Chapter 002 Growing up

Menma walks with his new friends because his grandmother didn't want him to be a lonely child during his formative years. His parents come back from the battlefield with his grandfather from time to time. They look tired from the war, but they don't show it to him. However, he can see it in their eyes.

Menma went to a snack shop with his new friends. He saw Asuma, Kurenai, Genma, and Ebisu there. One of his friends recognized Guy as the person who runs around his house in the mornings while he exercises. Kakashi was not present; he had already become a Genin ninja.

"Hey Menma, have you seen that guy with the watermelon haircut and wearing green clothes? He's been running around my house yelling loudly about being young." One of the children says to Menma. As Menma is the one who manages all of them through trickery. He is already three years old now.

All the Academy students looked at the boy who was talking about Guy. He was talking loudly enough for everyone to hear his words. The girls of the academy could only sigh at the small child's words. However, Guy didn't shy away from them. He got up and said, "Thanks for cheering." His signature pose with shining white teeth and a thumbs-up gave off an air of absolute confidence from this insane Taijutsu user.

Academy students can watch this type of daily drama. So, they are somewhat immune to it.

The shopkeeper asked, 'Kids, do you need anything?' His attention was focused on the small children. At that moment, Menma stepped forward and cleared his throat to speak clearly.

We need three colored Dango. Sixteen Dango, to be exact. You are free to give a 100% discount or even add some extra Dango. If it's both, it will be an extra lucky day for us," Menma said with a serious face. The kids all looked cute while they waited for their Dango.

Along with the shopkeeper, everyone in the shop had the look of shock on their faces. This kid didn't talk like a kid. The shopkeeper smiled and asked, "Children, do you have any money?"

The shopkeeper hopes that children will give him some money; he has no problem discounting the price, but he can't do it all the time.

Menma collected all the money from the kids and added some of his own before giving it to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper noticed that it was slightly less than 16 dango, but he decided to give them a discount anyway. He quickly prepared 16 dango while the children waited with their mouths watering, except for Menma.

"How old are you?" Anko said to Menma.

She watched the entire scene in silence.

"Old enough to eat dango," Menma said. She looked at him with a serious expression. Anko gently grabbed his cheeks after finding it cute.

"Lady, this is child harassment! You can't touch my cheeks like that. We need to call Chunin, Jonin, no we have to call Anbu. What is happening with children's cheeks these days?" Menma spoke ruthlessly in a childlike voice. He sounded seriously childish. Anko couldn't help but laugh as she let go of his cheeks.

"Anko, don't bully the kids," Rin Nohara said at that time from another place. She was sitting on another bench with Obito and other students.

At that time, the shopkeeper delivered the Dango to the children. Menma ate his Dango furiously and looked at Anko. The academy girls found it cute. At that time, someone came to the Dango shop.

"Ara ara, my sweet little child is here. Come to Momma," said a woman wearing a chunin vest as she entered the room. She immediately embraced Menma's cheek, and this time, he didn't resist, knowing it was his birth mother.

"I am not a sweet little child, Mom. I am a ruthless adventurer who smashes ant hills with my bare fists. I am a rare breed of ninja child. I smack cats when they meow towards me and chase dogs who dare to bark at me. I even catch fish with my bare hands in streams. You can ask my friends." Menma said to his mother. His mother looked at the other kids who were nodding their heads. Even the other customers looked at these children who were nodding like chickens.

"Ahh, my sweet little child has grown up. Lets go to house, Mom will give you a nice bath, you must be tired after such a hard day," His mother said to him and immediately lifted him in her hands and left that place and other kids followed her.

Menma was trying to silently protest against being carried like a child, but his mother didn't see it.

"I've never seen a serious child like him, except for Kakashi." Obito said. "Who would smack cats and dogs as a child?" Rin looked at him with a sigh.

"Obito missed Kakashi; it was quite a genuine thing. I also miss my eternal rival. This time, when I see him, I will fight him with all my heart," Guy said to them. His eyes burned with passion as he spoke of Kakashi.

"The next time I meet this child, I won't let him escape," Anko said. "Kurenai, what do you think?" she asked. The future illusion specialist could only sigh at her words.

While they were talking among themselves, Menma was given a thorough bath at home by his mother. No matter how much he tried to act like an adult, his mother would not listen to him. The main character was helpless in front of his mother. It was because of talking too much in front of his mother. His mother had an illusion in her mind that he played with other kids on the streets and needed a thorough washing by her hands.

His father returned after a few days, but then they received news of his grandfather's death on the border of Iwagakure. The family was in mourning. Menma didn't know what to say at the time. He realized for the first time just how serious the ninja world could be. However, as a child, he couldn't work too hard. According to his computer system data, the best age to begin practicing is between four and five years old, when a ninja student enters the academy.

His grandfather died during a sudden attack. The whole border patrol team died alongside him. Jiraya threw Iwa's army back in a quick response. Menma's grandfather's body was brought back among many others. Menma attended the funeral, but he did not speak at that time. He remained silent, and somewhere a thought occurred to his mind. He promised himself that no matter what, he would not die in this war or any other war. He would survive. Revenge was not an option, as everyone was fighting for their own country. His mother hugged him at that time, having noticed his serious expression. It was not a childish expression, but rather something deeper.

His grandma soon noticed the changes in Menma. As he would run around the whole village with his friends every day. He could only increase his running due to the limited amount of exercise at his age. And nowadays, he rarely smiles and has become quieter than before. His parents are assigned to the Cloud Border together this time, and they have to leave for work shortly after the funeral.