"The refreshments are here."
"I know, just put it here, Mom."
Shikamaru turned his head and said to the older woman who brought tea into the room.
Maybe it's because he takes good care of himself, so from the outside he looks like he's only twenty-seven or eighty-years-old, but his actual age is thirty-six.
Nara Yoshino is the woman's name.
She is the leader of Konoha's Jonin squad and the wife of Nara Shikaku of the Nara clan.
She is also Shikamaru's mother.
"Thank you, aunt."
Ino and Choji in the room said politely, thanking Yoshino for bringing tea at this time.
Especially Choji, he could already feel his mouth drooling.
"You should at least say thank you."
Yoshino was very dissatisfied with Shikamaru's casual attitude, and seemed to want her to put down her tea quickly and kick her out.
"Thank you, mom...is this okay?"
Shikamaru said, finding it troublesome.
"Same virtue as your father, wait until he comes back to teach you a lesson together."
Although she said this, Yoshino's eyes still showed a strong look of worry, worried about the unusual situation of her husband not replying to messages for several days.
"Dad, he knows the severity and won't fall down so easily."
Although Shikamaru is also worried about the safety of his father Shikaku, after his father left, he is now the head of the family and cannot show any timidity.
As my father said, I must become an excellent man who makes women feel reliable.
Yoshino sighed, put down the tea and left.
"Aunt Yoshino looks very worried."
Ino couldn't help but said.
"She just cares too much about her dad, that's why she's like this, she's just stern on the surface."
Shikamaru said.
"Then what should we do next?"
Ino asked.
Then she saw Dingci enjoying the tea and eating there carelessly, and she immediately raised her eyebrows.
"I just know how to eat. Is it time to enjoy afternoon tea?"
However, in the face of Ino's harsh criticism, Choji smiled nonchalantly and said:
"Ino, you are just like Aunt Yoshino. You care too much, so caring makes you confused. Father and the others have already arranged everything, and everything will be fine."
"But what if..."
"That kind of thing is something that adults should deal with. Now, it's not our turn to intervene. We wait here quietly, which is the best support."
Although what Choji said made sense, to Ino, it sounded a bit self-defeating.
"Chouji is right, Ino, our job is to wait here with peace of mind. There are some things that we should not interfere with."
Shikamaru also took the tea and started eating it.
"Why are you like this..."
"The situation outside is so chaotic, there is very little we can do. Moreover, even that troublesome guy Naruto is involved..."
Shikamaru said as he had a headache.
"No, is it possible that the rumor that Naruto is the son of the Hokage...is true?"
Ino blinked his eyes, full of disbelief.
Thinking of Naruto's various unreliable behaviors in the ninja school, Ino couldn't imagine that he could be the son of the Hokage.
Still the legendary Fourth Hokage.
It’s simply a fantasy.
"Who knows about this kind of thing. When I was in the ninja school, my father hinted to me more than once that I hope I can get along well with Naruto and not isolate him. After that, I also secretly investigated Naruto's life experience."
"What's the result?"
"The level of confidentiality is very high, and even jounin is not qualified to check it. Moreover, don't you think Naruto's performance in the chunin exam is very abnormal? Just like Gaara of Sunagakure, there is something strange in his body Something. That should be the so-called 'demon fox'."
Ino recalled the scene.
"That look does look a bit like a fox."
Listening to the exchange between Shikamaru and Ino, Choji suddenly said: "So, do you want to go visit Naruto now?"
Shikamaru put his hands behind his head, lay directly on the floor, and said helplessly:
"Then you have to be able to go out. The family has already issued a foot restriction order. Even if you visit Naruto, you can only wait for the foot restriction order to pass."
"That is to say, that guy has been heartless since he was a child. He should be able to survive on his own now."
Ino was also worried about Naruto's condition, but under the restriction order, she could only stay with the Nara clan and could not leave here.
Going to visit Naruto was impossible.
"I hope this storm will pass soon..."
Shikamaru was in an unprecedented irritable mood. Even though he was smarter than his peers, he didn't know what to do when faced with such a situation.
I can only pray in my heart that my father can return safely.
◎
"It's so boring... I really want to go out and practice, but neither the pervert-sensei, the pervert-sage, nor Kakashi-sensei are here."
Lying on the bed in the apartment where he lived alone, his head sank into the soft cotton pillow, trying to cover up the rumors outside that were not true at all.
But the more he concealed it, the more uncomfortable the gap in his heart made Naruto feel.
Do you really have something like your parents?
Are you going to ask Grandpa Hokage for answers?
However, if the rumors spreading outside are true...
Naruto felt timid inside.
He couldn't believe that Grandpa Hokage, whom he had believed in all these years, would be the image spread in the rumors.
Boom boom.
There was a knock on the door.
Breaking Naruto out of his thoughts.
He got out of bed, put on his slippers, and went to open the door.
"It's Kakashi-sensei..."
Naruto said this subconsciously.
"It's me, Naruto."
"Teacher Iruka? Why are you here?"
The one who knocked on the door was not the Kakashi he expected, but Iruka whom he had not seen for a long time.
Naruto's face showed a look of joy, feeling a long-lost peace of mind.
"So much has happened, so I came to see you. And here is this for you."
Iruka placed the convenience bag in front of Naruto and said with a smile.
"This is……"
Naruto smelled the aroma of food from the convenience bag.
"Ichiraku Ramen!"
"You must be starving. Eat it while it's hot."
"As expected of you, Iruka-sensei. Thank you so much. I'm really hungry!"
Naruto took the convenience bag unceremoniously, placed the Ichiraku Ramen packed inside on the table, and couldn't wait to open it.
"I'm gonna start now!"
After saying that, Naruto picked up his chopsticks and ate happily, trying his best to fill his hungry stomach.
With the ramen in his stomach, a sense of fulfilling happiness surrounded Naruto, making his face filled with a fulfilling smile.
Seeing Naruto like this, Iruka smiled knowingly.
Naruto is still the same as before, there is no change in his liking for Ichiraku Ramen.
"I've heard about what's going on outside."
When Naruto was about to wipe out Ichiraku Ramen, Iruka seemed to have made up his mind and suddenly said to Naruto.
"Really...Is Mr. Iruka here specifically to comfort me?"
Hearing Iruka's words, Naruto paused slightly while eating ramen, with a pretending to be relaxed and playful smile on his face.
But behind this laughter, Naruto's extremely complicated state of mind was hidden.
Iruka can clearly feel this.
"For this reason... no matter whether those rumors are true or false, it is difficult for you, Naruto, to agree with them. After all, after persisting for so many years, it is difficult for anyone to suddenly accept such a fact. .”
Iruka couldn't tell whether the rumors outside were true, but he knew very well that such rumors would definitely cause huge trauma to Naruto's heart.
He was Naruto's teacher at the ninja school. It can be said that he was a ninja who watched Naruto grow up. He also knew exactly where the sensitive and delicate parts of Naruto's heart were.
"Yes, suddenly there is another Hokage's father... It will indeed feel uncomfortable, or to be more precise, I feel uncomfortable. However, if you think about it carefully, this is actually not bad. The idol you worship is your father and so on. …”
Naruto was still smiling.
But this smile seemed very forced to Iruka, as if it was forced out of his face and not from the heart.
He was still hoping that the rumors outside were just falsehoods, facts made up by someone, not the truth.
"I can understand that you have been working very hard to do it..."
Iruka held Naruto's body in his arms, bringing his forehead to his chest.
"Iruka-sensei..."
"Teacher, I used to be like you. In order to relieve the loneliness and loneliness in my heart, I liked to pretend to be a fool, and I did not hesitate to act like a clown to attract attention and integrate into the group. But what I got afterwards was a greater emptiness. fall……"
"But the reason Iruka-sensei became like this is because of the demon fox..."
Naruto's eyes darkened.
"Didn't the teacher say long ago that that kind of thing doesn't matter anymore? Compared to that, your current strength may have surpassed mine... So, Naruto, try to recognize yourself."
Iruka let go of Naruto and smiled.
"Recognize yourself?"
Naruto raised his head and looked into Iruka's sincere eyes.
"Don't worry about the things you don't want to hear, and be your true self. Recognizing yourself is something that everyone must experience. You can't live under the 'approval' of others your whole life. You, just He cares too much about other people’s eyes and opinions, like a little fool.”
Iruka smiled.
"If that's the case, isn't Iruka-sensei also an idiot?"
"Yes, I am also a fool, so I wasted too much time in the past. When I recall these past events, I feel bitter smile and helplessness. Now when I think back to the stupid things I did in the past, I feel a bit ashamed..."
Iruka scratched his cheek with his fingers and looked away awkwardly.
"What? This kind of preaching tone that understands everything..."
Naruto puffed out his cheeks, slightly dissatisfied.
"Yes, I can't preach to you anymore, because you are already a real ninja. Excellent ninjas, start by recognizing yourself. At least for the third generation, I'm afraid there is something else going on in this matter. Don't be fooled by people with ulterior motives. Misleading.”
"Of course I understand this kind of thing! I don't believe Grandpa Hokage is that kind of person. Someone must have framed him!"
As if he had found a resonance, Naruto's face gradually regained its vitality. It was no longer as resentful as before, and looked like a knot that could not be broken.
"If that's the case, then I'm relieved."
Iruka rubbed Naruto's head.
"Instead of that, Iruka-sensei, buy me another bowl, no, buy two more bowls of Ichiraku Ramen. One bowl is not enough."
Naruto rubbed his hands, not feeling the slightest bit embarrassed about asking Iruka to treat him.
Iruka was stunned, then smiled bitterly: "I'm talking about you..."
Forget it, eating can be considered a way to relieve stress.
"Okay, just wait here and I'll buy you two more bowls of Ichiraku Ramen..."
Before Iruka could finish his sentence, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the window lattice.
Naruto and Iruka turned to look, just in time to see the window being opened.
Sasuke and Sakura stood outside the window.
"No need for that, we've already bought it."
Sasuke and Sakura said while standing outside the window, each holding a convenience bag containing Ichiraku Ramen.
"Sasuke, Sakura! Why are you here?"
Naruto asked in surprise.
"We are not deaf. The rumors outside are spreading so fiercely that it is difficult not to pay attention. Of course, we are worried about some idiot who likes to get into trouble."
Sasuke and Sakura crossed the window and entered the house.
"Who is the idiot?"
"Of course it's you Naruto, otherwise we wouldn't have come here."
Sakura put the ramen down and said to Naruto.
"Damn it, why did even Sakura say that?"
Naruto sighed.
"Long time no see, Iruka."
Sasuke greeted Iruka.
Hearing that Sasuke had omitted the word 'teacher', Iruka had a headache and said: "Sasuke, you are still the same, you don't like to see people outside. However, you seem to be a chuunin now, so congratulations."
"It's nothing, it's a simple matter."
Naruto, who heard Sasuke's understatement, could no longer hide the jealousy in his eyes.
"The Hokage Building is now fully sealed off. Only a few Jonin can enter, and we don't know what is going on inside. I would like to ask, has Mr. Kakashi not contacted you?"
Iruka's face turned serious and he asked about Kakashi's whereabouts.
Sasuke shook his head and replied: "Jōnin Ebisu is guiding us these days. As for Kakashi, I haven't seen him for nearly a month, and I don't know what the specific situation is over there. "
"This is really bad."
Iruka sighed.
Although chunin are the backbone of the village, if you want to participate in major events in the village, you basically start as a jounin.
Moreover, not just any jounin can participate.
Although he requested to meet with the Third Hokage many times, he was rejected by the people guarding the door without exception.
It is simply impossible to break through forcefully.
It is the residence of the Hokage's office, and it also contains a lot of Konoha's secret information. It is heavily guarded and there are many powerful ninjas there, so there is no possibility of successfully sneaking in.
Once discovered, they may be executed on the spot.
"In the current situation, I can only believe that the higher-ups can make proper arrangements before the situation becomes too serious to be handled... Otherwise, it won't be long before people in the village are panicked, and it will be troublesome to clean up the situation."
Because of this incident, Sasuke doesn't even have free time to practice now.
It can be said that Konoha is now showing signs of chaos.
"Especially you, Naruto."
Sasuke suddenly changed the topic to Naruto.
"Me? What's wrong with me?"
Naruto, who was eating Ichiraku Ramen, blinked in confusion.
"Someone is using you to make a fuss and suppress Hokage-sama's prestige... No matter whether the rumors outside are true or not, as long as Hokage-sama does not clarify them, they may be mistaken for truth."
Moreover, Sasuke didn't say what he was most worried about.
Naruto's identity was probably real.
He had investigated Naruto's identity through Kakashi's authority.
Coupled with the sensitive identity of the Uzumaki clan and the level of confidentiality of the identity, the son of the Fourth Hokage... this identity is probably not a fictional story.
However, the Third Hokage did not clarify the rumors when they appeared, so some people would not be allowed to think wildly.
This made Sasuke very worried about the situation at the Hokage Building. There must have been some critical situation that they didn't know about, and it was deliberately blocked by the people above.
"Next, just stay at home and don't wander around anywhere. If you find a suspicious person near your home, send a flare immediately to cause as much chaos as possible so that the enemy in the dark will not dare to act rashly. Always have a ninja weapon ready when you sleep at night , enter combat status."
Sasuke reminded Naruto.
"Then what do I eat during the day and night? There is only half a carton of milk left at home, and three instant noodles."
Naruto asked a rather crucial question.
"..."
Sasuke walked to the table without saying a word, picked up the half-drunk carton of milk, and threw it into the trash can.
"Whoa, what are you doing? My milk!"
"It's almost expired. Sakura, you are responsible for buying milk and delivering meals every day. I need to investigate some things."
"I understand. But, Sasuke, is there no problem with you being alone?"
Sakura asked worriedly.
"I will be careful. We must get in touch with Kakashi as soon as possible. Otherwise, we will be very passive here."
To be honest, under the current situation, there were very few jounin that Sasuke could trust.
And Kakashi is the Minister of ANBU. His position can be very close to the Hokage, and he can be said to be the Hokage's close minister.
As long as Kakashi is found, many things can be solved.
Moreover, Danzo, an unknown elder who frequently appears in rumors, is also a very suspicious target of investigation.
"Do you want me to go there with you? The school is closed right now."
Iruka volunteered.
"Compared to me, Naruto's situation is probably more dangerous. There are too few people who can trust him now."
Hearing the implication of Sasuke's words, Iruka nodded and had to admit that Sasuke's considerations made sense.
Naruto being one of the core figures in the public opinion storm means that someone is secretly targeting Naruto, and Naruto is in a very bad situation.
"Then it's up to you."
After saying that, Sasuke walked to the window, jumped down and disappeared into the street under the gaze of everyone.
After leaving Naruto's station, Sasuke returned towards the Uchiha clan's territory, but not towards his home, but towards the open woods near the clan's territory.
The terrain there is complex and more suitable for hiding.
After finding his usual training place, Sasuke suddenly stopped, his ears moved slightly, and he said to the surrounding air:
"Come out, you have followed me all the way to Naruto's place. Your target is not Naruto, but me."
Shasha's voice sounded from behind.
Sasuke immediately turned around, took out a kunai from his ninja bag, and pointed at the person with an expressionless face.
He was a middle-aged man with an unfamiliar face, wearing a Konoha Jounin uniform, and a Konoha forehead protector on his forehead. His appearance was unremarkable, and he was inconspicuous among the crowd.
"Jounin?" Sasuke murmured, and then his eyes became cold and stern: "Who are you? What's the purpose of following me?"
The middle-aged man didn't pay any attention to the kunai on Sasuke's hand or the vigilance in his eyes. He just smiled and said: "As expected of Itachi's younger brother, your strength will soon reach the level of a jounin. Although compared to Itachi, seems to be a little bit off."
"You mean Itachi? Do you know him?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"Do you know anyone? He used to be a Konoha ninja. It's not strange that I know him. My name is Minazuki Yuzuki, have you heard of it?"
the middle-aged man asked.
Sasuke frowned slightly and shook his head.
Minazuki Yuzuki, he had never heard of this name, and he didn't know that there was such a jounin in Konoha.
After all, there were so many jounin in Konoha, and some were stationed outside all year round. The jounin he saw were only a small number of jounin in Konoha.
"That's right. I'm still a humble little person. As expected, I, the genius mentor jounin, have no reputation at all."
The middle-aged man Minazuki Yuzuki smiled bitterly, as if he was laughing at himself.
"A genius...instructor jounin?"
"Ah, I am your brother Itachi's mentor when he was in Konoha."
Sasuke was slightly surprised when he heard the other party's explanation.
Afterwards, Sasuke's expression returned to calmness.
"Even so, what does that have to do with me? I will clean up those traitors sooner or later, so you don't have to worry about them."
"Really? Just like Itachi, he is kind of cute in his innocence."
"What's the meaning?"
As the leaves danced, Minazuki Teak laughed softly:
"It's a bit sudden to say this, and it may make you unable to accept it for a while... But let me say it anyway. Do you want to know the truth about the Uchiha genocide?"
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