Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 85 Konoha Year 55, An Encounter with Tono Kazusuke
On the first day after the New Year, a heavy snow fell, covering Konoha Village in a layer of white.

In the shadows of Menma's mansion, an ANBU ninja stood silently, watching Naruto, who was fast asleep in the Japanese-style room.

Because of the sudden heavy snowfall last night, Menma let Naruto stay overnight. The two played video games all night until dawn, when they finally fell asleep in the warm Japanese-style room.

The house in Mianma has central heating, so the whole house is warm and cozy in winter.

The technological level of the ninja world is still too strange. While many countries are still in the feudal agricultural era, ninja villages are already using modern technology products, and even have things like computers and walkie-talkies.

Naruto slept until midday, and only slowly woke up after the snow had stopped.

After waking up, Naruto wiped his eyes and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and the different bedding on him, still feeling a little confused.

"Oh, you're awake? It's lunchtime. Have some food and I'll take you home in a bit." Mianma, who was in the kitchen, poked her head out after hearing the noise. "Go wash up first."

Seeing Menma reminded Naruto that he had been bored at home alone yesterday because it was New Year's Day, so he came to Menma to play. He then had a lavish meal at Menma's place that he had never had before, and played video games all night.

Still somewhat dazed, Naruto followed Menma's directions to the bathroom and quickly washed up.

The feeling of wiping his face with a towel dampened with warm water made Naruto feel much more awake.

After Naruto wrung out the towel and hung it up, he looked at himself in the mirror on the sink and suddenly felt an urge to cry.

Having always lived alone, he had never experienced being cared for, and he didn't know what a home was.

Although I've only known Menma for about half a year and have only met him a few times, I always feel a strange sense of closeness when I'm with him.

Naruto washed his face with warm water to cover up his tears before coming out of the bathroom.

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

"This bowl with Naruto rolls is yours, and this bowl with dried bamboo shoots is mine," Menma said, gesturing for Naruto to sit down.

After dinner, Menma escorted Naruto home.

The two walked together on the village streets, which were covered in snow, breathing out warm air as they chatted.

"It seems that the Third Hokage has become my guardian. He sends me living expenses every month." Naruto rubbed his hands together. Perhaps because he was wearing many layers of clothing in winter and had his hair covered by a hat, the passersby around him did not recognize him or show him much malice.

This made things much easier for Naruto.

"The Third Hokage?" Menma recalled the sudden appearance of Hiruzen Sarutobi when he and Hinata went to Naruto's secret base with him last year.

To be honest, Menma didn't have a good impression of the third generation.

The main reason is that the contrast between the Third Hokage before and after his time travel in the Naruto anime I watched before the time travel was too great, and there were many things in the plot that couldn't be explained.

Although Kishimoto later drew Shimura Danzo and Root to take the blame.

However, due to the stark contrast, many readers did not buy it.

"Yes, he also chats with me and asks about my life." Naruto doesn't know why the Third Hokage became his guardian, but having an elder he can rely on is something that young Naruto cherishes very much.

"Hehe—" Mianma scoffed coldly twice.

The Third Hokage's actions were too contradictory, and he was too lenient with Orochimaru and Danzo.

Orochimaru's Konoha Crush plan ironically enhanced the Third Hokage's reputation. Otherwise, considering the things the Third Hokage did during his long reign, to put it nicely, it was a greed for power and the Hokage position; to put it bluntly, it blocked the upward mobility of young people.

Menma sensed the Third Hokage secretly watching him yesterday, presumably using the crystal ball to monitor Naruto's every move.

As the two walked and talked, they came across a department store that was having a big New Year's promotion.

Mianma suddenly stopped.

Naruto exclaimed "Eh!" and followed Menma's gaze.

A slightly chubby child wearing glasses was happily walking out of a department store, carrying various electronic products in his hands.

Naruto noticed that the department store was called 'Kado Department Store'.

Mianma walked over and asked a shop assistant at the entrance, "What was the name of that child just now?"

"Young Master Menma!" The shop assistant bowed respectfully, then looked at the child who had just left and said, "I think his name is Tono Fusuke. He often comes to our store to buy electronic toys and small experimental supplies."

'So it really was him? He looks only ten years old.' Menma compared the child from earlier with Dr. Tohno Katasuke, who had become a Special Jonin in his memories, and basically confirmed that it was him.

'But he should have a complete family now, so it might be a bit difficult to abduct him.' Menma stared into the direction where Tono Hosuke had disappeared, lost in thought.

The Naruto world is already lacking in scientists, and talents like Tohno Kakusuke are even rarer.

If we had to rank them, Tohno Kakusuke's research capabilities could be said to be second only to Tobirama Senju and Orochimaru, both of whom were all-around scientists.

Others, such as Xie, Beiliuhu, and Shennong, all had some limitations, focusing more on research in a specific field.

Those scientific ninja tools are simply insane. If they could be mass-produced and used to equip genin, any genin could unleash the fighting power of a chunin!

When used properly, Chunin can also exert combat power close to that of Jonin!
The pre-prepared ninjutsu scrolls are loaded into scientific ninja tools like cannonballs. The ninja who uses them only needs to have enough chakra to trigger the scientific ninja tools.

'If scientific ninja tools were simplified and made lighter, resembling rifles, and only required to fire shuriken, kunai, or some minor ninjutsu...' Menma could already imagine the military revolution that the birth and mass production of scientific ninja tools would bring to the ninja world!
"Hey! Menma! Is this your family's shopping mall?!" Naruto's exclamation brought Menma back to her senses.

Menma turned around and saw Naruto with stars in his eyes.

He then discovered that the department store was holding a New Year's event, with various ribbons and slogans hanging everywhere, and long queues forming at the entrance.

Remembering how Naruto was often discriminated against by shop owners when buying daily necessities, who would either refuse to sell him items or sell him expired ones, Menma asked the shop assistants to call over the mall's general manager.

"Young Master Mianma, what can I do for you?" A short while later, a short man dressed in a suit and leather shoes, with a scar on his left eyebrow, strode over.

Ryo Morita worked with Kado in business for many years, and was said to have been a wandering samurai in his early years.

"This is Naruto Uzumaki, my little brother. From now on, when he comes to the mall to buy things, don't give him any trouble." Menma clenched his right fist and pointed his thumb at Naruto behind him.

"Alright, young master!" Morita Ryo said enthusiastically.

He did not neglect the two children. Before leaving, Kado gave him special instructions, and even the funds of the entire Kado shopping mall were under the control of this young master.

Moreover, he came from outside the village, so he wouldn't discriminate against or have any prejudice against Naruto.

"Let's go shopping next time." Menma originally wanted to take Naruto to buy some daily necessities, but seeing that the mall was having a promotion and there were so many people, he didn't want to squeeze into the crowd.

(End of this chapter)