The plan to destroy many buildings in Konoha resulted in numerous villagers being displaced.
They were filled with resentment and anger.
Everything that happened in the arena couldn't be concealed, and it quickly spread throughout the village.
It turns out...
Uzumaki Naruto is the Yondaime Hokage's son, the hero's child who sealed the Kyubi.
And the Sandaime Hokage, in order to secure his position as Hokage, pushed Naruto, who had the potential to surpass even Kage-level shinobi, to oppose Konoha.
Even the deaths and defections of the former Kage were influenced by the Sandaime Hokage.
The villagers were immediately filled with anger.
They never expected that the Sandaime Hokage, who always spoke of the Will of Fire, would be such a person.
They gathered in front of the Hokage Tower, demanding an explanation from the Sandaime Hokage.
Even many shinobi were left confused and disheartened by these events.
Inside the Hokage's office...
The Sandaime Hokage slumped in his chair with a tired expression.
This Hokage, who held a high position, seemed to have aged ten years overnight.
"Hiruzen, the village has a lot of grievances against you now," Danzo frowned.
But inside, he was delighted.
"I know, I will step down," the Sandaime Hokage rubbed his temples and said in a low voice.
"Well, the position of the Godaime Hokage needs to be carefully considered. We need someone with both reputation and strength," Danzo nodded.
"I already have someone in mind," the Sandaime Hokage glanced at Danzo and naturally knew what his partner was thinking.
"I've decided to appoint Tsunade as the successor," the Sandaime Hokage said.
"Farewell, old man. I'm not interested in all of this," Jiraiya bluntly refused.
"Then let's find Tsunade."
After the events of yesterday, Jiraiya was also somewhat dissatisfied with the Sandaime Hokage.
The complete corruption of Naruto from the other world was directly caused by the higher-ups of Konoha.
Recalling the prophecy given by the Toad Sage earlier, Jiraiya could roughly determine.
Naruto might be the Child of Prophecy.
He just didn't know what had happened to Naruto that led him to become an enemy of Konoha.
The darkness within Konoha caused the departure and defection of the three legendary Sannin. Now, it seemed that even the Yondaime Hokage's son couldn't be retained.
After a brief discussion, the topic shifted to Uzumaki Naruto.
"Let's hand Uzumaki Naruto over to Root. I will train him into a weapon of war," Danzo proposed first.
"Impossible!!!" Jiraiya glared angrily. "He is my student."
"So what?" Danzo sneered.
"I believe you all heard what Naruto said. There is an unknown power within them that affects their judgment. The reason that Naruto turned into that state is because the power within him disappeared. Now, if the power within Uzumaki Naruto is taken away, he may also hold resentment towards Konoha. All I did was protect Konoha," Jiraiya spoke in a low voice.
"Uzumaki Naruto is my disciple, I understand his character!" Jiraiya said, unwilling to back down.
He also understood everything that happened yesterday.
Naruto took away the power from Uzumaki Naruto, but he didn't harm anyone else and left.
For Konoha, this was already a very good outcome.
He didn't believe that Uzumaki Naruto would become as cold-blooded and ruthless as Naruto.
The few of them argued incessantly about Uzumaki Naruto.
Until an ANBU ninja informed the Sandaime Hokage of the latest intelligence.
The Sandaime Hokage's face immediately turned cold, his voice heavy.
"Uzumaki Naruto has already been affected."
Upon learning the details from the ANBU, the atmosphere in the Hokage's office fell into an eerie silence.
If what the ANBU said was true, the moment Uzumaki Naruto felt humiliated by the villagers, he harbored a trace of killing intent.
That meant everything Naruto said was true.
The power within Uzumaki Naruto does indeed affect his thinking.
This made the previously hopeful Sandaime Hokage and Jiraiya feel a heavy burden in their hearts.
Konoha couldn't afford to suffer a second onslaught from another Naruto.
"Hand him over to Root. It's the only way," Danzo sighed, though inside, he was delighted.
He had been wanting Uzumaki Naruto for a long time, but each time, the Sandaime Hokage used his position as Hokage to suppress him.
Now, he had finally caught the opportunity.
The Sandaime Hokage and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, seeing the heaviness in each other's eyes.
As a Jinchuriki of the Kyubi, Uzumaki Naruto was equivalent to several Kage-level shinobi.
There couldn't be any accidents or rebellious intentions.
The Sandaime Hokage said in a deep voice, "I've watched Uzumaki Naruto grow up all the way. I don't believe that losing that power will turn him into someone like Naruto. He is the son of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, he must have inherited Minato's kindness."
"Kindness? He harbored killing intent. Hiruzen, why are you always so easily swayed?" Danzo immediately mocked.
This time, the Sandaime Hokage didn't refute Danzo. He furrowed his brows, his eyes flickering constantly.
As someone who became Hokage, he was naturally not a truly benevolent person. When it came to those who posed a threat to Konoha, he never showed mercy.
Naruto's talent was a double-edged sword.
Used properly, he would be Konoha's most powerful weapon. Used improperly, Konoha might face its ultimate destruction.
The Sandaime Hokage had always been aware of Danzo's ambition. If Naruto were to be controlled by him and the Kyubi, it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing for Konoha.
But...
Apart from Root, there might not be any other way to resolve the situation.
The Sandaime Hokage weighed the power and the fate of Konoha, sighed, and looked at Jiraiya.
Looking forward to Jiraiya making some useful remarks, Feeling the gaze upon himself, Jiraiya becomes quite uneasy.
After Orochimaru's defection, he started to avoid it all, leaving Konoha and distancing himself from its conflicts.
He even refrained from thinking about his student's son, Uzumaki Naruto. On one hand, he felt sorrow for Orochimaru and wanted to hold onto him. On the other hand, he developed a strong disappointment towards the higher-ups of Konoha.
However, the Sandaime Hokage was his master, and Konoha was his home. He couldn't bring himself to make a heartless decision, so he ended up leaving.
Now, he is faced with a choice once again. Should he remain a bystander for the sake of Konoha, or should he stand up against the higher-ups for his student, Uzumaki Naruto? Various memories of his time spent with Naruto come to mind for Jiraiya.
He remembers teaching the carefree Naruto ninjutsu, eating ramen together, and enjoying ice cream. He even wanted to take him to appreciate art, but Naruto's sexy jutsu put an end to that idea.
These beautiful memories cause a smile to involuntarily appear on Jiraiya's face. His gaze gradually becomes determined, and his voice resounds powerfully: "I believe in Naruto. His bonds with his comrades and with Konoha won't be altered by some mysterious power. Perhaps he may indeed harbor resentment, but I still believe in the Naruto I know. Please have faith in him!"
"If I'm not mistaken, the higher-ups in Konoha are currently debating whether to send you to Root for complete brainwashing,"
Naruto lightly laughs within the seal space.
"Brainwashing?!" Naruto's eyes turn cold, deepening his disgust for Konoha's higher-ups.
But despite the bonds he has formed with Jiraiya, he still chooses to stand on Konoha's side and protect it. He takes a deep breath and says, "I believe that Jiraiya-sensei will do something."
"With Jiraiya's personality, he will take you away from Konoha and embark on long-term training on Mount Myoboku until you completely let go of the hatred in your heart. Only then will he allow you to return to Konoha,"
Naruto responds with a light laugh, his eyes filled with playfulness.
"I won't influence your decision, but I have confidence that the future you will follow the same path as mine."
"You will discover that Konoha is actually a cage that traps you."