For that reason, Menma decided to begin with the most important part of the story.
There was very little he needed to conceal.
Only one crucial detail remained hidden.
The true identity of the masked man.
For the time being, Menma could only describe him as an unknown Uchiha.
Now was not the right time to reveal that the man was Uchiha Obito.
It wasn't because Menma distrusted Sasuke.
Rather, Sasuke had yet to reach the level of strength or emotional maturity required to shoulder the full truth.
Obito's existence was intertwined with Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu, and the centuries-old conspiracy surrounding the Sage of Six Paths' legacy. Until Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, exposing everything would only create unnecessary complications.
So Menma calmly narrated the events, piece by piece.
Beginning with the Nine-Tails' Attack sixteen years earlier and continuing through the Uchiha Clan Massacre ten years ago, he carefully reconstructed the truth without embellishment.
As the story unfolded, Sasuke gradually came to understand what had truly transpired.
When he learned that both Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui the two greatest prodigies the clan had produced had secretly acted to prevent the coup while serving Konoha's leadership, Sasuke's fists instinctively tightened.
He had never imagined such a truth.
The destruction of his family…
The annihilation of his clan…
There had been such a complicated history hidden behind it all.
No…
Perhaps it wasn't complicated after all.
The Uchiha Clan had become increasingly dissatisfied with the discrimination they suffered after the Nine-Tails' Attack. Their growing resentment eventually gave rise to plans for a coup d'état.
In response, Konoha's leadership including the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzō Shimura resolved to eliminate the threat before it could erupt into civil war.
And then…
An unknown Uchiha had appeared from the shadows.
That single missing piece completed the massacre.
Although Menma deliberately withheld Obito's identity, every word he spoke was objectively true.
He neither exaggerated nor distorted the facts.
He explained the Uchiha Clan's dissatisfaction.
He explained Konoha's fears.
He explained the political calculations made by both sides.
Everything was presented exactly as it had happened.
Silence lingered for several long moments.
Then…
"So that's the truth…"
Sasuke let out a hollow laugh.
"A coup…"
"So Itachi was merely Konoha's executioner…"
"Hahaha…"
His laughter gradually became twisted.
"How pitiful…"
"How tragic…"
"How utterly ridiculous!"
His clenched fists trembled violently.
His fingernails dug so deeply into his palms that they pierced the skin, allowing blood to slowly drip between his fingers.
Yet Sasuke seemed completely oblivious to the pain.
His eyes were filled only with fury.
And bitterness.
"Then why…"
His voice suddenly rose into an anguished roar.
"Why did he spare me?!"
The cry echoed throughout the training grounds like the howl of a wounded beast.
Almost instinctively, fragments of an old memory surfaced within Sasuke's mind.
"Foolish little brother…"
"If you wish to kill me…"
"Despise me. Hate me. Run… cling to your miserable life."
"One day, possess the same eyes as mine… then come before me."
Those words had haunted him for years.
At that moment, they resurfaced with unbearable clarity.
"So…"
"I was nothing more than a tool?"
Sasuke's expression became increasingly distorted.
Menma watched him quietly before answering.
"Why Itachi spared you…"
"Only Itachi himself truly knows."
He paused briefly.
"But I can tell you one thing."
"If your goal is revenge…"
"Then Itachi isn't your only enemy."
"The elders of Konoha who ordered the massacre…"
"They bear that responsibility as well."
Menma naturally understood Itachi's true intentions.
There had always been countless interpretations among those who knew the history.
But judging solely from Itachi's actions, one conclusion became overwhelmingly clear.
To Itachi…
Sasuke came before everything else.
If one were forced to rank the priorities within Itachi's heart, they would likely be:
Sasuke > Konoha > the Uchiha Clan including his own parents.
For the sake of Konoha, Itachi had slaughtered his own clan.
He had even raised his blade against his parents.
Yet for Sasuke's sake…
He had willingly shouldered the hatred of the entire world.
Whether or not others agreed with that interpretation was irrelevant.
One fact remained undeniable.
Itachi would never have killed Sasuke for Konoha.
Sasuke was the final line he would never cross.
The one person he could never abandon.
However…
Those were conclusions Menma would never voice aloud.
Partly because explaining how he understood Itachi so thoroughly would inevitably invite suspicion.
More importantly…
Because Sasuke deserved to arrive at that answer himself.
Sasuke was different from Orochimaru.
Different from Ōnoki.
Different from the countless people Menma manipulated through calculated words and mutual interests.
To Menma, Karin, Yūgao, and Sasuke were genuine companions.
People he intended to trust.
Because of that, he refused to deceive them with convenient lies or emotional manipulation.
Even when he knew the full truth…
He would only provide the objective facts.
The conclusions…
…would belong to them alone.
For Sasuke especially…
Itachi remained the greatest knot within his heart.
Only Sasuke himself could untangle it.
After a long silence, Sasuke slowly exhaled.
His trembling gradually subsided.
He raised his head and looked directly at Menma.
"You were right."
A faint smile, tinged with bitterness, appeared on his face.
"The question I should have been asking all along…"
"…was the truth itself."
He lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you, Menma."
"If it weren't for you…"
"I might have remained in the dark forever."
Menma smiled faintly.
"You don't need to thank me."
"Helping you is also helping myself."
"We've already chosen the same road."
"So there's no need for formalities between us."
Sasuke nodded firmly.
"You're right."
"We're walking the same path."
His voice carried far greater conviction than before.
Unlike his original fate, where he wandered alone and continued chasing the illusion created by Itachi until the very end…
This Sasuke had learned the truth far earlier.
The road ahead would inevitably diverge from history.
Menma had no idea what Itachi was planning.
Did Itachi truly believe his younger brother would always follow the path he had prepared?
Perhaps that confidence had existed because Naruto had always been there to reach Sasuke in the original timeline.
But this time…
Things would be different.
Neither Itachi…
Nor Obito…
Would be allowed to manipulate Sasuke ever again.
If Sasuke was destined to walk alongside anyone…
It would be beside him.
Menma silently made that decision.
Looking directly at Sasuke, his expression gradually turned serious.
"However…"
"You can't rush things."
"Whether your goal is to confront Itachi…"
"To learn every remaining truth…"
"Or to seek revenge against Konoha…"
"None of it is possible unless you become stronger."
His eyes met Sasuke's Sharingan.
"For the Uchiha Clan, the Sharingan is the source of your greatest power."
"If you wish to stand at the summit…"
"You must awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Sasuke frowned.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan…"
A complicated look crossed his face.
Almost immediately, he shook his head.
Menma instantly understood what Sasuke was thinking.
He raised a hand to stop him.
"I know what you're about to say."
"The legends claim that the Mangekyō Sharingan can only be awakened by killing someone precious to you."
"But listen carefully, Sasuke."
Menma's voice was firm.
"I don't believe that's the only path."
"The Mangekyō Sharingan is awakened through overwhelming emotional trauma, not murder itself. The death of someone precious is merely the most common trigger not an absolute requirement."
"There may be another way."
"And even if that path is difficult…"
"It is still far better than surrendering yourself to a curse."
"I refuse to believe that the pride of the Uchiha Clan must be built upon slaughter."