Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows. It was none other than the Third Hokage himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi!
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was terrifyingly grim, as though water could drip from his face. Clearly, he had also heard Uchiha Yato's earlier insults toward Kakashi Hatake and Jiraiya.
However, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, those insults were not directed at Kakashi and Jiraiya at all. They were aimed straight at him, the so-called "mastermind behind the scenes"!
"Yato-kun has never stood in my position, so you cannot understand how I feel," Hiruzen Sarutobi said helplessly.
"When the Fourth Hokage died, I was deeply saddened as well. After all, he was the Hokage I had personally chosen! But the situation at the time was simply too complicated. I had no choice but to step forward and uphold justice."
He paused before continuing, "If Naruto had truly been recognized as the hero's son, it would likely have caused an enormous uproar. More people would have coveted and endangered Minato's last bloodline."
"I did it to protect him too!"
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's self-justification, a scornful smile appeared at the corner of Uchiha Yato's lips.
"So you and Shimura Danzō planned to turn Naruto into a monster, constantly smearing him while sucking his parents' blood dry?" Uchiha Yato's voice brimmed with anger and mockery.
He stared fixedly at Hiruzen Sarutobi and continued, "Even now, Naruto cannot eat his fill or dress warmly. I refuse to believe Minato did not leave him enough money. So where did Minato's money go?"
As he spoke, Uchiha Yato's piercing gaze swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Kakashi Hatake, making all of them unable to help considering the question.
Jiraiya had not noticed it before, but upon thinking it over carefully now, he indeed realized something was