"Stand up straight!" Iruka barked at the four boys and a dog.
The moment he arrived at the academy that morning, he was met with alarming news—students from his class had gotten into a fight. Iruka rushed over in a panic, worried someone might be seriously injured. But when he got there, he discovered that all the injuries were on the other side—and the ones responsible were children from major clans.
He immediately demanded an explanation.
With no other choice, Shikamaru told the whole story. Of course, he left out Menma's involvement and took the blame himself.
So, as a result, four boys and a dog were punished to stand outside.
After giving them a stern glare, Iruka turned and left.
Second day of school… and already fighting. Unbelievable.
As soon as Iruka was gone, Menma appeared from around the corner and looked at Shikamaru with a smirk. "Not bad, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru: "..." If I ratted you out, I'd already be dead. Don't test me.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
"Transformation Technique."
With two quick seals, Menma created four clones—each taking the appearance of the four punished students and one transforming into the dog.
"Let's go. Barbecue's on me," Menma grinned and leapt out of the window.
Choji was the first to follow. Kiba ran after him, then Shino. Shikamaru sighed but followed too.
Back in place of the originals stood five transformed shadow clones—four boys and one dog.
Naturally, they headed to the Akimichi Barbecue Restaurant, owned by Choji's family. The group followed Menma down the street.
"Hey, Choji, isn't your family the one running this place?" Kiba asked.
"Woof," Akamaru added, agreeing.
Choji blinked in realization. "Oh yeah… I guess it is."
"Brother... you're not planning on eating for free, are you?" Shikamaru muttered, instantly wary. Even if Choji's family ran the place, he couldn't imagine Choji casually throwing around his status.
At that, Choji perked up in alarm and looked at Menma. "Big bro, even my dad has to pay when he eats here."
"If anyone says another word, I'll beat them up," Menma replied casually.
No one said another word.
Choji and Shikamaru exchanged a glance and sighed. Better to wait for their dads to come yell at them than take a beating from Menma. At least their fathers wouldn't hit too hard. Plus, their moms would step in eventually.
Soon, they arrived at the barbecue restaurant.
As soon as Menma walked in, the staff greeted him enthusiastically. "Menma! You're here!"
"Table 45," he said without missing a beat.
Almost forgot about the girl working there—she had such a low presence.
"Right this way, please," the staff member said cheerfully, leading them to the second floor. They were seated at a luxurious window-side table with a great view of the street below—a prime spot.
Seeing this, Shikamaru finally relaxed. Judging from the staff's attitude, Menma wasn't just a customer—he was a regular VIP.
Still, he had to ask, "Brother… can you even finish this much food?"
Menma had ordered twenty adult portions. Choji could probably handle seven or eight on his own, but that still left way more than the others could reasonably finish.
Before Menma could reply, the restaurant staff answered for him.
"With Menma's appetite? That's nothing!"
Shikamaru pieced it together. So that's why they're so respectful—Menma must be one of their best customers.
But a new question began to stir in his mind. How does Menma even have so much money?
Naruto was always following him around like a little brother, but both were kids around his age. Shikamaru came from the wealthy Nara Clan and still only got a modest allowance. Meanwhile, Menma had enough pocket money to feast like a king?
Shikamaru couldn't help feeling a little envious. His dream was to marry, have a child, and live a peaceful life. But that kind of life required money. Love without bread was a fantasy—water alone wouldn't keep you full.
Happiness meant having both love and financial security.
"I'm not holding back, then!" Choji said, practically drooling. Even though it was his family's place, his dad rarely brought him here. His own allowance wasn't nearly enough for a meal like this.
"Of course not. And if it's not enough, order more. If anyone leaves hungry today—I'll beat you to death," Menma said with a grin. For him, treating everyone was a simple matter.
"No problem, big bro!"
"Understood, big bro!"
"You got it, big bro!"
"Roger that!"
"Woof woof!"
Everyone, including Akamaru, answered enthusiastically.
Menma looked at the little pup curiously. "Akamaru, can you even eat barbecue?"
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Akamaru barked excitedly, bouncing in place and wagging his tail.
Kiba laughed. "Of course he can, big bro."
Menma smiled. But in the next moment, his expression froze. Five distinct memory fragments suddenly flooded into his mind.
"…Sorry, guys," Menma said, a bit apologetically. "My shadow clones got discovered by Iruka-sensei. You're probably going to get punished again when you go back."
"...Eh?"
All four boys and Akamaru went stiff.
Choji was the first to recover. "That's fine. I mean, what's standing as punishment compared to a full barbecue meal?"
The others quickly came around too. Choji was right—barbecue trumped punishment any day.
They all said it didn't matter.
"Alright then. Eat your fill—and then go back and take the punishment," Menma said with a smile.
Choji: "..."
Shikamaru: "..."
Kiba: "..."
Shino: "..."
Akamaru: "..."
As for how Iruka discovered the shadow clones...
We'll have to rewind fifteen minutes.
(End Of Chapter)
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