It was about understanding why they must insist on continuing the mission.
Menma still couldn't believe Kakashi Hatake was truly the passionate and righteous man others described. Those words — passion and justice — felt incompatible with what it meant to be a shinobi. Wasn't it absurd to talk about justice in a profession built upon deception, battle, and bloodshed?
He remembered how, in the original story of this world, when Nagato (Pain) invaded Konoha and subdued Naruto, their conversation revealed the true nature of shinobi and the system that governed them.
The three Great Ninja Wars were real.
The suffering of smaller nations was not fiction — it was history carved in blood.
Kakashi Hatake, a veteran ninja with countless lives on his conscience, was certainly no saint. So, there had to be a deeper reason why he was determined to continue this mission in the Land of Waves.
It might not seem like a pressing issue, but Menma wanted to know. He needed to understand — otherwise, it would gnaw at him.
However, Sasuke had already taken the opportunity to speak with Kakashi privately, leaving Menma to wait.
The night was still young, and there would be time.
Kakashi and Sasuke left quickly and returned just as fast. On the surface, Sasuke looked calm — expression unreadable.
It was likely Kakashi had told him the truth about the past; it wasn't something worth concealing.
"Hey, Menma, do you have any questions for me?"
Before Menma could speak, Kakashi — hands tucked casually into his pockets — smiled faintly and spoke first.
"Uh? Yes, Kakashi-sensei. If you don't mind explaining, I'd like to ask something."
After a brief pause, Menma replied earnestly.
"Well then, let's take a walk."
Kakashi nodded and motioned toward the door. Menma stood and followed.
Naruto and Sakura watched curiously as the two left.
"Eh? Menma has questions too? Hey, Sasuke, what did you ask Kakashi?" Naruto asked with wide eyes.
"Nothing," Sasuke answered bluntly. He turned away, sitting on the windowsill, arms crossed, unwilling to elaborate further.
Naruto frowned but didn't press it, muttering under his breath, "Man, what a cold guy…"
⸻
Outside, the night air was crisp. Kakashi and Menma stopped near the rocky shore overlooking the sea beside Tazuna's house.
"If I'm not mistaken, you want to ask me why I insisted on continuing this mission, right, Menma?"
Kakashi's single visible eye met Menma's calmly, voice measured yet serious.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei," Menma said. "I won't go into the small details, but from the appearance of that Mist-nin jōnin, it's clear this mission has deeper implications. It's understandable for Naruto to act on passion, but you… you're different. You wouldn't take such risks without reason."
Kakashi's expression softened beneath his mask. "You're sharp as always. The reason is simple, Menma — the Land of Waves lies too close to the Land of Fire. The first attacker being a Mist-nin isn't a coincidence.
With your intelligence, I'm sure you understand what that implies."
Menma paused, eyes narrowing in thought. "…Strategic location, right?"
Exactly.
The Land of Waves was small — its population barely tens of thousands — but its location made it vital. After the fall of Uzushiogakure and the Uzumaki Clan, the Land of Waves had become the most critical bridgehead for any potential Mist Village expansion into Fire Country.
If the Hidden Mist established control here, it could serve as a gateway, an invasion route into Konoha's territory.
That was something the Hidden Leaf could never allow.
As a central power in the shinobi world, Konoha already bore heavy defense burdens. Allowing another threat to emerge so close would only worsen its position.
Before this, Menma's thoughts had been narrow — he hadn't considered this political layer. Now, hearing Kakashi's explanation, it made sense.
Kakashi sighed, his voice calm. "That's exactly it. I came here to confirm things myself. Still, I didn't expect to encounter a rogue of Zabuza Momochi's caliber. That… was a miscalculation."
He tilted his head slightly, his tone more reflective.
It was true — Kakashi had believed he could manage everything and use the mission to give his genin team real combat experience. But if he had known they'd face a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he would've reconsidered. Training was one thing; unnecessary risk was another.
"Rebel ninja, huh? So, that means he no longer has ties to the Hidden Mist?" Menma asked.
"For now, that's the case," Kakashi said, his tone cautious. "But we can't be certain yet. That's why we'll stay here a bit longer — to complete the bridge and observe."
"Then why not go directly to the source?" Menma said, his eyes gleaming.
"Hm? The source?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"Yes," Menma replied. "The man pulling the strings — Gato, the so-called businessman trying to control the Land of Waves. If we interrogate him, we'll get the truth."
Kakashi blinked, slightly surprised, then chuckled. "Heh, that's actually a good idea."
Gato — the merchant leader of the Gato Company. A man whose greed and corruption had rotted the entire country.
Kakashi hadn't initially connected him to their mission beyond surface details, but Menma's insight made sense. Someone like Gato always had ties — to criminals, missing-nin, and even foreign powers.
Menma's mind drifted to the world he once knew. In every world, money and power were two sides of the same coin. This one was no different.
Kakashi crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Alright then, Menma. How do you plan to find him?"
There was a test in his voice, subtle but clear.
Menma grinned. "Simple. As long as Gato's goal remains unchanged, he'll expose himself. A man like that always has eyes and ears in the towns he controls. We'll find one of his associates — and then, we'll have him."
Kakashi's visible eye curved in amusement. "Heh, sounds like you already have a plan. Fine — I'll leave the investigation to you, Menma. Think you can handle it?"
Menma straightened, his confidence unwavering. "Of course, Kakashi-sensei. He's just a man — I'll make sure we uncover everything. Just wait for my good news."
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask — the kind of smile that mixed approval with curiosity. Menma Uzumaki was no ordinary genin. His strategic thinking reminded Kakashi of both Minato and Itachi — calm, deliberate, and always seeing beneath the surface.
The night wind brushed the coast, and the waves shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight a quiet calm before the storm that was soon to come.
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