Jiraiya gave a helpless laugh. "Alright, alright! I'll pay it back!"
"Good," Menma said, lowering the feather duster.
Naruto, seeing his brother relax, followed suit and gently put down his own—relieved. That means ramen is safe…
But just as his smile bloomed—
WHAM!
He was hugged.
"Ahhhh~ you two are so cute!" Tsunade had pushed Jiraiya aside and scooped Naruto into a bear hug, squishing his cheek against her chest and ruffling his hair like a plush toy.
"Sister Tsunade!" Menma flinched. "Let go—Naruto can't breathe!"
Tsunade blinked. "Oh—oops." She released the poor boy.
Naruto gasped for air and immediately darted behind his brother. This aunt is terrifying.
Menma patted his head. "Don't be scared, Naruto."
Then he turned toward the others. "Naruto, this is Sister Tsunade, and that's Sister Shizune."
Naruto poked his head out. "Nice to meet you, Sister Tsunade! Sister Shizune! I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"
"KYAA~" Tsunade clutched her heart. "He's so cute!"
She instinctively reached out to hug him again, but Naruto yelped and vanished behind his brother once more.
Menma casually slapped her hand away. "Sister Tsunade, no hugging. You're scaring him."
Tsunade: "..."
Her face turned pouty.
Shizune: snort
She quickly coughed and turned her head.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. Did you just laugh at me?
Shizune shook her head innocently.
The five of them finally sat down in the living room. Naruto, now relaxed, peeked curiously at the newcomers. He was especially fascinated by Tsunade's, um, "assets."
How do they even stay up?
Brother definitely has to explain later…
Meanwhile, Menma turned toward Jiraiya with a grin. "Alright, Master Jiraiya… care to explain now?"
"Ahhh..." Jiraiya scratched his head. "Well, it's a long story…"
And so, Jiraiya started to confess.
Back then, he really had no money. He planned to return and take on some missions the next month. But before that happened, Menma's novels exploded in popularity. The boy became a walking treasure chest. So Jiraiya thought: What's the harm in freeloading a little?
He also mentioned that his savings had been donated to a certain village in the past, and that, being constantly stuck in Konoha dealing with work from the Third Hokage, he couldn't take on missions. No missions meant no pay. And no pay meant...
Well. Rent's gotta go.
"I was paying for the food at first!" Jiraiya tried to defend himself. "Just… y'know… not anymore."
Menma folded his arms, unimpressed. "Since you have a history, I'll tentatively believe your story."
Jiraiya: "…" It's the truth!
Tsunade burst out laughing. "Pfft—Jiraiya! You got called out by a six-year-old!"
Jiraiya looked betrayed.
Menma leaned back. "Alright, I'll drop the charges. You can stay here rent-free."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up—until Menma added:
"But you're in charge of all the housework now."
Naruto's eyes sparkled. "For real?! Does that mean I don't have to do chores anymore?"
Menma glanced at him. "You'll just have more homework instead."
Naruto turned pale. "No! I'll do chores! Sensei, don't steal them from me!"
Menma smirked. "Great. Clean my room, then."
Naruto jumped up. "Yes, sir!" And dashed off.
Tsunade watched him go and sighed. "Kids these days are so well-behaved. Back when Nawaki was his age, he was a total brat. Wouldn't listen to me unless I chased him down to beat some sense into him…"
She trailed off, lost in memory.
Menma smiled warmly. "Naruto's the best little brother I could ask for."
But then his tone turned sharp.
"And that's why I'll protect him no matter what. I'll ensure he grows up safe and happy in this village. And if anyone tries to take that away from him—no matter who they are—I'll make them pay. I won't give a damn whose face I have to slap."
His words rang with conviction.
Jiraiya and Tsunade shared a look.
Jiraiya gave a soft sigh and said, "Don't worry. With me here, and now Tsunade too, no one will ever lay a hand on either of you again. Naruto will grow up safe, strong, and free."
Menma nodded slowly. "I'll trust you—for now. But I've learned not to rely on others. Power is what protects us. I'll keep growing stronger… and I'll raise Naruto's strength, too."
"… 'For now,' he says…" Jiraiya mumbled, defeated.
But then, as if to lighten the mood, he pulled a scroll from his cloak and held it out.
"Here. From the village—it's compensation. Inside is the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. You've earned it."
Menma's eyes widened slightly, but he immediately accepted it.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!
Four clones appeared.
Menma handed them the scroll. "Read. Master everything."
Clones: "…"
Here we go again.
Each clone shot the main body a dirty look before grabbing the scroll and heading out.
Menma, shameless as ever, yawned.
Tsunade laughed again. "Yep. Definitely a true Uzumaki. That chakra pool is ridiculous."
Menma shrugged. "Meh. We had to trade IQ for chakra. The clan door closed, but someone left the chakra window wide open."
And then the whole house got bombed.
Suddenly, Menma turned and asked, "By the way—have you guys eaten?"
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "Nope. We're starving."
"Wait." Jiraiya leaned forward excitedly. "You're gonna cook, right? Right?"
Shizune looked confused. "Menma cooks?"
Menma: "…"
He instantly regretted opening his mouth.
"…Shadow-Clone! Come back and cook for me!"
(Shadow-Clone: "Can't hear you~")
(End Of Chapter)
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