Sasuke was simply too stubborn.
Even if he never voiced it openly during training, the look in his eyes told Iruka everything. As long as one wasn't blind, it was impossible not to notice the simmering frustration and resolve that radiated from him after every spar.
Iruka never wanted to crush that determination. As a teacher, he could only watch Sasuke lose to Menma again and again, silently hoping the defeats would push him forward rather than break him.
But this time… Menma's attack was a little too heavy, Iruka thought, glancing at the boy who returned to the line with a calm, almost indifferent expression. Is he becoming impatient?
Iruka's Announcement
"Alright, that's enough for today's practical class. This concludes your last field exercise at the Academy," Iruka said, his voice firm as he faced the rows of students. Menma, Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Hinata, and the rest straightened at his words.
"Remember—today is December. The graduation exam is only weeks away. In the short time left, study hard and refine what you've learned. Don't make foolish mistakes during the exam. I expect every one of you to graduate smoothly. Do you understand!?"
He checked the time and nodded. The class was nearly over anyway.
In these years of peace, it was rare for students to graduate early. Even prodigies like Uchiha Itachi, who had graduated at age seven, were exceptions of a bygone era. In recent years, almost no one had been permitted to advance ahead of schedule. Now, every student had to complete six full years at the Academy before taking the official graduation exam.
And that exam was always held in January.
Which meant less than a month remained.
The Students' Excitement
"Sensei! What's the exam going to be this year? Will it be like the older classes?"
"Yeah, Iruka-sensei! Tell us in advance!"
The instant Iruka finished speaking, the students exploded with excitement. The graduation exam meant everything—it was the door to becoming a true ninja.
Graduation!
Genin rank!
That was the dream every child in Konoha carried.
The younger generation, born into peace, had only heard stories of war and danger. Without experiencing it themselves, they could never truly understand the risks. To them, being a shinobi was about strength, respect, and glory.
Danger? Death? Those were just words. None of them believed it would happen to them.
They dreamed only of becoming strong, respected ninja—perhaps even the future Hokage.
And so, the closer graduation came, the more eager they became.
Iruka's Response
Iruka crossed his arms and gave them a stern look.
"You want me to spoil the test? Don't even think about it. The content changes every year. All I can tell you is this—the exam will cover what you've already been taught. If you've practiced properly, and if you perform as you should, you'll pass. That's all you need to know."
"Ehh?!"
"No way!"
"C'mon, Iruka-sensei, tell us!"
"Yeah, don't be like that!"
The protests came from every direction.
Of course, the ringleader was Naruto.
Iruka rubbed his temple with a sigh. He had always been lenient with his students, choosing persuasion over scolding unless it was absolutely necessary. In the past six years, only Naruto's antics had ever pushed him close to anger—but even then, he usually ended up lecturing rather than punishing.
It was part of why the students respected and liked him so much. But it also meant they weren't particularly afraid of him.
And right now, that familiarity made them bold.
"That's enough. Class dismissed! School's over!" Iruka barked, turning sharply and walking away before the clamoring could continue.
"Ehhh?!"
"No way!"
"Iruka-sensei, wait—!"
The students groaned and "wailed" in unison as their teacher strode out of sight.
Menma's Distance
Menma left shortly afterward, his expression calm and unreadable. Over six years, he had never tried to build deep bonds with anyone.
Not with Sasuke, the proud "second pillar" of their class.
Not with Naruto, his loud and reckless younger brother.
Not with Shikamaru, Hinata, or any of the others who would one day be called the Rookie Twelve.
When classmates approached him, he responded politely but without warmth, keeping an invisible wall between them.
His future was already decided. It wasn't one that allowed for close ties. Unless some of them awakened to true strength, unless they changed completely, they would never walk the same path as him.
And Menma wasn't about to waste time waiting.
Either he would succeed… or he would fall. There was no middle ground.
So he kept walking his own path, leaving the playground behind.
Some students glanced his way, but no one was surprised anymore. If Sasuke was known for his cold silence, Menma was known for his quiet distance. To most of the class, it was just his personality.
Only a few—like Shikamaru, or a handful of observant girls—sensed the deeper isolation behind Menma's mask. But they never spoke of it.
Foreshadowing
Menma returned home alone. Unlike his classmates, he wasn't brimming with excitement about the upcoming exam.
For him, the start of Konoha's 60th year meant something else entirely.
It marked the beginning of the original story.
The invasion of Konoha—Orochimaru's plan to destroy the village.
The return of legendary figures: Uchiha Itachi, Jiraiya, Tsunade.
The first moves of the Akatsuki organization.
Each of them, in one way or another, would become his enemies.
And Menma was determined to be ready.