"Found it!"
Kushina cheered.
After entering the ruins of Uzushiogakure, she and Minato dispelled their shadow clones and created new ones to conduct a thorough search. Too much time had passed, and she had been too young when she left to remember the exact location.
But after an exhaustive search, they finally found it—the hidden village of Uzushiogakure.
The moment they arrived, Kushina's childhood memories became clearer. Soon enough, they discovered the secret chamber concealed beneath the ruins.
When Uzushiogakure fell, countless shinobi had coveted the secrets of the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques. What they could take, they stole; what they couldn't, they burned. But some things had survived.
The hidden chamber remained untouched.
Kushina's heart pounded as she stepped inside. It felt eerily familiar—like a remnant of a past life.
The Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools had once been close allies. But overnight, everything changed. Konoha gained another perfect Jinchūriki after Uzumaki Mito, and their sealing techniques advanced significantly. The impact was felt across the ninja world—the price of explosive tags and other seal-based ninja tools plummeted. Konoha's superiority in sealing jutsu became indisputable, while the other great villages lagged behind.
The implications extended even to Jinchūriki. One-Tails' former hosts, from Bunpuku to Gaara, had all suffered from insomnia. If not for Bunpuku's eventual understanding with Shukaku, he might never have slept again.
Perhaps the sealing arts of the other villages weren't as formidable after all.
"This is it."
After the excitement, silence followed.
Guided by vague memories, Kushina led Minato into the underground chamber. Rows upon rows of masks lined the walls, stirring recollections of rituals past.
"Kushina, these are the masks Naruto mentioned for the reaper ritual, right?" Minato asked.
"Yes..." Kushina murmured, her emotions mixed as she gazed at them. Each mask represented a sacrifice to the Shinigami.
Minato's expression darkened. After a long pause, he said firmly, "Kushina, we should take them all. But let's not give them to Naruto just yet. We need to find a safer way to perform the ritual."
Kushina nodded. "The risks are too high. If the Shinigami takes a wrong turn, it'll be me who handles it."
Minato gently pulled her into an embrace. "Don't worry, we'll find a way."
Little did they know, Naruto had no intention of using sacrifices to deceive the Shinigami. Instead, he wanted to test whether the overwhelming absorption power of the Mori-Mori no Mi could consume even the god of death.
"Let's move quickly. The sooner we return, the more time we have to prepare."
"Right."
With that, they sealed away every mask, every scroll, and every scrap of sealing knowledge they could find.
At noon, Naruto's house was as lively as ever.
Sasuke—now going by "Nizhuzi"—watched Naruto's usual gentle smile. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke.
"Naruto, is your father really the Yondaime Hokage? From what I know, the Yondaime's wife was the previous Jinchūriki. They both died during the Nine-Tails' attack, but... why are you the current Jinchūriki?"
The room fell into silence.
Kurenai and Anko, privy to some classified information, weren't entirely shocked—but they still had lingering doubts.
Sakura added, "Kakashi-sensei became our team's Jōnin leader because of his Sharingan, right?"
Sasuke's expression turned grim. "Sakura is right. During the attack, the Nine-Tails had Sharingan in its eyes—proof that it was under Genjutsu control."
"Also," he continued, "I checked the records. That night, the Uchiha Clan Head ordered everyone to stay inside the compound. At that time, only my father had the ability to control the Nine-Tails, and even he was barely qualified."
Shikamaru, ever the strategist, seemed unfazed. It was as if he had already pieced everything together.
Resting his chin on his hand, he spoke slowly. "It was a no-win situation. Whether the Uchiha acted or not, the result would've been the same. But by staying put, they ensured a better outcome for themselves. Your father made the right call."
"In the end, it was the Yondaime who was sacrificed—he had no real power back then. Naruto, I don't suppose you blame your parents, do you?"
Naruto shrugged. "The past is the past. I can't change it. Besides, Kurama's not so bad. And Shikamaru, you already know who I should really resent."
"Who?"
Tenten immediately bristled, ready to charge in whichever direction Naruto pointed.
Naruto chuckled. "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire's light illuminates the village, allowing new leaves to sprout."
"After leaving the Hokage's office that day, I did some research—including on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack."
"The Will of Fire preaches that the sacrifices of the older generation inspire the young to become the pillars of the future. But I checked all available records—and there's no mention of the Hokage, his assistant, or the two elders fighting on the front lines."
"Isn't the Third Hokage supposed to be the 'God of Shinobi'? Guess what I found?"
Sakura's lips curled into a smirk.
"What?!" Everyone leaned in.
"The so-called 'God of Shinobi' was actually the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. The Third built his image off of that legacy while staying in the rear lines."
"He resigned after suffering a major defeat on the battlefield... interesting, right?"
"Also, if the Third was such a sealing expert, why did Naruto's father have to perform the sealing himself? What was Hiruzen doing that night?"
Shikamaru sighed. "Sakura, the Third did organize a defense. But yeah, it doesn't align with the 'Will of Fire' we've been taught since childhood."
The room fell into heavy silence.
Kurenai and Anko lowered their heads, unconsciously clenching their fists.
"Let's set that aside for now," Tenten said, her voice strained. "What I want to know is why Naruto's identity as the Fourth's son was kept secret."
Shikamaru exhaled. "Tenten, our great ninja clans all knew. Many shinobi knew. But they were under strict orders to remain silent."
"Then why didn't I know?!" Ino's eyes turned red with anger.
Hinata gripped Naruto's hand tightly. He gave her a small smile.
"If everyone knew," he said quietly, "would they have still beaten me and treated me like garbage?"
A stunned silence fell over the room.
Shikamaru sighed. "Naruto... you've endured so much."
Tears welled in Ino's eyes. "No wonder my dad told me not to care what others think—that if I wanted to be friends with Naruto, I should just go for it."
Tenten's eyes burned as she asked the question that lingered in everyone's mind.
"And what else are they hiding?"
Since Naruto is the son of a hero, what about the inheritance left by the Yondaime Hokage and his wife?"
"What was Naruto like when he was a child?"
"One thousand three hundred ryō... even the son of a hero can't afford that!"
"I don't believe that a father who was the Hokage and a mother who was a Jinchūriki would leave behind nothing."
Sasuke said coldly, "Most of the Uchiha clan's wealth has also disappeared. All that's left is real estate and some money in my family."
At that moment, everyone's trust in Konoha dropped significantly—especially in the so-called "God of Shinobi," the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Damn it!"
"Shikamaru, you're the smartest! What do you think we should do?!"
Kiba was the first to get riled up. With a loud bang, his fist slammed heavily onto the table.
"Hmph."
Neji folded his arms across his chest, his expression cold. "This is fate. You can't change it."
"In truth, every person in Konoha bears the mark of a caged bird."
After a moment of silence, Shikamaru shook his head. "I've spoken to my father about this in a roundabout way. The great ninja clans—ours included—have been systematically weakened over the years by the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans."
"In countless wars, the ones dying on the front lines were always ninjas from our families."
"So, even if we knew what was happening—even on the night of the Uchiha Massacre—we had neither the power nor the means to stop it."
As he spoke, Shikamaru turned to Sasuke.
Hearing the mention of that night, Sasuke's face paled.
"So, Shikamaru... you're saying that beyond Itachi, the higher-ups were also responsible for the massacre?!"
"Isn't Konoha supposed to be the strongest village in the ninja world?"
"Then why did my father end up as nothing more than a scapegoat?!"
"A weak Hokage! High-ranking officials more interested in internal power struggles than protecting the village! And a clan too powerless to resist!"
Neji clenched his fists, his rage barely contained.
Hinata lowered her head in shame.
Naruto gently patted her head. "It's not your fault."
Only then did Neji rein in his emotions, though the bulging veins on his forehead betrayed his anger.
"The Sandaime... he's still the Hokage of Konoha, everyone."
Shikamaru took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he spoke, his tone reluctant.
"So, what if soon... he's a Hokage without support?"
Naruto's words carried a smile, but his meaning was anything but light.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Do you mean no support from the people... or from the ninja?"
"Naruto, what are you planning?"
Shikamaru's eyes snapped open, his sharp mind already racing ahead.
Naruto's words contained too much meaning!
As Shikamaru pieced it together, realization dawned. He shot to his feet.
This was big.
If Naruto meant what he thought he did...
Naruto was terrifying.
Without realizing it, he had gained the power to shake Konoha to its core!
"Of course, I mean it literally."
Naruto spread his hands, his expression almost innocent.
"Ninjas, civilians—everyone."
"Of course, the majority are ninjas."
"Awesome! Naruto, let's overthrow that damn Third Hokage now!"
Kiba cheered instantly.
But the moment he said it, everyone turned to look at him as if he were an idiot.
The sheer weight of their stares made Kiba uncomfortable.
Even Akamaru, sitting beside him, seemed to sense that his master had just embarrassed himself.
"What?" Kiba grumbled through gritted teeth.
Shikamaru sighed, a lazy but knowing smirk forming on his face. "Naruto, I doubt your goal is that simple."
Naruto chuckled. "Ah... this is such a drag. I just thought of so many ways to make the Sandaime's life miserable. Cruel, even. But... not as cruel as what he's done."
"He loves that position so much? Fine. Let him keep it."
"A Hokage in name only. No real power. Every decision he makes denied. Insulted, spat upon by the very people he once ruled—every single day."
"A taste of his own medicine."
"Nice!"
Shikamaru couldn't help but mimic Lee and Gai's signature thumbs-up pose.
Seeing this, Lee instantly brightened, his previous frustration dissipating.
"Naruto!" Lee gave him a glowing smile, thumbs raised, teeth gleaming.
The mood lightened as everyone chuckled.
Naruto patted Tenten's head. "What's wrong, big sis? Got sand in your eyes?"
"Hmph~"
"So, Naruto, when do we start?"
Curiosity shone in everyone's eyes.
"Yeah, we need time to prepare!"
"I'll convince my dad when the time comes. If he doesn't agree, I just won't bring him any meat!"
"Anko and I will stand with you."
"..."
Seeing everyone's growing anticipation, Naruto shook his head and smiled.
"No rush. There's still work to do. Root hasn't been dealt with yet."
"Besides, there's a renowned scientific pioneer in the ninja world who will help us create the perfect stage."
"Oh, and that same pioneer will also be bringing back the First and Second Hokage with the Edo Tensei."
"I bet the old man will be thrilled, right?"
Four simple sentences, yet they sent shockwaves through the group.
Their jaws dropped.
But in their eyes, a fire burned—eagerness, anticipation.
Naruto could barely look at them, their enthusiasm was so blinding.
At this moment, Konoha's Twelve Young Warriors had fully turned against their village.
Or rather—the old Konoha.
Sasuke suddenly thought of something and turned sharply toward Naruto.
"Naruto!"
"You know what really happened on the night of the Uchiha Massacre, don't you?!"
Naruto smirked. "When the time comes to wipe out Root, I'll let my father take you with him."
"I knew it! There's no way Konoha wasn't involved in the Uchiha clan's destruction!"
But soon, Sasuke hesitated, his mind clouded with questions.
"What do you mean?"
The others also looked puzzled.
Naruto ruffled Ino's short hair, his smile enigmatic.
"Exactly what I said."
"Oh no..."
The moment Naruto finished speaking, Kurenai and Anko paled.
They exchanged glances.
"If it's true... then, besides Minato-sensei..."
'We have to face her?'
'What do we do?!'
"Ah~ this is so awkward~"
"Awkward? That's an understatement! We're about to become cradle robbers!"
The three Ino-Shika-Chō pair eyed them suspiciously.
Why such a big reaction?