The air in the Hokage's office seemed to thicken as Menma stepped forward. Hiruzen stood as Menma and Shisui entered. Beside Hiruzen him towered Monkey King Enma, his massive form rigid and imposing, one hand resting on the ornate staff. The staff shimmered faintly, the lacquered wood carved and gold carvings with ancient symbols and monkey sigils.
Menma's gaze narrowed with quiet intrigue.
Sun Wukong. That was the true reason he asked for this...not simply to gain a summoning contract, but to test a lore-defying possibility: To see if the fabled Monkey King existed here in some shape or form. Best case he gains a hidden sage art. Worse case he still gains a powerful summon
He stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Good afternoon, Lord Hokage. Good afternoon, Lord Enma."
He did not acknowledge Homura or Koharu standing to the side.The elders stiffened, but Menma kept his face politely neutral. Hiruzen caught the subtle dig instantly, as did Fugaku and Shisui.
Fugaku leaned down slightly toward Menma. "Menma… do you know who these two adults are?" Menma paused, long enough to gather the perfect amount of mischief. Then he answered, with a solemn tone too mature for his tiny frame:
"I recognized them from my visions, Lord Fugaku. They're old people who do nothing but continue negative cycles, and let Danzo run wild in the shadows until you had to clean up their mess."
Silence. A heavy, stunned silence.
Shisui bit his cheek to keep from laughing. Fugaku exhaled deeply. The elders were speechless with outrage, sputtering silently like fish on land. The old man simply sighed through his nose...resigned, but not displeased.
Hiruzen, politely cleared his throat. "Homura, Koharu… please prepare for Lord Fugaku's inauguration. We will continue this discussion another day."
The two elders left, though not without glaring daggers at Menma, who only looked up innocently.
Menma internally smirked. One small victory.
Hiruzen returned the focus of the room.
"Menma," Hiruzen said, regaining the room's focus, "I heard your request. You wish to sign the summoning contract, a privilege traditionally held only by members of the Sarutobi clan. But… considering what you have done for this village, an exception is well earned."
Menma bowed. "As I said before, Lord Third… thank you." If only this old man had honored his promises to Minato and Kushina, Menma thought quietly.
Monkey King Enma approached, steps heavy, yellow eyes piercing. "Little one," Enma rumbled. "Understand something. My clan is spirited, unruly, and proud. If you sign this contract with the monkey clan of Huaguo Mountain." We expect respect and discipline in return."
Menma bowed again, this time deeper. "I understand, Lord Enma."
The monkey king nodded and placed the large staff on the floor. It clicked, twisted, and unfurled into a massive scroll. One name was written upon it: Hiruzen Sarutobi.
I pricked his finger without hesitation and pressed my blood against the parchment, writing my name in small crimson strokes. And finishing with the traditional fingertip seal. Enma hummed low in approval.
"Now the hand signs," Enma instructed showing him the hand signs: Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram.
Menma memorized them instantly. He summoned what he thought was a good amount of Chakra. Did the hand signs and press his palms together, and thrust his palm down.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Large smoke erupted filling the room. But when it cleared… A massive stone sat before me. Smooth. Almost egg-like. Radiating a weird vibe.
The room froze. Menma stared. "…Huh?" Hiruzen blinked. "Why is there a rock?" Shisui looked like he was about to cry from the effort of not laughing. Fugaku just stared at the rock. He felt a faint presence from it but couldn't tell what it was.
Enma's eyes widened. "…No," he whispered. "This cannot be. It is impossible,"
Hiruzen turned sharply. "What is the meaning of this, Enma?""
Enma's voice trembled with something that might have been awe.Enma stepped forward, trembling slightly."This is not just a rock. This is the rock, the very stone from which the Founder of the Monkey Clan was said to be born from." The mythical king who vanished before the Sage of Six Paths passed away. The one who was said to one day be born again."
"What?" Hiruzen said sharply. "I thought you were the leader of the monkey clan."
Enma shook his head slowly."I like many others merely only hold the position until the true king returns. The original leader… the one our legends say will be reborn when the time is right."
Menma felt his heart kicking against his chest .There was only one possibility. Only one figure from myth who fit this description. In every world, every story, every corner of mythology...
Menma swallowed. "Lord Enma… what was the name of the founder?" Enma straightened, voice reverent. "The True Monkey King Sung Wukong."
Fugaku's and Shisui's eyes narrowed. Not knowing who that name. Menma inwardly smiled. Sun Wukong. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven. The immortal Monkey King. A legend in my past life was now very real here.
The stone pulsed weakly, and Menma felt a faint tug calling him. He placed his hand upon the stone.
Immediately he felt chakra pulling into it, his chakra… and eve some of Kurama's. Inside the seal Kurama's eyes widen. Then he sighed "That damn Monkey again."
Then darkness. I appeared inside my mindscape, the vast caged cavern where Kurama dwelled. The Nine Tails glared, fangs bared in agitation. "Sensei Kurama… what did I do?" I haven't seen Kurama this irritated since we first met. But how did I end up here?
Kurama huffed loudly. "It's not you, brat. It's the damn monkey, seems like he bit off more then he could chew and now is asking for help." Then Kurama pointed at Menma "Behind you."
Menma turned around and froze. Floating gently behind him, curled like an infant, was a tiny gray monkey suspended in dense chakra. "Is that… Sun Wukong?" I asked.
Kurama exhaled deeply. "Yes. Or what remains of him. Looks like he's in the middle of his rebirth cycle."
"Rebirth Cycle? I he actually immortal?"
Kurama nodded. "In a sense. Back then he trained under the Sage of Six Paths, copied the tailed beast's method of reincarnation, but his version imperfectly or different is the better word
Menma's eyes widen. "Hew new the Sage of Six Paths?... No he trained under him to?" Kurama looked annoyed waiting for Menma to finish.
"Sorry Sensei," Menma said. "Anyway. To revive properly, he needs his sacred treasures. Without them, he gathers nature chakra at a snail's pace. And even when he revives his powers will be diminished until he gathers his treasures again. "
"How long until he fully revives?" Menma asked.
Kurama snorted. "Probably around another thousand years at the pace he is going. "
Menma winced.
Kurama continued, voice softer, almost fond. "The monkey chose this path himself. I won't help revive him. Even if I'd like to see him again, I will not encourage that arrogance. Let him learn from this."
Menma nodded, unfazed. "But can't I revive him with my chakra?"
Kurama gave him a long, considering stare. "…Using your chakra? Yes, it will still be slowed compared to using my chakra, but better then how he is going at it now. It won't to take to long since you're overflowing with chakra already. I will warn you Menma. Sun is very dangerous and has made enemies with very power creature. So know if you revive him then they will come after him and you at some point. Are you okay with that?'"
Menma smirked. " Considering I already have target on my back from the Akatsuki ,to other ninja villages. One day it will be the whole world will be my enemy, since I plan on breaking this ugly cycle." Menma said raising a hand into the air his face stoic and cold. "So what's a few more enemies I need to crush. It just reminds me t keep growing stronger."
Kurama gazed at Menma. "What if you die?"
"Then I was too weak to see my dreams to the end. Hopefully someone will pick up my torch and finish it for me should that happen."
Kurama just laid back down. "Should that happen, then maybe I might see your dreams accomplished.
Menma had a small smile on his face. "Thank you, sensei."
Kurama snorted but didn't deny his approval.
Menma returned to consciousness and looked up. "Lord Enma," he said, "may I take the stone home?"
Enma recoiled. "…Why?"
"I intend to revive Sun Wukong."
Shock rippled across the room. Menma explained about the sacred treasures. Enma pressed his palm to his forehead.
"How did we never know this…? Those artifacts were scattered after the ancient wars. No one's seen them in centuries."
"It's fine," Menma said firmly. "I can begin reviving him with my chakra. I'll find the treasures eventually."
Enma bowed, deeply. "You honor our clan, Menma Uzumaki."
Later that evening , Menma sat in his apartment. One shadow clone scribbled down more words for his novels. WhileMenma himself sat cross-legged before the massive stone, palms resting against its surface.
His chakra flowed steadily into it, pulsing rhythmically. Inside the stone… a faint spark of chakra grew. Menma smiled slowly. Just you wait, Wukong. Your new journey begins soon.