Avengers of the Whirlpool Family

I looked up and saw the setting sun.

Not only did he practice more today than the previous few days, but he also created one or two times more shadow clones. This was because he seemed to have completely grasped the feeling from yesterday's practice, and Menma planned to press on with his victory. The extra chakra consumption and the doubled fatigue were enough to make even Menma almost unable to bear it.

But it is still within controllable range.

At this critical juncture, Menma would not allow himself to faint from excessive training.

I was originally planning to spend some more time to consolidate my efforts, but now it seems that I should stop at the right time.

'That's enough for today.'

After taking a deep breath, Menma turned around, packed his bags, and returned to the original location.

On the road rushing down.

It happened to be when I passed by the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen store.

Menma sensed two extremely powerful chakra auras slowly approaching from a not far distance.

One of the chakra auras was very familiar, it was from Menma's younger brother - Naruto.

As for the other chakra aura, although not as exaggerated as Naruto's, from the perspective of an ordinary ninja, it is already a very terrifying chakra.

He is far superior to jonin like Kakashi, Asuma, and Might Guy. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen cannot compare to him, but Menma is still a stranger to him.

"Who could be the owner of this chakra? Could it be?"

A look of doubt appeared on Menma's face, but only a second later, a flash of inspiration came to Menma's mind, and another person's name immediately emerged.

"Is it Jiraiya!? "

And at the same time.

In that corner.

Two figures, one big and one small, appeared in Menma's eyes.

Naruto naturally didn't mention it.

The one standing on the left side, wearing a forehead protector with the word "oil" on it, a red coat, and long white hair.

There was no doubt that the person who came was Jiraiya.

The moment Menma saw the two of them.

Jiraiya and Naruto also saw Menma.

"Ohhh, Menma, what a coincidence, I meet you here."

Naruto immediately raised his right hand and waved it vigorously, shouting at Menma with a smile on his face.

Jiraiya was also startled.

The moment I saw Menma's familiar long hair and that vaguely familiar face.

A hint of unnatural guilt flashed across Jiraiya's pupils, but it only lasted for a second before being concealed by Jiraiya himself.

"Oh? Is this the number one in your class? Naruto?"

Jiraiya said with a smile.

"Ah, yes, Grandpa Jiraiya, this is the Uzumaki Menma-kun I mentioned to you before. He is the best in our class. Menma, this one is..."

Naruto seemed very proud. He first introduced Menma to Jiraiya, then turned his head to look at Menma, wanting to introduce Jiraiya to Menma.

"Greetings, Master Jiraiya."

Menma, however, took a step ahead and bowed slightly, saluting with a hint of respect.

"Eh? Do you know Grandpa Jiraiya? Menma?"

Naruto was subconsciously stunned.

"Haha, Naruto, what are you talking about? As a Konoha ninja, if you don't even know Master Jiraiya, you are disqualified. You must know that Master Jiraiya is the hero of our Konoha, the disciple of the Third Hokage, and the master of the Fourth Hokage, your father."

Menma seemed to really be very respectful. He looked up at Jiraiya and spoke with a hint of 'respect'.

"Oh? That's right!"

Naruto seemed to have just reacted and nodded repeatedly.

Jiraiya on the side patted Naruto's head with a very proud look and said: "Look at Menma, you need to learn more, Naruto, you are still far behind."

"I know, Grandpa Jiraiya, I just said it, Menma is the best in our class, I will definitely learn from him."

Naruto also said, patting his chest.

"Haha, that's fine. Your name is Menma, right? You are very considerate, young man. Very good. You haven't had dinner yet, right? How about it? Do you want to join us?"

Jiraiya looked at Naruto with a smile, and said the second half of the sentence by turning his head to look at Menma with a cheerful look.

"It is an honor to be invited by Master Jiraiya."

Menma still said with a hint of respect.

"Haha, what's the honor or not? It's just a casual meal. You don't have to be so reserved. Since you and Naruto are on the same team, you can call me Grandpa Jiraiya. There's no need to call me sir. It seems too distant."

Jiraiya said with a smile and waved his hand.

"No, that would be rude."

Menma, still looking polite, spoke quickly.

This is clearly consistent with how an ordinary Konoha ninja would look upon Jiraiya.

But I just don’t know why.

at that moment.

Jiraiya had a feeling that the child in front of him was intentionally trying to distance himself from him.

But it was only for a second.

Jiraiya just shook his head to dispel this ridiculous thought.

The Menma in front of me looked so polite and respectful, as if he was very respectful to me, how could I have such a thought?

That's what a 12 year old is like, isn't it?

"Hey, don't worry about the details. Let's go."

Jiraiya stepped forward and placed a hand directly on Menma's shoulder, looking very familiar.

"That's right, that's right, there's no need to be polite with Grandpa Jiraiya, Menma, he's a rich man."

Naruto on the side also said with a smile.

"Yes."

Menma chuckled back.

The group walked towards the Ichiraku Ramen store.

"Boss, I want a large bowl of char siu ramen."

As soon as he walked in, Naruto couldn't wait and shouted loudly.

"Oh, it's Naruto, Ayame, a large bowl of chashu ramen."

The moment the owner of Ichiraku Ramen saw Naruto, his face was full of smiles, and he shouted loudly to his daughter who was busy at the back.

The next second, the boss also saw Jiraiya standing beside him, and instantly showed a hint of excitement and said, "Ah, it's Master Jiraiya!"

He bowed quickly and saluted.

"Don't be so polite, boss. Naruto and I are the same. I want a bowl of char siu ramen. Menma, what do you want to eat?"

Jiraiya smiled and waved his hand, then turned to look at Menma and said.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 106 So-called Guilt and Ridiculous Hope

"I'll have some barbecued pork noodles too."

Menma said softly.

Ichiraku Ramen.

As the most famous delicacy in the original work, Menma had naturally eaten it after coming to this world. Of course, this was also due to the fact that he knew that the owner of Ichiraku Ramen would not hate and reject Menma like ordinary people. He treated Menma as an ordinary child just like he treated other customers.

Menma naturally wants to come to this store.

This was also the only place where Menma could dine out in the 12 years before graduation. Of course, he had to go in when there were no other guests, and he ate very quickly every time. Once he sensed that other people had arrived, Menma would leave early, regardless of whether they were grateful or not.

People just treat themselves normally.

But in a ninja village like this, the boss's behavior is already very rare and very friendly.

Menma certainly wasn't going to be so touched.

But at least deep down, I definitely don't want to affect other people's business because of myself.

The owner of Ichiraku Ramen naturally knew Menma. He actually felt a little bit of pity for Menma's experience and situation. He also felt that some other people were going a little too far. After all, Menma was just a child, but he could understand those neighbors. You know, in the chaos 12 years ago, countless people lost their relatives and friends. Such hatred is difficult to curb.

Not to mention that the boss is just an ordinary person.

It is impossible for me to have any say or ability in this regard. At most, I can only secretly add more food to Mian Ma when he comes to eat.

This can be considered as a kind of concern on his part.

"Well, two more servings of char siu, Master Jiraiya, please wait a moment."

After the boss bowed again, he immediately turned around to prepare three servings of ramen.

Not long after.

Three servings of steaming ramen that were clearly much larger than the usual amount were placed in front of the three people.

"I'm gonna start now!"

Naruto, who was sitting in the middle seat, immediately had his eyes lit up. After saying this impatiently, he began to eat voraciously.

It seems that for Naruto, all the delicacies in the world cannot compare to a bowl of fragrant Ichiraku Ramen.

In just a few minutes.

This bowl of ramen, which most ordinary people might not be able to finish, all went into Naruto's stomach.

And Menma next to him was no less miserable.

He had a big appetite to begin with, and he had been practicing all day today, so he finished a bowl of ramen in the blink of an eye.

Jiraiya, who was standing by, was watching Naruto and Menma's almost synchronized eating movements, and a hint of reminiscence unconsciously emerged in the depths of his pupils.

Same red hair, same blonde hair.

That face is somewhat similar to Minato's, and has a similar appearance to Kushina.

at that moment.

Jiraiya felt as if he had returned to more than ten years ago, when he was having a meal with one of his disciples at his home.

'Has it been 12 years already?'

Jiraiya couldn't help but think silently in his heart.

It seems as if all this happened just yesterday.

Twelve years ago, when he received the news that his apprentice and his wife had died in battle, Jiraiya simply couldn't believe his ears. In his opinion, his gifted apprentice would have led Konoha for at least another twenty or thirty years, right? How could he die so easily?

He didn't believe it, or he didn't want to believe it.

But when he returned to Konoha, what he saw were the bodies of Minato and Kushina, who had become completely cold and stiff, and the two brothers Naruto and Menma, who were just born and were still in their cradles.

At that moment, Jiraiya's heart was undoubtedly filled with sadness. Looking at the young brothers Menma and Naruto, Jiraiya was full of pity.

It would be a lie to say that Jiraiya had never thought of returning to the Hidden Leaf Village to personally take care of Naruto and the Menma brothers.

But in the end, he chose to leave Konoha again for some reason, maybe because of the ridiculous prophecy of the 'Child of Prophecy' on Myoboku Mountain, or maybe because of a series of words said by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But no matter what, Jiraiya ultimately evaded his responsibility.

That's right, it's responsibility.

An identity different from others.