"Oh? Then Father, what do you think those clans are plotting?"
Naruto was slightly surprised. His father's insight was frighteningly sharp. Just as the Second Hokage once said, Minato might seem a little simple at times, but behind that smile was a mind that pierced through everything.
"They already have their plans in place," Minato said solemnly. "Back when I took the Hokage's seat, I realized the truth. Every major clan in Konoha has carved up the village's resources. Because of this clan system, civilians are forced to raise their children as shinobi just to gain a foothold in Konoha."
"And once those children become shinobi, if they lack a powerful jonin leader to guide them, their fate is certain. They are nothing but cannon fodder on the battlefield."
"Now, whether the Uchiha coup succeeds or fails, the aftermath will bring a redistribution of resources. No clan will miss that chance to expand their own power."
"But Shisui already revealed the Uchiha's plan to the Third Hokage. No matter how prepared they seem, their rebellion is doomed."
Naruto's eyes glimmered, his tone flat. "Why does Father dismiss the Uchiha so completely?"
Minato shook his head. "Because they are blind. From Shisui's memories, it's clear they have fallen into an optimism so shallow it borders on delusion. Their pride rests only on the Uchiha name. Their vision is narrow. They never considered the civilians, never calculated the other clans. They believe one clan can stand against an entire village."
He let out a soft sigh. "Even if their strength is not small, it is foolish. And worse, they were betrayed long ago. Naruto, do you not also see their fate?"
Naruto's gaze sharpened. "So you saw through me as well?"
"Not just me." Minato glanced toward the sealed fox. "Kurama saw it too."
Kurama cracked open one crimson eye, his voice a growl. "Fourth Hokage, that loose tongue of yours never changes."
Minato flushed with embarrassment.
Naruto chuckled. "Then tell me, Kurama. How did you know?"
"I didn't deduce it. I felt it. When you went to the Hokage's office, Shisui was still alive. But when I let my chakra gnaw at the seal, I could feel it, you already knew he was doomed. That was why you placed so many traps beneath the Naka River waterfall. And when the Third dragged you to that speech, I felt it again. You looked at the Uchiha police force as though they were already corpses."
Naruto gave a calm nod.
"Fine. I said it before when we spoke of the Senju's disappearance. The Uchiha are fated for destruction."
With those words, he left the seal space. He had dinner to eat and lessons to attend.
Minato stood within the seal, silent. His face was heavy. His feelings toward Konoha had grown far more complicated than they once were.
That afternoon, Naruto entered the school dojo instead of his classroom.
"Today, we will hold sparring matches!" Iruka's voice rang out from the center.
"Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino, step forward!"
The first names were called.
Nearby, Shikamaru yawned. "Choji, can I have some chips?"
"Sorry, this was the last one." Choji lifted his empty bag, crunching the final crisp into his mouth.
Shikamaru turned toward Naruto, who leaned against the wall with indifferent eyes. "Hey, want to guess who your opponent will be?"
Naruto's lips curled faintly. "What's there to guess? We both know our teacher wants to make a point. He'll put me against the class genius."
Shikamaru spread his hands. "Knew you'd see through it."
Naruto's gaze narrowed slightly. "Then you also know how I plan to deal with it?"
Shikamaru hesitated, then sighed. "Pretty much. And honestly, I'd probably make the same choice."
"Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, step forward!"
"Go Sasuke-kun! Show him your strength!"
"Crush him, Sasuke-kun!"
As Sasuke stepped into the ring, a chorus of cheers from the girls shook the dojo. Shikamaru could only throw Naruto a look of sympathy.
Naruto walked to face Sasuke. He saw that the boy who always wore arrogance now had his brows knit tight, as if something else weighed heavily on him.
"Before we begin, form the seal of confrontation," Iruka ordered.
Naruto raised his hand. "No need. I forfeit."
Iruka froze. "What did you say?"
"I said I surrender," Naruto repeated, tone calm.
"…Very well. Then step aside."
Fury flashed across Iruka's eyes. The Hokage had told him Naruto had a solid foundation in taijutsu. Why throw it away like this? But Naruto had chosen. He could not force him.
A burst of laughter broke out.
"Hah! I knew that loser would chicken out!"
"Sasuke-kun is a genius. He never had a chance."
Sasuke, however, did not laugh. He watched Naruto walk away without hesitation, confusion gnawing at him. His brother had assured him this boy was strong. Why?
"I knew you'd do this," Shikamaru muttered. "Too bad I didn't go first."
Naruto smiled faintly. "Sorry. Iruka has it out for me, not you. You were planning to surrender too, weren't you? Doesn't matter who went first."
Shikamaru shrugged. "Still feels troublesome. My opponent might not surrender."
Naruto didn't reply. His eyes sharpened suddenly. He had sensed an arrival. Gen'o had entered the academy.
"What is he doing here?"
Naruto focused. He saw Gen'o tracing carefully through the school, moving exactly along the paths where Naruto had once hidden explosive tags.
"He's cutting the detonation lines?"
Naruto's gaze chilled. He made no move to stop him. Whether from conscience or foolishness, what did it matter? There were too many tags buried across Konoha. Even if he destroyed most, it changed nothing.
Especially now. With the Uchiha crisis rising, the village's leadership had ringed every critical street with guards. Near the Hokage Rock, near the office, the core sectors Gen'o would never reach those seals.
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