Jiraiya's words set off a storm among the crowd.
Unlike Kakashi and Shisui, who held special statuses, Jiraiya was also a disciple of the Third Hokage and the current Fifth Hokage. In a sense, his words represented Konoha's official position.
Taking a deep breath, Jiraiya continued:
"I originally planned to deal with the Sarutobi Clan's rebellion after some time had passed, but I didn't expect Kakashi and Shisui to expose it today. I failed to think this matter through carefully."
"But there is no doubt that the Third Hokage died for Konoha."
Jiraiya's voice was loud enough to spread throughout the Hero Cemetery.
However, no one knew how many people truly believed his words.
After all, people could understand the Third Hokage becoming somewhat indecisive in his old age while serving as Hokage.
But after stepping down and becoming a senior advisor, he had still failed to control even the Sarutobi Clan.
That was no longer mere inaction—it was connivance.
Who could guarantee that the Third Hokage had never entertained thoughts of reclaiming the Hokage position?
After all, following the Nine-Tails Incident, the Third Hokage had not been elected. He had returned as Acting Hokage.
And what the Sarutobi Clan had done was far more serious than what the Uchiha Clan had been accused of.
If everyone followed such an example, wouldn't Konoha's rules become a complete joke?
As doubtful looks spread through the crowd, Jiraiya sighed inwardly.
Once the seeds of suspicion were planted, they were difficult to uproot.
Just as Jiraiya was preparing to explain further and postpone dealing with the Sarutobi Clan until after the funeral, another figure appeared before the coffin.
Seeing Naruto dressed in Uzushio Village's uniform and wearing a black fox mask, Shisui hurriedly shouted:
"Lord Menma, why are you here?"
Lord Menma...
The ninjas present all turned their attention toward Naruto.
Those who already knew Naruto wore faint smiles, anticipating what would happen next.
Meanwhile, the majority were shocked by the title Shisui had used.
Shisui was no ordinary ninja.
He had earned a tremendous reputation during the Third Shinobi War.
Known throughout the world as Shisui of the Body Flicker, he had returned to Konoha and demonstrated the ability to defeat a jonin with a single glance and battle a Tailed Beast alone.
He was undoubtedly a ninja standing at the level of the Five Kage.
Yet such a powerful ninja addressed the Black Fox Ninja as "Lord."
More importantly, the respect in his voice was genuine.
This immediately sparked speculation regarding the Black Fox Ninja's true identity.
The only thing they could confirm was that the Black Fox Ninja was most likely the leader of Uzushio Village.
Naruto nodded slightly before looking toward Jiraiya.
"Lord Hokage, have you overlooked one thing?"
"Besides the Sarutobi Clan, names from the Land of Fire were also involved in the Konoha Crush Plan."
"Even the Daimyō participated in the Konoha Crush Plan. But isn't the Land of Fire supposed to be the village's superior authority?"
"What are you talking about? Konoha and the Land of Fire are equals. Neither side can dominate the other."
"But isn't the Daimyō related to Lady Tsunade? Why would he participate in the Konoha Crush Plan?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's because of the Fifth Hokage's recent reforms. I don't know much about it either."
"..."
The murmurs spreading through the crowd made Jiraiya's expression grow darker and darker.
Naruto's appearance had completely disrupted all his plans.
Could there really be a rift between Konoha and the Land of Fire?
Once other villages learned of such a division, they would undoubtedly begin stirring up trouble along the borders.
Soon, the crowd also noticed Jiraiya's silence.
And silence often implied consent.
That meant Jiraiya had not denied Naruto's claim.
At that moment, Sarutobi Asuma stared at Naruto and said calmly:
"The Sarutobi Clan will accept whatever punishment is appropriate."
"But you should be a traitor just like Uchiha Shisui, shouldn't you?"
After everything that had happened, Asuma had already guessed Naruto's identity and chose to expose it himself.
"So you figured it out."
Naruto raised a hand to his mask and slowly removed it, revealing a young and handsome face.
With a faint chuckle, he said:
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"But I prefer the name Menma. It helps people forget some unpleasant memories."
Blond hair.
Three whisker-like marks on each cheek.
And that cold smile.
Many villagers were instantly reminded of the "demon fox" who had wandered through the village six or seven years ago.
Back then, Naruto had often worn the same cold expression, rarely showing a genuine smile.
Yet after hearing Kakashi reveal the truth behind the Nine-Tails Incident and the so-called demon fox, they suddenly realized something.
Naruto looked strikingly similar to the Fourth Hokage's face carved on the Hokage Monument.
Almost as if they had been molded from the same template.
Kakashi had not lied.
Uzumaki Naruto truly was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
The descendant of a hero.
As for why the hero's son had appeared as part of Uzushio Village's delegation, the villagers immediately blamed the deceased Third Hokage.
It was the Third Hokage's inaction that had driven the hero's child away from Konoha and back to Uzushio Village—the homeland of Lady Kushina.
Seeing the scene unfold before him, Asuma frowned deeply.
He had exposed Naruto's identity because Naruto and the others had damaged his father's reputation and worsened the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Fire.
But events had developed in a completely different direction than he had imagined.
The Sarutobi Clan seemed to have been abandoned altogether.
The entire crowd's attention was now focused solely on Naruto.
The villagers and ninjas gazed at Uzumaki Naruto with guilty smiles.
Many lowered their heads in apology.
Some had already begun thinking about gifts and offerings to express their sincerity.
Partly because they felt guilty for bullying the Fourth Hokage's son.
And partly because they wanted to curry favor with the current Naruto.
Judging by Shisui's attitude and Jiraiya's emphasis on him, Naruto was at least a Five Kage-level ninja.
If such a person truly wanted to cause trouble for them, they had no means of resisting.
Some even began wondering whether Naruto and the others had participated in the Chunin Exams this time because they intended to return to Konoha.
If those people truly returned...
Not only would Konoha's current crisis disappear overnight, but the village might even gain enough strength to expand outward and seek greater benefits.
And if that happened, then the next Hokage could only be Naruto.
After all, could the son of a Hokage truly be called a missing-nin?
At most, he had simply run off to establish a ninja village elsewhere for fun.
Then, after gathering the scattered Uchiha Clan, he could naturally return.
The discussions continued throughout the crowd.
Many people already seemed able to see a bright future ahead.
Sensing the hidden intentions of the villagers and ninjas, Naruto smiled instead of becoming angry.
With a cold snort, he said:
"Have you misunderstood something?"
"Uzushio Village did not come here to join Konoha."
"And I certainly didn't come here to become Hokage."
"Put away those unrealistic fantasies."
"We came here to reclaim what rightfully belongs to us."
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