full form shifted into view behind the gate. Massive. Coiled. Alert.
"How do you know my name? How do you know the Sage?"
No point dancing around it. He lived inside me.
"I reincarnated," I said simply. "And I spoke to the Sage. I know more than I should. Including the fact that you were actually a pretty sweet kid once."
He went very still.
"And in the future, you are not nearly as hostile," I continued. "I understand why you are angry right now. You have every reason to be. But maybe we can aim that anger better. I am not removing the seal yet. However, once you calm down a little, this entire place is yours."
I gestured toward the open field behind me.
"For now, how about we work together? I am Menma Uzumaki. It is a pleasure to formally meet you, Kurama."
He studied me carefully. I could almost see the calculation. A five-year-old speaking casually about the Sage of Six Paths and calling him by name was not normal.
"Very well," he said at last. "I will assist you because you honor the Sage. I will grant you the chakra you require. But my hatred for humanity will not fade."
"That's fine, we'll work on it. And maybe don't flood me with power just yet. A cloak is more than enough for now."
He huffed softly and turned away, settling deeper into the shadows of the cage.
"You are a curious human, Menma Uzumaki. You claim to have reincarnated. Have you always been human? And tell me of this future where I aid your kind."
I sat cross-legged in the grass, leaning back on my hands.
"Yes. Always human. And that is a long story. One I do not really have time to tell right now. I will give you the full version later. For now, just know there is still a heart in there somewhere."
I gave him a small, cheeky grin before letting the mindscape fade.
I woke to a quiet weekend morning. No school.
Naruto was still snoring peacefully beside me.
I got dressed in my usual black shinobi tracksuit and made breakfast. Even after I finished eating, Naruto had not moved. He would probably sleep until noon. I left food out for him with a note saying I had gone out running errands.
Then I headed for the rooftops.
The wind rushed past as I leapt from building to building, making my way toward the outskirts of Konoha.
The Uchiha compound came into view.
From atop a tall building nearby, I could see most of it. For now, it was just another lively neighborhood. Families walking. Children laughing. Elderly women gathered in corners, knitting and gossiping.
Soon, it would be a ghost town with a single resident.
Our sixth birthday was coming up on October tenth, just a week away. The massacre was meant to happen October first the following year, before we turned seven.
I grimaced.
Was there really nothing I could do?
I watched the families below, the easy rhythm of a normal day.
There had to be another way.
Before the year ended, I needed to meet the Third Hokage and talk to him about Danzō.
"You are pretty agile for a five-year-old."
The voice came from behind me. I had not sensed him at all. Slowly, I turned my head.
Two blood-red Sharingan met my gaze.
Shisui Uchiha stood a few feet away, watching me carefully.
"And I have heard a few rumors about you," he continued calmly. "Hopefully you are not here to cause trouble."