Hidden Leaf.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, Kakashi's report in hand, lost in thought.
"Menma's chakra tails have multiplied to three… He can release a Tailed Beast Ball with power rivaling an S-rank jutsu…" Hiruzen muttered, his brow furrowing. "And Naruto… He's given control of his body to Menma for nearly two weeks without showing his face. Is it possible…?"
The Third Hokage's expression darkened. He had always been confident in controlling Naruto; he had spent years instilling his values into the boy since childhood. But with Menma's sudden appearance — his personality erratic, violent, and utterly devoid of respect for him — Hiruzen felt utterly helpless.
The first time he saw Menma, he sensed the disdain radiating from his bones. There wasn't a shred of friendliness in his eyes. Hiruzen knew Menma was a double-edged sword, with Naruto as the hilt. But to his utter shock, the hilt itself had vanished before he could even wield the blade.
Suppressing his inner turmoil, Hiruzen forced himself to focus on the report again. It was nearly twenty thousand words long, detailing everything from the Root's attack to the Four Star Consortium's infiltration of the Land of Waves. Kakashi had gathered statements from Sasuke and Sakura as well.
It was their accounts that held the key.
"So," Hiruzen analyzed, piecing it together, "it's because his comrades recognized the other version of him, coupled with the guilt he felt for injuring them…"
Hiruzen knew Naruto well. The boy's weakness was his attachment to others. The incident had shattered his confidence.
"Improving Naruto's strength is urgent," Hiruzen decided. "And I need to send someone to calm him down."
Thinking this, Hiruzen relaxed his brow and tapped his desk lightly.
Knock, knock, knock.
Whoosh.
A masked ANBU operative, one directly under the Hokage's command, materialized in the room.
"Has Jiraiya been found?" Hiruzen asked.
The ANBU shook his head. "No, Lord Hokage. However, we've received eyewitness reports from the Land of Hot Springs. We'll need more time to search."
"Send more men. I want concrete information this week."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The ANBU nodded respectfully and turned to leave, but Hiruzen's voice stopped him.
"By the way, summon Iruka Umino and Asuma Sarutobi."
Team 7's chakra natures had already been tested after they mastered their chakra and reached chunin-level strength. With Jiraiya absent, Asuma — who also possessed the Wind Style — would be the perfect choice to teach Naruto.
"Yes."
---
Across the street from the Hokage's Office, Menma, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno were eating dango. Sasuke and Sakura chatted while Menma kept his eyes fixed on the Hokage's building.
The moment he saw Iruka and Asuma enter, Menma set down his skewer and signaled Sasuke to pay the bill.
Sasuke didn't object, standing to pay for the food. He had been the one to suggest they grab a bite and talk about Naruto. Sasuke was conflicted about the blond genin. Naruto was annoying, loud, and reckless, yet Sasuke felt an inexplicable pull toward him — a strange, magnetic force he couldn't ignore.
"Menma," Sasuke started, "please relay what we discussed—"
Menma waved his hand, cutting him off. "I know. I'll handle it."
The primary personality's trust level hadn't even hit 80%. Menma couldn't force a takeover, and if he tried, the body could snap back to Naruto's control at any moment. Besides, Naruto was currently wallowing in self-pity, staring blankly into the void. For the past two weeks, Naruto had failed to generate any Corruption Points, severely stalling Menma's growth.
Then there were Iruka and Asuma entering the building. Hiruzen was clearly planning to intervene.
Rather than let the Hokage send someone to slander or talk him down, Menma would take the initiative to clear the air. It had been long enough; surely Naruto had come to his senses by now.
"I'm heading out," Menma said, disappearing in a blur.
Simultaneously, his voice echoed in Naruto's mindscape.
"You heard what Sasuke and Sakura said, right? What's your plan? Will you face it head-on, or surrender your body to me completely?"
In the mindscape, Naruto's dull eyes suddenly lit up. But he didn't answer Menma's question directly. Instead, he returned to the old debate — the metaphor of the king and the horse.
"Menma," Naruto's mental voice rang clear, "I've thought about what you said. I've reflected on my actions. And your understanding of the king and the horse is wrong. It's not about who is stronger."
"The king is the one who guides the mount's mind in the right direction," Naruto continued, his voice gaining strength. "The one holding the reins, steering the mount so it doesn't stray. The one who restrains the beast's instincts!"
Naruto's mental avatar stood up, eyes blazing.
"You're stronger. You're more brutal. But you can't control the body. I'm gentler, more optimistic, and positive. I'm the one who controls the body! Just like a ninja masters their jutsu, or a samurai wields their katana. We're complementary. Two halves of one whole!"
"You're like my ninjutsu — my weapon. And I'll guide you to function in the right direction!"
Menma couldn't help but scoff in the mindscape.
"Heh…" His voice dripped with amusement. "What kind of twisted logic is that? Why do you think I'm your weapon? You need to understand something: if I don't want to fight, I won't. No matter what danger you're in."
"You will," Naruto said confidently, shaking his head. "You're just a more ruthless version of me. You won't stand by and watch your own people die. Besides, if I die, you die. If I'm sad, you're miserable. Our connection is unbreakable."
Menma hissed through gritted teeth.
"In just two weeks, you've actually gotten smarter," Menma muttered. "And that Kotoamatsukami mouth of yours is incredibly talkative."
Menma wanted to refute Naruto's twisted logic, but in the real world, sitting on his balcony at home, he caught a glimpse of Hiruzen, Iruka, and Asuma down below.
"Hmph. I'll settle the score with you next time," Menma told Naruto. "I'm giving you back the body."
With that, Menma shrank back into the depths of the mind.
Back in the physical world, Naruto reappeared on the street, his eyes gleaming.
"Wait! I haven't finished! You haven't told me how to use the Nine-Tails' chakra!" Naruto yelled internally.
He hadn't taken back his body immediately because he was afraid Menma would shut down communication. And sure enough, the conversation had been cut short mid-sentence.
Just as he was about to scream internally again, a knock on the door interrupted him.
Naruto opened the door and beamed.
"Grandpa Third Hokage! Iruka-sensei!"
Hearing the familiar, cheerful addresses, Hiruzen's serious expression froze.
"You… you're Naruto?"
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