"The Root Organization's headquarters is… underground? What does that even mean… Are you saying it's in a basement or a bunker or something?"
Poof…
"Hm? Naruto? New intel already? That's impressi—Naruto?"
The direction Naruto pointed to was completely off-topic, causing the Third Hokage, who had been focusing all his attention on investigating surface-level buildings near the Hokage Office, to feel utterly confused.
He furrowed his brows and was just about to digest the intel when the sound of a Shadow Clone dissipating reached his ears. Instinctively, he assumed Naruto had more information to relay.
Turning his head slightly to ask the boy directly, he happened to catch a glimpse of Naruto's increasingly pale, agonized expression out of the corner of his eye. His heart skipped a beat as a deep sense of foreboding surged through him—rare for someone as composed as the Third Hokage.
"Naruto! What happened to your real body—"
Poof. Poof-poof. Poof-poof-poof…
Before he could finish, the clones sitting cross-legged nearby began vanishing one after another. The clone who had been speaking with the Third Hokage suddenly grabbed his head and collapsed, his face contorted in pain, twitching a few times before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"Was that… a voluntary recall because Naruto's mental energy hit its limit?" Fugaku, who had also witnessed this eerie scene, clearly didn't understand Naruto as well as the Third Hokage—who had often observed him through the Crystal Ball.
Naruto's tender age served as a natural disguise, severely limiting Fugaku's evaluation of his actual strength.
Judging from the way the clones vanished en masse, it looked similar to when a user cancels Shadow Clone Technique to prevent mental collapse. The suddenness of it all kept Fugaku from immediately realizing something was wrong.
But soon, Fugaku noticed the Third Hokage's face had lost all trace of calm. He looked like he was staring down a mortal threat—grim and stone-faced.
Shadow Clones are physically independent bodies with autonomous awareness. When created, they inherit the user's consciousness and memories and also preserve the user's physical and mental state at the time of casting—remaining fixed from that moment on.
That means the clones shouldn't react to any changes experienced by the original body—like pain, healing, or mental strain.
In other words, whether Naruto recalled them intentionally or not, the clones should've vanished cleanly like before—not crumpled to the ground in agony like that.
The only explanation is that Naruto is in a situation where he's lost control and is recalling the clones in batches to relay his experiences and memories, and the pain he's suffering is so intense it's breaking through to the clones!
In short, that last clone was kept around on purpose—to fully show others Naruto's current condition.
The pain Naruto is enduring right now must be so overwhelming that he can't even ask for help, let alone explain what's happening!
'What on earth is going on… Naruto, you foolish child… why wouldn't you just listen to your Grandpa…'
Ever since Naruto got involved with Danzo, the Third Hokage had been on edge, constantly fearing something would go wrong. When he heard Naruto had found Root's base, he thought the worst had passed. But the very thing he feared most was now happening.
"Lord Third! Please grant me permission to lead a team immediately to rescue Naruto!"
While the Third Hokage was clenching his fists in regret and planning countermeasures, Kakashi—who had been waiting anxiously outside—could no longer suppress his emotions. He appeared out of nowhere, half-kneeling before the Hokage, teeth clenched as he volunteered.
As a subordinate, Kakashi knew his actions could be considered insubordination, even with his unique status as the Fourth Hokage's sole remaining disciple—but he didn't care anymore!
'Obito… Rin… Minato-sensei… Lady Kushina…'
He had already watched the most important people in his life disappear one by one, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
He had endured that pain enough.
There was no way he could bear to see Naruto—his sensei and sensei's wife's living legacy—follow the same fate!
"I beg you, Lord Third!"
Seeing the usually cold, silent Kakashi express his true emotions so openly, the Third Hokage felt both deeply gratified and slightly exasperated.
"Kakashi, you…"
'If the Third Hokage is worried this young man can't handle the responsibility…'
Just as the Third Hokage was about to respond to Kakashi, a brief pause made Fugaku mistakenly think the Hokage doubted Kakashi's ability. He quickly interrupted.
"I can gather the Uchiha elites immediately and personally lead the rescue. I'll comb through every suspicious structure around the Hokage building until we find the real Root base and bring Naruto back!"
The pride born of years in high office had vanished—Fugaku dropped to one knee without hesitation. He showed no concern for how this scene might be used by Uchiha elders as proof of yielding to the Hokage. His tone was urgent, sincere.
Fugaku's sudden, unexpected request caught the Third Hokage off guard, as if he were in a dream. After all, the Uchiha Clan were famously proud. Fugaku, as clan head, was the very symbol of that pride. Even during Minato's time, the Hokage had never seen Fugaku yield—not once.
This complete change came only after meeting Naruto, and it made the Hokage quietly wonder just how much charisma that boy possessed beneath his usual quiet demeanor.
'Minato, Kushina… you really did raise an incredible child… Hm?'
Just as the Third Hokage was whispering to himself, even more surprises were on the way…
"Hahaha! Fugaku, old friend, now that's where you're wrong. You Uchihas might have a slight edge in combat with your Sharingan, but when it comes to scouting enemies? That's where our Hyuga Clan's Byakugan truly shines! Leave this part to the professionals!"
The office doors burst open. Fully geared with a forehead protector and ninja vest, Hyuga Hiashi strode in laughing heartily. Like Fugaku had done, he dropped to one knee without hesitation, his expression turning serious as he made a firm request.
"The Hyuga elite unit is assembled and ready to depart. I formally request search authorization from the Hokage!"
"The hell you just say?! Are you saying your stupid Byakugan's better at recon than our Sharingan?!"
"Hmph? Didn't I beat you every time during 'guess the object in the box' games?"
"That's because you cheated! It's not like I have x-ray vision like you!"
"Well, then doesn't that prove our Hyuga Clan is more suited for this mission?"
"...Tch, fine! You've got a point, whatever!"
Ever since the fall of the Senju Clan, the Uchiha and Hyuga were considered the two strongest clans in the Hidden Leaf Village, and they clashed constantly. So, of course, Fugaku was irritated by Hiashi's sudden interference.
But this time, Fugaku didn't argue. Knowing Hiashi had a point, he forcibly calmed himself and made an unprecedented concession. After a short pause, he added threateningly:
"Saving Naruto is the priority, so I'll let it go—for now. But don't say I didn't warn you. If your search is too slow, I'll lead my team personally! And once you find the base, don't act on your own—like you said, combat is still our Uchiha specialty. Leave the assault to us!"
"…Yeah yeah, I got it. Don't worry."
Hiashi was stunned by Fugaku's rare maturity and compromise, and once he regained his composure, he couldn't help but smile even more. The grudge between the Uchiha and Hyuga had never been irreconcilable, and now, with both clan heads united by the same goal—to save Naruto—a tiny seed of reconciliation had been quietly planted.
'Ahem. Excuse me, but am I invisible now?'
…
…
Watching the two argue like old friends, completely ignoring him, the Third Hokage awkwardly cleared his throat to draw attention back.
'Naruto, Grandpa was right to believe in you. To think that, at your age, you could bring the Hyuga and Uchiha together… One day, you'll become a Hokage even greater than me—no, greater than any Hokage in history!
And until that day comes, I won't let anything happen to you!'
As he watched the two clans cooperate in a way he never imagined possible, the Third Hokage felt a surge of pride. After a moment of reflection, he cast aside all hesitation and gave his order.
"So be it. The situation is urgent. We don't have time for politics…"
"Fugaku, take your clansmen and follow Naruto's intel. Use the underground tunnel to reach Root's headquarters. Hiashi, take your clan and search every structure around the Hokage building for hidden passageways leading to Root."
"Whatever happens after this mission—I'll bear the consequences. But my only demand is this… No matter what it takes—bring Uzumaki Naruto back safely!"