The Hypocritical You

News of the Shimura Clan spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of every villager. Everyone knew that the Shimura Clan's compound had been attacked by an "explosion culprit."

Many villagers expressed, "That Shimura Clan was too arrogant; now they're getting their just deserts."

A portion of the villagers began to worry, "Last time it was the Uchiha Clan that was wiped out, now it's the Shimura Clan. Konoha isn't safe at all. Should we move somewhere else?"

Consequently, many civilians started considering leaving Konoha. Two major ninja clans wiped out within a week—this was an extremely dangerous omen.

A large number of Shimura clan members were killed or injured by the explosion, with many casualties. The remaining clan members had been settled in the hospital, undergoing treatment or medical examinations.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage's Office with the Konoha higher-ups. The Third Hokage sat at his desk, beginning discussions about the Shimura Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression, "Konoha's finances are clearly in crisis. I need to go to the Land of Fire to request funds from the Daimyo to compensate the Shimura Clan."

Danzo angrily said, "All of our Root ninja tools and equipment have been stolen. Konoha needs to give Root 500,000 Explosive Tags, plus 500,000 kunai, and 200,000 Soldier Pills."

Homura Mitokado, hearing Danzo's outrageous demands, immediately objected. He spoke up, "The village is already in a financial crisis. The compensation for the Uchiha Clan last time already cost a lot. Your Root still needs so much equipment? The village simply doesn't have it."

Danzo stated very seriously, "Root is Konoha's darkness. Konoha is protected in the shadows entirely by Root ninja."

Utatane Koharu immediately countered, saying with a serious expression, "Anbu can also protect Konoha. We should reduce Root's expenses."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, exhaling a smoke ring, and said with great difficulty, "Danzo, the expenses for Root members are very high. They consume one-third of Konoha's funds every year."

The Third Hokage immediately began to reprimand Danzo, saying with a stern expression, "Also, some clan heads have reported that their clan members were forcibly conscripted into Root by you and are now missing. They hope I can intervene and secure their release."

As soon as the Third Hokage finished speaking, the Konoha Elders all looked grim, their expressions varied.

Danzo said very seriously, "Their clan members joined Root to protect Konoha. They should be proud of that."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression, "Root's expenses will be cut by another 20%. I will apply to the Daimyo for the Shimura Clan's compensation. I'll give it to you once the funds arrive."

This was the Third Hokage's method of suppressing Danzo: first find a moral high ground, then reprimand Danzo, making him willingly become the Scapegoat Hokage.

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi sternly rebuked, "Danzo, you've overstepped. I am the Hokage. Your Root has exceeded Konoha's capacity."

Danzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying angrily, "Hiruzen, you're indecisive. You're simply not fit for the position of Hokage."

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi said very seriously, "Danzo, your Root has already overburdened Konoha. Root's expenses will be cut by another 20% from now on."

Hearing this, Danzo immediately softened, saying with a determined expression, "If Konoha loses Root, there will be no more shadows in the darkness to protect Konoha."

The Third Hokage looked at the now-submissive Danzo and said with a serious expression, "The Uchiha Clan inherits the Will of Fire. They understand the village's difficulties and will lend a hand."

Hearing this, Danzo secretly thought, Hiruzen, you hypocrite, you really are more suitable to be the leader of Root than me. Those useless Uchiha have so much money; they're practically meat on a chopping block.

Danzo said cruelly, "Those damned Uchiha remnants, pointlessly wasting such vast sums of money. I should kill them all and use that money to arm Root. That would protect Konoha better."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression, "Danzo, I warn you not to act recklessly. The Uchiha are our comrades in the village. You are not allowed to lay a hand on them, to harm our Konoha clan."

Hearing this, Danzo secretly thought, Hiruzen, you hypocrite, you're more suitable to be the leader of Root than me. Then Danzo spoke again, "I'll make sure they die outside the village. It won't affect the village's unity."

Hiruzen rebuked, "Danzo, don't mess around. The Uchiha Clan has no ninja."

Danzo secretly thought, Uchiha Qingcheng isn't a ninja, he won't accept missions. But his partner is Kurenai Yuhi. Capturing her would make Uchiha Qingcheng walk right into my trap.

Shimura Danzo looked sinister, and quietly said, "Hiruzen, you hypocrite, you're more suitable to be the leader of Root than me. When I become Hokage, I'll let you be the leader of Root."

Kakashi arrived at Naruto's doorstep. Seeing the hallway and corridor were very clean, with no one deliberately throwing trash in front of Naruto's door, a sense of relief instantly appeared on his face. He secretly thought, Do they hate Naruto not just because he's the demon fox, but also because the Nine-Tails killed the Fourth Hokage?

Naruto's treatment in the village had improved significantly. No one continued to curse him wherever he went. A significant number of people were still afraid of the demon fox, but when they remembered that the Fourth Hokage had used his own child as a vessel to seal the Nine-Tails to save the village, they didn't dare to curse Naruto, only retreating from a distance.

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

A yellow figure in the room quickly got up, directly opened the door, and shouted excitedly, "You're my dad's student!"

Kakashi said awkwardly, "I'm sorry it took me so long to come see you."

Naruto suddenly remembered something, his excitement turning into coldness. He said resentfully, "Why did my dad seal the demon fox inside me? This demon fox has caused me so much trouble."

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

Naruto said sadly, "They intentionally sold me those."

Before Naruto was ten, the only person he could interact with was the Third Hokage. Only after learning the Chakra Cultivation Technique did he start playing pranks in Konoha, aiming to get attention from others.

As an Anbu ninja, Kakashi often followed behind Naruto and was well aware of Naruto's plight: he had money but couldn't spend it, and he was ostracized by all the villagers.

Only the owner of Ichiraku Ramen didn't dislike Naruto and would let him eat ramen.

Most of the other times, when Naruto was hungry, he could only secretly catch fish in the river or eat half a bowl of sand-filled rice.

So when Kakashi heard this, his face was filled with shame. He softly said, "What do you want to eat? It's on me."

Hearing "food," Naruto couldn't help but say, "I want to eat Ichiraku Ramen!"

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

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