Menma stepped aside, letting the four Uchiha's enter his small apartment. The living room was neat, modest, sparsely furnished, clean, but clearly lived in by someone who relied more on discipline than comfort.
Fugaku's sharp gaze swept the room with a quiet intensity. Then his eyes shifted, just slightly, toward the closed bedroom door. A faint flare of the Sharingan reflected in his pupils for barely a second.
He had sensed it, a shadow clone.
Itachi and Shisui noticed as well, their senses too refined to miss it, though none of them said a word. Instead, Fugaku simply looked faintly impressed. A three-year-old making a nearly flawless clone… it was unusual, even for an Uzumaki, but he was Minato's son.
They took their seats around Menma's low table. The air felt heavier than the small room should've allowed...expectant, serious.
Then Fugaku began. "You were correct about Danzo," he said plainly. " His plan, and having the Sharingan's planted in his body, even having the Izanagi ability. He will no longer be a threat to the village or it's people.
Menma felt a quiet satisfaction at that but kept his expression mild, nodding.
"And," Fugaku continued, "the Third Hokage has offered me the position of Fifth Hokage."
Menma's eyes warmed. He smiled softly, genuinely. "That's… great news. Truly. You deserve a position like that, Lord Fugaku."
The Uchiha leader blinked, surprised by Menma's sincerity.
Then, after a moment, Fugaku's expression shifted, becoming firm, resolved...but also humble in a way few had ever witnessed.
"Menma...I do not know how you know what you know," he said slowly, "especially at such a young age. But... Whether you do have prophetic dreams or are the child of prophecy. Or even the sage of six paths reborn."
Then to Menma's shock...
Fugaku suddenly stood up from the couch and moved onto the floor, and bowed deeply in front of Menma.
"I thank you," Fugaku said, voice steady despite the position. "For the knowledge you shared. It helped preventing a tragedy. If not for you I believe my family and my clan would have suffered a horrible fate."
Menma's breath caught.
The always stoic and composed Uchiha head kneeling before him a three-year-old… It was surreal and humbling. And a reminder that Fugaku Uchiha was not pride incarnate, he was a man who valued his clan above his own ego.
Shisui lowered himself next, bowing his head. "Thank you, Menma," he said sincerely. "What you did gave me… no us hope again, you can't imagine how much it means."
Itachi bowed as well, calm but earnest. "Thank you Menma. You helped us, especially me to see a future we thought we'd lost."
Menma shook his head slowly, overwhelmed. "I… don't know what to say. I just told you what I saw. You all were the ones who did the heavy lifting. I'm just glad I could help."
Fugaku rose, expression softening. "I have one more question for you, Menma."
Menma blinked as Fugaku asked: "Would you like to come live with me and my family?"
For a moment, Menma froze. He didn't expect that question, and it hit him harder than he expected.
He hid his shock well, but inside, emotions churned.
"Is… is that really okay?" Menma asked quietly. "For the new Hokage's family to take in a kid the village hates? Don't the Uchiha blame me for being kicked out of the village?"
Fugaku shook his head at once. "Menma… once I become Hokage, I will move the Uchiha Clan back into the village immediately. The slander Danzo spread will be corrected."
Menma understood, but he couldn't accept. He bowed his head politely. "Lord Fugaku… I cannot accept. Not now."
Mikoto's eyes softened with concern. "Menma… you're only three. You should be with a family. And we would love for you to be part of ours."
Menma's heart tightened. If Kushina could see you, Mikoto… she would cry from gratitude.
"Lady Uchiha," Menma said gently, "thank you. Truly. But I want to stay on my own. But I promise I'll visit for dinners, playing with every couple of days."
Before Mikoto could argue, Fugaku lifted a hand. "I understand," he said. "If this is your decision, we will respect it. But know this...our home is always open to you. And I and the Uchiha clan will answer your call should you ever need us."
Good, Menma thought privately. I'll need the Uchiha for what's coming in the future. "Thank you, Lord Fugaku," Menma said aloud. "I'm honored. And… I have a request."
Fugaku straightened. "If it is within my power, I will do it."
Menma turned to Shisui and bowed deeply.
"Shisui-san… I would like to ask you to be my mentor. To train me before...and during my time at the academy."
Shisui pointed at himself, stunned. "M-Me? You want me to teach you?"
Menma nodded at once. "Yes. Shisui of the Body Flicker...that's your nickname. It would be an honor to learn from you."
Shisui looked at Fugaku, who only gave a calm nod of approval. A grin spread across Shisui's face.
"Alright then. From now on, I'll be your sensei, Menma."
He reached out and ruffled Menma's red hair. "We start tomorrow morning, so get plenty of rest."
Menma smiled brightly. "Thank you, Shisui-sensei."
Fugaku folded his arms. "Is that all you wished to ask for?" Menma shook his head and handed him a folded slip of paper. "A request for Lord Third."
Fugaku opened it...read it...then exhaled softly.
"I cannot promise anything. This is a treasured heirloom of the Sarutobi Clan."
A small smirk tugged at Menma's lips."I don't want to own it. I only want to form a contract with it."
Hokage's Mansion
Hiruzen sat across from Koharu and Homura, their expressions tense and disapproving. Jiraiya stood off to the side with his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. Koharu slammed a hand on the table.
"Danzo's actions were reprehensible, yes, but attacking him publicly could have started a civil war!"
Jiraiya sighed. "That's why the old man made the smart move and brought in outside help."
Koharu snapped, "Quiet, Jiraiya! This meeting is for village elders. Unless you intend to take Danzo's council seat, leave."
Jiraiya blinked. "Actually… I might. If I can keep coming and going from the village. Give the desk work to someone Ibiki, grandma."
Koharu twitched in outrage.
Homura cleared his throat. "And what were you thinking, Hiruzen, offering Fugaku the Hokage position without consulting us?"
Hiruzen leaned back calmly. "I decided it was time for change. I already submitted his name to the Daimyo. He approved."
"He WHAT?!" Koharu said. "There will be civil unrest!" she argued. "The villagers will panic!"
A voice cut her off as the door opened.
"The Uchiha are also villagers of the Hidden Leaf." Fugaku said as he entered the room, expression unreadable. He approached and presented the folded paper Menma had given him.
Hiruzen accepted it. "What is this?"
"Menma's fee," Fugaku replied. Koharu stiffened. "The… Nine-Tails boy?" Fugaku didn't acknowledged her.
Hiruzen unfolded the paper and read it's contents...then chuckled.
"This is all he wants?" he asked. Fugaku nodded.
Jiraiya peeked over his shoulder...then burst into a chuckled. "I wonder what the kid is planning…" But beneath the humor, a serious curiosity flickered in his eyes.
Hiruzen folded the paper and stood. "Bring the Menma here. I will grant this immediately."
"Menma is outside with Shisui," Fugaku said. "I will bring him in."
Jiraiya stretched. "Well, that's my cue to leave."
"You haven't even met the boy," Hiruzen began, "it would..." But Jiraiya was gone...vanished in an instant.
Hiruzen and Fugaku exchanged a long, silent look. A few minutes later, Menma and Shisui entered the office...and found Hiruzen standing tall beside an imposing figure.
Monkey King Enma materialized at his side, a giant staff resting across his back, his eyes sharp and ancient.