Sarutobi Hiruzen flushed with embarrassment after finishing his explanation.
This entire situation was simply too humiliating to put into words.
"If I weren't old and frail…"
"There's no way I'd only be able to seal Orochimaru's hands!"
Admitting it felt disgraceful.
Especially now, in the group chat.
So many Kage-level powerhouses from different villages were present.
This wasn't just shameful—it was reputation-destroying!
"Would this… lower the overall average of Kage-level standards?!"
He gritted his teeth.
"It's all that damned Orochimaru's fault!"
"How shameless! You ambushed a 69-year-old Hokage!"
Meanwhile, Orochimaru wasn't exactly thrilled either.
That old man Sarutobi—
"If you wanted to die, then just die peacefully. Why drag my hands down with you?!"
Now look at the situation.
Until he finds a new body to reincarnate into,
Don't even talk about fighting anyone...
He couldn't even punch properly anymore!
Kabuto stood quietly by his side and mumbled softly,
"Lord Orochimaru… I am your most loyal subordinate."
Orochimaru: "..."
Suddenly—
> [Ding! The Live Broadcast Viewing System has been activated. All viewers have been pulled into the broadcast room.]
> [Countdown initiating…]
10…
9…
8…
7…
…
As the system's icy voice echoed across the sky, a massive black-and-white screen materialized above the horizon.
The screen's black border quickly dissolved,
Revealing a pristine white border that rapidly expanded outward.
And slowly… the image became clear.
> [Konoha Village]
> [A bustling street filled with villagers.]
> [A small, golden-haired boy with bright blue eyes wandered aimlessly among the crowd.]
> [His young cheeks bore the iconic whisker-like marks.]
> [The boy seemed cheerful, as if excited about something.]
The moment this child appeared,
All the ninjas from Konoha watching the screen instantly recognized him.
Who else could it be?
The village's infamous troublemaker—
Uzumaki Naruto!
---
Uzumaki Kushina: "This is Naruto when he was little… he's so cute!"
Namikaze Minato: "He has perfectly inherited your strengths, Kushina."
Fourth Raikage: "But why are we seeing Naruto here? And such a young version of him?"
His words struck a chord with everyone else in the chat room.
Why Konoha?
Why Naruto?
What about my youth? Can't we talk about Ōnoki's romantic exploits instead?
Where's the fairness in this?
Senju Hashirama didn't really care who the screen showed.
Instead, his face lit up with a cheerful smile as he saw the vibrant, lively Konoha.
Senju Hashirama: "Not bad, Hiruzen. Looks like Konoha is thriving under your leadership."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "All thanks to the foundation you laid, First Lord."
Wiping sweat from his brow, Hiruzen chuckled nervously.
He had just taken a verbal pat on the back from the First Hokage himself—and it scared him senseless!
What should he say about Konoha's development?
Well, of course the village looked prosperous…
The people lived in peace, worked diligently…
But could it compare to the First Hokage's golden era?
Absolutely not.
Right now, the major nations were practically queuing up to trample Konoha.
Under Hiruzen's glorious reign?
It had been nothing but compromise after compromise.
He could only pray silently—
"Please don't let the First or Second Hokage find out the truth…"
"If they do, my reputation will be completely ruined!"
---
The screen continued playing.
> [Naruto walked up to a street vendor selling decorative masks.]
> [His eyes lit up at the sight of a white fox mask.]
> [He reached into his small pocket and pulled out some coins.]
> [But before he could even speak, the shop owner glared at him, shoved him away, and threw the mask at his feet.]
> "Get lost, you damn monster! I've already given you the mask. Don't come back again!"
> [Naruto's eyes filled with confusion. He didn't understand what he'd done wrong.]
> [He picked himself up, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and turned to leave—without the mask.]
> [A group of villagers had gathered around, pointing and sneering.]
> "That disgusting child again!"
> "Damn monster! Get out of here!"
> "I heard he's the Nine-Tails in disguise!"
> "Just look at his face! Nothing but trouble!"
> [Naruto lowered his head and walked slowly out of the village gates. He didn't respond—he'd grown used to this treatment.]
---
Kushina, watching the scene unfold, could no longer hold back.
Uzumaki Kushina: "Third Hokage! What the hell is this?!"
Even Namikaze Minato stayed silent now.
He was stunned.
Back then, when he chose to seal the Nine-Tails inside Naruto—
He did it to ensure the village would honor him as a hero.
But now?
Naruto had become a pariah. A fox demon in the villagers' eyes?
---
Orochimaru: "What do you have to say for yourself, 'Professor' Hiruzen?
@Sarutobi Hiruzen @Sarutobi Hiruzen @Sarutobi Hiruzen"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru, you traitor! Stop fanning the flames!
I don't know who leaked the information about Naruto's identity,
But it definitely wasn't me!
It's probably someone from another village trying to frame us!"
Orochimaru: "Frame… a child? A child, Hiruzen?
You expect us to believe that?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Do you honestly think I would target my own student's son?
What kind of sense does that make?"
Orochimaru: "You're capable of a lot, old man. That much I do know."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Tobirama-sensei! You know me best!
If I really wanted to suppress Naruto, I'd have just handed him over to Danzo!"
Shimura Danzo: "???"
Shimura Danzo: "Hiruzen, don't drag me into this mess! What does this have to do with me?!"
---
Senju Tobirama: "Alright, enough!
The matter of Jinchūriki has always been delicate.
A bit of misunderstanding from the villagers is to be expected."
Fourth Raikage: "I disagree!
If anyone in my village dares to bully a Jinchūriki, I'll tear their head off!"
Killer Bee's eyes welled up with tears at those words.
He never knew he held such a place in the Raikage's heart.
Moved, he started composing on the spot:
Killer Bee: "Jinchūriki's pain is deep and true,
Our hearts hurt too, yo, please be cool, skr!"
---
Iruka: "Naruto was a bit mischievous as a child.
That led to a lot of misunderstandings.
But over time, people began to accept him."
Uzumaki Kushina: "Is that so?
And who are you?"
Iruka: "I'm a teacher at the Ninja Academy. My name is Iruka."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Uh… yeah.
Back then, I felt really lonely and hurt all the time.
But thanks to Iruka-sensei, I learned how to change.
The villagers eventually started accepting me."
Hearing her son speak those words,
Kushina didn't continue arguing.
But in her heart—
The ache only deepened.
During all those years she wasn't by Naruto's side,
He must have suffered so much...
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