Chapter 130: Neji And Absolute Justice! Hinata Foot More Turtle Than Fugaku
Mount Myōboku.
After arriving here via reverse Summoning Technique, Jiraiya directly told the toads that he wanted to see the Great Toad Sage.
The toads looked at each other.
But before they could react, they dazedly heard the drawn-out voice of the Great Toad Sage.
The toad named Shima was taken aback, looked deeply at Jiraiya after raising his head, and said in an old, hoarse voice: “Little Jiraiya, the Great Lord wants you to come see him.”
“Understood!”
After nodding in acknowledgment, Jiraiya went alone to see the Great Toad Sage.
This was an elderly toad with an overall orange-red body, an extremely massive build, deep wrinkles like gullies covering its face, and a string of prayer beads around its neck, with the largest pale purple prayer bead bearing a large “oil” character.
Upon arriving here, Jiraiya could smell the aroma of sake permeating the air—because this Great Toad Sage was quite fond of drinking, with a sake bottle and cup placed beside it.
“Who approaches?”
The Great Toad Sage’s question with closed eyes made Jiraiya’s mouth twitch.
The Great Toad Sage clearly knew he was coming, yet still asked who he was.
This trick seemed to have been played many times by the elder, and Jiraiya didn’t know why it never got old for him.
Jiraiya took a deep breath and spoke seriously: “Great Toad Sage, in Konoha… I seem to have found clues about the Child of Prophecy you mentioned to me long ago. However, this wasn’t a clue I found on my own, but something a young ninja named Uchiha Ikeizumi from Konoha told me.”
“He also knows about the Child of Prophecy you once spoke of, and he even knows the Child of Prophecy’s identity specifically! I suspect his Sharingan ability might have granted him the same prophetic power as you, Great Toad Sage.”
Jiraiya told the Great Toad Sage before him all the information he knew.
The composed Great Toad Sage, upon hearing this, slightly opened his closed eyes into a thin slit.
It looked down at Jiraiya before it: “That child you mentioned… prophesied the ‘Savior’?”
“Yes!”
Jiraiya nodded and replied: “I could tell he wasn’t lying. And from my initial understanding of him, a person like him wouldn’t utter any lies.”
“Truly surprising…” The Great Toad Sage sighed: “Uchiha Ikeizumi—in the futures I’ve dreamed of, I’ve never seen such a figure…”
Jiraiya was stunned.
Logically speaking, Uchiha Ikeizumi had also stirred up a massive storm in the Ninja World.
In Jiraiya’s eyes, that young man was one of the trendsetters of this era.
One of the figures standing at the forefront of the era’s waves.
Yet such an outstanding ninja was absent from the futures foreseen by the Great Toad Sage?
This left Jiraiya quite puzzled.
At this moment, the Great Toad Sage suddenly asked: “Since you’ve found clues to the Child of Prophecy, why not directly take him as your disciple and teach him the right choices to bring peace and stability to the Ninja World?”
Jiraiya gave a wry smile: “Ikeizumi refused to tell me who the true Child of Prophecy is…”
He recounted the words Uchiha Ikeizumi had once said to him.
Word for word, without embellishment.
This plunged the Great Toad Sage into silence.
A long while passed.
The Great Toad Sage mused: “Logically, with such an outstanding young man in the Ninja World, it’s impossible for me not to dream of him. The only explanation is that the child is too special… special enough that the Ninja World’s predetermined fate can’t even capture him.”
Jiraiya hesitated, then said: “Great Toad Sage, he said that as long as the twisted, pathological Ninja World returns to normal, anyone could be the Child of Prophecy who brings the right Change to the Ninja World. What do you think of what he said, Great Toad Sage…”
“That child does have a point.”
The Great Toad Sage said leisurely: “However, how can the Ninja World return to normal and peace without the crucial Savior?”
Jiraiya fell into thought.
Even the Great Toad Sage thought Uchiha Ikeizumi had a point?
However,
The Great Toad Sage didn’t seem to fully agree with Uchiha Ikeizumi’s view.
The Great Toad Sage believed that without a Savior, the Ninja World couldn’t achieve peace; only the Change brought by the Savior could bring peace to the Ninja World, which would then give rise to more Saviors. But the Great Toad Sage didn’t elaborate his view in detail.
Whereas Uchiha Ikeizumi believed that even without the so-called Savior, his 「Absolute Justice」 could bring peace and prosperity to the Ninja World.
“I understand.”
Jiraiya nodded solemnly: “We still need to uncover the true identity of the Child of Prophecy and nurture him into the Ninja World’s Savior. Only then can we save the Ninja World.”
Jiraiya exhaled slightly and said: “The words Uchiha Ikeizumi said weren’t entirely without gain for me. At least it confirms he’s contacted the Child of Prophecy!”
“As long as we investigate from the people Ikeizumi has contacted, we’ll surely find the Savior from your prophecy, Great Toad Sage.”
The Great Toad Sage closed his eyes calmly and said nothing.
Jiraiya tactfully took his leave.
After Jiraiya left, the Great Toad Sage opened his eyes again, tilting his gaze toward the clear sake in the translucent bottle beside him, the liquid reflecting his pair of orange eyes.
The Great Toad Sage murmured to himself: “Though I’ve never dreamed of him, 「Absolute Justice」… it seems I really have seen it in my dreams. This justice will plunge the Ninja World into a sea of blood, enveloping the entire Ninja World under the shadow of Absolute Justice.”
“However…”
“It’s hard to tell if this is truly a good thing or a bad thing. After living so many years, there’s still a dream that puzzles me. No wonder little Jiraiya rushed over in such haste.”
“Uchiha Ikeizumi…”
“He’s no ordinary man!”
……
At the same time.
Outside the Hyuga Clan Compound.
With a “ding,” a bloodstained sharp kunai fell to the ground; Sasuke swallowed hard and staggered back a few steps.
The waves of warmth from the blood staining his hand made goosebumps rise all over his body, and his breathing grew quite rapid, his young face showing some panic.
Especially the sensation of the blade piercing flesh, which lingered endlessly in his mind, hard to forget.
He stared wide-eyed at the corpse sprawled on the ground.
The corpse had multiple wounds, including two fatal ones.
The first fatal wound was on the front of the chest, where a kunai was fully embedded in the flesh and heart.
The second fatal wound was on the back, a bloody gash—stabbed by Sasuke with a kunai. The kunai had pierced through the back straight to the heart, rupturing the opponent’s heart.
Sasuke’s somewhat panicked young face still bore some bruises.
But ignoring his own pain, he immediately looked toward Naruto, pinned under the corpse he’d brought down.
“Dead-last, you okay?”
Naruto grimaced as he pushed away the corpse’s arm and crawled up.
“How could I be okay?” Naruto was injured worse than Sasuke; when he tried to stand, he staggered and fell to the ground, the burning pain in his abdomen making him involuntarily lift his shirt.
On the skin of his chest was imprinted a bluish palm print.
“Cough cough cough!”
Naruto couldn’t help covering his mouth and coughing a few times, only to see Sasuke’s concerned gaze suddenly turn horrified.
Naruto froze, looked down at his hand, and realized those few coughs had brought up quite a bit of blood!
No wonder his body felt so awful…
Was this a light injury or a heavy one?
“This guy was really strong!”
Naruto’s young face was pale as paper: “The two of us together almost couldn’t beat him. But we truly executed the villain with our own power.”
“This guy… bullied war orphans at the Ninja Academy, leading one to slit their wrists and commit suicide… cough!”
“The teachers at the Ninja Academy told us not to spread this around; they said the academy would handle it seriously.”
“But no matter how seriously they handled it, they couldn’t make him pay with his life. After all, he’s only three years older than us.”
“Senior Izumi said that only cough cough cough… only by making the perpetrator pay with their life can the victim rest in peace.”
“Stinky Sasuke, we two did it…”
“Teacher Ikeizumi will definitely praise us.”
“Don’t talk!” Snapping back to attention, Sasuke rushed forward, trying to help him up: “I’ll take you to Konoha Hospital!”
Just as Sasuke struggled to support the limp Naruto.
A sharp shout suddenly rang out.
“Stop!!!”
Outside the Hyuga Clan Compound, they had ambushed and killed a Hyuga Clan junior. If that didn’t alert the Hyuga Clan ninjas, that would be a real problem!
After several Hyuga Clan ninjas hurriedly arrived, they saw a cold corpse lying on the ground.
And two little brats covered in blood.
They keenly noticed the corpse on the ground was unmistakably a Hyuga Clan member’s body!
And both little brats’ hands were covered in blood!
“Did you kill him?” The question from a Hyuga Clan ninja immediately made Sasuke, supporting Naruto, tense up.
Reason told him that as a child, if he firmly denied it, unless they resorted to torture, they couldn’t extract the truth.
However.
Emotion made him tense his young face, suppress his nervousness, and declare: “Yes! But… it was because of his bullying, which first drove a Ninja Academy orphan to suicide. Whether it was the academy or you Hyuga Clan, your handling of him was lenient; he could still attend the academy safely without paying the due price for his evil deed.”
“We merely made him pay the price in the name of 「Absolute Justice」. Moreover… letting such a villain live would only lead to greater evil deeds in the future. In that case, justice demands his execution even more!”
Sasuke admitted it openly, and from his stance, his words were indeed righteous.
But from the Hyuga Clan’s stance, this was purely a grave provocation against the Hyuga Clan!
“Brat!”
Several Hyuga Clan ninjas had subtly surrounded Naruto and Sasuke.
One with evident anger said: “Don’t think that wearing Uchiha Clan clothes and spouting 「Absolute Justice」 rhetoric makes you Uchiha Ikeizumi!”
“Your Uchiha Clan privately killing a Hyuga Clan junior is an act of inciting war between two ninja clans! After doing this, do you think you can just leave?”
“Wait…” At this point, another one pulled back the angry Hyuga Clan ninja.
This person was intently staring at the listless, pale-faced Naruto.
His Byakugan eyes showed unusual color, his face full of gravity.
He said: “This golden-haired brat seems to be that demon fox kid—Uzumaki Naruto!”
The other Hyuga Clan ninjas: “!!!”
Then he shifted his gaze to the tense-faced Sasuke: “This Uchiha brat, if I recall correctly, is the clan leader’s second son—Uchiha Sasuke!”
The others were shocked a second time.
They had only judged him as a Uchiha Clan member by his clothes, not expecting such a special identity.
The murderers: one a Jinchuriki, the other the Uchiha clan leader’s son!
The several Hyuga Clan ninjas suddenly calmed from their anger.
This…
Was beyond their handling!
“Go inform Hiashi!”
……
“Hah!”
“Ha!”
“Eight Trigrams · Empty Palm!!!”
A faint breeze blew toward Neji Hyuga; seeing Hinata Hyuga strike a palm at him from afar with nothing happening, Neji expressionlessly closed in, swiftly kicking her down before chopping down with another palm.
“Ugh!”
Hinata clutched her abdomen with a pained cry, curling up, her young face full of pain.
Neji straightened, glancing at the disappointed Hyuga Hiashi nearby, then looked down at the fallen Hinata Hyuga.
He said coldly: “You haven’t even learned Eight Trigrams · Empty Palm yet, and you try using it on me. Your battle IQ is practically zero; the ninja world is beyond you—better to stay home as a pampered young lady.”
Hearing this, Hinata gritted her teeth, trying to struggle up.
But at that moment, a Hyuga Clan ninja hurriedly ran over.
“Hiashi!” The ninja reached Hyuga Hiashi, leaned to his ear, and whispered something.
Neji Hyuga’s attention was drawn as well.
He keenly noticed Hyuga Hiashi’s brows furrow deeply.
“You didn’t touch those two kids, right?”—that was the sentence Neji Hyuga overheard Hyuga Hiashi ask quietly.
“No.”
After the Hyuga ninja replied, Neji noticed Hyuga Hiashi seemed to exhale slightly in relief.
Hyuga Hiashi said seriously: “Take me there!”
“Yes!”
Watching them leave, Neji glanced at the struggling Hinata on the ground, suppressed his inner rage with a disdainful “tch,” and quietly followed Hyuga Hiashi.
Soon.
Hyuga Hiashi and the Hyuga Clan ninja arrived at the scene.
He saw his clansman’s corpse and also Naruto and Sasuke.
As clan leader, he should say something, but at this moment, Hiashi found himself speechless.
This day had finally come.
He knew the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had followed Uchiha Ikeizumi in believing in 「Absolute Justice」, and Fugaku’s second son Uchiha Sasuke believed in 「Absolute Justice」 too. These two children killing a Hyuga Clan junior today meant 「Absolute Justice」 had come for the Hyuga Clan!
“Hah…”
After heavily exhaling, Hiashi looked at the better-off Sasuke and asked expressionlessly: “Even executing 「Absolute Justice」 requires a reason, doesn’t it?”
Sasuke felt immense pressure from Hiashi but gritted his teeth and said: “I… already said it once!”
A Hyuga ninja quietly explained to the clan leader.
Hiashi’s brows furrowed again.
Just as he was about to speak, Hiashi suddenly sensed something and looked ahead, seeing figures rapidly approaching.
Leading them was Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just returned to Konoha, followed by Anbu Ninjas one after another!
Seeing this.
Hiashi’s heart sank.
Now it wasn’t just tied to Uchiha Ikeizumi’s Absolute Justice; it probably involved the Hokage too.
“Naruto!”
The arriving Sarutobi Hiruzen first checked Naruto’s condition, and seeing him covered in blood scared his old face pale.
He instantly became vigilant, fearing Naruto in this state might lose control.
The Nine-Tails Demon Fox inside Naruto was no joke!
“Grandpa Hokage… I… I’m fine…” Naruto forced a smile, but the next second, pain from his wounds twisted his young face.
“Medical Ninja!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a grim old face, decisively called over an Anbu Ninja skilled in Medical Ninjutsu.
The Anbu Ninja immediately treated Naruto’s injuries.
“Grandpa Hokage, and him.” Naruto arduously lifted his arm, pointing to the similarly disheveled Sasuke nearby.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a look.
Another Anbu Ninja skilled in Medical Ninjutsu stepped forward.
Seeing Naruto’s face improve.
He finally exhaled slightly.
Then.
Sarutobi Hiruzen coldly eyed Hyuga Hiashi: “Hiashi, you should have figured out how to explain this to me, right? Why was Naruto here killing someone? Why was he injured? The mark on his chest is from your Gentle Fist, isn’t it? Do you know what it means for him to be so severely injured?”
Facing the Hokage’s barrage of questions, Hyuga Hiashi sighed inwardly, kept his solemn face, and said helplessly: “Hokage, this was unexpected for me too.”
He explained everything he knew, ending with: “If the Hokage doubts it, you can verify with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke here.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s old face froze.
He couldn’t help looking at Naruto, seeing the seven-year-old eagerly agree: “He’s right, Grandpa Hokage! Sasuke and I both think it’s unfair—why should that guy kill someone and not pay the price?”
So Naruto and Sasuke suddenly came to the Hyuga Clan Compound to execute 「Absolute Justice」 on this errant Hyuga Clan junior?
And their injuries were from the now-dead Hyuga Clan junior; they traded wounds for his life?
This…
Seemed tied to Ikeizumi again!
And seeing Naruto’s serious expression while recalling his words, Sarutobi Hiruzen realized the child was irretrievably on the crooked path of 「Absolute Justice」.
Ikeizumi hadn’t been in Konoha recently, yet Naruto was still influenced by 「Absolute Justice」? Enough to commit such an outrageous extreme act today!
He’d broken the taboo of killing for 「Absolute Justice」!
Didn’t Naruto know this wasn’t something for his age?!
Had he been influenced by Ikeizumi’s extreme personality?
Or was this just imitating Ikeizumi’s behavior?
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t understand!
“Naruto.” Sarutobi Hiruzen forced a kind smile, earnestly advising: “But that Hyuga Clan child didn’t directly cause the tragedy. His bullying was wrong and deserved punishment, but that punishment… shouldn’t end his life, right?”
Sasuke’s childish voice interjected: “Hokage, do you mean—since he only indirectly killed a war orphan, his crime doesn’t warrant the death penalty from justice?”
“Yes!” Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced sideways, feeling Fugaku’s child seemed a bit more mature than Naruto.
Of course, only a bit.
If Sasuke were more mature, he shouldn’t have joined Naruto’s folly but stopped him.
“Hokage, didn’t the Daimyo of the Land of Fire not directly kill anyone either, but his actions indirectly harmed many?”
Sasuke couldn’t help saying: “Yet Teacher Ikeizumi still killed him. Because before 「Absolute Justice」, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire’s actions were malicious in intent.”
“He didn’t start with intent to kill only because his initial malice wasn’t yet twisted and pathological. But small malice leads to great evil—can it just be lightly punished and forgotten?”
Sasuke took a deep breath, his young face serious: “That’s unfair to those who died because of it! So we believe people like ‘Hyuga Yata’ must pay with their lives for the victims to rest in peace in the Pure Land.”
“That’s why we’re executing justice!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn’t expected a mere seven-year-old to spout so much “justice sophistry.”
And the starting point of this sophistry was too extreme.
Clearly Ikeizumi’s style!
“Did… Ikeizumi teach you to say this?” Sarutobi Hiruzen’s kind smile stiffened.
“No!”
Sasuke looked up: “These are some things Senior Izumi once told us, plus some of my own thoughts.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen: “…”
He realized why these two kids were still influenced by 「Absolute Justice」 while Ikeizumi was away from Konoha.
He’d forgotten Uchiha Izumi, that Uchiha Clan girl!
She perfectly inherited Ikeizumi’s will!
……
“Uzumaki Naruto…”
“Uchiha Sasuke…”
Not far away.
Neji Hyuga, only a year older than Naruto, gazed at the scene ahead; through the gaps between the adults’ legs, he saw a ninja clan compatriot lying in a pool of blood, and the bloodied side face of that Hyuga Clan member.
He recognized this ninja clan compatriot—a fourth-year Ninja Academy student, two years his senior; also a Branch Family member of the Hyuga Clan.
Like him, branded with the Caged Bird Seal since childhood.
A pitiful creature trapped in a cage.
Neji vaguely remembered… this guy’s personality was utterly vile. Recently, he’d caused a major incident at the Ninja Academy.
If not for his young age of ten, he’d likely have been thrown into Konoha Prison for over a decade of reflection.
But Neji hadn’t expected…
This guy would die at the hands of those two brats today.
“Killing someone… means paying the due price?”
Neji whispered, repeating Naruto’s earlier words.
“Only by making such a person pay with their life can those who died because of them rest in peace in the Pure Land…”
He murmured, repeating Sasuke’s words.
For some reason.
Neji suddenly felt a strong resonance.
“Father…”
He bit his lower lip hard, blood oozing from it.
His clenched fists trembled slightly, eyes full of hatred.
“They’re right. Whoever harmed you, even indirectly, must pay the due price. I’ll never forgive the Main Family villains!”
At this moment, he suddenly took a keen interest in Naruto and Sasuke nearby.
Or rather, in their ideology.
……
At the same time.
Akatsuki.
“Nagato, why do you think that guy is so interested in Konoha’s Uchiha Ikeizumi?” Konan said with a cold, pretty face: “He even proactively asked us to investigate Uchiha Ikeizumi, which seems completely different from his usual style.”
The gaunt-faced Nagato paused, then said: “He says Uchiha Ikeizumi’s existence will seriously impact our plan. Especially his 「Absolute Justice」, which has an irreconcilable massive Conflict with Akatsuki’s ideals.”
Nagato paused here, then continued: “The moment Akatsuki seeks to control the Ninja World with absolute Pain, Uchiha Ikeizumi, who believes in 「Absolute Justice」, will be our enemy.”
Konan crossed her arms: “The problem is, when our plan officially launches, the entire Ninja World will be our enemies. Why is he so special?”
Nagato frowned in thought: “Perhaps a Dual Bloodline Limit ninja is very troublesome in ‘Uchiha Madara’s’ eyes. He sees Uchiha Ikeizumi as our top enemy.”
“That reason doesn’t convince me.”
Konan shook her head lightly: “I suspect Uchiha Ikeizumi holds some secret related to ‘Uchiha Madara.’ After all, they’re both from the Uchiha Clan; maybe there’s a real connection.”
“That’s probably the only way to explain why ‘Uchiha Madara’ cares so much about him. And the secret Uchiha Ikeizumi holds might be fatal intelligence.”
“Intelligence that makes ‘Uchiha Madara’ dare not act against him alone; otherwise, he’d have done so already.”
Konan’s words plunged Nagato into thought again.
He then looked up at Konan: “You don’t seem particularly trusting of our partner.”
Konan said frankly: “I’ve never trusted him.”
Even, far from just distrust?
She’d long been secretly investigating “Uchiha Madara,” treating him as a potential enemy of Akatsuki.
Nagato said: “Do what you want, but don’t forget our ultimate goal. If your actions interfere with our plan, best terminate them immediately.”
“I know.”
Konan said: “I’ve already sent people to investigate Uchiha Ikeizumi, and my findings won’t be shared with ‘Uchiha Madara’ or ‘Xuan,’ who is close to him.”
“If my timing is right, my people have reached the Land of Fire, perhaps nearing Konoha. Rest assured, the ones I sent have clean backgrounds.”
“From what I know, Uchiha Ikeizumi’s 「Absolute Justice」 only targets villains.”
With that.
Konan paused, then continued: “‘Uchiha Madara’ knows many of our secrets, but we know nothing of his background.”
“I think… a little investigation on our part means when he shows his true colors later, we’ll have ways to counter him.”
Nagato nodded slightly.
……
Konoha Village.
As Neji Hyuga sank into painful memories, sudden footsteps sounded from behind and to his side, startling him and making him whip his head around.
He saw—
A young ninja in Uchiha Police Force uniform walking over unhurriedly.
Behind him were two kunoichi; one also in Uchiha Police Force uniform, the other in a Konoha Special Jonin combat vest.
On the Uchiha kunoichi’s left shoulder perched a cat—an exaggeratedly fat orange cat.
Neji suddenly noticed.
The moment they appeared, whether the Hokage, Hyuga Hiashi, or the masked ninjas, all simultaneously looked their way.
“Ikeizumi…”
Neji faintly heard the Hokage slowly utter those two words, making him widen his eyes.
Ikeizumi…
He was Uchiha Ikeizumi?!
Neji’s gaze involuntarily fell on Uchiha Ikeizumi’s face, but he found the man slowly shifting his gaze over too. The first second their eyes met in midair, Neji broke first, his heart trembling with fear.
“I…”
“…am actually afraid!”
Neji was shocked to discover he couldn’t continue meeting the gaze because a sense of fear had suddenly risen in his heart!
At the same time, he was curious why this famous man had suddenly glanced at him?
Did he have something special that caught his attention?
Neji grew nervous.
He watched Uchiha Ikeizumi pass by him, noticing the man’s gaze had withdrawn, then calmly walked to the Hokage’s side.
Neji wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but Hyuga Hiashi, the Hyuga Clan Leader, seemed unusually uneasy upon seeing Uchiha Ikeizumi approach!
After all.
Even with the Hokage’s arrival earlier, Hyuga Hiashi hadn’t shown such outward unease!
Neji was shocked.
……
“Teacher Ikeizumi!” ×2
Naruto and Sasuke were thrilled to see Uchiha Ikeizumi arrive.
Uchiha Ikeizumi glanced at the corpse on the ground, then at Sarutobi Hiruzen before him; his calm, unruffled eyes made Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctant to meet them.
“Third Hokage, followers of 「Absolute Justice」 executing their justice in Konoha—I see nothing wrong with that.”
He said: “It’s just killing a juvenile villain; is it necessary for you, the Third Hokage, to make such a fuss?”
The word “just” made Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyelids twitch.
“Ikeizumi.” Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, tone earnest and severe: “I won’t debate how extreme your justice is, nor whether the Hyuga Clan junior Naruto killed deserved death. Simply your 「Absolute Justice」 ideology inciting Naruto to kill in the village has already led his life astray!”
“I’ve said long ago, Naruto’s justice should stand on Konoha’s side. And Konoha’s justice requires the village’s recognition—that’s the justice aligned with the Will of Fire.”
“It’s also the justice most fitting for Naruto. The problem is…”
“He killed someone… changing the nature entirely! You know Naruto’s special status; if the village learns he killed a Hyuga Clan junior, will they still accept him?”
“His current behavior was forced to grow prematurely by you; his path shouldn’t be this extreme!”
“Ikeizumi…”
“If you cared even a bit for Naruto, you’d stop such behavior!”
These were all Sarutobi Hiruzen’s true thoughts; he genuinely believed he was doing right by Naruto.
He felt no ulterior motives to use Naruto.
Why couldn’t Ikeizumi or Naruto understand his good intentions?
Nearby, Hyuga Hiashi seemed hesitant to speak.
The Hokage was saying in front of him, the Hyuga Clan Leader—put aside the killed Hyuga Clan junior.
This nearly tore off his face as clan leader.
Especially with Hyuga Clan ninjas around.
Hyuga Hiashi could sense his clansmen’s gazes toward him held confusion. They likely didn’t understand why the Hokage disrespected the Hyuga Clan so. But Hiashi didn’t fully understand either.
He could only guess that in the Hokage’s heart…
Uchiha Ikeizumi’s priority far exceeded the Hyuga Clan’s, as did the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki’s.
Indeed.
Uchiha Ikeizumi killed the Hokage’s two sons, yet the Hokage still suppressed his killing intent—proving the Hyuga Clan couldn’t compare.
If the Hyuga Clan had killed the Hokage’s two sons.
Their fate wouldn’t be much better than the Uchiha Clan’s.
As Hyuga Hiashi’s expression flickered.
Uchiha Ikeizumi spoke: “Third Hokage, if you truly care for Uzumaki Naruto, loosen the chain in your hand. Uzumaki Naruto is merely upholding his justice on the correct path.”
“When he hasn’t done anything wrong, if the village rejects his actions, that’s the village’s problem, not Uzumaki Naruto’s.”
“Why chain an innocent person with an undeserved leash? Should good people be threatened by blades?”
“Why not target those who reject Uzumaki Naruto’s justice—they’re the misguided rabble with twisted values.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen was dumbfounded.
As he stood stunned, he noticed Naruto looking at him with puzzled grievance.
“Grandpa Hokage…”
Naruto pursed his lips, saying aggrievedly: “I didn’t do anything wrong; if they won’t accept this, I don’t know what to do to earn their approval. Does sparing a villain win their approval?”
“I’d rather not have such approval.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.
He wanted to tell Naruto—”acceptance” isn’t simple; it’s not just doing right for village approval. You need them unafraid, admiring, needing you… and those in gray areas not resisting you.
But.
He knew saying it would be refuted by Ikeizumi next second.
Among those present, only Ikeizumi gave no face to him, the Konoha Hokage.
And yet…
He was powerless.
“Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto’s injuries are treated. But Medical Ninjutsu isn’t omnipotent; he may need rest to fully recover.”
As Sarutobi Hiruzen awkwardly silenced, a medical ninja timely shifted the topic.
Sarutobi Hiruzen forced a smile: “Naruto, how could Grandpa Hokage force you to do what you don’t want? Today’s events are too heavy for a child like you, plus your injuries—you need good rest.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen added: “Sasuke too.”
He said: “Yoshinobu.”
Yamanaka Yoshinobu emerged helplessly from the Anbu: “Hokage.”
“Take Naruto and Sasuke back.” Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered.
“Yes!”
……
Hyuga Hiashi watched Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, who killed his clan junior, leave under Anbu Ninja protection.
He, the Hyuga Clan Leader, remained silent throughout.
“Hiashi.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally turned to him: “You know how to handle this little incident, right?”
“…I do.”
Hyuga Hiashi said lowly: “Indeed, our Hyuga Clan junior was in the wrong; his vile behavior caused a child’s death, and now he’s paid the due price.”
“I have no issue with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke’s actions. I think the parents of that guilty Hyuga Clan junior won’t object either.”
He was even more cowardly than Uchiha Fugaku.
……
……
