"Itachi," Uchiha Fugaku said seriously, "I've decided to step down as the Uchiha Clan Patriarch. I've already proposed for you to inherit the role, and the elders have agreed."
After the meeting with Tsunade, Fugaku returned immediately to consult with the clan elders. The moment they heard that Tsunade intended to give the Uchiha Clan a top-level position, they agreed without hesitation.
If Fugaku had even dared to disagree, those old men might have pulled out their Sharingan on the spot and beaten him senseless.
Honestly, although the Uchiha clan are known as cold and proud "maniacs," deep down, they're oddly... cute.
They always hold their heads high, rarely forge deep bonds, and keep others at arm's length. But once they do form a bond, they are incredibly loyal—some of the most trustworthy allies you could ever have.
And let's be real, they're a straightforward bunch. They'll tell you right to your face if they don't like you—unlike certain backstabbers hiding behind fake smiles.
"Me?" Itachi blinked in surprise. Just then, something Menma had once told him echoed in his mind…
Meanwhile, in the Hyuga Clan compound, Hiashi Hyuga was also stepping down as Clan Head to accept the position of Konoha Advisor.
At the Menma house:
"Master Jiraiya, what's wrong with you?" Naruto asked, blinking at the sight of Jiraiya dragging himself into the house with dark circles under his eyes and an expression of pure exhaustion.
"Never trust a pretty woman, Naruto…" Jiraiya muttered as he collapsed onto the sofa, completely drained.
"Huh? But I only trust my brother," Naruto replied earnestly.
"That's good," Jiraiya sighed. "Naruto, could you pour me a glass of water?"
"Okay!" Naruto dashed off, and a minute later came back with a full cup.
Jiraiya drained it in one gulp. "Ahhh… thanks, Naruto. That hits the spot…"
At least it's over. He'd rather starve tomorrow than go back to that hellhole of paperwork.
"Hey, Naruto, where's your brother?"
"He's in his room, writing his novel."
Writing? Jiraiya leaned back on the couch and glanced toward Menma's room.
Inside the room… chaos.
There were thirteen Menma—each one hunched over a desk, pen in hand, scribbling furiously.
A firm voice barked from somewhere nearby, "Hurry up and write! No slacking!"
…Who said that?
Jiraiya's spiritual sense prickled.
Lying on the bed was a tiny orange fox, wearing black-rimmed glasses and holding a wooden ruler like a strict teacher.
"Ku—Kurama?" Jiraiya blinked.
This adorable, grumpy little fox looked more like a school dean than a Tailed Beast.
"I really don't need this…" the only Menma sitting at the main desk groaned—clearly the real body.
Earlier, after serving Tsunade, Menma had kicked her out, taken a shower, and tried to get some sleep. Shadow clones were out training. Everything was peaceful… until Tsunade left the house, and the Nine Tails popped out of his body with one demand:
"WHERE'S MY NOVEL?!"
"…I didn't finish it yet," Menma said sheepishly. "I kinda… got distracted with Jiraiya's scrolls."
"You forgot? Hah! Brat, don't forget you and I share a body. I know what you're thinking," the fox said smugly.
"Fine, fine, I'll write it right now," Menma said, trying to calm the little menace.
The fox grinned. "Good."
Menma tried to pinch its cheek. The Nine Tails clawed his thumb.
"Ow!" A thin cut appeared, and Menma pulled his hand back, wincing.
"You deserve that!" Kurama huffed, ruler still in hand. He was adorable, but he meant business.
"You're just… too cute to resist," Menma muttered.
"OUT!"
And so began the forced labor.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Twelve more clones appeared in the room.
"You guys know the drill. We're writing until we finish the entire novel for Kurama!"
The clones groaned collectively.
Suddenly, the fox stood at the head of the bed and snapped, "Majority rules! There are 14 people here. Who votes to make the real Menma write instead of us?"
All twelve clones raised their hands.
"You traitors! I feed you, I house you, we drink and spend money together! And now you vote against me?!"
The clones collectively rolled their eyes. Eat, drink, and spend money?! That's all YOUR enjoyment! All WE do is work!
Kurama grabbed a piece of paper, crumpled it, and threw it with pinpoint precision into Menma's mouth.
Bam!
"Mmmph!"
"Menma: 1 vote. Everyone else: 13. Majority wins. No refusal allowed. Now get to writing!"
Menma spat out the paper ball and sighed. "…Fine."
Kurama gave one final reminder. "Also, next time we trade, no advance deliveries! Payment first, or no deal!"
Damn it… why did I ever introduce novels to this fox…?
The next morning…
Naruto woke up early, stretched, got dressed, and washed up.
His brother still hadn't come out of his room.
So Naruto went to the kitchen and made breakfast himself. He placed everything on the table, then ran over to knock on his brother's door.
"Brother, wake up!"
No answer.
Naruto frowned. "Brother?"
Still no sound.
"…I'm coming in!"
He opened the door.
And immediately screamed—
"G-G-G-GHOST!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!"
(End of this chapter)
Gimme Powerstones :)))
Also check out my Patreon at [Patreon.com/GGFanfiction]