Minato Namikaze's Shattered Beliefs

[Kushina Uzumaki: Yes, it seems the Third Hokage is quite concerned about Naruto's safety!]

Seeing what the Minato couple said, Makoto Ito curled his lips...

[Makoto Ito: Oh yes, very well protected indeed! But tell me, is this protection or surveillance?

While the Third Hokage didn't interfere much with Naruto's daily life, he was extremely dedicated to controlling his thoughts! He'd frequently go to the Ninja Academy to brainwash him! He even often went to Naruto's house to brainwash him privately!

I have to say, the Third Hokage really went to great lengths to "take good care" of Naruto!!]

The Minato couple frowned when they heard Makoto Ito, somewhat unsure what he meant.

[Makoto Ito: I'm telling you two, you should prepare yourselves!]

[Minato Namikaze: Prepare for what?]

[Kushina Uzumaki: Yes, what do you mean by all this?]

[Makoto Ito: Remember what I told you before? The person you've been longing for might not be doing well!]

And so, Makoto Ito slowly strolled not far from Naruto, as if taking a walk, showing no sign of tracking him whatsoever.

The Anbu ninjas also didn't pay much attention to Makoto Ito, as he was just a kid from the Ninja Academy!

Just like that, the bigshots in the group all noticed the problem!

It was that all the pedestrians on the street seemed to be avoiding Naruto Uzumaki as if he were a plague!

No one was willing to give him a kind look; in fact, when they saw Naruto Uzumaki approaching, they'd quickly move away, muttering curses!

The most outrageous part was some even spat in Naruto's direction...

"Hey, hey, the demon fox is out again, everyone get away quickly!"

"Yeah, I really don't know what Lord Hokage is thinking, why would he make us live with this demon fox?"

"That demon fox is too dangerous! Just look at him, you can tell he's no good!"

At that moment, a little girl slowly ran up to Naruto's side...

Suddenly, her mother appeared and quickly scooped her up!

"How many times have I told you! Stay away from that demon fox!"

Naruto, however, showed no reaction to these scenes, as if he had long grown used to them...

At this very moment, Minato Namikaze and his wife were completely bewildered!

Before, they had thought Naruto Uzumaki inherited the Uzumaki Clan surname to hide his identity. First, to conceal his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, because the Nine-Tails was far too important to the village! Second, to hide his identity as the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze! Because Minato had many enemies in the Ninja World, they thought this was done to protect Naruto's safety!

But they found that the truth wasn't like that at all. How was it that everyone in the village seemed to know Naruto was the demon fox, yet no one knew he was the Fourth Hokage's son?

The couple couldn't believe what they were seeing!

[Minato Namikaze: This... what exactly is going on?]

[Kushina Uzumaki: Minato! Could it be... could it be that Naruto has lived like this his whole life?]

[Makoto Ito: To be honest, I really don't want to discourage you two, but I still want to say, Naruto is actually doing pretty well now. He was much more miserable when he was little!]

[Minato Namikaze: Why? Why is this happening? Why would the Third Hokage do this? I, Minato Namikaze, believe I've done nothing to wrong Konoha! I even sacrificed my life for Konoha! Why is my son like this?]

[Makoto Ito: Still talking about the Third Hokage? I'll tell you plainly! If it weren't for the Third Hokage, Naruto would be doing much better than he is now!]

[Minato Namikaze: What do you mean?! Explain yourself!]

[Makoto Ito: When you sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, how many people knew about it? Besides him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who else do you think knew about this? Even if others knew, they would definitely be high-ranking village officials! So, without his, the Third Hokage's, consent, how did the news that Naruto was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox spread?]

[Minato Namikaze: But... but... but I really can't understand! What good does treating Naruto like this do the Third Hokage? And besides, couldn't this have been done by someone else?]

[Makoto Ito: Why are you still fantasizing? Besides him, who else could it be? If someone else really wanted to spread this news, couldn't he, as the Third Hokage, control public opinion? Couldn't he completely conceal this information? And how would it not benefit him? The benefits for him are immense!

First, by confirming Naruto's identity as the demon fox, everyone in the village will hate him. Now, think about this: if someone suddenly appears who is kind to Naruto, do you think Naruto will become dependent on that person?

And Hiruzen Sarutobi plays that role! He visits Naruto every month, gives him some pocket money, and this immediately creates a stark contrast with everyone else! Later, when Naruto grows up, won't the Nine-Tails' power be completely at his disposal?]

[Minato Namikaze: No! No! This is impossible! This can't be! The Third Hokage, how could he do something like this?]

[Makoto Ito: Hmph! Why do you think Naruto doesn't have the Minato surname?]

[Minato Namikaze: Why?]

At this moment, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who had been silent for a long time, spoke.

[Tobirama Senju: Because you, Minato Namikaze, are the hero who sealed the Nine-Tails! Because you are the Fourth Hokage! Because you have many people who support you! So, do you understand now? If Naruto had the Minato surname, he wouldn't be hated by the villagers! He might even be treated as a hero! In that case, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi make himself stand out in Naruto's heart?

So, Naruto is just a demon fox kid! He can never be the descendant of a hero! And certainly not your son, the Fourth Hokage! Do you understand?]

Tobirama Senju's analysis was spot-on. Since Hizashi Hyuga's death, the Uchiha Clan's annihilation, and then the Senju Clan's downfall, Tobirama Senju had seen his good student more and more clearly.

And at this moment, Minato Namikaze's belief had crumbled!

[Minato Namikaze: Why? Why do this? I was the village's Hokage! I dedicated everything to this village! Even my life and my wife's! Why does this village treat my son like this? Why? Why is this happening?]