Still, it had to be said that most of those present could accept that reason. Even Kakashi thought Naruto's words made sense and were heartwarming.
Some members of the Konoha High Command standing at the front might have thought Naruto was being a little unruly, but they could hardly say anything now.
After all, they knew perfectly well why Shisui Uchiha didn't have a single clansman left to offer him flowers. Objecting now would only invite trouble.
The Third, in particular, looked deeply moved by Naruto's "heartfelt words" and naturally allowed him to offer flowers in place of Shisui's family.
He wanted nothing more than for Naruto to see himself as "family to everyone in Konoha"!
And so, Naruto made his way to the Coffin without any trouble. As he bent down to lay the flowers, he finally got a clear look at the person inside.
At the same moment, the Nine-Tails recognized him at a glance. He was indeed the other Akatsuki member who had stopped him on the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
He was Konoha's undercover agent in the Akatsuki? There was someone besides Uchiha Itachi? He's dead? Did I only not know about this in my previous life because Naruto's clearance wasn't high enough?
Naruto instinctively extended his senses. Any malice or hostility would have been impossible to hide from that perception.
But Shisui Uchiha, lying in the Coffin before him, gave off no presence at all.
After discreetly leaving a Flying Thunder God Mark on Shisui's body, Naruto straightened. His part in the ceremony was over, but he paused for a moment, looking at the young man lying peacefully with his eyes closed.
Then he suddenly bowed deeply once more.
"Though I never knew you, and only just learned what you did, thank you