Uchiha Itachi's firm attitude left Kakashi Hatake feeling deeply unsettled. Similar scenes were unfolding all across Konoha.
The Uchiha Police Force did not bother explaining anything. Anyone who tried to interfere was beaten down, restrained, and thrown aside. Meanwhile, the villagers—naturally fond of gossip—grew increasingly curious.
At first, many thought the newspaper was a scam. But the more ANBU tried to suppress it, the more determined the villagers became to read it. In less than two hours, all ten thousand copies were sold out.
People brought the newspapers home to read. One steamed bun shop owner even ordered extra copies to use as wrapping paper.
"Buy a bun—get a newspaper free!"
His business instantly exploded. Crowds lined up outside his shop, while nearby competitors were furious.
No wonder that old bastard bought two hundred copies.
In this way, the newspaper spread into every household.
Then, strange things began to happen.
Parents rushed to the Ninja Academy to take their children home—even members of the great clans. The students were confused, but seeing their parents' grim expressions, none dared ask questions.
The teachers were equally confused. When they tried to intervene, they were mocked and even called lackeys.
Stunned, one teacher demanded an explanation. At that moment, Nara Shikaku sighed, pulled out a newspaper, and handed it over.
The teacher unfolded it. The headline immediately caught his eye:
"Demon Fox or the Hero's Son?"
After reading the first article, the teacher slapped himself hard.
"Iruka Umino… what have you done? Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage—the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki who saved Konoha—and you treated him like that?"
Iruka's eyes turned red. He leaned against the wall and quietly broke down.
The other teachers gathered around. After hearing the full story, they were all stunned.
So Naruto had never been a demon fox.
They continued reading.
When they finished, many teachers' faces turned ugly.
"I'm resigning," someone said.
"I refuse to work under leadership like this."
Once one person stepped forward, the rest followed. Teachers resigned one after another, and students were taken home.
At the hospital, doctors read the newspaper in silence. After finishing their surgeries, they submitted resignation letters.
Konoha is too dark, they thought.
One day, they might force us into human experimentation.
The blacksmith shop canceled all orders from the Hokage Building, paying triple the penalty.
"You attack your own people," they sneered at the ANBU.
"Are you even worthy of being shinobi?"
Strikes erupted throughout the village. Classes were boycotted. Some civilians even began marching through the streets.
On the Hokage Rock, Uchiha Ran watched everything unfold, a faint smile forming on his lips.
The real beginning had arrived.
An Uchiha ninja appeared behind him.
"Clan Head, Kakashi Hatake's Sharingan has evolved into a Mangekyō Sharingan. This may affect the upcoming coup."
Ran helped him up.
"You've done well. I'll handle it. Go rest."
After the ninja left, Ran clasped his hands behind his back.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi… did you ever imagine this day?"
---
Inside Konoha, ANBU tried to suppress the unrest, but villagers fought back with farm tools and household weapons. ANBU could not kill civilians and were forced to retreat while shouting threats, making the situation increasingly farcical.
---
Inside the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his desk.
"A fine Uchiha indeed! Even after years of marginalization, they still dared to expose my crimes and Danzo's!"
"I was too soft back then. I should have let Danzo wipe them out!"
He clenched the newspaper, his hands trembling. Decades of achievements had been shattered in a single day.
"Where is Danzo?" he demanded.
"Tell him to deploy Root and suppress the civilians!"
The ANBU hesitated.
"Hokage-sama… Lord Danzo sealed Root headquarters. He's refusing all contact."
"Damn him!" Hiruzen roared.
---
Inside Root headquarters, Danzo Shimura sat in silence.
Seven of the accusations in the newspaper were about him—and every one of them was true.
The White Fang.
Blocking Uchiha rescue operations.
Human experimentation.
His expression darkened.
Who leaked this?
One name surfaced immediately.
"Orochimaru."
Root members were bound by the Tongue Curse Seal, so they could not betray him. Orochimaru, however, was different.
Was this revenge?
Or was Hiruzen preparing to sacrifice him?
No—Hiruzen valued his reputation too much.
Then what was really happening?
---
On a rooftop, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi stood quietly. Kakashi Hatake stood beside them, sweat running down his face.
"The villagers' anger has spread through every street," Shisui said calmly.
"…Mm," Itachi replied.
Kakashi swallowed.
"Is the information in the newspaper true?"
Shisui and Itachi shook their heads.
"We don't know. The publisher is Uchiha Ran."
"And his information," Itachi added, "has never been wrong."
Kakashi fell silent, the name Uchiha Ran burned into his thoughts as he watched Konoha descend into chaos.
(A/N)
Guys we are currently 51 in the power stones rankings!!
Let's make it reach the top 50 so you guys can get another bonus chapter and also bonus chapter at 60 ps (Currently at 50).
Thank you to all of you handsome men and beautiful girls for this and please continue to support it further.
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