The Hypocritical You

The matter of the Shimura Clan seemed to have grown wings, quickly reaching the ears of every villager. Everyone learned that the Shimura Clan grounds had been attacked by a bomber.

Many villagers remarked, "That Shimura Clan was far too arrogant. Now they've been retaliated against."

Some villagers began to fear, "Last time, it was the Uchiha Clan that was wiped out. Now it's the Shimura Clan's turn. Konoha isn't safe at all. Should we move somewhere else?"

Before long, many civilians were already considering leaving Konoha. Two major ninja clans had been destroyed within a single week. That was an extremely dangerous omen.

A great many Shimura clansmen had been taken by the explosions, leaving casualties everywhere. The remaining clan members had been settled in the hospital to receive treatment or physical examinations.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage's Office with Konoha's higher-ups. The Third Hokage sat behind the Hokage's desk and began discussing the matter of the Shimura Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, "Konoha's finances are clearly in crisis. I need to make a trip to the Land of Fire and request funds from the daimyo to compensate the Shimura Clan."

Danzo said furiously, "All of Root's ninja tools and equipment were stolen. Konoha must provide Root with five hundred thousand Explosive Tags, another five hundred thousand kunai, and two hundred thousand Soldier Pills."

Hearing Danzo's outrageous demand, Homura Mitokado immediately objected. "The village is already in a financial crisis. The compensation paid to the Uchiha Clan last time cost a great deal. Root still wants so much equipment? The village simply cannot afford it."

Danzo said sternly, "Root is Konoha's darkness. Root ninja protect Konoha from the shadows."

Utatane Koharu immediately objected, saying seriously, "ANBU can protect Konoha as well. Konoha should reduce Root's expenditures."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe and exhaled a ring of smoke. Torn, he said, "Danzo, the expenses for Root's members are enormous. Every year, they consume one-third of Konoha's funds—

The Third Hokage immediately began to reprimand Danzo, saying sternly, "Some ninja clan heads have also reported that their clansmen were forcibly recruited into Root by you and have now vanished without a trace. They hope I will intervene and release their clansmen."

As soon as the Third Hokage finished speaking, the Konoha Elders' faces darkened, each wearing a different expression.

Danzo said gravely, "Their clansmen joined Root to protect Konoha. They should be proud of it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Root's expenses will be reduced by another twenty percent. As for the Shimura Clan's compensation, I will apply to the daimyo for it. You will receive it once the funds arrive."

This was how the Third Hokage suppressed Danzo: first, he seized the moral high ground and berated Danzo, making him obediently become the Pot Kage.

Danzo gritted his teeth and said angrily, "Hiruzen, you will regret this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sternly rebuked him. "Danzo, you have overstepped your bounds. I am the Hokage. Your Root has already exceeded what Konoha can bear."

Danzo glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said furiously, "Hiruzen, indecisive as you are, you are completely unfit for the position of Hokage."

Homura Mitokado immediately spoke up. "Danzo, what are you saying? Hiruzen is the Third Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, "Danzo, your Root has already crushed Konoha. Root's future expenses will be reduced by another twenty percent."

Hearing this, Danzo immediately softened his stance and said firmly, "If Konoha loses Root, there will no longer be shadows in the darkness to protect Konoha."

The Third Hokage looked at Danzo, who had lowered his head, and said seriously, "The Uchiha Clan is a clan that inherited the Will of Fire. They understand the village's difficulties and will offer their assistance."

Hearing this, Danzo thought, Hiruzen, you hypocrite. As expected, you are better suited than I am to lead Root. Those useless Uchiha have so much money—they are simply meat on the chopping block.

Danzo said cruelly, "Those damned Uchiha remnants are wasting such an enormous sum of money. I should kill them all and use those funds to arm Root. That would protect Konoha even better."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly, "Danzo, I warn you not to act recklessly. The Uchiha are companions of our village. You are not permitted to attack them or harm one of Konoha's clans."

Danzo thought, Hiruzen, you hypocrite. You are better suited than I am to lead Root. Then Danzo said, "I will have them die outside the village. It will not affect the village's unity."

Hiruzen rebuked him, "Danzo, don't act recklessly. The Uchiha Clan has no ninja."

Danzo thought, Uchiha Qingcheng is not a ninja and will not accept missions, but Kurenai Yuhi is his lover. If I capture her, Uchiha Qingcheng will walk into my trap himself.

Shimura Danzō wore a sinister expression as he said softly, "Hiruzen, you hypocrite. You are better suited than I am to lead Root. Once I become Hokage, I'll make you Root's leader."

Kakashi arrived at Naruto's door. Seeing that the stairwell and corridor were very clean, with no one deliberately throwing trash outside Naruto's door, a trace of comfort appeared on his face. He thought, Do they hate Naruto not only because he is the demon fox, but also because the Nine-Tails killed the Fourth Hokage?

Naruto's treatment in the village had improved considerably. No one continued to curse him wherever he went. Many people still feared the demon fox, but when they remembered that the Fourth Hokage had made his own child into a vessel to seal the Nine-Tails in order to save the village, they did not dare curse Naruto. They merely kept their distance.

Kakashi knocked on the door and said with a smile, "Naruto, are you asleep? I'm the Fourth Hokage's student. I came to see you."

A yellow figure inside the room swiftly sprang up and threw open the door, shouting excitedly, "You're my dad's student?"

Kakashi said awkwardly, "Sorry. I only came to see you now."

Naruto suddenly remembered something. His excitement turned cold as he said resentfully, "Why did my dad seal the demon fox inside me? That demon fox has made me suffer so much."

Hearing this, Kakashi's face filled with embarrassment. He said nervously, "You'll understand once you grow up." Then he took out a fruit basket and handed it to Naruto. "Don't drink expired milk, and eat less instant ramen."

Naruto said sadly, "They deliberately sold those things to me."

Before Naruto turned ten, the only person he could interact with was the Third Hokage. It was only after learning the Chakra Cultivation Technique that he began pulling pranks around Konoha, all to draw people's attention.

As an ANBU ninja, Kakashi often followed behind Naruto and knew Naruto's predicament very well. He had money but nowhere to spend it, ostracized by every villager.

Only the owner of Ichiraku Ramen did not dislike Naruto and would let him eat ramen.

Most of the time, when Naruto was hungry, he could only secretly catch fish in the river or eat rice mixed with half a bowl of sand.

Thus, hearing those words, Kakashi's face filled with guilt. He said softly, "What do you want to eat? My treat."

At the mention of food, Naruto blurted out, "I want Ichiraku Ramen."

Kakashi nodded and said seriously, "Let's go. Ichiraku Ramen is about to close."

Hearing Kakashi's words, Naruto's face filled with excitement. He shouted joyfully, "Hooray! I can eat Ichiraku Ramen!"