Chapter 106: So-called guilt and ridiculous hopes

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

Menma said softly.

Ichiraku Ramen.

As the most famous delicacy in the original work, Menma has naturally eaten it after coming to this world. Of course, this is also due to his knowing that the boss of Ichiraku Ramen does not hate and reject noodles like ordinary people. Ma, just like he treats other guests, treats Menma like an ordinary child.

Menma naturally wanted to come to this store.

This was also the only place where Menma could eat out in the 12 years before graduation. Of course, he had to go in when there were no other customers, and he ate very quickly every time. Once he sensed the arrival of other people, , Menma will leave immediately and early, no matter whether he is grateful or not.

People just treat themselves normally.

It's just that in such a ninja village, the boss's behavior is very commendable and very friendly.

Menma definitely wouldn't be moved to the point of being moved.

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

The boss of Ichiraku Ramen naturally knows Menma. Regarding Menma's experience and situation, this boss actually feels a little bit pitiful. He also feels that some other people are a little too much. After all, Menma is just a person. He is a child, but he can understand the neighbors. You must know that in the chaos 12 years ago, countless people lost their relatives and friends. It is difficult to contain such hatred.

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

It is impossible for him to have any say or ability in this aspect. At most, he can only secretly add more weight to Menma when he comes to eat.

This can be regarded as a kind of care from him.

"Well, let's add two more portions of barbecued pork. Lord Jiraiya, please wait a moment."

After the boss bowed again, he immediately turned around to prepare ramen for three people.

Not long after.

Three servings of steaming ramen, which were obviously far larger than the normal portion, were placed in front of the three of them.

"I'm gonna start now!"

Naruto, who was sitting in the middle seat, immediately lit up his eyes. After saying this eagerly, he started to eat hungrily.

It seems that for Naruto, all the delicious food in the world is not worth a bowl of fragrant Ichiraku Ramen.

In just less than a few minutes.

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

And Menma on the side was no less willing to give in.

He has a good appetite, and he practiced all day today. A bowl of ramen is enough to reach the bottom in the blink of an eye.

Jiraiya on the side looked at Naruto and Menma's almost simultaneous dining movements, and a trace of reminiscence unconsciously appeared in the depths of his pupils.

Same red hair, same blonde hair.

The face was somewhat similar to Minato's, and the appearance was somewhat similar to Kushina's.

at that moment.

Jiraiya seemed to feel that he had gone back to the time when he had dinner together at the home of one of his disciples more than ten years ago.

‘Is it already 12 years? ’

Jiraiya couldn't help but think to himself.

As if all this was just yesterday.

Twelve years ago, when he received the news that his disciple and his wife had died in battle, Jiraiya didn't believe his ears at all. In his opinion, his talented disciple would at least have to lead Konoha Twenty-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 was the bodies of Minato, Kushina and his wife who had become completely cold and stiff, as well as the newborn Naruto and Menma who were still in their infancy. brother.

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

It would definitely be a lie to say that Jiraiya had never had the idea of ​​returning to Konoha Hidden Village and personally taking care of Naruto and Menma brothers.

But in the end, he chose to leave Konoha again for some reasons, maybe because of Mount Myoboku's ridiculous 'son of prophecy' prophecy, or maybe because of a series of words of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But no matter what, Jiraiya evaded his responsibility after all.

Yes, it is responsibility.

An identity that is different from others.

Jiraiya is truly Minato's mentor.

Even in the world of Naruto, this kind of master-disciple relationship is similar to that of father and son.

Just like how Naruto calls Jiraiya in this life, Jiraiya is Menma and Naruto's 'grandpa' in a real sense!

But what? In the past 12 years, has Jiraiya fulfilled his obligations and responsibilities as a grandfather?

Oh, it refers to the aspect of facial numbness.

After all, Naruto has the aura of being the 'Son of the Fourth Hokage'.

In the past 12 years, Jiraiya had occasionally returned to Konoha, but he only visited Naruto, not Menma, not even once.

It was also because of this that Jiraiya felt full of guilt towards Ma.

But as some fans said in the previous life, if Jiraiya knew about Naruto's childhood experience but didn't take care of him, then Jiraiya was bad. If he didn't know about Naruto's childhood experience at all, then he was stupid, and hopelessly stupid.

No matter which possibility it is.

Jiraiya's responsibility cannot be shirked.

Menma naturally didn't know what Jiraiya was thinking at the moment. Even if he knew, he would only sneer.

Guilt?

This kind of emotion is always the most luxurious and useless.

To paraphrase a sentence from Menma's previous life.

'If apologies are useful, what do we need the police for? '

Menma is no longer the person he was when he first came to this world.

That ridiculous filter from the previous life has long been abandoned by Menma.

Now, when he looks at anyone in this world, he has only one criterion: his own people who are willing to walk side by side or enemies who block his way.

Therefore, Menma looks at Jiraiya, just like he looks at Kakashi and others, as a stranger. What kind of attitude he will have in the future depends on what they choose.

Of course, this is basically foreseeable.

"Menma, the direction you just came from is the mountain on the west side of the village, what are you going there for?"

After eating and drinking.

Step out of the store.

Naruto burped and patted his belly with satisfaction, then tilted his head and looked at Menma, asking with a hint of curiosity.

"Ah, I'm training there. Isn't there still some time before the third round of the competition? I want to make myself as strong as possible."

Menma replied with a smile.

"Oh! Training, indeed, Sasuke was also taken away by Brother Kakashi to do some training. I also plan to let Grandpa Jiraiya guide me in training. Hey, Menma, why don't you come with me, okay? Grandpa Jiraiya!?"