That firm look and soft tone—most people would naturally trust such words. But Menma was no ordinary person.
As a direct descendant of the Uzumaki clan, his perception abilities were extraordinarily sharp. Enhanced by the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, Menma could sense malice and intent far more clearly than ordinary shinobi. His perception rivaled that of his mother, Uzumaki Kushina, and was even comparable to the legendary sensory abilities of Kagura's Mind's Eye—a gift passed down through certain Uzumaki bloodlines that allowed one to distinguish the warmth or hostility within chakra itself.
At this moment, Menma could clearly feel the sincerity radiating from Iruka's heart.
Iruka wasn't lying. He wasn't deceiving him.
For a fleeting moment, Menma didn't know what he felt—was it relief? Was it simple happiness? Or perhaps something else he couldn't name?
No matter what it was, he couldn't deny it eased something within him.
It might sound pretentious, but Menma could not bring himself to completely ignore another's genuine goodwill. In his previous life, he had been nothing more than an ordinary person. And though he carried hatred now, he was not the type to repay kindness with cruelty.
His creed was simple: repay kindness with kindness, repay hatred with vengeance.
That was the principle Menma had always lived by.
Looking at the boy's silence, Iruka's unease deepened. He feared he might have said the wrong thing. Just as he began to worry he had failed to reach Menma—
"Well, I believe you, Iruka-sensei. If you can't be trusted, then maybe there really is no one in this world worth trusting."
Menma drew a deep breath, his gaze serious as he spoke.
Iruka's heart lifted immediately. And far away, the Third Hokage himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen—who had been watching all along—exhaled in quiet relief.
Hiruzen's respect for Iruka grew even deeper. He felt reassured that entrusting Menma to Iruka had been the right choice. With Iruka guiding him, Menma could slowly gain acceptance from others in the village. In time, he might even become the hero Konoha needed.
That had always been Hiruzen's wish.
Iruka smiled, nodding with relief as he stepped lightly to Menma's side.
"Then tell me everything that happened, Menma."
"Yes, Iruka-sensei."
After a pause to gather his thoughts, Menma recounted the incident from start to finish in plain detail—including Mizuki's manipulations and the theft of the Scroll of Seals. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he had opened and read the scroll; after all, Sarutobi Hiruzen had seen it all through his crystal ball surveillance.
Iruka's expression shifted with every word. To think Mizuki, his fellow teacher, would betray the village in such a way—it was almost unthinkable.
Ordinarily, no one would believe such an outrageous story. But Iruka had spent years with Menma. Both his instincts and his heart told him the boy was telling the truth.
"I believe you, Menma," Iruka said at last, taking a deep breath. "But this incident is serious. We'll take Mizuki back together and report directly to the Third Hokage. Don't worry—he'll believe you, too."
Iruka gave Menma's shoulder a firm pat, a reassuring gesture.
Menma raised his head, his expression steady.
"I believe in the Third Hokage too, Iruka-sensei."
And with that, the two set off. Iruka carried Mizuki's unconscious body, while Menma carried the heavy Scroll of Seals. Together, they left the forest behind and made their way toward the Hokage Building.
From within the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen observed through his crystal ball. Hearing Menma's words brought a faint, gentle smile to his weathered face.
"Minato," he thought silently, "your children have truly grown. Whether it is Naruto or Menma, they will both one day become unshakable pillars of the Will of Fire."
He released a long breath.
Meanwhile, just as Menma and Iruka approached the Hokage Building, two masked shinobi appeared before them—clad in the standard armor and porcelain masks of the ANBU Black Ops.
Iruka stiffened instinctively, but before he could react, one of the ANBU spoke in a low, gravelly voice:
"Leave the traitor Mizuki to us. The Hokage is waiting for you inside."
The words were simple, yet carried authority.
For Menma, who already knew the truth behind this night's events, there was no surprise. And for Iruka, the phrase 'traitor Mizuki' eased his worries. If the Hokage had already classified Mizuki as a rogue, then the situation was clear.
Though Iruka still wondered how the Hokage's office had been informed so quickly, he understood well that sometimes it was wiser not to question too deeply. He was no longer the naïve academy graduate who thought everything was black and white.
"Let's go, Menma."
After handing Mizuki over to the ANBU, Iruka spoke gently to the boy at his side.
To outside eyes, Menma's face looked tense, his nerves barely contained. But in truth, his emotions were nothing more than an act. Inside, he felt no ripple of fear.
With the Hokage watching, and the events of the original timeline in his mind, Menma knew there was no real danger here—unless something truly unexpected occurred.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei," Menma replied smoothly. His acting was flawless.
Together, they entered the Hokage Building and ascended the stairs toward the highest office.
Iruka knocked softly.
"Come in," came the slightly weary but commanding voice from within.
Iruka opened the door, leading Menma inside.
As they both prepared to kneel and pay their respects, the Third Hokage raised his hand with a gentle smile.
"There's no need for such formality. Iruka, Menma—you've both done well. I already know what happened. None of this was your fault, Menma. In fact, you've contributed greatly tonight. You need not worry."
His words carried warmth, as though spoken by a grandfather rather than a Hokage.