In the vast conference room, the long and glaring light beam from the single large floor-to-ceiling window cast an obscured glow on the faces of the higher-ups and Clan Heads sitting in reverse light. The floating dust particles in the air were clearly visible, creating a hazy outline of light above the long table.
Naruto's sudden demand, 'kill me', left everyone stunned for a moment.
The sword, lodged in the long conference table, gleamed sharply with half of its blade exposed. Danzo narrowed his eye outside the bandage and looked at Naruto calmly, "Why should I kill you?"
To someone like Danzo, who had spent his entire life lurking in the shadows and had witnessed countless acts of violence, Naruto's bold act was hardly intimidating.
His eye subtly shifted, observing Naruto's expression closely. Disappointment? Anger? There seemed to be none of that, as Naruto's face was devoid of any emotion.
"The sword is already on the table. Whether you kill me now or not, if I die in a few days, it will be linked to you, Danzo-sama." Naruto continued.
"What reason would I have to kill you?" Danzo scoffed coldly, "A Jinchuriki is very important to the village. As a high-ranking official in the village, why would I possibly kill you?"
"Do you think you can avoid the questioning by making a fuss?"
"Reason?" Naruto retorted, "Danzo-sama, you insisted that I released the Biju, but you didn't even ask me the reason or whether I actually did it."
"The Kyubi was released, yet the village wasn't destroyed. Does that make sense?"
"Make sense?" Danzo's voice grew colder, "You released the Biju without authorization. This is an indisputable fact. No matter what you say, the truth cannot be twisted."
"Does the truth really important?" Naruto's voice rose several degrees. In the huge conference room, only he and Danzo were talking, while the others remained silent.
Tsunade didn't say anything, so neither did the others.
"The truth is the fact, and the fact is the truth." Danzo said sternly, "If your academic studies are lacking, I don't mind sending you back to the Academy for remedial classes!"
"Danzo-sama, you don't care about the truth. Everyone knows the village wasn't harmed, but that doesn't concern you. What matters to you is making me admit that the Kyubi was released, so you can gain more power and influence."
Naruto showed no sign of weakness. Even though he couldn't see Danzo's face clearly, it didn't affect his performance at all.
"If you really care about the truth, Danzo-sama, then pick up the sword and stab me. Let the Kyubi come out and tell you whether it emerged on August 24th!"
"Do you know what you're saying now?" Danzo's voice was icy, though he avoided directly addressing Naruto's challenge.
"Of course I know what I'm saying!"
"I'm telling you the Kyubi didn't emerge that day. If you think otherwise, then kill me now and let the Kyubi explain."
"This is just nonsense!" Danzo said with a hint of anger, "This is insubordination. Do you even listen to what you are saying?"
"Uchiha Itachi invaded the village and nearly killed me. Though I was lucky enough to survive, Uchiha Itachi left without any interference. It seems that Danzo-sama's Root and Anbu have no way to deal with Uchiha Itachi."
"The so-called truth is weak, childish, and laughable. Danzo-sama, it sounds like you can't handle external threats, so you're making excuses by turning your blade on your own people!"
"You!" Danzo's face finally showed a flicker of emotion, "I've had enough of your nonsense. Do you expect me to explain everything about the village to you?"
"Danzo-sama, if you're getting too old and confused, and doesn't dare to take action against Uchiha Itachi, then you should just give up your position."
"You don't dare to kill Uchiha Itachi, but I do!"
"What are you afraid of? Or is there something you're concerned about?"
"Enough!" The old woman, Koharu, sharply interrupted Naruto, stepping into the confrontation.
Knock knock.
Tsunade tapped the long table twice, making two dull but firm sounds. She rested her head on one hand, her full red lips slightly parted, and her voice carried an undeniable authority, "Let him speak."
"Godaime! This is a high-level meeting, and he, a Genin, has no right to speak."
"Whether he is just a Genin or not, and whether he has the right to speak, I think everyone here knows the answer." Tsunade's words carried a veiled threat. Her wrist, pale as jade, moved as her narrow eyes scanned the room.
"If he can't speak, then this high-level meeting might as well be dismissed."
"Godaime, this is against the rules." Homura voiced his concern.
The core of the Konoha's higher-ups consisted of two Advisors, Danzo, and Tsunade. Although the Anbu Commander and the other Clan Heads are also considered higher-ups, most of the time, they simply remained silent in their seats.
"Rules?" Tsunade lifted her head, her golden eyes seemingly glowing, "How many people have already broken the rules? If the rules were really useful, why would I be sitting here?"
"Sandaime and Yondaime are always at the mercy of others. What does does Konoha really need? Rules or power?"
"You have too little trust in the younger generation, creating countless rules. So what's up with that brat Uchiha Itachi? If Naruto isn't qualified to speak, then go find a qualified Jinchuriki."
"Go ahead, select a Jinchuriki from the younger members of your clans, and try them one by one."
After the words were spoken, the two Advisors immediately fell silent.
Hashirama's goal was to downplay the concept of clan, leading to the Senju clan members marrying non-clan individuals, changed their surnames, and gave up the talents of the Senju Clan.
The Uchiha, on the other hand, continuously bred a group of power-obsessed individuals.
Now, Konoha had lost both the Senju and Uchiha Clans. The only woman who inherited the talent of the Senju Clan now sat in the Hokage's seat, and her position is unshakable.
Outside the only floor-to-ceiling window in the conference room, the sunlight was bright, and the greenery was lush. The Hokage Rock stood tall on the cliff, with white birds circling into the sky.
The sunlight shines through the Nara Clan's deer farm, the Yamanaka Clan's flower shop thrived within the village, and clans' Shinobi wearing their headbands were bustling around. Konoha's streets remained lively and crowded.
Tsunade withdrew her gaze from the window, her eyes sweeping over the higher-ups like a lioness surveying her territory.
"Now, he has the right to speak."
The two Advisors were also aware of the current situation and did not wish to confront Tsunade head-on. They only wanted to eliminate potential dangers for the village, not to challenge the Hokage. However, the only candidates capable of holding the position of Hokage were Tsunade and Jiraiya, but both of them stood on the side of the Jinchūriki.
Given this, when the two Advisors tried to focus on the issue at hand, Tsunade forced them to take a stand. If they wanted to deal with the situation solely based on the facts, then they might as well let Danzo take over her position.
With Tsunade's signal, Naruto spoke again.
"I am not guilty, nor do I need to be judged by anyone. No one ever asked me if I wanted to become a Jinchuriki. But since I stand in this position, I have to speak the truth."