At that moment, even the Kyūbi fell into deep thought.
Everything that had happened tonight would have massive consequences in the future.
Although it had long planned to break free from Naruto, Uchiha Kaede's words were like a thorn stuck in its heart.
The Ten-Tails… the Rinnegan… names from an ancient past.
Yet still, they filled the Kyūbi with dread.
As it pondered, the Kyūbi's attention drifted back to Naruto.
"Perhaps I understand why you came looking for me."
With a wave of its hand, Naruto's consciousness was pulled directly into the seal!
Naruto looked up in awe at the enormous beast before him.
"You're Kurama? You're huge!"
The Kyūbi snorted, "Quit dawdling, brat. Ask your questions—I'm trying to rest!"
Seeing that, Naruto quickly posed his doubt.
"Kurama… do you think Uchiha Kaede is a good guy or a bad guy?"
The Kyūbi sneered, then lazily said:
"To you right now, he's a good guy. At the very least, he changed your miserable fate."
"But to that old man and to Konoha… he's a villain."
Naruto nodded, not quite fully understanding, and asked again:
"Then… why did Jii-chan give me that scary feeling earlier?"
That question actually piqued the Kyūbi's interest. It opened its eyes and looked at Naruto playfully.
"Because you're my jinchūriki, that's why!"
Seeing Naruto's confusion, it patiently explained:
"As my jinchūriki, you're destined to become one of the strongest ninja in the world."
The Kyūbi had wanted to brag more, but after recalling Uchiha Kaede, it silently added "one of".
"What that old man said—that he hid your identity as the Fourth Hokage's son to protect you—is complete nonsense."
"Compared to the son of the Fourth Hokage, it's you as my jinchūriki that other villages would rather see dead."
The Kyūbi let out a cold laugh.
"The real reason he hid your parentage and let your status as a jinchūriki be exposed was so you'd trust him blindly."
"That…" Naruto was completely stunned.
The Kyūbi pressed on: "Think about it—when everyone in Konoha rejected you, who was the only one who comforted you and treated you kindly?"
"And back then, before you knew the truth, wasn't he the one you trusted the most?"
Naruto stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.
So… that's what it was?
Tears welled up in his eyes. Right now, he just wanted to find a place to cry his heart out.
The only person he thought he could trust… had also been using him?
Why?
Was there no one in this world who truly cared about him?
Looking at the heartbroken boy, the Kyūbi suddenly and inexplicably closed its eyes in irritation.
And then—booted him out of the seal in a blink.
Back in the real world, Naruto could no longer hold back and buried his face in his pillow, sobbing.
"Brat, even though I hate being sealed inside you, you're my jinchūriki—so make sure you work your damn hardest to grow stronger!"
"Crying like some wimpy girl—you're nothing like that damn father of yours!"
"You've got questions, right? Then get strong enough to find all the answers yourself!"
The Kyūbi's harsh words, strangely, comforted Naruto.
He stopped crying. His mind was spinning, but he gradually drifted off into sleep.
…
In a temporary conference room.
Hiruzen sat at the head seat, kneeling and puffing his pipe. Beside him, Koharu, Homura, and Danzō sat with somber faces.
In front of them were the clan heads—Hiashi Hyūga, Shikaku Nara, and others.
Koharu was the first to lash out, angrily scolding:
"Why were you all hiding behind the army during the battle earlier?"
"Are you planning to betray the village like the Uchiha scum?!"
Before the clan heads could even respond, Hiruzen sharply reprimanded:
"Elder Koharu! Watch your words!"
Then he looked toward the clan leaders.
He sighed deeply, then suddenly prostrated himself on the floor.
"Everyone, I know I've been an unworthy Hokage!"
"I understand your resentment—you've all acted for the sake of Konoha's growth."
The clan heads were shocked to see Hiruzen bow so low.
Such humility… they couldn't help but feel wary of how deep Hiruzen's political game ran.
No one replied. Hiruzen slowly stood up again.
"Kaede's accusations… many of them were twisted, but I accept them."
"I've already sent people to find Tsunade and Jiraiya."
"When they return, I will step down as Hokage. One of them will take my place."
Still, the clan heads said nothing.
It all sounded good on the surface—but Tsunade and Jiraiya were Hiruzen's students.
If they became Hokage, did anyone truly believe Hiruzen wouldn't keep pulling strings behind the scenes?
Power would still remain firmly in the hands of the same group.
Suddenly, Danzō stood up.
"Hiruzen, no need to cover for me. I don't need anyone taking the fall for me."
He looked at the clan heads and said in a low voice:
"At this point, I won't hide anything anymore. Everything that happened was my doing."
"I've never accepted Hiruzen as Hokage. That's why I've always tried to eliminate obstacles—to secure the next Hokage seat for myself."
Hiashi was instantly infuriated. He couldn't even speak.
Did Danzō really think they were clueless?
Take just one example—the Hyūga incident. Danzō had clearly been a warmonger!
Back then, he almost fought the other elders trying to use the situation to attack the Hidden Cloud again.
And now he had the gall to pretend to take the fall?
As for Koharu's earlier scolding—clearly part of the performance, playing "bad cop" to manipulate them.
Hiashi was completely disheartened. These elders truly thought the clan leaders were idiots.
The other clan heads also closed their eyes and remained silent.
Even if they knew this was all a sham, they had no choice but to play along.
After all… Hiruzen and Danzō had never once reined in their overwhelming aura of power.
It was pure intimidation.
Eventually, after their self-indulgent performance, they reached a "conclusion":
Tsunade and Jiraiya would still be recalled. One of them would be chosen as the next Hokage.
And the elders would retire from politics and donate their clan fortunes to help rebuild Konoha.
Sounds noble, right?
But in reality—none of them faced any real punishment.
The clan heads were exhausted.
Was there really anything left in Konoha worth protecting?
The meeting ended, and in the end, all of them raised their hands in agreement.
As for Kaede's earlier threat—to strip Konoha of its name?
They weren't worried. The ninja world respected only strength.
Kaede had simply given the other villages an excuse to attack.
Just like how Hiruzen had labeled all Uchiha as traitors.
As long as they could fend off the attacks, Konoha would remain Konoha.
And if Kaede made a name for himself, the Uchiha would still be the Uchiha.
But did they really have what it took to withstand Kaede's fury?
Would Kaede really let them off the hook?
…
(End of Chapter)
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