Sasuke keenly sensed that something was wrong. He watched Naruto quietly, waiting for his answer.
After a long silence, Naruto slowly shook his head, his voice low and calm.
"Sasuke, it wasn't because of you."
"This is my own business. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the Uchiha Clan's grudges."
Hearing that answer, Sasuke quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Naruto wasn't targeting the Sarutobi Clan and upsetting Konoha's balance because of him or the Uchiha's old grievances, everything could still be worked out.
Yet the doubts in his heart only grew stronger.
Sasuke frowned and asked again.
"If it wasn't because of me, then why?"
"You were always close to the Third."
"When the Third died back then, you cried so hard. You genuinely saw him as a respected elder, as your grandfather."
"You were full of gratitude and respect for him."
"Why do you now hate his clan so much that you want to wipe them out to the last person?"
Those words seemed to strike the deepest, most untouchable nerve buried in Naruto's heart.
After hearing them, Naruto suddenly let out a low laugh.
There wasn't a trace of warmth in that laughter. It was cold and mocking.
The next second-
BANG!!
A deafening crash erupted inside the office!
Naruto clenched his fist and slammed it viciously into the thick, solid-wood desk!
The entire desk shook violently. Documents and scrolls flew high into the air before scattering across the floor.
His eyes reddened. Years of pent-up anger, resentment, and betrayal erupted all at once!
He spoke through gritted teeth, each word brimming with overwhelming fury.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, that old bastard!!"
His furious roar echoed through the spacious office, making the air hum.
Standing beside him, Sasuke froze completely.
He had never seen Naruto