In the Small Grove.
Naruto explained what had happened to Konoha after their deaths in the briefest terms possible.
The Third Hokage had been surrounded and killed by the Former Kage summoned through Impure World Reincarnation, while Danzo had been slain by Sasuke himself.
Although they had known the outcome beforehand, hearing the news for real now was another matter.
The Six Family Heads all drew sharp breaths.
If Naruto had not approached them back then to discuss this, the legacies of their six families would truly have died out.
Sakumo Hatake had already died for Konoha long ago. Now that Konoha itself had been destroyed, there was no longer any question of betraying the village.
"So Kakashi and the others in the Land of Waves are only now receiving word that Konoha was destroyed?"
Hearing his child's name again, Sakumo Hatake was clearly overwhelmed with guilt.
Back then, he had killed himself at home to defend his honor and dignity, never considering how Kakashi, who had only been around ten, would live afterward.
"That's right, Uncle Sakumo. I chose to bring you back through Impure World Reincarnation now precisely because I wanted you to persuade them."
Naruto looked at them. "Konoha has been destroyed, with even Root uprooted. There's absolutely no chance of rebuilding it. Besides, after all those years, Konoha had long since rotted through. Its destruction was only a matter of time. In the end, you died fighting for Konoha, so you owe it nothing."
His words inevitably reminded everyone of Minato's sacrifice.
"We know."
"Sigh..."
"Don't worry, Naruto. Once you bring them here, we'll help you."
Shikaku assured him, "The younger generation doesn't think like us old-timers. They don't have the same special attachment to the village."
Naruto nodded. "Good. Head back and wait, then. They'll