Menma sat at his table. Steam rising from his bowl of rice and grilled fish. The quiet crackle of warm oil filled the room. He ate slowly, eyes half-lidded from contemplation. His mind drifted.
Three and a half years. That's all he'd been alive in this world.
But the memories of his previous life flowed strong, but were slowly weakening. Watching Naruto as a child, then a teen, then an adult...were burned deep into his soul.
The Games, manga panels… every arcs, and novels. Every fight, death, and every tragedy in his mind. And now he stood at the starting line as what he new drastically changed because of him.
He thought of the journal in the floor board, written in since the day he first moved into this apartment. Now filled with timelines notes, jutsu ideas, predictions, and lists of his goals.
He titled the first chapter: Path to Power – Phase One
His first personal goal was to. Master basic chakra control to mid to high level before the ninja academy. Master the Shadow Clones Justu and learned the Multi shadow Clone Justu. (before age six). Learn advanced sealing techniques (Sound, presence, and more). Learn Uzumaki abilities & techniques (chains, vortex sealing, life force control). Train under Shisui (Learn his advance form of the body flicker technique, Shuriken techniques, and sword techniques). Learn the Rasengan, Flying Raijin, and develop at least one original jutsu. Release Sun Wukong's from his birth stone, and learn from him.
Menma tapped his finger on the table when he thought of the line: Original Jutsu Development. The hardest thing a ninja could ever attempt, but Menma needed jutsu tailored for his future plans, and tailored to changing fate.
Menma new Phase Two, were more long term goals.
He needed to create countermeasures for Sharingan. Rinnegan. Tenseigan. and Golden Byakugan. The last two aren't a current problem, but no telling from this new timelines if the Ōtsutsuki might come early.
I need to save Gaara from multiple people. The one tails Shukaku. His Father, and the loneliness being the jinchūriki. Making Gaara the Kazekage is still the best option. I need to save Haku and Zabuza from their fate on the Great Naruto Bridge. They will be great allies in the future. Haku kekkei genkai is rare, and if given the time to grow and polish will be a great asset. Zabuza a seven swordsman of the mist just needs to grow stronger like Kakashi did.
Speaking of which, I need to find my way to that mission to steal Gato's fortune, and asset's. Even if I divide them with the village from the land of waves, and the two ninja it will still be a good fortune.
I need to save Karin in the Forest of Death. If I do that and get her to my side I have one more Uzumaki on my side. The anime showed she is powerful and loyal if you get her on your side. Fanatical maybe, but since I am reviving the Uzumaki she is the first person I would choose. I will adjust as I go forward with my plan. If needed clones or people blessed with Kurama's chakra are a option. Not to mention breeding between the Uchiha, Hyūga and Uzamki and other clans, with Kurama's blessing might give even better results.
Speaking of Which I need to break the Hyūga Caged Bird Seal. It will definitely cause a civil war in the family. but I will get some backers to my side as a result. Which reminds me I need to save Neji's father from dying.
I need to obtain Tsunade's assistance. Since she is about roughly 25% Uzumaki and 25% Senju, her genes will be good for the revival of the clan. I need to just make her younger. I would either want her, Karin, Hinata or Ino as a future partner. Ino just being attractive. Hinata a true modest beauty. Karin being my loyal right hand woman. Tsunade being mixture of all them. I also need to cure her being and cure her hemophobia
Prepare for Orochimaru's attack. My main concerns are make contact during the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exam's. Then establish a partnership and help him obtain immortality. He is the most useful tool for the future and if I do that he will be useful. But Hiruzen needs to die, and Orochimaru needs to lose his arms.
That will give me a opportunity to prove my usefulness. I also need to minimize casualties for the konaha crush plan.
I need to prevent Pain's destruction of the Leaf. Nagato is a useful person since he has the Rinnegan and six paths of pain. the Naraka path will be needed the most in the future.
I need to Change Madara's and Obito's plans, and deal with Black Zestu. Or find a way to revive Kaguya in a weaken formed so I have some information on the Ōtsutsuki. When I think about it he is the real villain of everything. A villain from the shadows that manipulated everything. If I get all four I can truly prepare for the Ōtsutsuki.
Just thinking about all this made me tired. Not to mention Toneri Ōtsutsuki on the moon. The Kara Organization. Well if I had Amado with Ada things will be better. I sighed I wish I new how the Boruto Blue vortex series ended. But a nearly 40 year head start is better then nothing.
Everything Boruto-era was a chaotic storm of godlike threats. But I was still just a tiny kid with a tailed beast, future knowledge and a dream. He sighed deeply, the line of reviving the Uzumaki Clan, better then before will be his biggest trial. And to do that, he needed allies. Many of them.
Sun Wu kong was the biggest. Plus He needed to keep Naruto safe since he didn't have Kurama.
He needed to help Naruto grow in a similar way. Considering he has actual guardians and mentors, his short comings will be hit early on and he will compensate for not having Kurama or the Uzumaki traits. Just to be safe maybe get on a special four man squad for team 7. Or get close enough to his squad to influence events.
Menma stayed in deep thought as he finished his dinner, then... KNOCK. KNOCK. Was heard from the front door, which broke his deep thoughts.
Menma blinked. "Coming," he called, hopping off the chair. He to open the door... and there stood Shisui Uchiha.
"Shisui-senpai?" Menma blinked. "What are you doing here this late?" Shisui looked at Menma. His expression was unusually serious. "Menma. We need to talk."
The tone made Menma straighten immediately. "Please come in." Shisui stepped inside, and folded his arms as he leaned against the wall.
" I have some news. Lord Fugaku… will officially become Hokage on October 10th, in three months."
Menma felt a small smile tug at his lips. "That's good. He deserves it." It wasn't lost on him that it would be on his and Naruto's birthday Fugaku will be the fifth Hokage.
"That's not all," Shisui continued.
Menma's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Shisui inhaled slowly before speaking. "Itachi will be leaving in a year an half's time. He'll join Jiraiya-sama and begin tracking the Akatsuki."
Menma froze. Itachi… leaving? And why with Jiraiya? I mean logically it's good since he in the original timeline infiltrated the Akatsuki for years, to stop them from within. But why? He should stay here help raise Sasuke an be with Izumi and start a family. Oh yeah he would technically be the next head of the Uchiha since he is the most talented person of the clans next generation. Or Shisui, there is also Sasuke, but his motivations for power will be different.
Menma's thoughts raced, Itachi's absence would change dynamics of the futures and relationships. Menma's path forward just grew more complicated. But why is Shisui telling me this of all things
"Shisui-sensei…" Menma said slowly, "why are you telling me this? I'm… a toddler."
Shisui stared at Menma with recognition.
Shisui, who had awakened one of the rarest Mangekyō abilities in the Uchiha Clan, saw Menma clearly.
"Menma," he said quietly, "I don't know what you are truly. I don't know how you speak the way you do. Or why sometimes you seem like an adult in a child's body, from the way you speak, act and plan. But I know this..."
Shisui kneeled down so they were eye level. "You are going to change this village... no the whole world. I can feel it. Even Itachi and Lord Fugaku feels it. So I am coming to you now to say, I want to help you and be part of this change." Shisui said with a silent burning conviction behind his eyes.
Menma's hand tightened slightly. He didn't expect this especially from those three of all people. Shisui continued, "You spoke once of reviving the Uzumaki Clan. But what exactly do you mean by revive it? The stories I heard… say the old Uzumaki were terrifying."
Menma exhaled deeply. "That was mostly propaganda, but what village doesn't have power hungry or battle crazy ninja. Shisui- sensei. I want to revive the Uzumaki Clan better than before." Menma began. "I want to free all the tailed beasts. They are not evil or dangerous if we befriend them like the sage of six paths. Every one of them is capable of great good but to do that we can't seal them anymore, in no person or object. No more jinchūriki prisons. Instead, each village will have a chakra beast in human form as a guardian spirit in a sense. Leading as a figure head. The strongest ninja or ninja's will be the jinchūriki's. They will help maintain peace between the villages and people. taking the Daimyo out of the equation. That way we minimize the war conflict and work on growth as a society. "
Shisui's mouth dropped. "That is insane, tailed beast being guardian spirits. The Daimyo being taken from their seat of power? This is there land Menma."
" No it's not Shisui sensei. It's dirt, and all it will ever be is dirt. What I am doing is having a vision. And I will see this vision through," Menma said absolutely. "The tailed beast are intelligent and have emotions. The nine tails didn't attack the village willingly but was forced by the Sharrigan of a Uchiha. Unless attack they don't . They're not monsters. They're chakra entities forced into a shape."
Shisui swallowed. No argument came.
Menma continued, voice low. "But I need help. I need allies. And the Uchiha… are the only clan strong enough to stand beside me when the real threats come." Menma then explained his plan to Shisui while leaving certain parts out.
Shisui's eyes widened. "You want the Uchiha's to… do that?"
"Yes. And I will call that favor the Uchiha owe if I need to. I hope I won't have to sensei." Menma said. But if you follow me the Uchiha clan will thrive with the whole leaf village and world. No child will have to go to war or be a ninja without a choice."
Shisui exhaled and stood. "I need to tell Lord Fugaku, and think this through. I am not saying no or that I won't train you, But please give me some time to think Menma."
Menma nodded. "Of course sensei take your time.. But before you go… can you do me a favor?"
"If it's within my power," Shisui said.
"Can you please ask Lady Mikoto to come with me to the publishing office tomorrow. I need an adult with me."
"…Publishing office?" Shisui blinked. "Yes. I have some manuscripts I would like to publish"
The next day… Menma and Mikoto walked through the village streets. Mikoto held a gentle smile. "I didn't know you were a writer, Menma. You really are quite talented"
Menma nodded. " Thank you Lady Mikoto. I like stories and have all these idea's so I decided to write them down. I heard I could get paid for them so I wanted to see if I could. I hope you don't mind asking you to be my guardian to make sure they don't take advantage of a child."
Mikoto patted his head and took his hand. The two then walked hand and hand like mother and son "No need for titles. Call me whatever you feel is right Menma, and I am happy you thought of me to help you. I swear on the Uchiha I will protect you." Mikoto said with a soft gaze.
Menma nodded. It was weird Menma never thought about having three mothers. But he couldn't help but think about his mother from his previous life. Kushina who was this life's birth mother and now Mikoto his surrogate mother in a sense. This was all a new feeling Menma didn't know how to deal with.
He did notice how every villager glared at him with disgust or hatred. Mikoto saw it too. Her eyes narrowed. That's when the gazes started to move away from Menma, and Mikoto smiled. Menma said nothing but apricated Mikoto's motherly nature.
The two reached the publishing store, and the Inside. There Yuna stood with a man I assumed to be her father. A towering and broad-shouldered man with black hair. He had sunkissed skin with bright brown eyes. The two offered a respectful bow.
"Good afternoon. You must be little Menma Uzumaki. I am Titus Mizu, the owner of this store" he said warmly. "Please, sit. I've read both your manuscripts."
He held them in his hands as though they were treasure.
"I believe we need to discuss publishing your books, and your future."