Chapter 36
It's fine if the Hyuga Clan dies casually.
The death of Hyuga Hiashi is nothing, and adding Hyuga Hizashi wouldn't matter either.
The Hyuga Clan usually lives off the Village, enjoying its benefits, so what's wrong with sacrificing themselves for the Village in critical times?
But Kumogakure planning to abduct the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? That's absolutely intolerable!
After all, there's the precedent of Kushina being abducted!
Kumogakure actually stepped into the same river a second time, wanting history to repeat itself!
Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hazuki, and the Main Family Elder, who had been stunned throughout, showed a sequence of changing expressions.
From blank incomprehension to grasping the dark implications, then to Naruto's full acceptance of responsibility and clarification of the truth... the three couldn't help but beam, even letting out a long sigh of relief.
This way, the Hyuga Clan's crisis would be resolved, wouldn't it?
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado also exchanged nods, finally understanding the truth of the matter.
However, Danzo had no intention of letting it go. He spoke again, asking, "Uzumaki Naruto, I ask you, by whom were the eight Kumogakure Ninjakilled?"
"It was the Nine-Tailed."
Naruto insisted, his tone firm and decisive.
Nine-Tailed: "..."
I, Uzumaki Naruto, am going to become the great and righteous Seventh Hokage, how could I have any stains on my hands?
No, I, Uzumaki Naruto, absolutely did not kill anyone.
The one who killed was the Nine-Tailed Chakra... just like Kakuzu's death in the original story. Although Kakuzu's entire body cells were destroyed by the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Even if Kakashi didn't deliver the finishing blow, he wouldn't have lasted more than 2 minutes. But the one who ultimately killed Kakuzu was Kakashi, what does that have to do with me, Uzumaki Naruto?
...Naruto thought, lost in reverie.
"You 'personally' killed eight Kumogakure Ninja..."
Danzo naturally wouldn't be fooled by such a petty trick.
He narrowed his eyes, becoming aggressive, just as he had pressured the Hyuga Clan earlier.
If Uzumaki Naruto was proven to be bloodthirsty, then... it would mean he was a failure.
And that would allow him to escape Hiruzen Sarutobi's protection and come directly under his command!
Chapter 29. Kneel! Must Kneel!
"You mean... you want me to inherit your position?"
Naruto sensed the implication.
Perhaps this old man Danzo appreciates me, Naruto thought, pleased with himself.
"Well, I'll have to wait until I'm a bit older..."
Naruto immediately scratched his head, embarrassed.
—And blushed.
Danzo: "..."
Nine-Tailed: "Uzumaki Naruto, just how shameless are you...?"
The Nine-Tailed, unable to watch, just wanted to plug its ears.
It didn't want to hear Naruto speak.
Then it realized.
"Ha... I don't have hands~! No hands~! Only paws~!"
"No, Nine-Tailed... don't wrongly accuse me, I'm actually very pure."
While Naruto was conversing with the Nine-Tailedin his mind.
In reality.
Everyone in the room was dumbfounded by Naruto's statement.
Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi burst into hearty laughter.
"Danzo, you... you see...?"
See what?
Danzo frowned, a bad premonition flashing in his heart.
"Naruto... he's just a child!"
He's just a child... just a child... a child... This phrase dealt a ten-thousand-point critical blow to Danzo's resolve.
Knowing that if he continued, this kid would only keep feigning ignorance, and Hiruzen Sarutobiwould surely protect him.
Since his goal couldn't be achieved for now, it was better to stick to the original plan and have Yakushi Nonou approach the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
Danzo immediately stood up, leaning on his cane, and walked out without a word.
When he pushed open the door and stood at the entrance, seeing his two subordinates lying unconscious on either side of the door, he was momentarily stunned again.
The people of the Hyuga Clan watched from a distance.
Each person only moved their eyes, not their hands.
Because even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare help a member of 'Root'; if Danzo extorted them, it would be big trouble.
"Old man, do you have any other questions?"
Just then, Naruto's thoughtful voice came from the hall behind him.
"Oh... your two subordinates just fainted... Hmm, it might be heatstroke."
Whoosh.
A north wind blew.
Today was December 31st.
Konoha, cloudy.
Temperature -3 ~ 4 ℃.
"..."
Danzo gripped his cane tightly with his right hand, the wooden handle creaking under his grasp, then he loosened it.
Finally, this Shinobi of Darkness snorted coldly and strode away.
"Carry these two useless men back!"
Danzo's roar gradually faded... 'How long has it been since I last saw Danzo get flustered?'
Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding his pipe, watched outside the door with a smile.
Then he withdrew his gaze and looked at Narutowith an appreciative expression.
His innocent personality was inherited from his parents.
His seemingly gentle yet actually strong and responsible demeanor combined the best qualities of both Kushina and Minato.
His ability to instantly knock out Danzo's two subordinates also confirmed his strength, further validating the truth of the Hinata abduction incident.
Very good... very good... "This child... is wise under the guise of foolishness..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded to himself, giving a very high evaluation... As Danzo departed, the oppressive atmosphere vanished completely.
Everyone watched the Third Hokage walk to the door, then heard him say, "Hiashi, I won't disturb you further... Oh, and 'Happy New Year'."
Wishing the Hyuga Clan a Happy New Year in advance also signified the conclusion of this matter.
Anbu and Root members quietly left.
The entire Hyuga Clan Residence returned to tranquility.
"Grandpa Hokage..."
Naruto, the Sandaime, and the other two high-ranking officials walked away.
The Hyuga Clan members who remained behind whispered amongst themselves, discussing something.
The gazes of several Main Family members directed at Naruto's retreating figure were now filled with deep approval and gratitude... "Hiashi, next, you must properly thank Naruto-kun..."
The Main Family Elder instructed meaningfully.
"I understand." Hiashi nodded slightly... "Naruto, how is your control over the Nine-Tails Powercoming along?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and looked at Narutobeside him.
From Yūgao Uzuki, he had already learned that Naruto could control some of the Nine-Tails Powerto a certain extent.
But to what extent, he still needed to hear Naruto's personal description.
"It's alright, I can currently control two tails..."
Naruto held up two fingers, indicating 'two'.
"Hmm..." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, beginning to estimate Naruto's strength in the two-tailed state.
And this seemingly ordinary conversation caused a huge stir in the ears of Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado.
The two exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Back then, after the First Hokage subdued the Nine-Tailed, he believed its power was too dangerous.
So he intended to seal the Nine-Tailed forever.
That is to say... never to activate this theory.
The First Hokage's attitude towards sealing the Nine-Tails Power influenced the first Jinchuriki... his wife, Uzumaki Mito.
Then came the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina.
Both Jinchuriki never considered using the Nine-Tailed's power.
Their decision to seal the Nine-Tailed until death was also the decision of the Konoha elders.
But, what if... what if there was that slight possibility.
That Konoha's Jinchuriki could also control Tailed Beast Chakra freely, like the Jinchuriki of other Villages.
Then, would the outcomes of the past three Great Ninja Wars have been different?
Of course, the ancestral laws cannot be changed.
The policies set by the First Hokage were absolute, unquestionable, unchangeable, correct, and targeted... No successor would actually seek trouble by denying their predecessors.
To speak ill of a predecessor was to go against the will of fire.
But now, Naruto himself can control the Nine-Tails Power, and it has nothing to do with us.