"Uchiha Hospital or Konoha Hospital?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in a low voice, his tone thoughtful as he prepared to depart.
Right now,
The Uchiha Hospital was becoming increasingly prosperous, while the Konoha Hospital had grown more and more desolate.
That was why Hiruzen instinctively asked the question.
"Konoha Hospital." Asuma Sarutobi responded. They would never go to the Uchiha Hospital — not just out of pride, but because they simply couldn't.
If even the Anbu started going to Uchiha Hospital, Konoha Hospital would decline even further.
Hiruzen nodded and vanished into the night in a blink, his figure stirring the air.
As the decision-maker of Konoha, he needed to grasp the full picture as early as possible in order to make the best possible judgment.
This had been his consistent habit ever since he became Hokage, and it was his caution in every matter that allowed him to maintain his position.
Konoha Hospital.
"How long until they regain consciousness?" Hiruzen asked as he looked toward the busy medical staff.
"Reporting to Lord Hokage, although their injuries are severe, there's no damage to their brains. With a little stimulation, they should be able to wake up!" The medical-nin glanced at the unconscious patients and explained seriously. "However, forcibly waking them may cause some mental strain."
"Wake them up anyway. I need to verify some critical information with them." Hiruzen looked at the patients wrapped in layers of bandages and made the decision without hesitation.
Right now, he needed more information — comprehensive, accurate. As for mental damage... they'd recover in time.
"Understood." Upon learning the urgency of the matter, the doctor didn't dare delay and immediately began the process of waking them.
If it was something that even the Hokage himself had to personally investigate, it had to be extremely important.
The doctor injected chakra into each of their heads. Slowly, one by one, the injured ninja opened their eyes, dazed and confused. Exhaustion was written all over their faces.
"Lord Hokage... I'll take my leave now." After completing the process, the doctor quietly exited the room and thoughtfully closed the door behind him.
This is a hospital?
The Anbu ninja and Iruka opened their eyes at the same time.
When they saw their surroundings, they immediately knew they were saved!
At the very least, their lives were spared this time.
Iruka lay on the bed, his entire back wrapped in thick bandages, making it almost impossible for him to move.
However, his brow twitched as he noticed Sarutobi Hiruzen standing beside him, smoking a pipe.
His heart skipped a beat.
"Hokage-sama… why are you here?"
As he spoke, he tried anxiously to sit up.
The moment he moved, a wave of weakness washed over him, and a burning pain shot through his back.
He couldn't get up at all!
The other Anbu ninja also saw Sarutobi Hiruzen, but their severe injuries left them unable to move.
"You're all too badly hurt to move," Hiruzen said calmly.
"I'm here just to ask a few questions."
He looked at those who tried to salute him and quickly gave a few comforting words, though they sounded a bit insincere.
They were injured while carrying out his orders, so as Hokage, he naturally had to offer some reassurance.
"Hokage-sama, please just ask whatever you need. I will tell you everything that I know!" Iruka quickly pledged his loyalty.
"Then Iruka, tell me what happened during your mission."
Hiruzen nodded and focused his gaze back on Iruka.
"The story…"
Iruka hesitated for a moment, then continued, "When we arrived, Naruto was already struggling against Mizuki.
At that time, Naruto seemed somewhat regretful and wanted to take back the Scroll of Seals to hand it over to you.
Even with Mizuki's constant coaxing, Naruto didn't waver.
It seems… he is very loyal to Konoha."
Iruka repeated the entire account in detail, leaving nothing out.
Of course. It also focused on Naruto's conversation with Mizuki, expressing Naruto's loyalty to Konoha.
After that night's experience, Iruka had a complete change of heart about Naruto.
Naruto was a pitiful child, yet he still held onto his true heart.
Especially because Naruto risked his life to save him, Iruka was deeply moved. Even now, when he thought about how he had schemed against Naruto before, he felt immense guilt.
Naruto was so good, yet he had been plotting against him!
As Iruka recounted the entire event, the ANBU ninja nearby spoke up at the right moment: "Naruto is truly a good kid. Even knowing he was no match for Mizuki, he still carried Iruka while fleeing and didn't give up!"
When the ANBU said this, their eyes were filled with admiration and hope.
It's important to understand that when these ninja carried out missions, if someone was seriously injured, they would follow Konoha's orders to personally kill the wounded ninja to prevent the mission from being exposed.
Though this rule was cold and harsh, it made them respect Naruto's selfless act even more.
Naruto was a good person, a loyal ninja.
This was their unanimous thought after what they witnessed that night.
"Is that so?" Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, and his once wary eyes softened, relaxing as well.
It seemed Naruto's words to him were true. The way he had taught Naruto over the years was right. Even if Naruto was kept in the dark, he still cared for Konoha.
It looked like from now on, they would need to ease up on controlling Naruto — too much control could backfire.
"Lord Hokage, please spare Naruto this time. This time, the theft of the Scroll of Seals was also due to Mizuki's manipulation!" Iruka began pleading for Naruto: "If you must punish him, I, as his teacher, will take the blame!"
As Iruka's words fell, the few Anbu shinobi seemed moved by what Naruto had done.
"Naruto is a good kid. He was just misled!"
"Naruto is a good kid!"
"Lord Hokage, please spare Naruto!"
The others also pleaded for Naruto. Among them, the two Anbu assigned to watch Naruto were especially touched.
They had witnessed firsthand everything Naruto had been through over the years.
Yet, even in such circumstances, he was still willing to fight so hard for Konoha.
They deeply admired Naruto's mindset. If it were them, they probably would have left long ago with the Scroll of Seals after being influenced by Mizuki.
"Don't worry. I've already sent Naruto home!" Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and turned to leave the room.
Before leaving the scene, he ensured that everyone could rest well.
"Father!" As soon as Sarutobi stepped out of the hospital, Sarutobi Asuma approached, still carrying the scent of blood that made him look fearsome.
"How did Mizuki explain things?" Hiruzen looked directly at Asuma and asked.
"Mizuki induced Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals!" Asuma answered seriously, his account perfectly matching what Naruto and Iruka had told them.
This only made Hiruzen more certain that nothing had gone wrong.
Still, he continued questioning, "Did he say anything about Orochimaru?"
****
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