Naruto:The avenger of the uzumaki clan

Chapter

20: Report and Selection

While Menma walked step by step on

the path he had set, Iruka, having finished his classes for the day, did not

stay at the school or return home. Instead, he headed to the Hokage Building.

Iruka's responsibilities were different from ordinary teachers. His class

included many important students like Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Ino,

Shino, Choji, and Kiba. These emerging next-generation members of the major

ninja clans in the village made Iruka's role special. As such, he regularly

reported their progress to the Hokage.

Particularly crucial were Menma and

Sasuke. One had the Nine-Tails sealed within him, and the other had an older

brother with the Mangekyō Sharingan watching over him. The top officials of

Konoha, led by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, treated this with utmost

caution. Iruka understood this well and paid great attention to their learning

and mental outlook in daily education. Today, he followed the Hokage's order to

deliver his regular report, likely the last and most crucial one before

graduation.

"Hokage-sama!" Iruka

greeted as he entered the office, kneeling on one knee before Sarutobi Hiruzen,

who was busy with paperwork.

"Ah, Iruka. No need for

formalities. Please, stand up. Just give me a moment to finish reading this

document," Sarutobi Hiruzen responded, still focused on his task.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Iruka

replied, bowing his head slightly before standing up and waiting quietly.

Not long after, Sarutobi Hiruzen

finished his work and looked up at Iruka. "Iruka," he called.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. This is the

list," Iruka stepped forward and handed over a document recording the

daily performance of some of his students, with a focus on Menma and the

others.

"Well, you've worked hard these

past few years, Iruka," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, smiling faintly as he read

through the file. He appreciated Iruka's detailed reports, which had confirmed

him as the right choice to lead this class. While Sasuke's placement was a

coincidence, choosing Iruka for Menma and Naruto was a careful decision. Both

were the children of Minato and Kushina, with Menma being the current

Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Sarutobi Hiruzen had deliberated for a long time before

selecting Iruka, a candidate who satisfied him in loyalty, ability, and

character.

Six years later, the entire class

was well managed. Although Menma's personality remained somewhat cold, his

overall growth was normal. Sarutobi Hiruzen, having lived for many years, knew

enough about the jinchūriki of each village. He had worried whether Menma, a

jinchūriki since childhood, might develop problematic traits, but everything

seemed normal now. The next step was to further cultivate Menma's identity,

loyalty to the village, and mutual trust with others. This way, Menma could

become the steadfast pillar of the village, just like Uzumaki Mito and Uzumaki

Kushina.

"No, everything is my

responsibility and obligation," Iruka replied respectfully.

"Well, I will consider your

suggestion carefully. You should also pay close attention to the graduation

examination. This is the last step, and you must ensure it is taken

safely," Sarutobi Hiruzen advised softly.

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Iruka

responded, bowing his head.

With a gentle wave from Sarutobi

Hiruzen, Iruka took two steps back, turned, and left the Hokage's office.

'It's been 12 years; time flies so

fast,' Sarutobi Hiruzen thought, leaning back slightly and glancing at the

photos of past Hokages. His gaze settled on the fourth photo, that of Namikaze

Minato. 'Minato, you and Kushina's children have all grown up vigorously. I

believe they will inherit your will of fire and become the staunchest defenders

of Konoha,' he reflected, his eyes clouding with emotion.

He took out a dark scroll from his

drawer, spread it out, and reviewed the names. Settling on one, he made up his

mind without hesitation. 'Let him lead the team!' The chosen candidate was

Hatake Kakashi, son of the famed White Fang of Konoha, and a direct subordinate

of the Fourth Hokage. In Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind, there was no one more

suitable to lead Menma after graduation.

"Shin," Sarutobi Hiruzen

called softly.

"Hokage-sama," a dark

figure appeared, greeting with respect.

"Go inform Kakashi and ask him

to see me in the evening," Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed.

"Yes!" The figure

answered, then disappeared.

After the Anbu left, Sarutobi

Hiruzen held his pipe, stood up, and walked to the large French window behind

him. Gazing at the gradually darkening scenery, he took a deep breath and

gently exhaled a smoke ring. 'It's New Year again soon.'

Time passed quickly. December ended,

and it was now January of the 60th year of Konoha. Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and

others officially faced their graduation examination. The exam remained almost

unchanged from the original—mastery of the three basic techniques (三忍術): the Clone

Technique (分身の術,

Bunshin no Jutsu), the Transformation Technique (変化の術, Henge no Jutsu), and the

Substitution Technique (変わり身の術, Kawarimi no Jutsu). Among these,

the Clone Technique was crucial.

But this posed no problem for Menma.

"Clone Technique," Menma stood in the center of a large classroom at

the Ninja Academy. With his hands forming a seal, he easily performed the Clone

Technique. Two intangible clones appeared beside him.

"Well, passed," Iruka,

serving as the graduation examiner, nodded with satisfaction and smiled.