Chapter 11: Funeral and Far Between

The Quidditch season had arrived of course given that the first match was between Gryffindor and Slytherin. At first Ron was nervous, but after a bit of convincing from Harry(albeit through Felix Felicis) and the others, Ron got some motivation to play. He didn't disappoint at all, as during that game he dominated the playing field with how good his defense was given that he was the keeper of the team. Soon Gryffindor won the first match of the season, as everybody was celebrating. Naruto and Hermione learned from Harry that he didn't actually put Felix Felicis in Ron's cup, instead he used some psychology on him. But the best part was that Ron and Lavender finally kissed as everybody congratulated him. Now in an alternate universe, Hermione would've left crying after seeing this, but given that she is dating Naruto in this universe, she was happy Ron finally got with someone.

Meanwhile in London

It was a rainy night in the city of London, as one Ministry official was returning home from work. He sees that his flat was empty, thinking his wife and son were still out. Given that he was alone, the Ministry official takes out some of the finest brandy he could ever drink leisurely. However what the man doesn't know is that someone else was in the flat and is hiding in the shadows. It was Menma and he was as silent as he was stalking his prey, who was drinking the finest brandy. After the man was finished drinking, he was about to head to the bathroom when out of nowhere Menma hit the man behind the back of his head. He kept stabbing the man with his sword, not until he decided to use Avada Kedavra on him, killing the man, as he twitched one last breath. When Menma was done with this horrific attack, he breathed a sigh of relief, as if all this senseless violence brought pleasure to him. But he wasn't there just to do this only, no he wanted to send a message that would rock the wizarding world, but more importantly he wanted his rival to come out and play. He plants his message, not before he decided to make this scene look more macabre as he used some duct tape to wrap it on the victims face, while also taping the message onto him. He soon leaves quickly, as mother and son were about to unlock the door and open up to enter the room. Let's just say a blood curdling scream was heard in the night.

Timeskip

News of the murder was released quickly as everybody in the wizarding world was on edge. Scrimgeour made an announcement that they will find the murderer, as the Ministry was on high alert. But that didn't stop people from making any wild theories as to who the killer was. Right now we see that Naruto, Harry, and Daphne were going to the funeral as they were called for different reasons. For Naruto he wanted to go, as he needed to investigate something related to the murder. Harry was called as Daphne invited him to come, given that her family has some influence in the Ministry. Luckily Dumbledore allowed the three to go, as he was planning on going anyway and as such the three students were excused. The three were being driven there by Cedric Diggory, who was driving a Ministry issued car, which was a 1963 Corvette Stingray. Cedric looked the same except his hair was a long fringe side part, making it look like a curtain(Basically Leon's hairstyle in the Resident Evil games and Robert Pattinson's hairstyle in The Batman 2022). "Guys don't you think it's a bit strange that this murder happened on the fly? I mean its a murder and all, but it seems the murderer had written my name in the message asking me to come out and play," Naruto stated.

"It does seem weird, it was almost as if the murderer has a vendetta against you," Cedric stated, as he went on detail about how he and the other Aurors have been trying to investigate this whole situation. "Guys think about it, who is the most likely person to have a grudge against Naruto, even going as far as to kill Naruto?" Daphne asked the obvious. "Menma…it was him who caused the murder. As if that incident in Tokyo wasn't enough, he has to go killing innocent people just so he can lure me out," Naruto stated, as he was looking rather pissed. "Agreed, but think about it Naruto, what if he wanted you to come here, and bring you in a trap? Maybe that's the reason why he had killed that Ministry official in the first place," Harry stated. "Whatever it may be guys, keep on guard as this is a funeral, but that doesn't mean that it is always safe, as the Death Eaters are likely going to come up, with you and Naruto being here," Cedric stated.

Soon they arrived at the funeral, as everybody was getting out of the cars and going inside some gothic cathedral. It was a rainy day of course, so it was fitting for a funeral. As the four got off the car, someone shouted seeing that Harry Potter and Naruto Uzumaki were there. Photos were being taken of the two, as reporters for the Daily Prophet were trying to ask the boys questions, which they ignored as they kept walking up to the cathedral. Daphne was with her family along with her sister, while Harry was with Sirius and his family. Naruto notices that Draco Malfoy was there dressed in his finest black suit, as he was with his mother, who wore black, which was fitting of course. Draco was silent of course, given that the whole school year, the boy hasn't been taunting Naruto, his friends, or anyone for that matter. Draco does notice Naruto, but instead of saying anything, he just sneered and minded his own business, to which Naruto does so, as he had zero interest in greeting the ferret.

Both Naruto and Cedric talked about some stuff, as they were catching up. Naruto learns from Cedric that he and Cho broke up ever since they were arguing over Marietta being a snitch. It got to the point where the two had enough and decided to go their separate ways, with Cedric focusing on his career as an Auror, while Cho was dating Michael Corner. Needless to say, it was a pretty messy break up, but hey Cedric got over it as he wasn't the guy to dwell on that stuff. Anyways as Naruto enters the cathedral, he sees that the top floors were heavily guarded by the Aurors, as they don't want an incident to take place. It was packed with so many people who seem to know the guy. The choir was singing "Ave Maria," which was rather ominously fitting for the atmosphere here. The blond was so focused around what was here, when he hadn't even noticed that someone was calling him.

"Naruto Uzumaki," the voice called, as the blond turned around to see it was Rufus Scrimgeour. Scrimgeour was a man with a certain rangy loping grace; he walked with a slight limp, and looked rather like an old lion with gray streaks in his mane of tawny hair and bushy eyebrows. "I'm sorry?" Naruto asked, as he wasn't paying attention. "I wouldn't be bothering you here, but you haven't been reading my letters requiring your attention here," Scrimgeour stated. That's right, Scrimgeour had been trying to get Naruto to help the Ministry and the wizarding community, but as far as the blond knows, while he would gladly help the wizarding community, he however isn't trusting of the Ministry, ever since Fudge neglected to take action against the impending threat of Voldemort and his army. "Walk with me Mr. Uzumaki," Scrimgeour said to the blond, who was following him. However the blond was quiet, as something was on his mind regarding this whole situation. Naruto noticed that some of the attendees seemed rather glad that the Ministry official was dead just by how they looked and how they spoke about it as if it was a miracle. Scrimgeour tries to grab the blond's attention, as the blond looks at him still silent. "You know, you really could be doing more for the community. From what I looked up about the Uzumaki, your family has a history of philanthropy when it comes to the welfare of the wizarding world, but as far as I could tell, you aren't doing anything. All I ask is for your support along with Harry Potter's as well," Scrimgeour asked, as Naruto mentally scoffed, knowing that Scrimgeour was still just like the rest of the Ministry, all bark, but no bite. Plus from what he heard, Scrimgeour ordered the arrest of an innocent man just so he could make the Ministry look good, so if anything it further complicated things.

The two see the child of the deceased who was sitting alone, as the boy was still reeling from the news that his father died. "I'm going to pay my respects, will you and Harry be free after this? I want to continue this conversation," Scrimgeour said, before heading off to pay his respects. Naruto was silent, as he looked at the boy who was sitting alone. He was empathizing with the boy, as he knew what it was like to lose someone he cared about. The boy who sat alone looked at Naruto, as the two stared at each other silently before the boy turned back just so he could grieve a little more. Naruto sees that Dumbledore was here and greeted him. "Hello professor," Naruto said, shaking the man's hand. "Hello Naruto, I see you saw the son of the deceased," Dumbledore said, as Naruto nodded. "You know, the boy is almost at the age where he will finally attend Hogwarts. But I'm afraid his father won't be able to see his son get his first letter to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said solemnly. "I pity the boy's father," Naruto said, as he clenched his fists knowing that Menma was responsible for this murder. "There is a saying, Naruto, do not pity the dead. Pity the living, and above all else those who live without love," Dumbledore said, sagely. Naruto looks at Dumbledore in surprise, but nodded nevertheless.

As Naruto was walking around, he overhears some conversation going on between two Aurors and some Ministry official. Apparently it seems that someone was missing, as the Aurors have checked the home of the missing person, but haven't found a clue about his whereabouts. The conversation was just getting interesting until they decided to change the topic. But the blond has gotten enough and it seems that the Death Eaters are kidnapping people and killing them, after getting what they wanted. Soon screams were heard outside, as everybody turned to see what was the commotion. Sure enough even the choir stopped singing, as everybody was murmuring. Naruto looked up to see that someone was standing still, not phased by what was going on, as people were looking outside. The commotion were multiple plumes of dark smoke as they flew around, indicating that they were Death Eaters. The plumes of dark smoke were about to come for the son of the deceased, until Naruto rushed at the boy and tackled him to safety. The plumes of dark smoke reveal themselves to be Death Eaters as they were reaping havoc in the cathedral. "Get out of here kid! Go!" Naruto orders the boy to get out quickly, as the boy does so along with so many others.

The Aurors came by and an all out assault commenced between two groups. Naruto regroups with the others, as they were looking for him amidst the panic. "Alright guys get to safety, I'll go take care of these snakes," Naruto said, as they nod knowing that the blond can take care of himself. Naruto found someplace private where he could change into his gear that he brought in case of emergency. He puts on the stealth suit and mask, along with arming himself with his chokuto and gunblade. The blond sneaks into the cathedral to see that the fighting stopped, as the Death Eaters were holding someone hostage. It was definitely the guy that got kidnapped today, as Naruto didn't see the man at the funeral. Using smoke bombs, he managed to get the drop on all three Death Eaters in the room, knocking them out. Naruto goes up to the hostage and unbinds him, as the hostage breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness you freed me, I don't know what I would've done without you," the hostage said gratefully. "Why did the Death Eaters come after you?" Naruto asked, trying to get information from the hostage. The hostage explained how he might've angered You-Know-Who and his followers by refusing to cooperate with them and as such he was trying to escape, when the Death Eaters kidnapped him. "Come on, let's get you out of here," Naruto said, helping the hostage up and delivering him safely to the Aurors. But luck doesn't always come easily, as the hostage was killed by a suicide seal that was somehow activated. Naruto turns to see that Menma was there, as he was perched on the top floor before he dropped down and landed on the floor with his feet.

"Naruto…" Menma said. "Menma…" Naruto said in response. The two were having an intense staredown, as Menma readied his sword, while Naruto readied his gunblade. The two soon rush at each other, clashing their blades as a sword duel takes place. Sparks flew as cold steel clashed with each other. Menma decided to even the playing field by summoning two four legged behemoth-like creatures made of dark chakra. It was challenging as the blond had to figure out its weaknesses. Fortunately the blond is skilled with shadow clones, so it shouldn't pose much of a challenge right? Two of the clones used the gunblade's firearm mode to shoot at both creatures' weak points, while the other clones are trying to distract both behemoths from killing them. The two clones managed to get both behemoths staggering, as the other clones rushed at the two beasts and slashed at them, before the real Naruto killed both beasts with one big Rasenshuriken. The two behemoths growled in anger as they vanished after getting defeated. Soon Menma comes back to the fray and both Naruto and Menma clashed once again.

However it seems that Menma is starting to be a lot stronger, as he has been able to go toe to toe with the blond. "Is that all you got?" he taunted, kicking the blond back. The blond bounces back, as Menma vanishes before being behind Naruto. Menma was about to kick Naruto on the back of the head, but the blond dodges. It was a battle of punches and kicks as both of them avoided each other's attack, while trying to attack each other. Naruto tries to punch Menma, as Menma jumped away and threw some shuriken at Naruto, which the blond jumped around it. Menma soon slashes at Naruto with his sword, but luckily the blond was flexible enough to avoid the attack. Just before Menma was about to jump and slash at him, Naruto timed his punch right and gave Menma a mean right hook.

Menma was blown to the wall and Naruto soon rushed at him quickly, slamming Menma's head at the wall. Menma's mask broke from the impact of the attack, and Naruto could see that Menma was looking furious. "Had enough?!" Naruto shouted, but Menma refused to lose as he kicked the blond away. He creates a black flameball spell that was intended to engulf Naruto, but the blond shielded himself using the Armiger spell. The smoke settled as both warriors were shown huffing and panting. They decided to finish this battle as they charged their toughest attack. Naruto prepared the biggest Rasengan, while Menma created the biggest Rasen Ring. The two rushed at each other screaming each other's names.

"NARUTO!

"MENMA!"

The two attacks collided and both Naruto and Menma were blown away. When the dust settled, both Naruto and Menma were standing, but they were looking pretty winded. Naruto runs at Menma with his gunblade, ready to behead Menma, when Menma had the audacity to escape right before Naruto could slice his head off. "Damn it!" Naruto shouted in frustration, as he failed to kill Menma once again. Naruto decided to make a quick getaway as he really doesn't want to be here or else he might get questioned a lot and he really isn't in the mood to get questioned right now.

Night Time

Harry, Cedric, and Daphne were at Naruto's place, waiting for the blond as they were actually staying there, while the Order of the Phoenix were doing their meetings at the Black house. Just then Naruto arrives, though he looks pretty tired after that fight of his. The three went up to him to see if he was alright, as they helped him to the couch. Tsunade gives him a glass of water, to which Naruto thanks her for that. "Where were you?" Harry asked, as the others wanted to know. The blond explained everything that happened and needless to say it was shocking to hear. "To think Menma was behind the murder and kidnapping," Daphne said in disbelief. "He's a sick bastard and I was almost close to killing him, yet I failed again," Naruto said, as he was frustrated with himself. "Just be glad you're alright man. Otherwise you could've died," Cedric stated, as Naruto nodded. Menma was a lot stronger than back when they fought in the Ministry and it seemed that he was a lot more capable with dark chakra, even going as far as to summoning two behemoths made of dark chakra as if it was nothing. Naruto knew that Menma was hiding his true power, as indicated by how he felt like Menma was toying with him. Naruto needed to get stronger and this time he needs to be ready…he has to.

With Menma

Menma was back at the hideout, as he was currently meditating. In actuality he was communing with his tailed beast, which was obviously the Nine Tails. But something was different about the Nine Tails, as behind the cage there was only darkness except the glowing red eyes. "So…you have fought our doppelgangers…" the evil Nine Tails said. "Yes Nine Tails, it seems he has been getting stronger…and was close to killing me. But it's still not enough, as I merely just toyed with him," Menma said. "In due time we will kill our doppelgangers and rule this world. But for now, we wait and see how they will fare as I want to kill my doppelganger, as much as you want to kill yours, when they are at their full potential, as I hate having to kill someone who is currently weak. It doesn't bring me any excitement at all," the evil Nine Tails said. Menma nodded and soon left his mindscape, as he woke up in the real world. 'What you saw Naruto…was nothing more than just a mere percent of my power. When we meet again…I will use all of my power to kill you once and for all along with everyone you hold dear," Menma thought, as the evil Nine Tails inside him darkly laughed.