The Unexpected Appearance of Shikaku Nara
Despite being under supposed detention, Shikaku Nara appeared in public, leading a group of his supporters. The two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, realized the tides had turned against them.
Shikaku Nara: "You two have the right to remain silent, but the surveillance footage has recorded everything. It will serve as evidence in court!"
Koharu Utatane: "We demand to see the key officials!"
Shikaku Nara: "Those under suspicion of treason have no right to meet anyone outside of their immediate family until their names are cleared!"
Koharu Utatane: "You can't do anything to us!"
Shikaku Nara: "That's not for me or anyone else to decide. Justice lies in the hearts of the people!"
Koharu Utatane: "You do not represent the will of the people!"
Koharu's voice trembled as she continued, "In power struggles, there is no right or wrong—only winners and losers. Wasn't that your own mantra just moments ago?"
At this moment, Tsunade intervened. She bent down, picked up a sake bottle from the floor, poured herself a drink, and downed it in one gulp. Then, with a loud thud, she slammed the cup onto the table.
Tsunade: "Losers should know when to leave the stage!"
Her commanding presence silenced even the elder Koharu, who was visibly shaken by the sheer force of her aura.
Koharu opened her mouth to retort, but before she could speak, Homura Mitokado interjected.
Homura Mitokado: "Enough, Koharu."
Straightening his robes, Homura stood up and prepared to leave. Before departing, he turned to Tsunade and said:
Homura Mitokado: "Tsunade, don't think you can hide the truth forever. Your autocratic ways will eventually destroy the Leaf Village."
He refrained from explicitly accusing her of secretly communicating with Naruto, as doing so in this context would make his claims seem like baseless slander. Instead, his cryptic warning left room for speculation, planting seeds of doubt in the minds of those present.
As he passed by Hinata, Homura added:
Homura Mitokado: "And you, young lady, should abandon your unrealistic fantasies. Naruto's actions now mirror those of Madara in the past. He is not only the greatest threat to the Leaf Village but to the entire ninja world."
These words caused a ripple of unease among the gathered shinobi.
Hinata, however, refused to stay silent. She shouted at Homura's retreating figure:
Hinata: "You don't understand Naruto-kun at all! You've never even tried to believe in him! Everything he does is for this village, for this world! One day, you'll see the truth!"
Homura's voice floated back, cold and dismissive:
"That's just your wishful thinking. If his actions were so righteous, why not conduct them openly? Clearly, there's something to hide."
Hinata took a step forward, her emotions surging, ready to argue further. But Shikaku Nara placed a firm hand on her shoulder, shaking his head to signal her to stop.
By this point, the attending shinobi had begun to piece together the underlying tensions. What seemed like a mere clash of political ideologies between Tsunade and the two advisors was, in reality, an aftershock of Naruto's defection.
The human heart is unpredictable. By the time the meeting dispersed, whispers of doubt had begun to circulate throughout the village.
Rumors Spread in the Village
"Is it true? Is the Hokage secretly in contact with Naruto?"
"Lady Hinata's unwavering defense of Naruto is telling. She must truly care for him. But what if Naruto becomes a threat to the village? Could Hinata turn against us? Her current strength could be a danger to the village!"
"The Hyuga heiress? No way, she wouldn't betray the village!"
"Why not? We all once believed Naruto would become a hero of the village, but he abandoned us without hesitation!"
"Speaking of Hinata, isn't it strange how someone so average suddenly became so powerful? She's never given a proper explanation for it."
"Maybe she can't explain it. I heard her performance tonight alongside Shikaku was far from innocent. She's more cunning than she looks. Perhaps she's been hiding her true strength all along. And if she's hiding something, then why?"
"Maybe the two advisors were right. Hinata's power should've been sealed, only to be used in emergencies."
Despite the murmurs of doubt, none of this changed the fact that the two advisors had attempted a coup. Their actions would lead to exile once the Fire Nation officials departed the next day.
An Assassination in the Dead of Night
Later that night, two Leaf shinobi carried a stretcher, transporting Shimura Homai from the interrogation unit to her cell.
"I can't believe it. So Danzo had a daughter?"
"Probably an illegitimate child. Everyone knows he never married."
"And he let his own daughter join Root… Talk about embodying darkness to the core."
"What do you think will happen to her?"
"Danzo was once almost Hokage. Even if his title wasn't officially recognized, his daughter likely won't face execution. Probably just imprisonment."
As they chatted, the two shinobi reached a secluded path.
"Wait here. I need to take a leak."
"Let's go together."
Having indulged in drinks during the earlier festivities, the two men laughed and joked.
"Let's see who can piss farther!"
"Ha! Let me show you my Pee Release Technique!"
Caught up in their childish game, neither noticed the figure cloaked in camouflage stealth approaching the stretcher—Violet.
Lifting the sheet covering Homai, Violet inspected her condition.
"Still clinging to life, huh? Morino Ibiki really is something."
She smirked coldly.
"Unfortunately, this is where it ends."
Shing! A senbon needle spun in her hand before piercing cleanly into Homai's temple.
When she withdrew it, Homai was already dead.
But Violet wasn't satisfied. She knew of techniques like Edo Tensei. As long as even a drop of blood remained, resurrection was possible.
To prevent this, Violet placed the bloodied senbon on Homai's chest and retrieved a small vial. She poured its contents evenly over the corpse.
Hiss!
Thick smoke rose as Homai's body rapidly dissolved into nothingness.
Violet's lips curled into a sly smile.
"That should take care of any harmful factors that might trouble Lord Naruto."
She capped the vial, pocketed the senbon, and left the scene without a trace of guilt.
Ten seconds later, the two shinobi returned from their break. Seeing the scorched remains on the stretcher and smelling the acidic stench in the air, a chill ran down their spines.
Their drunken haze vanished instantly.
A Secret Meeting Beyond the Village
Outside the Leaf Village, in a small forest, Minato Namikaze waited for Violet's return.
"What took you so long?"
"Hehe, the festival was lively. I stayed to watch for a bit."
"You weren't detected by the village's shinobi, were you?"
"Nope! Thanks to the code you taught me to bypass the Leaf's detection barrier, I wasn't discovered."
"This time, it's fine. But don't sneak into the village for fun. If you're caught, it won't end well."
"Hehe, I know, benefactor~"
Violet's playful smile and innocent demeanor left Minato helpless.
"As a former Hokage, sneaking an outsider into the village for fun… If word got out, it'd cause a scandal. But Violet doesn't seem like a bad person. She's probably just curious about new things after being burdened with ninja duties for so long."
Minato thought for a moment.
"I'll talk to Naruto later. Maybe we can find Violet a different position, something outside the ANBU."
Whoosh!
With that, Minato and Violet disappeared into the forest, leaving no trace of their presence.
The Desert Night: Itachi and Orochimaru
Meanwhile, in the barren wastelands of the Land of Fire, Itachi Uchiha and Orochimaru traveled under the cover of night.
Orochimaru had been trying to engage Itachi in conversation, but the latter remained indifferent. Eventually, Orochimaru gave up.
As they neared their destination, Itachi suddenly spoke:
"Orochimaru, what's your true purpose in following Naruto?"
Orochimaru chuckled.
"Oh? Why ask that, Itachi-kun?"
Itachi's gaze remained fixed ahead.
"Someone like you, obsessed with truth and knowledge, wouldn't serve another without ulterior motives. Just as you sought Sasuke's body in the past, you must have a purpose for staying close to Naruto."
Orochimaru smiled slyly.
"Naruto possesses forward-thinking ideals and limitless potential. Being by his side is being closest to the truth."
Itachi pressed further.
"And if someone more suitable came along? What then?"
Orochimaru hesitated for a moment.
"Must I answer?"
Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan glinted as he looked toward the pale sky.
"Of course. Whether you answer or not is your choice."
Orochimaru's expression grew complicated.
"Three months ago, I might have left without hesitation. But now, I feel… something indescribable toward Naruto."
Itachi glanced at him.
"Oh? That sentiment seems to contradict your pursuit of truth."
Orochimaru countered:
"On the contrary. This newfound emotion has made me realize I don't fully understand myself. I'm deeply curious about both the part of me that feels this way and Naruto, who inspired it. That curiosity brings me joy, akin to discovering a new truth. So, this emotion itself is a form of truth, one I intend to explore relentlessly."
He smirked.
"Does that answer satisfy you, Itachi-kun?"
From his sleeve, Orochimaru discreetly retrieved a syringe.
At that moment, Itachi stopped abruptly, staring at a distant rock face.
"We're here. That mountain ahead—it's an illusion created by insects."
He glanced at Orochimaru.
"And that syringe in your hand—it's an antidote for Aburame Ryoma's venomous insects, isn't it?"
Orochimaru grinned.
"Indeed. This serum generates antibodies against his insects for an hour, rendering their venom ineffective."
He injected the serum into his neck, disposing of the empty syringe.
"Since you're an Edo Tensei body, you can't use this antidote. I'll handle Ryoma. Your opponent, Shisui, will be far more challenging. Have you prepared a countermeasure? If you fall victim to Kotoamatsukami, things will get complicated."
Itachi replied calmly:
"I have my own plans."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"Good. Let's begin our first true collaboration."
"As you wish."
The two formed hand seals simultaneously.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds