"Coming from the future to the present—that's too fantastical. I still can't believe it."
"But this time's enemies force us to believe it..."
After a long silence in the conference room, Kakashi said: "But if everything is truly as Naruto said, then his abnormal actions since the Pain battle would be completely explained."
"..." Many present lowered their heads.
Kakashi continued with the second half: "If that's the case, then Konohagakure... owes Naruto an apology."
At this moment, a discordant voice spoke up: "Does that justify him massacring his own comrades?"
Everyone was startled.
Another person said: "Mitarashi Anko, Hyūga Tokuma, Aburame Muta, Yawara—when Uzumaki Naruto defected, the village sent out Anko's four-man team to persuade him to return, yet none survived!"
Kakashi said: "That incident was full of suspicious points from the start. The timing coincided with Danzō's rise to power, and he used it to stir up public opinion and criticize the Fifth Hokage's poor supervision. So it's very likely that Root was behind it, which fits their long-standing methods..."
A third person said: "Even so, Root's people are all dead now, so there's no way to prove it. Uzumaki Naruto's innocence can't be established!"
Many in Konoha held deep prejudices against Naruto. Even at this point, they were unwilling to view him favorably.
At this moment, Shikaku took a deep drag of his cigarette and finally revealed the truth he had long concealed: "Mitarashi Anko is still alive... in Amegakure."
"What?!"
Everyone's eyes lit up, especially the ninjas who were close to Anko.
The first speaker asked urgently: "Shikaku, how do you know this?!"
Shikaku said: "At this point, there's nothing left to hide. I've been in contact with Naruto all along. He was completely open with me from early on..."
Questioning voices arose: "If that's the case, why didn't you say so earlier..."
Shikaku smiled faintly and interrupted: "If I had spoken up earlier, I probably would have become a target myself. I understand the wisdom of self-preservation under special circumstances."
"You really are... forget it. Did you personally see Anko in Amegakure?"
"Of course."
"Are you certain Anko isn't being controlled by Naruto through genjutsu?"
Just as Shikaku was about to respond, Hyūga Hiashi, the Hyūga clan head, spoke forcefully: "When will this weak-minded thinking habit change!"
"Hiashi-san..."
"Naruto is my son-in-law. I won't avoid that fact, but I'll only speak fairly. Given Naruto's current abilities, which you've all witnessed, does he need to use such roundabout tricks to deal with you?"
"This..."
Hiashi slammed the table and stood up: "If these deep-rooted flaws aren't eliminated, you'll never amount to anything! Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue with you. Today, I'll guarantee in the Hyūga's name that Naruto would never do such things!"
"Since... the Hyūga clan head has spoken, we have nothing more to say."
"Hmph." With that, Hiashi sat down and gestured for Shikaku to continue.
After Shikaku nodded, he said gravely: "This matter will be clarified when Anko appears in person to testify. Rather than getting entangled with the past, we should reflect on how to move forward."
"Facts have proven that the current ninja system is no longer suitable for future battlefields. Without reform, ninjas might follow the same path to decline as samurai."
Someone offered a different view: "Isn't that going too far? Naruto, Madara—aren't they also ninjas?"
Shikaku replied: "That's true... but do you really think we and they are people from the same world?"
"..." Everyone fell silent.
Shikaku seized the moment: "To develop, we must first clarify our position. I firmly believe that even the smallest power, when used properly, can shine and generate heat. But the current one-nation-one-village system greatly restricts ninja growth. To earn commissions, ninjas accept assigned missions, and during peacetime, almost all energy is consumed on tasks. The essence of ninjas is being tools—without breaking through this point, it's hard to achieve anything. So reform is urgent!"
Although Shikaku spoke convincingly, most people weren't optimistic.
"Easy to say... Ninjas depend on survival resources provided by the nation, and the nation needs ninjas as tools to solve practical problems. They're mutually dependent. How can you just change that? Where does that leave the Fire Country's daimyō?"
Such a sensitive topic made the conference room atmosphere heavy again.
No one dared say much, fearing they might misspeak.
The ash on Shikaku's cigarette had accumulated quite long.
He sighed inwardly: Do I have to be the one to spell out certain things?
He forcefully stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, took a deep breath, and made a shocking statement: "Everyone, let me say something treasonous—when external threats can easily destroy the world, the daimyō's opinions are merely for reference, or even have no reference value at all!"
Swish!
The ninjas' eyes all sharpened!
"Shikaku, are you crazy? You can't just say such things...??"
But Nara Shikaku continued his shocking words: "We'll convey the facts truthfully to the daimyō. If they understand on their own, so be it—we'll still respect them as our lords. But if they remain stubbornly ignorant, we must consider 'severing ties' with the daimyō, and even the Fire Country!"
"Severing ties... you mean..."
"The one-nation-one-village system comes to an end!"
"Then... where will ninjas obtain survival resources?"
"That's a topic for future exploration. Right now, we're making directional decisions!"
"Shikaku... doing this might make you a sinner, pushing ninjas into an irredeemable situation!"
"What a drag..." At this moment, a lazy voice spoke up. People looked over to see Shikamaru sitting in the corner.
He scratched his head and stood up: "Let me say some things for the old man."
"Only ninjas can protect the future world. With foresight available, if we don't seize the initiative, we'll become history's sinners!"
"Once the future Naruto described unfolds, this responsibility won't be borne by the daimyō, but by all the ninjas present!"
Looking at his son, Shikaku nodded with satisfaction.
He stood up and said: "This isn't just Konoha's affair, but concerns the fate of all ninjas. I believe that after experiencing this war, even that stubborn Raikage should see the situation clearly!"
"As they say, the great trends of the world flow like mighty waters—those who follow prosper, those who oppose perish!"
—"Let's restart the Five Kage Summit!"
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