"Of course, no problem."
Menma seemed prepared for the question. When Naruto looked his way, he nodded lightly and agreed.
To him, this was just an optional formality.
He could go, or he could skip it.
It was just a necessary camouflage he needed to wear occasionally. He couldn't let Hiruzen Sarutobi think he was an extreme recluse, right? That might make Hiruzen worry that he was unstable or uncontrollable.
"Hmph."
Sasuke clearly held a similar attitude. His snort wasn't a rejection, nor did he turn to leave. It was a tacit agreement.
"Yosh! Then let's go! We're going to feast today!"
A look of obvious excitement appeared on Naruto's face as he raised his right hand and cheered loudly.
Team 7 was officially formed.
Although it unfolded slightly differently from the original story, everything seemed to stubbornly follow the original plot's trajectory. However, in this life, the different existences and wills involved were bound to bring about different developments!
All of this would depend on the decisions made by Menma and the others involved.
The first day of being official graduates passed just like that. For Naruto and Sakura, it was an exciting day.
For Menma, it was just another ordinary day.
After the team celebration ended.
Menma returned home and thoroughly reviewed and reflected on the battle with Kakashi. There was no doubt about it: in terms of raw personal power, technique, and experience, Kakashi completely crushed them.
This made Menma realize his current level even more profoundly and clearly.
The sense of urgency in his heart intensified.
This was a world where might made right!
Which was more important: fists or reason? This was a question that didn't even need consideration. Of course, you had to reason with people, but if you didn't have the corresponding power, how could you enforce your reason?!
Did Asura, Hashirama Senju, and Naruto Uzumaki really convert Indra, Madara Uchiha, and Sasuke Uchiha with just words?
Don't make me laugh.
Those were "truths" beaten into them with fists!
Even Jiraiya, who seemed the gentlest and was called a gallant hero in the original story—look at what he did when he infiltrated the Hidden Rain and discovered Nagato and Konan were behind the Akatsuki!
That made the nature of this world even clearer.
Perhaps among ninja, Jiraiya could be considered a so-called "good person," but the word "ninja" itself was synonymous with force.
Without power...
You were just a massive joke.
Menma wouldn't waste time considering unrealistic things like "justice" or "mutual understanding"—naive words for naive people.
Protect himself!
Defeat his enemies!
Live freely and happily!
These were Menma's unwavering goals.
For this, Menma was willing to give everything and strive for everything.
Again: he wasn't the idealistic Naruto Uzumaki from the original story. He was the "egoist" Menma Uzumaki.
Weakness and naivety were a ninja's greatest enemies.
---
After Team 7 was established, starting from the second day, Kakashi indeed began leading Menma, Naruto, and the others on official missions.
The level and content of these missions were obviously very similar to the original story.
Even though he acknowledged the strength of the four, Kakashi couldn't just take the squad on high-level missions right off the bat. It wasn't a question of danger, but purely a matter of progression.
With an Elite Jōnin like him present, there was no need to worry about danger in missions below A-rank!
It was simply a question of whether Kakashi was willing.
Of course, Menma's special status also had to be considered.
High-level missions required leaving the Hidden Leaf Village. While Jinchūriki of major villages could leave their villages to perform missions—especially as key combat assets during wars—they couldn't just be kept at home like treasures forever.
However, there was a clear prerequisite: the Jinchūriki had to reach a relatively stable stage.
As Team 7's Jōnin sensei, Kakashi naturally had to be cautious in this regard. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that whether Team 7 could take high-level missions outside the village required the personal approval of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Therefore, for the first month of Team 7's existence, they frantically executed the lowest-tier D-rank missions. If they weren't searching for lost items, they were helping villagers with manual labor. If you insisted on talking about "risk" and "technical content," the peak of their career so far was helping catch escaped livestock.
That might be risky for ordinary people.
But for ninja, it posed absolutely zero difficulty.
After all, they weren't dealing with ferocious beasts.
Menma was mentally prepared for this. He knew he couldn't rush it, so he didn't show much dissatisfaction.
Besides, Menma knew someone else would be more impatient than him.
Sure enough.
One morning, more than a month later.
Just after completing another ordinary "find the lost pet" mission...
"!!!! Big Brother Kakashi, does this ever end?! It's all D-rank missions! Pulling weeds today, finding lost items tomorrow... there's zero skill involved in this! Can't we take a mission with slightly higher difficulty?!!"
Naruto hugged the pet tightly in his arms. On the way back to the administration building, he looked at Kakashi with a very unhappy expression and complained loudly.
Over the past month, they had completed double-digit D-rank missions. At first, there might have been a bit of novelty, and Naruto could maintain some patience. But now, repeating these menial tasks over and over? Naruto definitely couldn't take it anymore.
He wanted a challenging mission!
Sasuke nodded subconsciously, agreeing internally.
These low-level missions had no value. They couldn't provide any training or significance!
"No. You've just graduated. You're far from ready for high-level missions. For now, just obediently do the D-rank missions. This is a process every Genin must go through!"
Kakashi maintained his lazy posture, reading his "precious book" while replying casually.
"How much longer?! Big Brother Kakashi! It's been a whole month!!"
Naruto tilted his head back, his face written with resentment.
"It's only been a month. Take it slow and hone your skills. Don't be impatient, Naruto," Kakashi said unhurriedly.
"Fine~~~~~"
Naruto dragged out the word, clearly disappointed.
Mission selection really depended on the captain. If Kakashi wasn't willing to lead them on high-level missions, there was truly nothing they could do.