I Am Uzumaki Menma

On the first day after the New Year, a heavy snowfall blanketed the Konoha Village in pure white.

In the shadows of Menma's house, an Anbu's member stood silently, keeping watch over Naruto, who was fast asleep in the tatami room.

Due to the sudden snowstorm the night before, Menma had let Naruto stay over. The two had stayed up all night playing video games and only fell asleep in the warm tatami room as dawn approached.

Menma's house had central heating, making the entire interior cozy during winter.

The technological level of the shinobi world was still too bizarre… many nations remained in feudal agrarian eras, while the Ninja Villages had access to near-modern technology, even things like computers and wireless walkie-talkies.

Naruto slept until noon, only waking up after the snow had stopped.

Rubbing his eyes, Naruto looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and the different bedding he was using, feeling a bit dazed.

"Ah, you're finally awake? Perfect timing… it's lunchtime. Eat something, and I'll take you home later." Menma peeked out from the kitchen upon hearing movement: "Go wash up first."

Seeing Menma, Naruto finally remembered that yesterday was New Year's, and feeling too lonely at home, he had come to play with Menma. After enjoying an incredibly lavish feast, which is something he'd never had before, and gaming all night, he had ended up staying over.

Still groggy, Naruto followed Menma's directions to the bathroom and freshened up.

The feeling of warm water from the towel on his face helped clear his mind a little.

After wringing out the towel and hanging it up, Naruto stared at his reflection in the mirror and suddenly felt like crying.

Having always lived alone, he had never experienced being cared for by someone else, let alone known what 'home' felt like.

Though he had only known Menma for half a year and hadn't met him many times, being with him always gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

He splashed more warm water on his face, hiding the tears, before stepping out of the bathroom.

On the dining table were two steaming bowls of ramen, the Naruto swaying slightly in the clear broth.

"The one with naruto is yours, and the one with menma is mine." Menma called out, inviting Naruto to sit down.

After the meal, Menma walked Naruto home.

The two strolled through the snow-covered village streets, breathing out white puffs of air as they chatted.

"Grandpa Third, seems to have become my guardian now. He sends me living expenses every month." Naruto said, rubbing his hands together. Perhaps because of his winter clothing and the hat covering his hair, the passersby didn't recognize him, showing little hostility.

This made Naruto relax a bit.

"Grandpa Third?" Menma recalled when he and Hinata had gone to play with Naruto at his secret base last year, only for Hiruzen to suddenly appear.

To be honest, Menma didn't have a good impression of Hiruzen.

Mostly because, in the [Naruto Anime] he'd watched before transmigrating, the Third Hokage's portrayal had been too inconsistent, with many plot points left unexplained.

Though Kishimoto later introduced Danzo and Root to take the blame, the stark contrast made many fans dissatisfied.

"Yeah, he even chats with me sometimes, asking about my life." Naruto didn't fully understand why the Third Hokage had become his guardian, but having a dependable elder figure was something he cherished deeply.

"Heh-" Menma let out a cold laugh.

'What that old bastard did was too conflicting… he was too lenient toward Orochimaru and Danzo.'

'Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan had only served to burnish his reputation.'

'Otherwise, given the things that old bastard had done during his long rule… putting it nicely, he was obsessed with power and the Hokage's seat, and putting it bluntly, he blocked the younger generation's path to advancement.'

Just yesterday, Menma had sensed the Third secretly spying on them, likely using his crystal ball to monitor Naruto's every move.

As they walked and talked, they passed by a department store running a New Year's promotion.

Menma suddenly stopped.

Naruto blinked and followed Menma's gaze.

A slightly chubby boy with glasses was walking out of the department store, happily carrying an assortment of electronic gadgets.

Naruto noticed that the name of this department store is [Gato Department Store].

Menma walked over and asked a clerk at the entrance, "What's the name of that kid who just left?"

"Menma-sama!" The clerk bowed respectfully, then looked at the child who had just left and said, "I think his name is Tono Katasuke. He often comes here to buy electronic toys and small experiment supplies."

'Is it really him? He looks only about ten years old.' Menma compared the boy to his memory of Tono Katasuke, who had later become a Special Jonin and a scientist, and was almost certain it was the same person.

'But right now, he should still have a complete family. Abducting him might be a bit difficult.' Menma stared in the direction where Katasuke had disappeared, lost in thought.

The Ninja World was already lacking in scientists, and talents like Katasuke were especially rare.

If he had to rank them, Katasuke's research abilities could be said to be second only to the likes of Senju Tobirama and Orochimaru… He's a true all-around scientist.

Others, like Sasori, Hiruko, or Shinno, had their own limitations, specializing in specific fields.

'Those scientific ninja tools are downright insane. If they could be mass-produced and equipped among Genin, any Genin could perform at Chunin-level!'

'And if used properly, even Chunin could approach the combat strength of a Jonin!'

Pre-prepared Ninjutsu scrolls could be loaded into the scientific tools like ammunition. The user only needed enough Chakra to activate them.

If these tools were simplified and lightened, designed like rifles, capable of firing shuriken, kunai, or small-scale Ninjutsu, Menma could already imagine the military revolution their mass production would bring to the Ninja World!

"Wait! Menma! Is this your family's department store?!" Naruto's excited shout snapped Menma out of his thoughts.

Turning back, Menma saw Naruto's eyes sparkling with excitement.

Only then did he notice the store's New Year's decorations… colorful banners and slogans everywhere, with a long line of customers at the entrance.

Remembering how Naruto was usually discriminated against when buying daily necessities, either denied service or sold expired goods, Menma called over the store manager.

"Menma-sama, you are here. Is there anything I can help you with?" Before long, a short man in a sharp suit, with a scar above his left eyebrow, hurried over.

Ryo Morita, who had been doing business with Gato for many years, was said to have been a Rogue Samurai in his early years.

"This is Uzumaki Naruto, my underling. From now on, if he comes to shop here, no one is to give him trouble." Menma jerked his thumb toward Naruto.

"Understood, Menma-sama!" Morita responded enthusiastically.

He didn't dismiss them just because they were kids. After all, before leaving, Gato had specifically instructed him that even the funds of the entire Gato Department Store were controlled by this young master.

Moreover, he is someone from outside the village, so he will not have any discrimination or prejudice against Naruto.

"Let's go. You can come shop here next time." Menma had initially planned to take Naruto to buy some daily essentials, but with the store packed due to the promotion, he had no interest in squeezing through crowds.