"Bold!"
Several Anbu shouted in anger.
Sarutobi Hiruzen lifted a hand, halting them. His voice was cold.
"Let him speak."
"Seek peace through struggle, and peace survives. Seek peace through compromise, and peace dies."
"You don't even understand that truth—why are you Hokage?"
Naruto hadn't planned the words. They just erupted out of him.
He had seen it all, the entire cause and effect, the twisted logic.
And no matter what excuses Hiruzen clung to, in Naruto's eyes, it was laughable.
Peace for the village? Protecting soldiers from being cannon fodder? Empty excuses.
To sacrifice one of your own over something that hasn't even happened yet—what kind of leader does that? A stupid one.
"Seek peace through struggle… and peace survives. Seek peace through compromise, and peace dies?"
Shimura Danzō tilted his head, a flicker of admiration flashing in his lone eye.
The words rang true to him.
"Who are you?"
Hiruzen's voice was heavy now, his expression dark.
The principle he'd lived by all his life suddenly felt pierced. The hole was small, but enough to make him deeply uneasy.
"Who am I? I'm the one who killed those Cloud Shinobi. Don't you know?"
The moment Naruto shook off the shadow of the Hokage's false warmth, he felt lighter. His tone turned reckless, unrestrained.
"Oh, you do know. You know everything. So why sacrifice the Hyuga clan head?"
"The big clans are disobedient, so you beat them down, right?"
"Tsk, tsk. Such a dirty trick. Hokage work, huh? What a joke."
Shinobi figures appeared along the rooftops. Even Hyuga Hiashi was standing on the eaves, looking down at the tense standoff below.
Hearing Naruto's words, Hiashi's lips twitched—but then he smiled.
For the first time in days, he felt good.
Hiruzen's face twisted. He could no longer maintain his calm mask.
"Seize him! He is the murderer of the Cloud Shinobi!"
At his command, the Anbu leapt, encircling Naruto.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A shinobi inhaled, chest swelling, then expelled a massive fireball that engulfed Naruto.
The flames roared and burned out—
And Naruto was gone, reappearing atop a distant rooftop.
"Let me show you what it means to be a real Hokage."
Naruto's laughter rang out, echoing through the streets, before he vanished again.
"Damn it—he's heading for the Cloud Shinobi's guest house!"
Hiruzen's expression changed instantly. He launched himself after him, dozens of shinobi surging in his wake, their figures sweeping across rooftops in a storm of movement.
"Brother…" Hizashi muttered.
Hiashi nodded. "We're going too."
The Hyuga clan followed.
Hiashi's mood had shifted entirely.
Moments ago, he had resigned himself to sacrifice. Forced by the so-called righteousness of Konoha, he had steeled himself for death.
But now?
With this mysterious armored figure taking the spotlight, the Hyuga had every reason to resist Hiruzen's persecution. No more need for sacrifice.
"Who is this stranger? He clearly favors the Hyuga. Was it he who saved Hinata that night?"
Hiashi's thoughts churned, but one thing was certain—he would support this man, as far as he could.
Konoha was in chaos.
Messengers flew. Shinobi scrambled, trying to intercept Naruto.
But he was like lightning—slipping through their nets, a blur that no one could catch.
In moments, an army of shinobi was chasing him through the village.
"The whole village is watching now."
"Konoha isn't supposed to be like this. It must change."
"I'm too young, I can't reveal my real face yet, and I can't shake the system completely. But still… I'll set this place on fire."
Naruto's eyes burned, gleaming like molten flames.
What righteousness? What peace? What war?
He didn't care.
He just wanted to unleash the storm in his chest.
He just wanted to vent.
"Ideas… yes. I'll force this village to face the truth."
Naruto landed in front of the Cloud Shinobi guest house. His voice, amplified by the armor, boomed like thunder.
"Cloud Shinobi—come out and face me!"
The Cloud shinobi rushed out, already on alert, glaring at him.
"Who dares provoke Cloud Shinobi?"
"A bunch of clowns. I'm the one who killed your leader! Didn't you want the murderer? I'm standing right here! What can you do about it?"
His voice echoed louder and louder, confidence unchained by his masked armor.
"You… you claim you killed Lord Leizu? Prove it!"
The Cloud ninja faltered.
This wasn't what they had planned for.
If the truth slipped away here, if the Hyuga clan escaped blame, then Lord Leizu's death would have been meaningless. Their whole plot would collapse.
Naruto laughed, sharp and merciless.
"Hahaha! The killer stands before you, and you still ask for proof? Do you really want justice—or just an excuse to scheme in the shadows?"
"Nonsense! Cloud Shinobi has always stood tall and honest! Unlike your Konoha, crawling in shadows and deceit."
"Who said I was from Konoha?"
The shinobi froze.
"Forget it. Talking with shameless trash like you is a waste of time…"
Naruto's words cut off.
He had planned to taunt them longer, but with Konoha shinobi swarming into the streets, he decided it was time to act.
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