But, above the surface.

Menma deliberately showed a complex expression that was partly angry and partly confused.

He is still under the supervision of the Third Hokage.

As someone who had just learned his 'true identity' and defeated Mizuki out of anger, his expression control must be in place.

Don't let Sarutobi Hiruzen notice anything strange.

In addition, Mizuki cannot die.

The subsequent scenes still need this main supporting role!

"A demon fox? I am indeed..."

Menma pursed her lips deliberately, with a bitter smile, shook her head gently, and after murmuring such words in a low voice, she sighed softly.

This really takes all aspects into consideration.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was monitoring from a distance, naturally didn't see anything strange. The Third Hokage would never have imagined that a child under 12 years old could have such realistic acting skills and such a deep understanding of the castle.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was actually worried about Menma's state of mind.

But at the moment, it seems that Menma's mentality is still very stable, but he feels a little confused, so Sarutobi Hiruzen doesn't look anxious.

And that was when Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking about whether he needed to do something.

"Whoosh!"

A straight figure also rushed into the sight of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Under the moonlight.

When I saw Iruka's familiar face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's slightly tense heartstrings also relaxed a little.

With the arrival of Menma's special 'guardian' whom he chose, and the fact that Menma's mood is relatively stable now, everything should still be under control.

Sarutobi Hiruzen can see it.

Menma was also able to sense the arrival of his Iruka teacher in advance.

Originally, Menma was planning on taking Mizuki and going back to 'surrender' on his own initiative, but now he can just wait until Iruka's arrival, which is perfect!

Of course, Menma didn't forget or miss any of the superficial efforts.

Turn around after one!

He stood upright in a defensive posture.

"Menma, don't be nervous, it's me!"

When Iruka saw his vigilant posture, he quickly spoke out to identify himself.

Menma also naturally showed a relaxed expression.

Immediately afterwards.

Perfectly connected with a touch of guilt, uneasiness and a touch of alienation and even suspicion, he looked at Iruka who came closer.

That complex expression, and the step of retreating subconsciously based on instinct, perfectly illustrate what it means to be an adolescent boy with a shaken mentality!

Iruka didn't know what happened before.

But Iruka saw Menma's expression and actions.

Then combined with the water and wood that fell aside, and the huge sealed book.

Iruka felt as if he had guessed something.

"Don't be careful, Menma. The teacher believes in you. There must be some accident here, right? Just tell the teacher everything, okay? If there is really any problem, the teacher will definitely help you deal with it. Also,

Including Teacher Mizuki, tell the teacher everything, okay?"

It was obvious that Menma's mentality was not very stable at the moment.

Iruka just stopped where he was, not stimulating Menma any further, and then he used the gentlest tone to try to calm down Menma's 'agitated' emotions.

"All of them?"

Menma smiled as if mocking himself, but still looked at Iruka with an inexplicable expression.

"Can I really trust you? Iruka-sensei?"

That sounds obviously very vain, without any strength or credibility.

Iruka's heart suddenly tightened.

"That's of course, Menma, I'm..."

"Even if I am the demon fox who killed your parents 12 years ago, would you still believe me? Instead of treating me like Mizuki and the ordinary people as the biggest disaster in the village?"

Iruka just started speaking, but before he finished speaking.

Menma's eyes suddenly raised, and his words seemed to be spoken in a hurry, accompanied by a look of wavering and doubt on his face.

Different from the previous moments when facing Mizuki, which were almost all performances of acting, at this moment, facing Iruka.

Menma's words and expressions, including his mentality, may not all be due to acting skills, because after six years of getting along with each other, as well as the bits and pieces shown in the original work, it is enough to prove that Iruka really cares about him!

Menma doesn't care about this village.

It is impossible for his thoughts and plans to waver in any way. Originally, at most, there was only one stupid brother who needed to be concerned about, but now, Iruka also has to be included, and Menma doesn't know what he is.

What kind of thoughts do you have, do you hope that Iruka is a hypocritical person who is completely pretending, or do you really hope that Iruka is a close person who treats you like your own brother?

Menma himself can’t understand it!

This is a direct reflection of the emotion!

Iruka was stunned for a moment.

"Menma, you..."

Although Iruka is not an extremely intelligent person, he can be trusted by Hiruzen Sarutobi to educate and guide Menma as a 'guardian', which is enough to illustrate his excellence in many aspects.

Just by saying this, Iruka could vaguely guess that what happened here was probably completely different from what he had imagined before.

Mizuki!

It's very possible that he played an extremely disgraceful role in Menma's stealing of the Sealed Book!

Of course this is very important.

But for now.

Menma's mental state is the first priority!

This is Iruka's judgment!

"No, Menma, you are not a demon fox. In the teacher's mind, you are the boy named Uzumaki Menma. I don't know where you got this information, but, Menma, what the teacher wants to tell you is,

You are you, and the demon fox is the demon fox. The two of you have never been the same existence. It should even be said that you are the hero of the village. The other people in the village do not understand you now and even reject you. But the teacher

I believe that you will be able to gain their recognition and understanding through your own efforts, Menma, believe in the teacher, believe in yourself, and especially believe in Hokage-sama, come back, all problems can be solved!"

Iruka stretched out his right hand, looked at Menma who was not far away seriously, and spoke softly but firmly enough.

Thoughts that come from the heart.

Iruka had no intention of deceiving Menma at this moment.

He really treats Menma as a young boy.

As he said himself, the demon fox is the demon fox and Menma is Menma!

Moreover, Menma, who was used as a container to seal the nine-tailed demon fox when he was a baby, should not be hated and isolated by the people of Konoha, but should be treated as a hero!

These are the six years I spent with Menma.
Chapter completed!