Shikaku Nara stared at Naruto Uzumaki in shock, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Naruto Uzumaki's identity had been exposed!
Who had told him?
Oh, right. Shihōin Naraku had told Naruto.
Naraku, how could you tell Naruto something like that so casually?
No wonder. No wonder Naraku said Naruto had gone berserk. Of course he had!
Even with his brains, Shikaku could not bear to think about how Naruto would react after learning his identity.
So what exactly was Naraku thinking? Why had he suddenly told him something like this?
Shikaku was certain that Naraku had acted on his own. The Hokage had absolutely given no such order.
What now?
How was he supposed to answer Naruto's questions?
Just as Shikaku was at a loss, Naraku spoke without even raising his head, his face still covered by a book. "That's right. Konoha's Fourth Hokage was your father!"
Naraku's answer did not surprise Naruto.
Before coming to the Hokage's Office, Naruto had already confirmed that Minato Namikaze was the Fourth Hokage!
But hearing Shihōin Naraku say it himself still hurt Naruto deeply.
"You must be wondering why, as the Fourth Hokage, you were isolated and rejected by others from childhood."
"And why the village hid your identity!"
"Right?"
"That's right."
That was the greatest question in Naruto's heart!
He desperately wanted to know the answer!
Whether that answer could convince him or not, he at least had to know why!
Naruto and Shikaku both looked at Naraku, who remained lying down without even taking the book off his face.
Naraku raised a hand and pointed at Shikaku. "I don't know much about that, but Shikamaru's dad knew your father very well. They weren't just comrades, but very close friends too."
"So... ask him!"
Watching Naraku point at him and