Chapter 5- Graduation

(Time skip 8 years)

As time passes nothing eventful had happened to the village aside from the Uchiha massacre. As tragic as it is Menma knew he could do nothing about this event, he could not have handled the consequences of interfering with the Uchiha massacre.

Over the years Menma's charka control has improved greatly as he used Tree Climbing Practice and

Water Surface Walking Practice. Aside from training himself he had also tried helping Naruto but to no avail.

As he could not properly resolve Naruto's problem with the yang half of Kurama, Kurama inside Naruto was capable of disrupting Naruto's output of charka in using Jutsus.

Fortunately for Menma, it seems that his decision to stay with Naruto rather than graduating early was a good choice, as the only thing special during his stay was the constant annoyance of the trio. As they had asked one of their friend's older brother a genin to confront Menma, but due to Memma's mastery of the Body Flicker Technique as he instantly knocked out the genin.

Which causes him to gain fan girls to only add to his troubles. As for his relationship in class, the only people he had interacted with were Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Kiba, Ino, Sakura, Hinata, and Sasuke. As he considers Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, and Kiba as close friends due to Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba go along with Naruto's pranks.

As for Ino and Sakura, it's complicated, due to him and Sasuke would compete for the top rank so they would have mixed feelings. While Sasuke and he has formed some sort of respect for one another, while on the other hand Sasuke and Naruto's relationship Naruto had formed a one-sided rivalry with Sasuke due to him for lack of a better word a prick. (on Naruto's accounts)

Whenever Menma would beat Sasuke, Naruto would brag about it to Sasuke's Face which would lead to a fight.

As for Shino and Hinata's, most of his interactions with them was mainly one-sided.

Graduation day was coming close, Menma has decided on this event that he will not interfere much for Naruto's growth as this was the only Naruto to resolve his problem with Kurama.

-Ninja Academy (Graduation Day)-

Everything went according to canon, as for Menma's results he had tied with his father's record and beat Itachi's record.

Outside the academy, it could be seen that Naruto was depressed that he had failed the exams. Menma had gone to the Hokage's office with the idea to give Naruto another chance, but then Naruto was approached by Mizuki.

Unbeknownst to them, Menma was watching the whole scene, once Naruto and Mizuki interaction ended Menma had gone to the Hokage's office to report about the situation.

-Hokage's Office-

The Hokage was surprised by Menma arrival at his office, it seems that Menma had arrived while the Hokage was looking through "research"

As Menma reported what had taken place earlier with Mizuki and Naruto, the Hokage had asked Menma about his thoughts on this.

Menma convince the Hokage to let it play out so that they can learn what Mizuki's motive is. The Hokage agreed, then Menma left.

As the Hokage watch as Menma leaves he looked at the message that came for his student.

As he sighed he opened a drawer containing 2 profiles and summoned someone from his Anbu team.

Anbu that had arrived was wearing a mask that resembled a cat.

As Hiruzen was briefing the Anbu about his new identity, position, and team that he will be leading. Then handed 3 profiles, 2 from lasts year graduates and one from these years.

"The two from last year's graduates were formally under Kurenai Yūhi tutelage until they lost one of their members during last year's Chunin exam. Without finding a replacement the team was disbanded and Kurenai was reassigned."

After the briefing, Yamato is formally known as Tenzo had left carrying the profiles that were handed to him. The names were Yakumo Kurama the last surviving member of the main branch of the Kurama clan, And Hinoko a student who invented her signature technique.

'What a weird combination' Yamato thought as he left the Hokage's office.

-Uzumaki Residence-

Naruto had sneaked past a "sleeping" Menma then proceeded to the mission that was given to him by Mizuki.

(As the events during the pilot had unfolded)

-Hospital-

As Iruka was badly hurt by Mizuki, Naruto felt responsible for what had happened and stayed with Iruka at the hospital.

As the door open, Naruto could see who had entered the room. It was his brother Menma, worried that Menma would scold him in front of the wounded Iruka.

As Menma thanked Iruka for his help, Menma asked his brother that they need to talk and suggested that they go to the rooftop.

"How do you feel about what Mizuki told you?"

"What! You knew?? Why didn't you tell me??"

"Sorry. I couldn't tell because it would endanger our life" "How do you feel about the Kyuubi?"

"Don't you feel anything about what the people around the village, calling us for what we are! Monsters! Demons!"

"We didn't do anything Naruto. We are not responsible for what the Kyuubi has done in the past. For fuck's sake Naruto we were just born when the Kyuubi attack!"

"Then why?"

"Why what?"

"Why were we chosen?"

"I don't know"

"What about our parents, do you know who they were?"

"Yes. I tell you that in the future once we become strong ninjas."

"Why can't you tell me now!"

"Because! To protect us! To protect you! I'll tell you the whole truth once we are strong enough to protect ourselves from anyone, I promise! "

"Let's go home, it been a long day"

Naruto agreed, as they walk back home no words we spoke. As they got home they greeted each other goodnight and went to their rooms.

Naruto was thinking of what he and his brother said. While Menma knowing that it been a long day for Naruto and that he needed some time to think. Menma was thinking about something also you what team will he be assigned to.

As the twin was lost in their thoughts, they closed their eyes and went to sleep.