10 Chapter 010 Graduation and Rumors

-Konoha-

Menma produced six clones with the hand sign. The instructor, Kajin, looked at him from the desk among the other instructors.

Yuri said, "You passed this graduation test, Menma." He handed him a headband of Konoha.

Menma took the Konoha forehead protector. He said, "Thank you, sir."

Menma walked out of the classroom wearing the Konoha sign. His classmates also attempted the exam, but they all failed the exam; they didn't meet the standard.

Menma walked out of the academy without stopping for anyone. The children were talking about his results.

"Did you pass the exam?"

"No, what about you?"

"Perhaps next year."

"Have you heard about the Student of the Year?"

"I don't know who that person is; they could be from the senior class. They seem to be graduating easily."

"Neither of you knows."

"What do I not know?"

"Menma from our class not only passed the exam but trampled all the senior students in the exam as well. He is this year's Student of the Year."

"Wow, how did he manage to do that?"

A few days later-

-Hokage office-

Danzo walked into the Third Hokage's office. The Third Hokage looked at him.

Hiruzen said "Why are you here Danzo? I don't think we have any business today."

Hiruzen is still signing some papers. Nara Shikaku is here with him, and he was recently appointed as Hokage's advisor.

Danzo began saying, "I heard there's a new student of the year, just like every year. But this time, he graduated at the age of seven. Almost matching the talent of Kakashi and Minato. Even if it's a little short compared to Minato. He is still equal to Kakashi during his graduation."

He wants to have that kind of talent under his wing.

Hiruzen knows what Danzo wants to do; he has tried it many times.

Hiruzen looked into his eyes and said, "No, I cannot give such a young child to you. And his entire family was lost on the battlefield, including his grandmother who died while bringing medicinal herbs to the village. I don't want him to join Roots. His grandmother made her stance very clear before dying; she never wanted her grandson to join your organization. Therefore, I must decline your offer."

Danzo didn't back down either. But a knock was heard at that moment. And Menma walked in with his ninja registration form. He didn't know how the system worked here. He knocked and entered inside.

Hiruzen looked at Menma and said, "Menma kun, we were talking about you just now. You will live longer than others." Hiruzen smiled happily. You could not see the dangerous aura that he had cast on Danzo only moments before. And Danzo did not back away from him at that moment either.

Menma looked at the office. He saw Hiruzen, the three elders, and Shikadai Nara. From the look on his face, Menma could tell that there was some sort of disagreement between Hiruzen and Danzo.

Menma handed in his form and said, "Here is my ninja registration form."

Hiruzen looked satisfied with the information on his ninja registration form. He handed it to Shikaku Nara.

The Hokage said to him, "You came on the first day to submit your ninja registration form; you're very punctual."

Danzo said at that time, "You should let him join my Root." He suddenly tried to put pressure on the kid as a superior.

However, before Hiruzen could say anything.

Menma asked at that time, "Excuse me but who are you? Are you from our village? I have never seen you in the village." It was the first time he had ever seen Danzo anywhere in Konoha.

Koharu and Hamura looked shocked at the kid's statement. Even Hiruzen and Shikamaru looked puzzled by his words. Danzo didn't know how to reply to him.

Danzo replied, "I play a very important role in the village and on the battlefield." He tried to give a simple explanation. Otherwise, how would he convince this kid to join his Root organization?

Menma's eyes suddenly sparkled and he said, "I know who you are. You are Lord Jiraya, who is currently battling against Iwagakure. Have you come to pay respects to your teacher, the Great Hokage Professor?" Menma's eyes looked very sincere.

Hiruzen almost choked on his saliva at that moment.

His other two friends almost wanted to laugh at that time. Paying respect to Hiruzen by Danzo. Shikaku Nara is also stunned by the kid's words. Danzo coughed shamelessly at that time to avoid embarrassment. Kids had limited thinking in his opinion.

Danzo says, "I am not Jiraya." But he is cut by Menma again.

Menma took a thinking pose and said, "You are Lord Orochimaru. You are the commander of the battle against both Cloud and Rock Ninja." Menma nodded his head as he guessed correctly this time.

Danzo's eyes wandered to Orochimaru and shuddered. He said, "I am not Orochimaru." But he was cut off immediately by Menma.

Menma in the thinking pose said, "You are Lord Hamura the great elder. Student of Lord Second and participated in the first great ninja war. The one who takes care of the Academy, its students, and finances. You also take care of special classes. I have to say the teachers of the special class are good. All thanks to your recruitment. "

He felt proud after hearing it.

Hamura said, " I am Hamura the great elder."

Menma immediately shook hands with Hamura and said, "It is so good to see you Dean of Konoha Academy studies."

Koharu coughed from the sides to gain the attention of Hamura. So he can remember that he is an elder.

Menma looked at her. He said, "It's Elder Koharu. She's the second-in-command female elder and one of the few from the first medic ninja batch created by Konoha. She was also a great genjutsu mistress of Konoha during the first war. And it's not easy when you have the Uchiha clan in your village. So it is a great achievement despite so many obstacles."

Koharu blushed after hearing his words. It was now Hamura's turn to cough at this point.

Danzo said, "You know everyone. How come you don't know me? I am also an elder." He couldn't bear the thought that kid knew everyone else but didn't know the great Danzo sama.

Menma looked at him a little puzzled. Then he said, "I would have said Lady Tsunade if you were a lady. But I don't know who you are. You lack Vitamin D in your skin. You should stand more in the sunlight. Eat more oranges; they also provide Vitamin D. Drink more water, at least ten cups of water a day, to maintain skin health. You must have injured your left hand in some terrible jutsu. An infectious jutsu that corroded your body in one go. You need further medical treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, your hand will be gone and may require amputation."

Menma explained his medical condition as well as he could. Biwa Sarutobi also entered the room. She also heard what Menma had just said.

Biwa said as soon as she heard it, "Excellent analysis just by looking at the patient." Menma blushed at her praise.

Danzo immediately said, "I am not a patient. I am Konoha elder Danzo Shimura." His friends were worried about his health.

Biwa said at that time, "Menma has a special talent that he can tell exactly what kind of sicknesses and injuries you have. You have never gone to the hospital. I strongly recommend you to go to the hospital. Otherwise, I will not mind cutting off your hand later."

Danzo didn't budge from his spot, as usual being stubborn.

Menma was thinking and pointed his finger at Danzo, saying, "Now I know where I heard your name. You are also an elder and student of the Second Hokage. You participated in the first Ninja War. But then you disappeared from public view. Some say you died during the first Ninja War. Some say you are Anbu. I heard from my childhood friends that the name 'Danzo' is used to scare children into going to bed. I also heard that you have an unhealthy interest in children. Many orphans from the orphanage have mysteriously disappeared on your watch."

Before Danzo could say anything, Menma continued to speak, "You also have the Root foundation under your control. My grandmother told me that if a guy wearing a plain mask shows up or if Danzo ever invites you, just don't join him. He has weird ideas about children all day long."

Menma hid behind Biwa immediately and said, "My penis doesn't belong to you, nor does my ass. You should also check your mental health regarding unhealthy obsessions."

Hiruzen and others who heard it almost choked at that time. Danzo felt like vomiting blood after hearing it. He has a bad reputation in Konoha. Shikaku Nara also heard some small gossip about this topic from old ladies who passed by him.

This is also one of the reasons Danzo is unsuccessful in recruiting kids from the families of Konoha.

Danzo calmed down and said, "Kid, do you know what you're saying?"

Menma said, "I am not saying this because I want to say it. You need to go to Konoha Hospital. I heard many old ladies discussing that Root Leader Danzo is mentally ill. He has an unhealthy obsession with children. Every second old lady knows about this story. But I never saw you in the crowd or at the park. So you might not know. Old ladies often gather and say that Danzo took another child from the orphanage and he will do all kinds of evil acts with the boy or girl. You might think no one pays attention to the orphanage, but old ladies know about it and they often visit it. They also say that you are the only elder who is sick. They didn't tell you because you are an elder."

There is a rumor being told secretly by old ladies. However, Menma is the one who intensifies it while talking with old ladies as a two-year-old. He asks them if he has done all kinds of adult things with other children. The old ladies believe in his words and often visit the orphanage. As it is the best target for Danzo. Then it spreads like gossip but never reaches the higher-ups because they know what the position of an elder means.

Shikaku coughed and said, "There is a rumor going around the village. The old ladies think you have an interest in children. You've never married and often take kids from the orphanage. Lately, this rumor has spread throughout the civilians, the orphans, and the young women."

That old prank had become big and had become his shield.

Danzo is furious to hear about his rumor, but he can't do anything to civilians in Konoha. And many of them are old ladies who are just gossiping.

Biwa told Hiruzen, "If your friend visits, please kindly remind me in advance."

Biwa had already believed the rumors after hearing them once. After all, Danzo never married and often took children away. These were all the things women needed to be suspicious. Her words were very clear to Hiruzen and what she wanted him to do. The third Hokage looked at his old friend and then nodded his head towards Biwa.

Danzo was puzzled by this atmosphere. He also understood that Biwa believed in the rumors.

Danzo told her, "You have to believe me; rumors are just rumors. I am innocent in this matter."

Koharu immediately said, "Danzo, you don't have to give explanations to us. We have been friends since childhood. We should have considered your mental health. We will try to help you as much as possible. If you want to meet us, come to the office; there is no need for you to come to my house, as we spend most of our time at the office."

Even Hamura looked at Danzo with some suspicion at this time.

Danzo wants to vomit blood. He's trying to leave. Menma says, "You should visit Konoha Hospital for your health issues. And also for any other issues you might have."

Danzo wants to find the person who spread the rumors. He doesn't know that he was very close to that person just now.

As soon as Danzo left, Biwa went full blast on Hiruzen.

Biwa said to her Husband, " Don't call your friend at home. Asuma is still young, he might learn bad things from Danzo."

Koharu supported Biwa at this time. She said, "I agree with Biwa on this matter. Danzo's mental health is not good. He takes in orphans silently. God only knows what kind of fetishes he has hidden within his mind."

Hiruzen looked at Menma and said, "Your work has been done here. Following week you will assigned to a squad."

Menma thanked them and left for his house. He didn't show any happiness this time. But his silent prank became quite large this time.

After Menma left the Hokage building, Hiruzen discussed quite a lot of things with Biwa, Shikaku, and Hamura. They also discussed Danzō's health and how to protect the younger children from him. Biwa and Koharu told the others that they had suspicions about Danzō's normal sexual preferences. Biwa even told Hiruzen that it might be because Danzō was in love with Hiruzen and jealous of her relationship with Hiruzen as a young child. Hiruzen looked very unhappy with this revelation.

Shikaku saw what a rumor could do. All it took was for Menma to spread the rumors among the old ladies. Even Hiruzen and Homura started giving up on defending Danzo this time. They too began having doubts about Danzo's sexual preferences.

Meanwhile, Danzo sends his members to find the source of this rumor. But they don't know that this rumor started five years ago as a joke. Now, people have different theories about this rumor. And they might not be able to find the actual source. But their investigation might spread it even more. And people will think that Danzo has done something like this in the past, even if it was just a talk.