The day after New Year's, a heavy snow fell silently, wrapping Konoha Village in a pristine layer of white.
In the shadows of Menma's estate, an Anbu ninja stood motionless, monitoring Naruto as he slept soundly in the tatami room. Because of the sudden blizzard the night before, Menma had let Naruto stay over. The two had pulled an all-nighter playing video games, only crashing as the dawn broke.
Menma's residence was equipped with a modern heating system; even in the dead of winter, the interior remained warm and cozy. The technological disparity of the ninja world was truly bizarre—while many nations lived in a feudal agrarian state, the hidden villages utilized modern appliances, computers, and wireless radios.
Naruto didn't wake up until noon, rubbing his eyes as the snow outside finally stopped. He looked at the unfamiliar room and the high-quality bedding, feeling a bit dazed.
"Yo, finally awake? It's lunchtime. I'll get you some food and then walk you home." Menma poked his head out from the kitchen. "Go wash up first."
Seeing Menma, the memories of the night before came flooding back. Because it was New Year's and he was lonely, Naruto had run to find Menma. He'd been treated to a feast unlike any he'd ever had and spent the night gaming.
Still a bit groggy, Naruto followed Menma's directions to the bathroom. The feeling of warm water hitting his face with a washcloth finally cleared the cobwebs from his brain.
As Naruto wrung out the towel and hung it up, he caught his reflection in the mirror. Suddenly, he felt a lump in his throat. Having always lived alone, he had never truly known what it felt like to be cared for, or what a "home" felt like. Though he had only known Menma for six months and they'd met only a handful of times, being with him felt strangely familiar and comforting.
Splashing more water on his face to hide the stray tears, Naruto stepped out. On the dining table sat two steaming bowls of ramen. Naruto's bowl was topped with narutomaki (fish cakes) that bobbed in the clear broth.
"The one with the narutomaki is yours. The one with bamboo shoots is mine," Menma beckoned him to sit.
After lunch, Menma walked Naruto home. They strolled through the snow-covered streets, their breath hitching in the cold air as they chatted.
"That old man, the Third Hokage, seems to have become my guardian. He sends me my allowance every month," Naruto said, rubbing his hands together. Perhaps because he was bundled up in winter clothes with a hat covering his hair, the passersby didn't recognize him immediately, sparing him the usual glares.
"The Third Old Man?" Menma recalled Sarutobi Hiruzen's sudden appearance last year when he and Hinata were playing with Naruto.
To be honest, Menma's impression of the Third was quite poor. This was mostly due to the massive contradictions in the old man's character from the anime he'd seen in his past life. While Kishimoto later introduced Danzō and the Root to take the blame for many of the village's darker deeds, the inconsistencies remained hard to swallow for many.
"Yeah, he visits me to chat and asks how I'm doing," Naruto said. He didn't understand why the Hokage was his guardian, but he cherished having an elder to rely on.
"Heh—" Menma let out a cold, cynical scoff.
In Menma's view, the Third was far too lenient with Orochimaru and Danzō. The "Konoha Crush" had ultimately served to cement the Third's legacy as a martyr, but his long reign had stifled the upward mobility of the younger generation. Just yesterday, Menma had felt that familiar, distant observation—the old man was likely spying on Naruto's every move through his crystal ball again.
As they walked, they passed a large department store holding a massive New Year's sale. Menma suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Eh?" Naruto followed Menma's gaze.
A slightly chubby boy wearing glasses was walking out of the store, clutching a pile of electronic components and experimental kits with a look of pure joy.
Naruto noticed the store's name: Gato Department Store.
Menma walked over to a clerk at the entrance. "That kid who just left—what's his name?"
"Master Menma!" The clerk bowed respectfully. Recognizing the boy who effectively controlled the store's finances, he answered quickly: "That's Katasuke Tōno. He's a regular here. He always buys electronic toys and small experimental supplies."
So it is him. He looks about ten years old right now, Menma thought, comparing the boy to his memory of the Special Jonin scientist, Dr. Katasuke.
But he likely has a complete family right now. Kidnapping him might be tricky, Menma mused as he watched Katasuke disappear around a corner.
The ninja world was starved for scientists. A talent like Katasuke was rare; in terms of pure research and development capability, he was likely second only to the likes of Senju Tobirama or Orochimaru. Unlike Sasori or Hiruko, who specialized in specific niches, Katasuke was a polymath.
Scientific Ninja Tools were game-changers. If mass-produced and given to Genin, they could elevate a low-level ninja to Chūnin-level combat power instantly.
If I can simplify and lighten the designs... turn them into something like a rifle that fires shuriken, kunai, or small-scale jutsu... Menma could already see the military revolution Scientific Ninja Tools would bring to the world.
"Whoa! Menma! Is this your store?!" Naruto's exclamation broke his train of thought.
Naruto was staring at the building with stars in his eyes. Menma realized the store was decked out in banners and streamers for the sale, with long lines at the door. Recalling how Naruto was usually discriminated against or sold expired milk at other shops, Menma decided to handle things. He signaled a clerk to fetch the general manager.
"Master Menma, what an honor! How can I assist you?" Soon, a short man in a sharp suit with a scar over his left eyebrow hurried over. This was Morita Ryo, a former wandering samurai who had worked under Gato for years.
"This is Uzumaki Naruto, my little brother," Menma said, jerking his thumb back at the blonde boy. "From now on, when he comes here to buy things, make sure no one gives him trouble. Understood?"
"Understood, Master! It would be our pleasure!" Morita Ryo replied enthusiastically.
Being an outsider, Morita had no prejudice against Naruto. More importantly, he knew that Gato had left explicit instructions that this "Master Menma" held absolute authority over the Gato Corporation's assets in Konoha.
"Let's go. We'll come back to shop when it's less crowded," Menma told Naruto. He had intended to buy the boy some supplies, but he wasn't in the mood to fight through a New Year's crowd.