Chapter 14: what Is a Ninja?
In the blink of an eye, spring passed, and summer arrived.
Menma, now ten months old, could walk around the house with small but steady steps. Despite not yet being one, he was as tall and strong as a typical four-year-old—overflowing with vitality and energy.
After his "legendary revenge," he never saw that uncle again. But every two weeks, his granny Biwako would visit, staying an hour or two—mercifully saving Kakashi's sanity and spine.
He would play with her, show her his drawings (which were mostly a tool for learning finer hand control), practice his growing vocabulary, and then curl up beside her, holding her hand until he fell asleep. Every time, it was like that.
They were warm, happy moments—but even he could feel they weren't real. Not truly. She carried guilt. Why, he didn't know—though he had some guesses. Still, he didn't try to uncover the truth. He didn't want to shatter the illusion.
He knew it was unhealthy—this dependent attachment—but it was all he had. A normal child might think he was being lovingly cared for. But he was an adult. He could see the bars of the gilded cage. These weren't nurses watching over him. They were guards. Soldiers. Officials.
And he had long since realized there was another presence, always outside the building. Cold, silent, emotionless—just like the two ever-present "nannies." He buried the knowledge. Buried it deep beneath his smiles and toddler babble.
He loved the dog boy (Kakashi). He truly did. But that couldn't mask the truth forever.
Time always changed things, whether he liked it or not. His growth—both physical and cognitive—was impossible to miss. Even now, his thoughts matched that of a six-year-old, at least. But he played the part of a baby. Played it well.
Still, those watching him weren't average caretakers. They were the ANBU and Genbu. The elite and the shadows.
And this entire residential block? Layered with sealing barriers. The walls around him weren't plaster and wood. They were containment, just in case the Nine Tails broke loose.
Even during diaper changes and baths, his seal was constantly examined—quietly, efficiently. Most of the time, when the female ANBU were with him, he was actually in a state of induced sleep for that very purpose.
But time had moved on. His mental stability was starting to waver. Six months in a confined space was too much—even for him.
Eventually, with Sarutobi's authorization, he was granted limited movement around the neighborhood. Supervised, of course. Always watched.
And so, with a hint of freedom at last, Menma stepped into the world.
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Dressed in a white summer shirt, green shorts, and sandals—topped with a small pink safari hat tied with a purple ribbon—Menma stepped outside the building that had confined him for half a year.
He moved cautiously, holding the wall for balance as he descended the stairs, one careful step at a time. Behind him followed the white-haired ANBU with the dog mask—Kakashi—dressed for summer patrol.
The sight of the duo—tiny Menma in front and the towering ninja behind—was so adorable that a new female ANBU on duty almost squealed aloud. She silently cursed herself for not having a camera.
When they finally reached ground level, Menma broke into a soft run, excited to explore the block. It was a quiet, aging neighborhood—half the windows shuttered with old fabric. Many of the visible residents were elderly.
Sure, he could go talk to them. Maybe unlock the granny side questline. But no—this was his first open-world exploration! He wasn't starting with an old lady fetch quest.
Turning back to make sure his "big brother dog" was still following him, Menma adjusted his hat and skipped onward. At the end of the alley stood two old, rusty gates—slightly open.
The gates, possibly made of an alloyed steel, were engraved with a great tree motif. Walnut, maybe? He wasn't sure. There was also a strange symbol—circles on each end of a long line. He didn't recognize it.
Beyond the gates was a large open field. He saw a playground, a park filled with flowers and trees, and... something else.
Something strange.
Menma walked toward it, curiosity pulling him in—until his hat was suddenly plucked off his head.
His long, red hair spilled free, catching the light like dancing flames. His round cheeks, sharp brows, and red-tinted eyes combined Minato and Kushina's features in perfect harmony.
His bright, mischievous eyes suddenly sharpened. Annoyance and command filled his gaze. His aura shifted—professional, poised, powerful. It wasn't a child standing there anymore—it was a surgeon, a scholar, a man who had once commanded a room with his voice alone.
He turned slowly to the culprit, red eyes gleaming.
Only to find Kakashi sheepishly holding the pink hat.
In an instant, the aura vanished. His head tilted in confusion. "Big brother dog, why did you take my hat?"
Kakashi snapped out of his trance. A moment ago, he'd seen an aura so heavy and mature, he felt like he was standing before Lady Tsunade herself. But now? Menma's eyes were soft again—just a curious child.
He carefully knelt and placed the hat back on Menma's head. "Well, little Menma, I'm sorry for taking your hat without asking. But the area ahead is dangerous—you shouldn't go there."
Menma turned toward the strange space ahead. Curious, he tilted his head. "Why is it dangerous, Brother Dog?"
Kakashi—mentally wincing at the nickname he was sure was intentional—replied smoothly.
"Because that's a ninja training ground. It might have traps, sharp kunai or shuriken, even poisonous senbon lying around. You could get hurt."
Menma nodded… and then froze.
(Wait… ninja? This world has ninjas? Real ones? Or are they just calling them that?)
Swallowing, he asked carefully, "Um... Big brother... what is a ninja?"
Kakashi blinked. For a moment, he forgot that Menma—barely eleven months old—had lived his entire life in isolation.
Kneeling down again, he gently placed the hat more firmly over Menma's head.
"A ninja, also called a shinobi, is someone who trains very hard to learn special powers called jutsu. These powers let them do amazing things—like run super fast, walk on water, create clones, or even control fire, wind, lightning, and more."
"Ninjas go on missions to help their village, protect people, or fight bad guys. Everyone has unique skills and dreams. Like the Fourth Hokage, who wanted to become the strongest ninja and protect everyone."
Menma stood there—speechless.
(They walk on water... make clones... control the elements... And it's a job?)
He hesitated. "Then… Big brother… are you a ninja too?"
Kakashi smiled. "Yes, I am. Want to see something cool?"
He made a hand sign, and poof!—a perfect clone appeared beside him.
Menma's eyes widened in awe.
Then Kakashi took it further: the clone morphed into a copy of Menma himself. Menma reached forward, poking the illusionary double—and felt it respond like a real person.
His worldview cracked.
"W-What about controlling elements…?"
"Sure," Kakashi grinned. "Just wait here."
He moved to the center of the training field and, one by one, performed basic elemental jutsu: a fireball, an earthen wall, a water sphere, a blade of wind, and finally a whip of lightning.
When he turned back, he expected to see Menma cheering, begging to learn.
Instead, Menma stood frozen—tears streaming silently down his cheeks.
Kakashi rushed back, heart sinking.
He knew this pattern. He'd seen it only once before—when Menma was left alone by Lady Biwako. No sound. No reaction. Just shaking and weeping, as red chakra started flowing in jagged pulses.
He reached out to wipe Menma's face. "Did I scare you, Menma? I'm sorry. I won't do that again, I promise. Are you uncomfortable? Talk to me, buddy…"
But the tears didn't stop.
His skin began to burn. Kakashi lifted his shirt—and saw the cursed seal glowing faintly on his stomach.
Too late. It had begun.
ANBU immediately reacted. The baby was rushed into the house. Sealing arrays were activated, chakra suppression fields erected. High-ranking ANBU filled the perimeter.
Lady Biwako. The Hokage. Even Danzo. They all arrived within minutes, watching as the containment teams worked.
In the chaos, Kakashi stood alone in a corner, eyes locked on the child he had failed to understand.
He whispered softly, more to himself than anyone else:
"…Was this really the right decision, Sensei? Leaving him alone… to bear this kind of weight?"
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