Among the rest of the class,
even the usually lazy Shikamaru went to attend Naruto's celebration. After all, while Shikamaru found such gatherings troublesome, his IQ and EQ were both high enough to understand the importance of going—and since his best friend, Chōji, was most eager to attend, Shikamaru naturally tagged along.
As for whether Naruto could handle covering the cost for so many people, that was no problem at all. He was still the same Naruto—loud, passionate, and full of life. But in this life, unlike the original story, he bore the halo of being the son of a hero: the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
The inheritance left behind by Minato and Kushina was a considerable sum.
This kind of expense?
Naruto didn't need to worry about it.
And though his personality remained carefree and innocent, he had matured somewhat due to his circumstances. He wasn't the type to throw money around recklessly. In his eyes, this was a reasonable expense—to celebrate graduation with his comrades.
While Naruto led most of the class to a barbecue restaurant, Menma instead went to his familiar training ground. After completing his daily training routine there, he returned home exhausted.
The official start of the original plot was drawing closer.
He had to plan carefully. The Chūnin Exams were only a few months away, and he needed to prepare everything in advance.
However—
"surprises" and "accidents" often came quietly, without warning.
That night, after washing up and preparing for bed, Menma suddenly felt a familiar chakra signature approaching within his perception range.
His expression stiffened for a moment.
A thought immediately surfaced in his mind:
"Could it be…?"
Knock knock knock!
The chakra's owner arrived right at his door, knocking gently.
"Huh? Coming to me at this time? Is the inertia of the plot really that strong?"
Menma muttered under his breath, walking lightly to the entrance. He opened the door just a crack.
"Eh? Mizuki-sensei? Why are you here so late? Is something wrong?"
Though he already knew Mizuki's intentions were sinister, Menma still put on an expression of surprise, masking his true thoughts.
"Hehe, of course it's important. It's about this year's graduates," Mizuki said with a pleasant smile, feigning sincerity. "The regulations this year are a little special. The top ten graduates, especially the first-ranked candidate, will receive special treatment in class placement. During the assessments this morning, some students—yourself included—performed similarly well. So, after consulting the Hokage, the Academy has added an additional test. Only those who pass it will be recognized as the very best graduates and will earn special rewards! Of course, participation is voluntary. What do you say, Menma? Do you want to take the assessment?"
Mizuki's explanation was riddled with holes.
Any adult with experience would see it for the obvious lie it was.
But Mizuki was absolutely confident Menma would accept.
After all, in his heart, these were just a bunch of naïve kids with no worldly experience. He had taught them for six years—surely, he knew how to manipulate them.
And Menma? Hadn't he been striving for first place in every exam for years? That kind of competitive spirit, Mizuki thought, would never allow him to refuse.
"Top ten…? And there are rewards and special treatment?"
As Mizuki expected, Menma's eyes lit up slightly, his tone laced with interest.
Over the past six years, Menma had consistently outperformed his classmates, always taking the top spot in both theory and practice. To outsiders, this looked like the effort of a quiet, introverted boy desperately seeking recognition.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi saw it this way. Menma himself had once declared to him his dream of becoming a great shinobi. For the Hokage, this explained Menma's relentless drive.
So naturally, Mizuki assumed Menma would leap at the chance for "special recognition."
Unaware that everything Menma displayed now was simply part of his own act.
"Can I ask what the test is first, Mizuki-sensei?" Menma asked with a cautious look, playing along.
"Of course." Mizuki's smile widened. "The assessment is simple. It's modeled after a real mission: stealing classified material. The target is a scroll called the Scroll of Seals. It contains advanced ninjutsu once used as mission rewards. Your task is to obtain the scroll from its location within two hours!"
Mizuki deliberately twisted the truth, presenting the task in tempting words.
"The Scroll of Seals? Rewards? Could it be…?" Menma's eyes flickered as if with excitement.
"That's right," Mizuki leaned in. "Once you obtain the scroll, you'll be allowed to learn up to three jutsu recorded inside. And all of them are at least B-rank techniques. How about it? Rich enough rewards, don't you think?"
His tone dripped with false encouragement, like a predator coaxing its prey.
Assessment for the top ten… promises of B-rank jutsu…
Mizuki smirked inwardly.
Hmph. Let's see you resist this trap.
As expected, after a moment, Menma looked up at him firmly.
"I accept the assessment, Mizuki-sensei. Please give me the details of the task."
"Haha! I knew you wouldn't refuse, Menma-kun. Here—this scroll has the exact location of the target and the rendezvous point where you'll deliver it. Iruka and I will be waiting there. We'll be looking forward to your arrival. Good luck, Menma-kun!"
Mizuki handed over a prepared scroll, his smile wide and eyes gleaming.
Menma accepted it with a look of determination.
Satisfied, Mizuki immediately leapt away into the night, brimming with pride at how smoothly his scheme was proceeding.