Konoha.
Before Hokage Rock.
A group of shinobi were carrying out demolition work atop Hokage Rock.
Destroying was naturally easier than building.
However, the Third Hokage's rock face, along with the Second Hokage's and Fourth Hokage's rock faces on either side, could only be dismantled slowly.
Of course, having the work crews deliberately take their time also served other purposes.
For example, this was Konoha's first time tearing down Hokage Rock, and the area below was packed layer upon layer with people.
Most of them were villagers, watching pieces of Hokage Rock being chipped away one by one.
Everyone was talking at once.
"I used to think Sarutobi Hiruzen was a good man. Who knew he'd done so many terrible things?"
"Pah! If it weren't for those few people, Konoha would be so much more prosperous."
"Back then, the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself to save the village. Who would've thought that Sarutobi Hiruzen would turn around and swallow up the Fourth Hokage's inheritance?"
"Sigh, come to think of it, we didn't understand Jinchuriki back then either. Led around by Sarutobi Hiruzen's rumors, I refused to sell anything to Uzumaki Naruto."
"He must've only been four or five then, right? I really deserve to die."
"Enough. Sarutobi Hiruzen deliberately kept the truth hidden. Luckily, I only kept my children from playing with him back then."
"I heard the Fourth Hokage's dying wish was for the Third Hokage to take care of Uzumaki Naruto."
"Geez..."
"After Uzumaki Naruto left the orphanage, no one cared for him. Sometimes he went hungry, sometimes he had enough to eat."
"He only had two sets of clothes in total."
"Couldn't he have gone to the Ninja Academy afterward?"
"What are you talking about? It was the Uchiha Clan's children who became friends with him."
"Otherwise, where