I Am Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 397 397 The Future Minato Wants to Change!

Menma wasn't surprised by Minato's skepticism. He shrugged, his tone casual: "No need for proof."

"Because these are indeed events from my and Naruto's respective worlds. Parallel universes are inherently similar yet independent stories. For your world, it's merely a 'prophecy'. Whether the prophecy comes true depends on you."

He paused, implying meaning: "However, that one of the shadowy masterminds who once tried to push similar tragedies, Uchiha Madara, has been dealt with by me. At least in this era, the threat from his line is temporarily eliminated."

"Uchiha Madara… truly alive? And a mastermind?" Minato's pupils contracted. Although he saw Madara's figure in the earlier 'scenes', hearing it confirmed firsthand still made his heart palpitate.

'That legendary figure, similar to the First Hokage, whether resurrected or having lived till now… was manipulating such a terrifying scheme in the shadows?'

What shocked him even more was Menma's next sentence.

"However, he's just a relatively important pawn."

'Pawn?!'

'Even a figure like Uchiha Madara was merely a pawn?!'

'Then what kind of terrifying existence must the chess master be?'

Coupled with that Isshiki who killed Hanzo so easily…

Minato felt a chill rise from his feet.

He stared intently at Menma, trying to discern deeper meaning from those calm, unrippled eyes.

Combining Land of Stars' rise seen earlier and Menma's actions in Amegakure, a startling conjecture gradually surfaced in Minato's mind.

Minato's voice was low and serious as he asked: "Menma, I can sense… your establishment of Land of Stars, challenging the entire Ninja World's order, doesn't seem solely driven by personal ambition or lust for power."

"Your gaze seems to always be looking towards more distant, more terrifying threats. Your enemy… or rather, the enemy our world will face in the future… how strong exactly…?!"

Hearing Minato's question, a gratified smile appeared on Menma's face.

He glanced at Naruto beside him, still tangled over Sasuke's issues, deliberately sighed, teasing: "Seems your excellent mind and sharp intuition were both inherited by me. Resulting in this poor younger brother of mine, tsk, being like an unenlightened idiot."

"Hey hey hey!" Naruto instantly ignited from his contemplation, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, baring his teeth in protest. "Even if you're my older brother in that world! That's too much! Where am I an idiot?! I'm the man who will become Hokage!"

Menma chuckled softly, the laughter carrying unconcealed mischief, "Well, how else can it be explained?'

"You—!" Naruto jumped in anger, raising a fist to argue, but Menma lifted a hand, stopping him easily with a simple gesture.

Menma looked back at Minato, the smile fading, his expression turning serious. "Indeed, as you saw in the fragments. Initially, I investigated the true culprit behind the Nine-Tails Attack. As the investigation deepened, I discovered they were connected to the true root of the chaos and wars plaguing the Ninja World for over a millennium. The Uchiha Madara you saw, the 'Akatsuki' in Naruto's world, and even some other entities lurking in history's shadows… are all merely pawns manipulated by a deeper mastermind."

His words mixed truth and falsehood, three parts illusion blended with seven parts truth, skillfully combining and concealing the Otsutsuki threat and Black Zetsu's schemes, constructing a logically coherent motive of 'seeking truth, confronting the mastermind'.

"The Akatsuki?!" Naruto, hearing the name, trembled all over.

He personally experienced battles with Akatsuki's members, knew their strength well, especially the oppressive feeling from that masked mystery man claiming to be 'Uchiha Madara'.

'If even such a terrifying organization was merely a pawn…'

'How dark must the truth behind it be?'

Minato's expression had already turned gravely serious.

He said solemnly: "So, you want to unify the Ninja World, consolidate all power, to gather the entire world's resources and fighting strength to confront those more terrible enemies hidden behind history?"

Menma nodded, admitting frankly: "Correct. A divided Ninja World is powerless before true disaster. Only by unifying power is there a glimmer of hope for survival."

He looked at Minato: "If you deny my ideology, thinking it's merely aggression and ambition…"

"No." Minato unexpectedly shook his head, interrupting him.

His eyes were clear and rational. "If your power and ideology truly could lead the parallel world you're from towards the peace, prosperity, and strength you showed, and your ultimate purpose is to confront greater threats… even accompanied by war and expansion, from the standpoint of your world, this isn't an unacceptable 'bad thing'."

Minato thought much deeper than Naruto.

He guessed the 'movie' Menma showed was inevitably filtered and selective, perhaps even beautifying some of his own actions.

But so what?

That was another timeline's story.

What truly concerned him were those shocking tragedies possibly brewing in his own world.

The Nine-Tails Attack, the Uchiha Massacre…

And the heavier shadows hanging over the Ninja World revealed in Menma's words.

From Menma's actions helping Akatsuki's Nagato and others in Amegakure, and Naruto's wary reaction to 'Akatsuki', he vaguely connected some clues.

Perhaps, in some future, Akatsuki would go astray, and Menma's intervention was an attempt to 'correct' this potentially key force?

Since it was confirmed as a parallel world, without excessive worry about 'changing history' paradoxes, Minato decided to stop beating around the bush.

He took a deep breath, his gaze blazing as he looked at Menma, requesting with unprecedented solemnity:

"Then, Menma… please tell me the truth about the Ninja World as you know it! Tell me about those masterminds hidden in history's shadows! Tell me about the disasters that might descend in the future! I want to know all of this! I want to use all my strength, wisdom, and life to protect Konoha, to protect everything I cherish, to prevent… the tragedies you showed from replaying in this world!"

Menma looked at the resolute Minato before him, a slight smile curving his lips.

He knew the bait he cast had been bitten without hesitation by this Yellow Flash.

And what Minato wanted to protect aligned, to some extent, with what Menma wanted to change.

"Good," Menma said softly.

He reached into his chest, took out a scroll faintly emitting special Chakra Fluctuations, and handed it to Minato.

"This scroll has a special seal. Only those possessing both Space-Time power and Nine-Tails' Chakra can safely open it."

Menma explained: "It records everything you most want to know: the true identity of the masked mystery man who caused the Nine-Tails Attack, the deeper history behind the Ninja World's endless wars over millennia, and also, intelligence about invaders who may descend from beyond the sky in the future."

Minato carefully accepted the scroll, as if receiving a weighty responsibility and hope.

Menma continued: "As for this world's 'mastermind', part has already been eliminated by me. At least, the Nine-Tails Attack shouldn't happen the same way in this era. However, the internal conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village still exists. Whether the massacre night will happen, I can't guarantee. That depends on your own choices and actions."

He looked at Minato, his tone carrying a kind of admonition. "As for those 'beyond the sky' invaders, according to the normal timeline, there should still be over thirty years before they descend on a large scale. You still have enough time to prepare, to accumulate strength, to change Konoha, even change the Ninja World. Consider this scroll a gift from me to this era's 'father'."

Minato tightly gripped the scroll, feeling its weight, and nodded solemnly.

Menma finally said: "To truly protect Konoha, avoid tragedy, mere strength isn't enough. You need to stand in a higher position, possess greater authority and decision-making power. So, strive to become a good 'Fourth Hokage'. After I leave this era, the only one who can prevent those tragedies in this world is you."

His words were both recognition and entrustment to Minato.

Naruto shifted his gaze from the significant scroll in Minato's hands, digesting the heavy conversation about parallel worlds, masterminds, and future challenges. His pent-up emotions finally found an outlet.

He suddenly jumped up, stepping close to Menma, his face reigniting with that mix of impulsiveness and competitive spirit. Pointing at Menma, he loudly clamored: "Hey hey! Wait! After all that talk, what about my questions?! Me! Tell me, where's the base of that masked bastard Uchiha Madara and the Akatsuki?! I'm going to find them and beat them to a pulp!"

Seeing Naruto's hot-headed, ready-to-rush-out-and-fight demeanor, Menma's mouth twitched, a flicker of helplessness in his eyes.

Without wasting words, he directly raised his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and aimed a solid 'elder brother's lesson' at Naruto's head!

Thump!

A crisp, dull sound rang.

Naruto only felt intense pain on his head, stars dancing before his eyes. He let out an 'ow!' cry, clutching his head as he squatted down, tears almost flying out.

"Ouch ouch ouch! Why'd you hit me?!"

Menma put his hands on his hips, looking down at the grimacing Naruto squatting on the ground, scolding impatiently. "Even though you're the Naruto from another world, this idiot energy is exactly the same! You haven't even sorted out the Nine-Tails inside you, your Chakra Control is a mess, fighting just relies on shadow clone rushing and Rasengan smashing. With your half-baked level, you want to solo the Akatsuki? You think your life is too long, rushing to die?!"

"I…" Naruto was left speechless, holding the freshly raised bump on his head, pouting with grievance and a bit of defiance.

He indeed hadn't fully controlled the Nine-Tails' power. Training with Jiraiya focused more on increasing Chakra and basics, and his mastery of deeper techniques was limited, let alone mastering the Nine-Tails' power.

Nearby, Minato watched this scene full of lifelike, or rather, violent educational atmosphere, at Menma's exasperated yet familiarly caring expression, Naruto's aggrieved but lively appearance…

He couldn't help but imagine a scene of watching his two sons grow up, roughhousing, if he had lived.

A warm, bittersweet smile quietly crept onto his lips, alleviating the heavy gloom brought by the cruel truths just learned.

Menma, seeing Naruto's teary-eyed look, calmed down a bit, but his tone still carried a lecturing edge. "The method I used fighting those puppets earlier, the way your enemies will also use, and the method of transmitting information when we bumped fists… these are things you, idiot, must learn in the future! Don't just watch the excitement, use your rusty brain to think! Power doesn't grow just by shouting slogans and rushing recklessly!"

Naruto, scolded into dejection, muttered softly: "Oh… got it…"

Just then, from the direction of Roran's central plaza in the distance, came the sound of boiling crowds, bright horn calls, followed by a series of fireworks soaring into the sky and exploding!

Colorful lights were clearly visible even under the daytime sun, dyeing that area's sky brilliantly.

The noisy sounds surged like a tide… clearly, a grand festival or ceremony was underway.

This sudden commotion attracted everyone on the platform's attention, temporarily interrupting the little domestic interlude.

Minato looked towards the fireworks' direction, his expression turning serious again. He looked at Menma, asking: "So, this Roran's Anrokuzan… also came from your world via the Ryumyaku?"

"Ah! Right!" Naruto snapped out of his scolded dejection, answering eagerly. "I was chasing a Sunagakure's Missing-Nin named Mukade when the Ryumyaku sent me here! That Mukade also wants the Ryumyaku!"

Menma nodded, confirming Naruto's statement while adding more crucial information: "Anrokuzan is Mukade. But most likely, the Mukade from my world."

"Huh? What's the difference?" Naruto scratched his head, puzzled.

To him, Mukade was Mukade, a villain.

"Big difference," Menma patiently explained, after all, this was his idiot brother.

"Didn't you feel something off when fighting those humanoid combat puppets earlier? They showed no traces of Chakra Thread control, yet moved with abnormal flexibility and precision, used a variety of weapons, even had devices directly firing chakra rays."

"This puppet technology and design philosophy originated from my Land of Stars. The Mukade from Naruto's world, though a Sunagakure's puppeteer, couldn't access this technology, let alone mass-produce it."

What Menma didn't say was that these Chakra-Thread-less puppets were precisely the Moon Otsutsuki Clan's technology.

Naruto suddenly understood, slapping his head, accidentally hitting the bump again, wincing in pain. "Ouch ouch, I see! No wonder my Chakra Sword cut nothing earlier! I thought my sword was broken!"

Minato sank into deeper contemplation, deducing various possibilities. "No need for direct Chakra Thread control… means the puppet's core control technology had a qualitative leap, placing less burden on the user while enabling more complex commands. If this technology spread…"

He didn't finish, but a trace of concern flashed in his eyes.

Then Minato looked at Menma: "So, regarding this Anrokuzan, what's your plan? Do you need our assistance?"

Menma's reply carried an assertive tone. "You continue your original mission. Protect Roran's new queen, or investigate the truth, as you will. As for Anrokuzan… I'll dig him out and kill him. Then, I'll 'borrow' the Ryumyaku's power… it's about time I leave this era."

Minato had a clear understanding of Menma's strength. He nodded, quickly deciding on division of labor. "Understood. We'll split up then. If Anrokuzan's goal is controlling Roran, he'll likely appear or take action at the festival where the new queen publicly appears. We'll hide in the shadows, act according to circumstances. On one hand, try to contact and protect the new Queen Sara… on the other, gather Anrokuzan's exact location and plans."

Minato glanced at Naruto rubbing his head, eyes becoming eager again, then at the steady, reliable Menma, adding: "Stay alert, ready for emergencies. Menma, if you deal with Anrokuzan or need support, notify us your way."

Menma slightly inclined his head, accepting the temporary alliance's proposal.

He finally glanced at Naruto, tossing out: "Don't hold us back, my foolish little brother."

Then, his figure vanished from the high tower platform.

"Hmph! Who holds who back isn't certain!" Naruto shook his fist at where Menma disappeared, but a bright smile was on his face, competitive spirit shining in his eyes.