Coercing the Advisory Council!

After Jiraiya voiced the question on his mind, Tsunade and the others quickly turned their gazes toward Naruto.

However.

Naruto acted as though he hadn't heard. His eyes were like cold arrows, fixed on the crowd, and his heart was full of scorn.

If repentance were any use, what would be the point of death?!

With the memories merged, he could naturally feel the suffering the original Naruto had endured.

Then.

Naruto stopped looking at anyone at the scene and slowly headed straight for the original Naruto's house.

He felt no goodwill whatsoever toward this ignorant Konoha crowd.

He wasn't like the Naruto in the original story, who'd been influenced by Asura's will. If an ordinary person were in his place, they would probably have leveled Konoha to the ground long ago!

He could just activate Nine-Tails Mode and fire a Tailed Beast Bomb at the village gates!

But he'd just finished killing Root, and he'd certainly had a satisfying slaughter. Besides, he was practically a living Buddha now!

The main thing was, if he finished them all off at once, there'd be nothing left to play with...

So for now, he'd let these wretches keep their lives. Once they'd grown more numerous,

they could serve as a reserve source of Villain Points.

With that thought, Naruto strode through the crowd.

The villagers all lowered their heads. Overcome with guilt and fear, none dared meet Naruto's gaze. They could only make way for him, forming a broad path as they murmured,

"Lord Naruto, we're sorry!"

"We're sorry! We were wrong!"

"Please forgive us."

Naruto listened to every word. Then he suddenly turned around and smiled warmly.

"Work hard to grow stronger... Only then will you be worthy of standing before me to apologize, and then..."

Then you'll be suitable targets for me to milk.

Naruto naturally kept the rest to himself.

But the crowd's emotions flared like a barrel of gunpowder. They immediately shouted in unison, "Lord Naruto! We definitely will!"

Jiraiya had been deeply worried when he saw Naruto leave, and had been about to call him back.

But when he saw Naruto speak so gently to the villagers, most of his worries melted away. He couldn't help sighing in admiration.

"It seems the villagers' remorse really can change Naruto!"

"That's right! Maybe his personality can even go back to being as cheerful and sunny as before." Tsunade nodded in agreement.

They would understand how wrong they were once Konoha lay in ruins at Naruto's hands.

Naruto wore a scornful smile. After casting one more glance at the crowd, he turned and walked away without looking back.

Suddenly, a sharp female voice rang out behind him.

"Naruto!"

A trace of amusement flashed in Naruto's eyes as he turned back.

Sakura had led the rest of the Konoha Twelve to his side.

There was no doubt that Sakura had called out to him.

At that moment, Sakura's eyes shimmered with complicated emotions. Still, she did her best to stay composed and said, "Naruto, want to go get barbecue together? It's been three years since everyone saw you."

"Come on, tell us all about what's happened over the last three years," Kiba chimed in. Grown-up Akamaru barked excitedly twice, as if cheering their reunion.

"Crunch—" Choji opened a bag of chips. Their aroma wafted through the air as he grinned and held the bag out to Naruto. "Naruto, you've definitely never had these chips before. They're part of my personal stash!"

Even Shikamaru, who hated trouble more than anyone, gently rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder. A rare light gleamed in his usually dull eyes. "Come on, Naruto."

"Naruto..." Hinata called timidly, her voice clear and sweet as a wind chime in the breeze.

Faced with the Konoha Twelve's enthusiasm, Naruto was briefly stunned.

But he quickly regained his composure and said coolly, "Maybe next time. I just did a good deed, and I'm a little tired."

As he spoke, Naruto flashed over, grabbed Choji's entire bag of chips, and left them behind, appearing in the distance.

Naruto could clearly feel that the Konoha Twelve's affection for him was sincere, so he forcibly suppressed his urge to milk them.

Even as a killer, he wouldn't slaughter people indiscriminately.

"Naruto!" Seeing him leave, Sakura immediately called after him again.

"Don't call him," Shikamaru said, waving a hand. His eyes stayed on Naruto's back, and a hint of relief showed on his face. "At least he still considers us friends."

As Naruto walked farther away, the people at the scene gradually dispersed.

In the end, the farce came to a close with Danzo and all of Root wiped out, and the revelation that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son.

Naruto's house.

Creak—Naruto slowly pushed open the old, weather-beaten wooden door and entered the house.

A few cockroaches danced merrily across the table. A swarm of spiders were cheerfully feasting together in the corner.

And on the bed, two rats were still cuddling together!

Then.

Whoosh—a thick, choking smell of dust hit him. Naruto quickly covered his nose, his brow furrowing. "Seriously, has this place turned into a den of pests?!"

Without hesitation, Naruto slammed the door shut.

At the same time, he flashed away toward the Hokage Building.

He couldn't stand this place for another second!

He had to live in a big villa!!!

A moment later.

The Hokage Building.

Whoosh—a sharp whistle cut through the air, and Naruto appeared at the door of the Hokage's office.

He was just about to reach for the door.

Suddenly, a burst of heated arguing came from inside.

"Tsunade! How could you reveal the Jinchuriki's identity to the public? What will outsiders think of the leadership during the Third Hokage's rule?"

"That's right! People will think we deliberately mistreated the hero's son. How am I supposed to keep serving as an advisor?!"

"You two old fossils! Why didn't you think of that at the time? I haven't even blamed you for siding with Danzo, and you're questioning me instead?!"

As Naruto listened, the corners of his mouth lifted.

Well, look at that. The Villain Points had come knocking on their own!

With that thought, Naruto slowly pushed open the door.

Click—the moment the door opened, the arguing inside the office abruptly stopped.

Tsunade spoke up. "Who is it?!"

"It's me, Granny Tsunade!" Naruto entered with a broad smile.

In an instant.

Buzz—

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu jolted as if struck by lightning. Their bodies trembled, and awkward fear crept across their faces.

Seeing them, Tsunade's mouth curled into a scornful smile.

"Well, now the original party is here. If you have any complaints, go ahead and say them!"

"Tsunade, what are you talking about? We don't have any complaints!" Mitokado Homura forced an awkward smile.

"Right! If there's nothing else, we'll be on our way!" Utatane Koharu hurriedly chimed in.

With that, she hurried toward the door as if her feet were greased, showing not the slightest reluctance to leave.

Mitokado Homura followed close behind, not daring to make a sound.

After all, the sight of Root's destruction was still fresh in their minds!

But just as they tried to get past Naruto's "impassable barrier"—

Smack! Naruto suddenly reached out with both hands and gripped their shoulders, bringing them to an abrupt halt.

Cold sweat poured from their temples. They could only feel that their lives were about to end.

"Naruto, what is it?!" Mitokado Homura asked shakily.

"Is there something you need us to do?!" Utatane Koharu asked nervously.

They knew better than to provoke him. They had to speak gently in Naruto's presence.

Or what, were they going to try using force?!

Anyone could see it.

Naruto was practically a combination of Minato with the Flying Thunder God and Sage Jiraiya!

Otherwise, how could he have wiped out Root so effortlessly?!

"Don't be nervous! I'm not going to eat you," Naruto said with a genial smile. Then he continued, his tone playful, "There should still be some people in the village who hate me to the core. Could you gather them all for me?"

Before the two old fossils could answer, Tsunade suddenly cried out in alarm.

"Naruto, you... aren't planning to do something to all of them, are you...?"

"Of course! We'll organize it!" Mitokado Homura immediately fawned over him like a lapdog, cutting Tsunade off.

"Exactly! Anyone who harbors ill will toward you, the hero who rooted out evil, must be thoroughly wicked. They're a menace to Konoha, and better off dead!" Utatane Koharu declared righteously, as if she were a champion of justice.

With others holding the knife and themselves on the chopping block,

the two old geezers had no choice but to accept Naruto's every demand if they wanted to stay alive.

That was just how utterly dark Konoha's upper ranks had become.

"Good. You've got a few days. Go on," Naruto said with a pleased smile.

Then he looked toward Tsunade. A murderous glint flickered in his eyes as he bared his wolfish white teeth and said coldly,

"If they're still alive, I really won't be able to sleep!"