The footage on the Sky Screen continued. Inside Konoha's Hokage Office, the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.
Having just learned that the Uzumaki Elder had only pretended to let go before turning around to destroy Kumogakure alone and kill the Fifth Raikage, Naruto was utterly speechless and frustrated.
He had genuinely believed that his persuasion had resolved a blood feud and convinced this elder of the Uzumaki clan to abandon his obsession with slaughter.
In the end, the man had been acting from beginning to end.
He had tricked the three of them into leaving simply so he could settle the remaining blood debts alone, without interference.
Naruto clutched the intelligence scroll in his hand, his mouth twitching hard, his face filled with helpless frustration.
"What was that old man's problem..."
"He clearly agreed to let go of his grudges and give up revenge, then went behind our backs and slaughtered his way through all of Kumogakure."
"So the three of us were the only idiots who actually believed him."
Beside him, Sasuke's expression was cold. There was not a trace of surprise in his eyes, only detached clarity as he spoke icily.
"I understand him completely."
"The hatred of having your clan wiped out, the pain of your kin dying horribly-how could a few words make that go away?"
"The Raikage was a descendant of one of the accomplices from back then. His death was no great loss. There was nothing to mourn in the first place."
At this point, Sasuke's gaze sharpened, and his tone grew solemn.
"The most important thing now is to find this Uzumaki elder as soon as possible."
"We can't keep letting him slaughter his way through the villages however he pleases. The Shinobi World has only just regained stability. Its order can't withstand one