At the same time Menma was steadily walking the path he had set for himself, on the other side of the village, Iruka—having finished his lessons for the day—did not linger at the Academy or return to his home. Instead, he made his way to the Hokage Building.
Unlike the teachers in other classes, Iruka's role carried far more weight. His students were not ordinary children.
Not even mentioning Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke—Shikamaru, Ino, Shino, Chōji, and Kiba were all heirs of major clans in Konoha. The future of the village rested heavily on their generation. For this reason alone, Iruka's responsibility was far greater than that of any other instructor. Over the past several years, he had frequently reported to the Hokage about their progress, especially regarding Menma and Sasuke.
Those two required particular attention at the highest level.
One carried the Nine-Tails within him.
The other was the younger brother of Uchiha Itachi—the prodigy who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and annihilated his clan.
The top leadership of Konoha—the so-called "F4" of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—watched them closely.
Iruka was fully aware of this, which was why he monitored not only their grades, but also their mental states. In daily instruction, he paid close attention to their emotions, their friendships, and how they were shaping their nindō.
Today, under Hiruzen's orders, Iruka had come to deliver a regular report. It would also serve as the final and most critical evaluation before graduation.
"Hokage-sama!"
After passing through the corridors, Iruka stepped into the Hokage's office.
As soon as he entered, he knelt down on one knee, bowing deeply before the Third Hokage, who sat at his desk reviewing documents.
"Ah, Iruka. There's no need for such formality. Stand, and wait a moment while I finish this."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Iruka rose and clasped his hands respectfully in front of him, standing silently until Hiruzen finished reading through the last of his paperwork.
Not long after, the Hokage set the files aside and looked at him.
"Iruka."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. This is the report."
Stepping forward, Iruka handed over the document he had prepared. It contained detailed notes on the students' daily performances, but the focus, naturally, was on Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke.
"You've worked hard these past years, Iruka."
Glancing through the file, Hiruzen's aged face softened into a faint smile. He had chosen Iruka precisely because of his meticulousness and sense of duty, and once again, he was pleased with his decision.
When it came to Menma and Naruto—the sons of Minato and Kushina—no ordinary instructor would suffice. Menma, as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, required careful nurturing. Naruto, despite lacking the beast's chakra, carried equal weight as the Fourth Hokage's child. Sasuke's case was different but equally sensitive: a boy marked by tragedy, bearing the burden of the Uchiha name.
Iruka had been selected as their teacher after careful consideration. He embodied loyalty, competence, and compassion—the three qualities Hiruzen valued most. Now, six years later, his choice had proven correct.
The entire class had thrived under his guidance. Menma remained colder in demeanor than most, but his development was steady, and that was enough.
Hiruzen, who had witnessed generations of shinobi rise and fall, knew the dangers of jinchūriki. He had feared that Menma might grow twisted under the burden of the Nine-Tails. Yet, to his relief, Menma was stable, disciplined, and showed no signs of losing himself to the beast's influence.
That was all Hiruzen could ask for.
The next step was to ensure Menma's loyalty to Konoha, to cultivate bonds with his peers, and to raise him into a protector of the village—just as Uzumaki Mito and Kushina had been before him.
That was his hope.
"No, Hokage-sama. This is not hardship. It is my duty."
Iruka bowed his head respectfully.
"Well said. Continue to pay close attention during the graduation exam. It is their final hurdle, and it must be handled carefully."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
With another bow, Iruka stepped back and departed, leaving the Hokage's office.
'Twelve years already… time passes quickly.'
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting to the portraits of the Hokage hanging on the wall. His gaze lingered on the Fourth.
'Minato… Kushina… your sons are growing well. I believe they will inherit the Will of Fire and protect this village as you once did.'
His eyes, clouded with age, softened with emotion.
Then, he reached into a drawer and withdrew a sealed black scroll. Unrolling it, his gaze landed on a single name.
There was no hesitation. His heart had already decided.
'He will lead them.'
The perfect candidate. In Hiruzen's mind, the only candidate.
Hatake Kakashi—the son of the White Fang, the student of the Fourth Hokage, and one of the most steadfast inheritors of the Will of Fire.
"Shin."
A quiet word summoned a figure.
A masked ANBU appeared instantly, kneeling before him.
"Hokage-sama."
"Summon Kakashi. Tell him to meet me this evening."
"Yes!"
The ANBU vanished as swiftly as he had come.
Hiruzen stood, pipe in hand, and approached the wide window of his office. Beyond it, the sky was darkening over the village. He exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
'The year turns again…'
December passed quickly. Soon, the calendar turned to the first month of Konoha's 60th year.
And with it came the Academy's graduation exam.
Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and the others would now face their final test.
It was the same as it had always been: the Three Basic Techniques.
The Clone Technique remained the most critical of them all.
For Menma, it posed no challenge.
"Clone Technique."
Standing at the center of the classroom, Menma formed the hand seal with practiced ease. A moment later, two perfect replicas of himself appeared at his side.
"Well done. Passed."
From the examiner's desk, Iruka smiled warmly, nodding in satisfaction.