章 15: Mixed Emotions

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"This isn't just about indulging in my own whims—it's a strategic move!"

Mizuki was well aware of Menma's behavior over the past six years. Even in their brief confrontation, Menma had dodged his attack, despite it not being at full strength. This alone showed that Menma's abilities far surpassed those of an ordinary academy student.

To ensure his victory, Mizuki needed to rattle him. If Menma lost his composure, he wouldn't be able to fight at full strength. Then, Mizuki could finish him off with ease.

Although Mizuki wasn't the brightest shinobi, he had his own cunning. After all, how else would he have become a Chunin and secured a teaching position at the Ninja Academy? His so-called stupidity was relative—if he were truly brainless, he wouldn't have been promoted in the first place.

However, Mizuki made a critical mistake: underestimating Menma because of his age. To him, a 12-year-old couldn't possibly be a threat. In Mizuki's mind, this was already his version of being "cautious."

But Menma had no idea what Mizuki was plotting.

As Mizuki revealed Menma's identity as the "demon fox," hoping to shake his resolve, Menma's expression didn't falter.

"So, go to hell, demon fox brat!"

Seeing what he thought was hesitation in Menma, Mizuki's eyes gleamed with disdain.

With a burst of chakra, Mizuki charged at Menma, his kunai glinting ominously in the moonlight. Time was running out—he had to kill Menma quickly before other shinobi from the village arrived. If that happened, things would get far more complicated.

The distance between them closed rapidly. Mizuki's kunai aimed directly at Menma's throat, a seemingly surefire strike.

But at the last moment—

*Clang!*

Another flash of cold steel intercepted Mizuki's attack with precision. His eyes widened as he saw Menma glaring at him with a furious expression.

"Demon fox? Traitor to the village? No! I don't believe it! I don't believe it!! **You** are the traitor, Mizuki-sensei! **You** are the one who's going to die!!!"

Menma's roar echoed through the night, filled with anger. A bloodthirsty gleam appeared in his eyes.

"What!?"

Mizuki barely had time to react as Menma swung his arm with immense force.

*Boom!*

Mizuki's expression twisted as the powerful strike sent a violent shockwave through his arm.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew as Mizuki's defense crumbled. His arms were knocked aside, leaving his body wide open.

Menma's eyes gleamed coldly.

He stepped forward, moving swiftly to exploit the opening.

"Not good!"

Mizuki's horrified face was reflected in Menma's kunai as it sliced toward his vital point. Desperately, Mizuki tried to block the attack.

But it was futile.

'Fool!'

At such close range, where he could almost hear Mizuki's heartbeat, did Mizuki really think Menma couldn't see through his intentions?

This battle was on a completely different level.

Menma adjusted his movement mid-strike, shifting his attack in an instant.

"Damn it!"

Menma moved three times faster than Mizuki could react.

*Swish!*

With a swift motion, Menma's kunai sliced through Mizuki's arm.

*Thud!*

The sound of metal piercing flesh echoed, followed by the splatter of blood.

Mizuki screamed in agony.

"Ahhh!"

His face contorted with pain. Despite being a Chunin, years spent in the comfort of the academy had dulled his edge. He hadn't seen real combat in six or seven years.

The pain was enough to break Mizuki's resolve.

More terrifying than the pain, though, was Menma's strength.

Is this really just a kid who graduated from the academy!?

Mizuki's ambition quickly crumbled as fear overtook him. Thoughts of defeating Menma or stealing the Scroll of Seals vanished from his mind. All he wanted now was to survive.

He didn't want to die! He still had dreams, plans for the future!

Desperation filled Mizuki's eyes as he tried to push forward, hoping to create some distance between them. But Menma anticipated his every move, a cruel smile forming on his lips.

*Shua!*

Menma shifted his stance and twisted his body. With all his strength, he kicked Mizuki square in the chest.

*Bang!*

Mizuki's chest caved in under the impact.

*Gah!*

He spat out blood as his body was launched backward like a ragdoll.

*Crash!*

Mizuki slammed into the ground, raising a cloud of dust. His body twitched violently from the brutal attack.

Before he could recover—

*Whoosh!*

Menma was already standing over him, his gaze filled with cold fury.

"You… you can't…"

Mizuki stammered, his bloodshot eyes staring into Menma's merciless expression.

Without hesitation, Menma drove his elbow into Mizuki's abdomen.

*Thud!*

The sickening impact left Mizuki gasping, his abdomen caving in from the force.

*Gah!*

Blood spewed from Mizuki's mouth as intense pain shot through his body.

In the next moment, Mizuki's consciousness faded. His head lolled to the side, and he passed out cold.

Victory came easily.

But Menma felt no satisfaction. After all, Mizuki was just a Chunin who had spent years away from the front lines. His only advantage was that he could bully academy students. He wasn't strong at all.

Defeating someone like this didn't bring any sense of accomplishment.

In the original story, even Naruto could do it

with ease.

And I'm much stronger than that Naruto. If I couldn't handle this, I might as well hit myself over the head with a rock.

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**On the surface, Menma deliberately displayed a mix of anger and confusion.**

He knew he was still under the watchful eye of the Third Hokage. **As someone who had just "discovered" his true identity and defeated Mizuki in a fit of rage, he needed to keep his emotions in check.** Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't suspect anything unusual.

Moreover, Mizuki couldn't be allowed to die. **The upcoming events still required his presence.**

"Demon fox? I guess I am..." Menma muttered, his lips curling into a bitter smile. **He shook his head slightly, whispering those words under his breath before letting out a soft sigh.**

He had planned everything carefully.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching from a distance, noticed nothing out of the ordinary. **The Third Hokage would never have imagined that a boy under twelve could possess such convincing acting skills and deep-seated cunning.**

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was more concerned about Menma's mental state. **However, seeing that Menma appeared only somewhat confused, the Third Hokage wasn't overly worried.**

Just as Sarutobi was debating whether to intervene…

**"Swoosh!"**

A figure dashed into Sarutobi Hiruzen's line of sight. **Under the moonlight, Iruka's familiar face appeared, and the Third Hokage's tense heartstrings loosened slightly.** With Iruka—Menma's special "guardian"—on the scene, and Menma's emotions seemingly stable, everything appeared to be under control.

**Sarutobi Hiruzen observed silently.**

**Menma, too, sensed Iruka's approach.**

Originally, Menma had intended to bring Mizuki back himself and "surrender." But now, with Iruka's arrival, **it was the perfect scenario.**

Of course, Menma didn't neglect his outward performance. **He quickly turned around, taking up a defensive stance.**

"Menma, don't worry, it's me!" Iruka called out, noticing Menma's tense posture.

Menma's expression softened instantly, **shifting naturally into one of guilt, uneasiness, and a hint of suspicion as Iruka drew nearer.**

His complex expression, coupled with an instinctive step back, **perfectly conveyed the image of a troubled teenager.**

Iruka wasn't sure what had transpired, but seeing Menma's demeanor, the fallen Mizuki, and the Scroll of Seals lying nearby, **he began to piece together what had likely happened.**

"Menma, don't worry. I believe in you. Something unexpected must have happened, right? Tell me everything, okay? If there's any issue, I'll help you sort it out, even if it involves Mizuki. Just tell me everything."

**It was clear Menma's mental state was delicate.** Iruka stopped a few steps away, careful not to provoke him further. He spoke in the gentlest tone he could muster, trying to calm Menma's "agitated" emotions.

"All?" Menma responded with a self-deprecating smile, his gaze still holding an unreadable look as he faced Iruka.

"Can I really trust you, Iruka-sensei?" His voice was weak, almost devoid of hope.

Iruka's heart clenched at Menma's words.

"Of course, Menma, I—"

"Even if I'm the demon fox that killed your parents twelve years ago, would you still trust me? Or would you, like Mizuki and the villagers, see me as the village's greatest threat?" Menma cut him off, his eyes sharp, the doubt in his voice unmistakable.

Unlike his earlier confrontation with Mizuki, Menma's words and expressions here weren't entirely an act. **After six years with Iruka, he had seen that his teacher genuinely cared for him.**

Menma didn't care much about the village. **His plans remained unchanged, except when it came to his foolish brother.** But now, Iruka was another consideration. **Menma couldn't quite understand his own feelings—did he want Iruka to be fake, or did he truly hope that Iruka cared for him like a brother?**

Even Menma didn't know.

**This inner turmoil was reflected in his words, and Iruka noticed.** For a moment, Iruka was stunned.

"Menma, you..."

**Though Iruka wasn't a genius, the fact that the Third Hokage had entrusted him to be Menma's guardian showed his competence.**

From Menma's words, Iruka could tell that something much deeper was going on.

**Mizuki!**

He had undoubtedly played a shameful role in Menma's theft of the Scroll of Seals. **This was no trivial matter.**

But right now, Menma's mental state was the priority.

"No, Menma, you're not the demon fox. In my eyes, you're just Uzumaki Menma. I don't know where you got this idea, but what I want you to know is that you are you, and the demon fox is the demon fox. You've never been the same as that creature. If anything, you're the village's hero. Others might not understand or accept you now, but I believe that, through your own efforts, you'll earn their recognition. Menma, trust me, trust yourself, and trust Hokage-sama. Come back, and we'll resolve everything together."

Iruka extended his right hand toward Menma, his eyes sincere as he spoke softly but with unwavering conviction.

These words came straight from Iruka's heart. **He had no intention of deceiving Menma. He truly saw Menma as a boy, not a monster.**

Moreover, the child who had been used to seal the Nine-Tails at birth shouldn't be hated or ostracized by the people of Konoha—**he should be celebrated as a hero.**

**These were Iruka's true feelings, born from six years of knowing Menma.**

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