A year had passed since the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident.
During this year, Konoha had gradually recovered its vitality, and under the leadership of Minato Namikaze, Konoha was developing very well.
However, where there is joy, there is sorrow.
Minato Namikaze and his group were happy, but Danzo was not.
Because the better Minato Namikaze performed as Hokage, the slimmer Danzo's chances became, making it very difficult for him to ever have a chance to shine.
After all, Danzo's age was a factor; Minato Namikaze could simply outlive him.
Although it seemed like there was no opportunity at the moment, Danzo was best at creating opportunities.
Danzo summoned his trusted subordinate, Ryuma Aburame.
Danzo said to Ryuma Aburame, "The time is right. They have spent so long investigating the cause of the leak regarding that day's events without success, so they probably won't waste any more manpower or resources on it. Next, I need you to do something."
"Secretly spread the word that Fourth Hokage's son, Uzumaki Naruto, is the incarnation of the Nine-Tailed. Stir up the villagers' fear and hatred toward Uzumaki Naruto; we cannot let Minato Namikaze have such an easy time."
Ryuma Aburame accepted Danzo's order: "Yes!"
Danzo continued, "How are those Uchiha doing now?"
"They have already been driven to the outermost area and isolated."
"Keep a constant watch on them. If they have any unusual movements, report to me immediately."
"I understand! Danzo-sama!"
After Ryuma Aburame left, a cold sneer curled up on the corner of Danzo's mouth.
"I still have to rely on the Uchiha. This group of Uchiha hates Fugaku, and they also hate Minato Namikaze; they are very useful."
...
At this moment, Shen Dai was conducting research in the workshop inside his shop.
What he was researching, naturally, was the upgrade of puppets.
Shen Dai wanted to make the puppets more intelligent; besides providing companionship and emotional value, they had to be proficient in everything from cooking to cleaning.
However, although it sounded quite simple, it was actually quite difficult to implement.
The puppets' drive systems, sensors, recognition systems, and so on, all required iterative research and development from Shen Dai.
Besides these, Shen Dai was also updating the combat system of Kannazuki and researching Scientific Ninja Tool.
Shen Dai really liked this feeling of focused, single-minded research; it brought a state of pleasure and relaxation.
Meanwhile, in the shop, Uchiha Hikari sat with her legs crossed, holding a book and reading.
She didn't need to worry about anything in the shop; if a customer came, Uchiha Hikari usually only needed to say two things.
"Sit down, fill out the form, and then pay the deposit."
"Come back in five days to pick up the puppet."
As for other matters, Shen Dai's worker puppets would complete them themselves; it was very comfortable.
Therefore, Uchiha Hikari had taken a liking to reading, and right now she was reading "The Pros and Cons of the Transition from the Ninja Clan System to the Ninja Village System."
Shen Dai could not understand this and was very worried that Uchiha Hikari would become a stiff bookworm.
So, a couple of days ago, Shen Dai secretly swapped her book with Jiraiya's newly released book, "make-out paradise."
However, the result was predictable; Shen Dai never dared to do it again.
"Ding-a-ling..."
The wall clock rang, and Uchiha Hikari decisively closed the book, got up, and walked into Shen Dai's workshop, preparing to tell Shen Dai to finish work so they could go find Pakura and then go home together.
When she saw Shen Dai's two hands placed on indescribable parts of the puppet's body, Uchiha Hikari's gaze turned into one looking at trash.
"Pervert, it's time to get off work and go home!"
Shen Dai felt a heart spasm and retorted irritably, "What pervert? Can't your mind be a little less dirty!"
Uchiha Hikari snorted twice, "With you acting like that, what do you expect me to think?"
Shen Dai looked at his own hands; it did seem indeed easy to misunderstand.
After letting go, Shen Dai argued, "I was just checking to see if there were any issues; I am not a pervert!"
Shen Dai took off his work clothes and said, "Alright, let's go find Pakura."
Shen Dai and Uchiha Hikari closed the shop and went to the handicraft shop to find Pakura.
Pakura was also ready to get off work. Seeing Shen Dai and Uchiha Hikari come to pick her up, she walked over directly and said with a smile, "Let's go, time to go home."
The three of them walked down the street, chatting and laughing.
Suddenly, some comments from the side of the street caught the attention of the three of them.
"Hey, have you heard? About that child of Hokage-sama."
"Of course I've heard. I really didn't expect him to be the incarnation of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox."
"So you're saying, that demon fox was adopted by Hokage-sama?"
"Probably. It's impossible for him to have given birth to a demon fox. Hokage-sama must have done it to personally keep watch over the demon fox."
"It's truly terrifying. Why didn't he just finish him off?"
"Yeah, what if there's another Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident? It's only been a year."
Hearing these discussions, the expressions of Shen Dai, Pakura, and Uchiha Hikari immediately turned serious.
After the three of them exchanged glances, they hurriedly walked toward their home.
Just as they entered Minato Namikaze's house, they heard Kushina Uzumaki say angrily, "It's truly hateful! Those guys are actually saying Naruto is the incarnation of the demon fox. I went to confront them, and they actually wouldn't admit it! It makes me so mad!"
Minato Namikaze was comforting Kushina Uzumaki.
Shen Dai asked confusedly, "Minato-sama, how did this matter get leaked?"
Minato Namikaze shook his head, "I'm not too sure either; it seems to have spread suddenly."
Uchiha Hikari speculated, "It spread suddenly, which means someone deliberately spread it. It looks like it's targeting you, Fourth Hokage."
Pakura frowned and agreed, "That's right. Because we also heard it on the street just now, saying that Naruto is the incarnation of the Nine-Tailed and that you, Minato-sama, adopted him for the purpose of keeping watch over Naruto. Targeting Naruto has no meaning for the other party, so it can only be targeting you."
Kushina Uzumaki was so angry that her hair started floating up, and she was waving a spatula in her hand, "Bullshit! I carried Naruto for ten months and gave birth to him; they are the ones who are adopted!"
Minato Namikaze continued to comfort Kushina Uzumaki.
Shen Dai asked, "Minato-sama, what do you plan to do next?"
Minato Namikaze replied, "Naruto's identity has been leaked. Now we can only investigate first, and then discuss with Sandaime and the others how to properly resolve this matter. Kushina, I will handle this matter well."
Kushina Uzumaki said viciously, "You must catch that guy who is spreading rumors. I want to land a heavy punch right on his face!"
Little Naruto had already crawled to Shen Dai's feet and grabbed Shen Dai's pant leg.
Little Naruto, who could already speak, said to Shen Dai very cutely, "Hug~"
Shen Dai picked up little Naruto and rubbed his face against little Naruto's cheek, "Don't worry, before you grow up, your big brother will protect you first; then you can protect me later!"
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