["And another thing, Monkey — what was going on with Rin Nohara?"]
Hiruzen Sarutobi respectfully replied:
"Teacher, at the time Kirigakure had sealed the Three-Tails inside her. If she had returned to Konohagakure, the Three-Tails would have gone on a rampage. For the safety of the village… she chose to take her own life."
Tobirama Senju's eyelids twitched.
Unbelievable. The reckless decisions you people make…
"So what exactly have you been teaching at the Ninja Academy all this time? Not even basic knowledge about the Tailed Beasts?
Did you not read the notes I left behind regarding them? Don't tell me you're still following Sister-in-law's approach!
And besides — Konoha had Tsunade, you, Danzō and the others, and even the Fourth Hokage at the time. Sealing away the Three-Tails should have been a simple matter.
Wasn't Kirigakure practically handing over a Tailed Beast for free? Konoha could have gained another jinchūriki."
[Rin Nohara: ...]
Hearing the Second Hokage's words, she suddenly felt as though she had died for nothing.
Not only had she died in vain, but—
[Obito Uchiha: Rin!!!]
[Kakashi Hatake: Rin!! Obito!!!]
[Rin Nohara: Kakashi… Obito…]
[Tobirama Senju: That's enough. Rin, child, don't speak for now. Let them calm down.]
At this moment, Obito's heart felt as though ten thousand wild horses were trampling over it.
So Rin had died for nothing?
If she and Kakashi had understood more about the Tailed Beasts, perhaps she wouldn't have had to die.
Obito silently began to resent Hiruzen Sarutobi. If the Academy had taught that knowledge… Rin might still be alive.
[Tobirama Senju continued criticizing Hiruzen for quite some time. When the Kumogakure incident was mentioned, Hiruzen was scolded even more harshly.
Finally, Tobirama instructed:
"From now on, treat the jinchūriki — no, Uzumaki Naruto — better. Immediately announce that he is the son of the Fourth Hokage.
Also, I have been observing everything from within Nagi's body. If Nagi wishes to view the Scroll of Seals, give it to him directly. (Though most of the techniques recorded there are my forbidden jutsu.)
Inspect and reinforce Konoha's defenses according to the methods I outlined.
And lastly — don't forget to explain that you graded his exam incorrectly."
With that, Tobirama's presence faded.
Nagi glanced at Hiruzen, who had been scolded so thoroughly he could barely lift his head, and felt his own eyelids twitch.
"Lord Third."
Hiruzen regained his composure.
"Ahem… Nagi. Haha. In private, you may call me senior brother. As for the Second Hokage…"
"Uh… my teacher is still watching you."
Hiruzen: "..."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hiruzen escorted him out of the Hokage Tower. Watching Nagi leave, he turned to the guards at the entrance.
"From now on, if Shiranui Nagi enters the Hokage Tower, do not stop him."
"Yes, sir!" ×2
They did not know why, but shinobi obey orders.
In Hiruzen's heart, Shiranui Nagi now represented his teacher. If Tobirama came to the Hokage Tower and was obstructed, Hiruzen might as well resign.]
The Next Day
Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived early at the classroom. Once most of the students had gathered, he slowly stood and addressed the children.
"The exams you all took the other day were excellent. However, while grading, I mistakenly misgraded one paper. That was my oversight."
Naruto leapt up excitedly.
"Old Man Third! Was it Nagi's paper?!"
"Ahem… yes. It was Nagi's. I was busy that day and made an error."
The Third Hokage walked to Nagi's desk.
Seeing Nagi's face, he recalled the fierce scolding he had received from his teacher the day before. He shuddered.
"Um… Nagi, was it? My apologies for grading your paper incorrectly. Please hand it to me so I can correct it."
Nagi passed over the exam.
Hiruzen accepted it with slightly trembling hands, erased the previous comments, and replaced them with praise — "Excellent work," "Perfect answers," and so forth — before marking a full score of 100.
Only after finishing did he feel relieved.
Then he looked at Naruto with a complicated expression.
Taking Naruto by the hand, he walked to the front of the classroom and addressed everyone.
"There is another matter I must announce today. Uzumaki Naruto is… the son of the Fourth Hokage — Minato Namikaze."
"What?!" ×n
The entire class was stunned.
Who could have imagined that the so-called "Demon Fox" would suddenly be revealed as the Fourth Hokage's son?
They didn't fully understand what "Demon Fox" meant, but they certainly understood the significance of being the Fourth Hokage's child.
Naruto himself was struck speechless.
"I'm… the Fourth Hokage's son? No way… I…"
Suddenly, he shouted in excitement:
"That's awesome! I have a dad and mom! That's awesome… I'm not a kid nobody wanted anymore!!!"
Those who had once mocked or bullied Naruto now dared not meet his eyes. Hinata Hyūga looked at him with quiet concern.
Iruka Umino's expression grew even more complicated. Seeing Naruto rejoice simply because he now knew who his parents were only made Iruka's heart ache more.
"Naruto…"
It was certain that after today, a tidal wave called "The Fourth Hokage's Son" would sweep through Konohagakure.
When school ended, parents arrived to pick up their children.
Some avoided looking at Naruto.
Some felt guilty for how they had treated him over the years. Others, who had lost family during the Nine-Tails' Attack, felt conflicted emotions.
Genma Shiranui watched Naruto from a distance with a look of shame. The Fourth Hokage's son had been right beside them all along, yet he and the other former Hokage Guards had failed to show him proper care.
"Nagi, invite Naruto to our home sometime."
"…Alright."
One Year Later — Konoha Year 55
Nagi now used a Shadow Clone to attend classes. Today, however, school seemed to be running late.
His real body was currently receiving instruction from Tobirama in Water Release techniques.
Suddenly, several books fell out from Nagi's mindscape.
The unexpected disturbance immediately caught both their attention.
They stepped forward. Several of the books were manga volumes. On one cover was Naruto.
Naruto
Another featured a boy resembling Naruto, dressed in black.
Boruto
The two began flipping through Naruto.
Black screen.
[Uzumaki Naruto: Hey, what kind of book is that? Don't tell me it's my heroic biography? Hahaha! Is this fan-made by one of my admirers?]
[Ōnoki: Why cut off at such a critical moment? Judging by the Second Hokage and Nagi's expressions, they must have seen something important.]
[Mei Terumī: It seems there's something they don't want us to know.]
[Hashirama Senju: Tobirama, what did you see?]
[Tobirama Senju: Brother, you'll find out eventually.]
[Madara Uchiha: Hmph. If you don't want to say it, then don't. No need to play mysterious.]
[Tobirama Senju: Heh. I don't bother arguing with clowns.]
[Madara Uchiha: …What did you mean by "clown"?]
[Tobirama Senju: Exactly what it sounds like.]
[Madara Uchiha: You—!!]
Madara felt, for no clear reason other than instinct, that Tobirama had just insulted him.
Black Zetsu, meanwhile, felt a flicker of unease. For some reason, he had the faint impression that Tobirama knew something.
At the Ninja Academy, Sasuke Uchiha stared at the screen with a twisted expression.
"There's no mistake… this is that day!!!"