Do Your Consciences Not Ache?

Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled the events of the past.

A trace of guilt appeared on his face.

Just as Naruto had said.

They, the group who were fortunate enough to survive, owed Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze far too much.

Not only did they fail to help the couple look after young Naruto.

Some even regarded him as a monster.

The one who destroyed the village.

Thinking about it now, the hateful one was not Naruto.

It was they, this group of ninjas who looked at people through colored glasses!

They were the most despicable and shameless ones.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was still Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Ginger is still spicier when it is old.

He had seen everything, big and small, in the village.

After a period of internal struggle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suppressed the guilt in his heart and asked, "Naruto, who told you that the Fourth Hokage is your father?"

That's right, compared to Naruto's tragic life story.

This was the question Hiruzen Sarutobi was most concerned about right now!

He remembered giving an order.

No one in the village was allowed to mention this matter in front of Naruto.

Yet someone had broken it.

One thing is one thing, another is another.

What should be rewarded and what should be punished must be dealt with; merits and demerits do not cancel each other out.

Naruto said, "It was my own deduction."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The crowd was stunned once again.

Are children these days all this smart?

No.

The era of child prodigies like Itachi Uchiha had already passed.

It wasn't a time of war, either.

Where would so many ninjas who were geniuses from a young age come from?

Besides, Itachi Uchiha had the influence of his family environment.

And you, Naruto, spend all day causing trouble.

Without parents to teach you.

How could you possibly have become this smart?

Bizarre... far too bizarre!

The crowd did not believe a word of what Naruto said.

Heh heh heh... you, a child, could deduce this yourself?

No adult told you?

You're trying to fool ghosts with that!

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression suddenly turned serious, "Naruto, sometimes lying is not right."

He had no intention of punishing Naruto.

What Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to punish was the informant behind the scenes.

Tch.

The old man is so old.

And he still wants to bluff me?!

What a joke.

Naruto's expression was earnest.

"Grandpa Third, this really was my own deduction."

"You once let me go to your office, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded noncommittally.

It is indeed true.

Everyone's gaze converged upon Naruto.

They wanted to see how he had discovered it.

Naruto continued, "Alright then, there is a group photo on your desk, right?"

"A handsome man with golden hair, who is none other than the Fourth Hokage."

"I have observed the village for a long time, and that man is the only one with golden hair."

"Of course, that alone certainly doesn't explain everything."

"The time the Nine-Tails Demon Fox wreaked havoc on the village happens to be the exact time I was born. How do you explain that?"

"And what about the fact that my parents both died in battle, and some of you have been calling me a 'stinky fox' ever since I was little?"

"When you put these things together, does it not explain everything!?"

His tone was very flat.

It was as if he were recounting an ordinary matter.

But this matter was anything but ordinary!

The crowd was rendered speechless.

Everything Naruto said was logical and well-ordered.

He was just one step away from throwing the evidence right in their faces!

Evidence? Heh, heh, heh...

Isn't the Nine-Tails Demon Fox sealed within Naruto the best piece of evidence?!

At this moment, the old face of Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared even more weathered.

Although it was true that he was the Hokage of Konoha, being Hokage was not an easy task.

As a man ages, he sees more of the world and tastes every flavor of joy and sorrow.

The Fourth Hokage had died in battle due to the Nine-Tails incident.

This left the entire village leaderless in an instant.

With one foot already in the grave, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no choice but to step out and take on the position of Hokage once again.

The village's affairs, both large and small, required attention from every angle.

It was mentally exhausting.

When Naruto spoke of his own background, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt there was no need for him to continue as Hokage.

Because he had failed Minato Namikaze and his wife!!!

When he died and went to the afterlife, he wouldn't know what expression to wear when facing them.

They entrusted their child to your care, and this is how you looked after him?

Hiruzen Sarutobi had nightmares from time to time.

Sigh... it is a long story...

"Naruto, is there anything you want?"

"Speak your mind. Whatever can be done, Konoha will do its utmost to compensate you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a deep sigh.

His hair was gray, and his aged face was full of wrinkles.

How many more years he had left was an unknown.

He wanted to compensate this little guy while he was still alive.

When he reached the afterlife, it would count as a decent explanation to Minato Namikaze and his wife.

It wouldn't be quite so shameful.

It was still achievable.

Naruto did not stand on ceremony and stated his demands.

"Grandpa Third, the place I live is not good, and the food is even worse."

"Because I haven't reached the age to become a genin, I cannot take on missions."

"The monthly allowance I receive is pitifully small, and I live on instant noodles almost every day. Sometimes they are even expired, which has led to my malnutrition and stunted growth."

"I want to move to a better house, and I don't want to continue living on unnutritious instant noodles."

Simply put, I want to live well.

Material comforts and financial matters must be enough to satisfy me.

After all, my old man is the Hokage.

The lives of everyone present were saved by my old man.

You all owe me, so you had better pay me back in one way or another.

It's not that Naruto lacks the ability to earn this money.

I'm kidding, the entertainment from my past life is endless.

Most people in this world focus their energy on mastering ninjutsu and completing missions.

Bringing entertainment from my past life here would make a fortune.

At the very least, with my current strength.

I could easily earn money just by taking on a few missions.

But he is disgusted by this bunch of ingrates.

Every single one of them is stingy as hell.

Giving him dirty looks from time to time.

Do they really think they're something special???

Believe it or not, I could blast you all into dust with a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Fortunately, after Naruto said this, the crowd's conscience was pricked.

They looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with expressions of guilt.

Someone in the crowd spoke up, though it was unclear who.

"So the hero's son is treated this poorly... who would dare to be a hero in our village in the future?"

Immediately, the crowd began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

"Isn't that the truth? When I get back, I'm going to tell my son to change professions. Risking your life for the village just to end up like this."

"Yeah... it's terrifying. You never know when you'll kick the bucket on a mission. I've got a wife and kids at home; if the higher-ups don't pay a pension, what's the point of me busting my gut for this village?!"

"Sigh... it's hard to be a good person these days..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face grew darker and darker...

I haven't even died yet.

Could you not whisper so loudly?!!

Besides, I've already realized the gravity of the situation.

Isn't it enough that I'm willing to change?!

Ding-dong, due to the host's excellent performance.
Additionally, the ninjutsu Rasengan has been granted!
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