"It's you!"
Naruto screamed at the top of his lungs. "Bring Sasuke back! He has the Will of Fire! Because of you, he's become a rogue ninja! You jerk, jerk, jerk!"
"Haha!"
Itsuki Uchiha burst into laughter, stepping closer and locking eyes with Naruto.
"Little Naruto," he said with a sinister smirk, "do you know who your father is?"
His voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of thunder to the Konoha villagers. The words struck like a hammer, leaving everyone stunned and dizzy.
"Uchiha Itsuki!" the Third Hokage shouted in alarm.
"Whoosh!"
Countless shinobi sprang into action. Secret jutsu users, including Shikaku Nara, unleashed their techniques. The Shadow Imitation Jutsu bound Naruto tightly, though they took care not to harm him.
*Swoosh!*
With effortless grace, Itsuki used the Flying Thunder God Technique to evade every attack.
"Relax, everyone," he said with a chilling smile. "Don't forget—I'm not just a Flying Thunder God user. I'm also a sensory ninja and a medical ninja. And let me remind you—I know all of you."
He let the words hang in the air before adding, "I know all of your jutsu."
*Swoosh!*
In an instant, a kunai rested against Naruto's neck. Itsuki's expression remained smug as he surveyed the crowd.
The attacks ceased immediately.
Itsuki leaned closer to Naruto and spoke softly, "Do you see that? The moment I mentioned your father, they all lost it. They attacked me like their lives depended on it. But do you know why, Naruto?"
Naruto's eyes widened as he scanned the faces of the Konoha shinobi. These were the same people who had once scorned him. Now, their faces were filled with desperation.
Why?
"Naruto!"
A familiar voice called out.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Itsuki grinned mockingly at Iruka as he approached. "Well, if it isn't the great teacher of the ninja world. Hello, Iruka-sensei. Care to enlighten Naruto? Tell him—who are his parents?"
Naruto froze at the question, his anger forgotten.
*Iruka-sensei knows who my parents are? Who are they?*
His heart raced with anticipation.
Iruka hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Naruto, listen to me..."
Itsuki interrupted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why so hesitant? Are his parents so terrible that you're afraid to say it?"
"I..." Iruka faltered.
"Itsuki!" the Third Hokage barked. "Naruto sees you as a father figure, someone incredibly important to him!"
Itsuki turned his sharp gaze to Iruka. "If that's true, then you owe him the truth. Tell Naruto—tell him that he's the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. Tell him if he's a hero or not. Tell him whether his parents were heroes!"
Naruto's chest tightened as he stared at Iruka. The weight of Itsuki's words pressed heavily on his young heart.
"Iruka-sensei, can't you tell me?" Naruto asked softly, his voice trembling.
Itsuki smirked. "If you won't say it, then I will!"
"Uchiha Itsuki!"
The Third Hokage's roar cut through the tension. His face was a mixture of fury and fear.
Half of Konoha was already in ruins, and Itsuki seemed intent on delivering the final blow.
Years ago, the Third Hokage had deliberately arranged for Iruka to bond with Naruto, hoping to give the boy someone to rely on.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had long suspected Itsuki's interest in Naruto, even though there was no solid evidence.
His paranoia wasn't misplaced. Itsuki had always kept an eye on the boy. But contrary to the Hokage's fears, Itsuki's initial interest had been innocent curiosity—he'd been excited to meet someone straight out of the stories he loved.
At one point, he'd almost asked for an autograph!
"Naruto..."
Suddenly, a barrage of white threads shot toward Itsuki like blades.
Caught off guard, Itsuki released Naruto and leaped back.
"Kill!"
With Naruto free, the Konoha shinobi launched a furious counterattack. Their rage was palpable, their attacks relentless.
*Crackle!*
*Boom!*
A colossal Susanoo materialized, shielding Itsuki from the onslaught.
Itsuki's eyes narrowed as he focused on the origin of the threads.
"Jiraiya!"
The toad sage stood tall, his hair bristling like sharpened weapons.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you're not holding back, huh?" Itsuki sneered.
Jiraiya's face was grim. "Itsuki, this has gone far enough."
"Far enough?" Itsuki laughed bitterly. "Can you say that with a clear conscience? Can you say that to Minato's face? Minato respected you—he idolized you."
Jiraiya faltered, his gaze flickering to Naruto. Their eyes met, and both were momentarily stunned.
"Enough!" Itsuki formed a series of hand seals. "I'll be back to play another day."
He cast one last glance at Naruto before disappearing.
Relief washed over the crowd as Itsuki left without further incident.
But not everyone was reassured.
Amid the wreckage, Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination. He had seen and heard enough.
Iruka noticed the change in Naruto but said nothing.
Jiraiya stood beside the Third Hokage, surveying the ruins of Konoha.
He sighed deeply. "How did it come to this?"
"Sensory ninja!" the Third Hokage suddenly shouted, his voice shrill.
Even Jiraiya flinched at the sound.
"What the heck?" Jiraiya muttered.
Hiruzen cleared his throat, embarrassed. "Ahem, my apologies. My throat's a little sore—thanks to Uchiha Itsuki. Sensory ninja, check if he's truly gone."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The sensory ninjas complied, though they shared a look of exasperation.
Would it even work?
Itsuki was a Flying Thunder God user. He could vanish one moment and reappear the next.
After a tense moment, the sensory ninja reported, "We can't detect him. It seems he's gone. But, Lord Hokage, given his technique—"
"I know," Hiruzen interrupted. "Stay alert anyway."
The sensory ninjas exchanged glances.
"Stay alert?" one muttered under his breath. "More like busywork."
The group dispersed, leaving the Hokage and Jiraiya in the ruined village.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of bright, determined eyes watched from the shadows.
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