READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 27: Mixed emotions
Chapter
27: Mixed Emotions
Menma deliberately revealed a
complex expression that was partly angry and partly confused. He was still
under the surveillance of the Third Hokage. As someone who had just learned his
'true identity' and defeated Mizuki out of anger, he had to control his expression.
Sarutobi Hiruzen must not see anything unusual. Additionally, Mizuki must not
die—the following scenes still needed this main supporting role.
"Demon fox? I am indeed…" Menma
deliberately pursed his lips, with a bitter smile, shook his head gently, and
sighed softly. This really took all aspects into consideration. Sarutobi
Hiruzen, monitoring from a distance, naturally did not see anything unusual.
The Third Hokage would never have thought that a child under 12 years old could
have such realistic acting skills and deep scheming.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was
still worried about Menma's mentality. Menma seemed stable but confused, so
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not seem very anxious. As Sarutobi Hiruzen considered
whether he needed to intervene, "Swoosh!" A straight figure rushed
into his view. Under the moonlight, he saw Iruka's familiar face. Sarutobi
Hiruzen's slightly tense heartstrings relaxed a little.
With the arrival of this special
"guardian" chosen for Menma, and Menma's emotions still stable,
everything seemed within control. Sarutobi Hiruzen could see it, and Menma
sensed the arrival of Iruka in advance. Originally, Menma planned to take
Mizuki back to "surrender" on his own, but now he could wait for
Iruka's arrival, which was perfect.
Menma did not forget or save any
superficial efforts. He turned around, straight into a defensive posture.
"Menma, don't be nervous, it's
me!" Iruka revealed his identity quickly, seeing Menma's alert posture.
Menma naturally showed a relaxed expression, then perfectly connected with a
touch of guilt, uneasiness, a little alienation, and even suspicion as he
looked at Iruka.
That complicated expression and
steps based on instinct and subconsciously retreating well explained a teenager
with a shaken mentality. Iruka didn't know what happened before but seeing
Menma's expression and actions, combined with the fallen Mizuki and the huge Scroll
of forbidden jutsu's , he felt he guessed something.
"Don't worry, Menma, the sensei
believes in you. There must be some accidents here, right? Tell the sensei
everything, okay? If there's a problem, the sensei will help you deal with it,
including Mizuki-sensei. Tell the sensei everything, okay?" Iruka spoke
gently, trying to calm Menma's "excited" emotions.
"All?" Menma smiled
self-deprecatingly, looking at Iruka with an inexplicable color. "Can I
really trust you, Iruka-sensei?" His voice sounded frivolous, without
strength or credibility.
Iruka's heart tightened. "Of
course, Menma, I am..."
"Even if I am the demon fox
that killed your parents 12 years ago, will you still believe me? Instead of
treating me as the biggest disaster of the village like Mizuki and the ordinary
people?" Menma's eyes suddenly raised, speaking in a hurry with hesitation
and doubt.
Unlike facing Mizuki, almost all
acting, facing Iruka, Menma's words and expressions, including his mentality,
might not all be acting. After six years together, and bits and pieces shown in
the original book, Iruka really cared about him. Menma didn't care about the
village. His thoughts and plans were unlikely to waver. Originally, he only had
his brother to care for, but now Iruka had to be taken into account.
Menma couldn't figure out his
feelings. Was he hoping Iruka was a completely fake person, or really hoping
Iruka treated him like a brother? This direct reaction to his emotions stunned
Iruka.
"Menma, you..." Iruka,
though not extremely intelligent, was trusted by Sarutobi Hiruzen to guide
Menma, showing his excellence in many aspects. Just by saying this, Iruka
guessed what happened was different from his initial thoughts.
Mizuki likely played a disgraceful
role in Menma's stealing of the Scroll of forbidden jutsu's . But for now,
Menma's mental state was the priority. This was Iruka's judgment.
"No, Menma, you are not a demon
fox. In my mind, you are Uzumaki Menma. I don't know where you got this
information, but you are you, and the demon fox is the demon fox. You've never
been the same. You should be a hero. The villagers don't understand you now,
but I believe you'll gain their recognition and understanding through your
efforts, Menma. Believe in me, believe in yourself, and especially believe in
Hokage-sama. Come back, all problems can be solved!" Iruka extended his
right hand, looking at Menma seriously, speaking softly but firmly.
Iruka's thoughts came from the
heart. He had no intention of deceiving Menma. He really treated Menma as a
young boy. As he said, the demon fox is the demon fox, and Menma is Menma.
Moreover, Menma, used as a container to seal the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox when he
was a baby, should not be hated and isolated by Konoha people but treated as a
hero.
These were Iruka's truest thoughts
and opinions after six years with Menma.