As Naruto's voice faded, the three Grass Ninja turned pale with fear.
The Grass Ninja Jonin clutched his shattered wrist, not even daring to utter a single threat.
Like stray dogs, they fled miserably into the night.
"Phew…"
Seeing them leave, Naruto withdrew his aura.
He adjusted his glasses and returned to his usual appearance.
"Sorry, I ruined the mood."
Naruto turned around, his tone relaxed, as if he hadn't been on the verge of killing someone just moments ago.
Kakashi looked at Naruto; it was a strange side of him he had never seen before.
But he didn't blame Naruto, nor did he mention any treaties or so-called diplomatic repercussions.
In his creed, those who don't cherish their comrades are worse than scum.
Naruto's methods might have been a bit intense, but his intention was to protect, which suited Kakashi's taste perfectly.
Kakashi sighed.
He stepped forward and patted Naruto's shoulder, breaking the silence.
"Since your stomach is full, go back and rest early."
"The remaining trouble… let your teacher handle it."
Naruto glanced at Kakashi and nodded slightly.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi didn't say much, just waved his hand.
There were no extra words.
At this moment, the master and disciple reached a subtle understanding.
Sasuke stood to the side, watching Naruto's departing back, his hands hanging at his sides clenched tightly…
Back home.
Pushing open the slightly old door, the lights turned on.
Although Naruto's apartment wasn't large and was filled with various scrolls and books, it was full of the breath of life.
Karin stood at the door, feeling a bit lost.
She still couldn't quite believe that she had actually left that hell and had a place to stay in Konoha.
"Come in, it's okay if you don't take off your shoes."
Naruto hung his coat on the rack and pointed to the only single bed by the window.
"You sleep in the bed tonight; I'll sleep on the sofa."
Karin walked into the room, her body still somewhat tense.
"Um… is there anything you need me to do?"
She asked timidly.
"Like cleaning, or…"
She raised her arm again, "Do you want to bite me again?"
Having never been treated with kindness, she really didn't know how to demonstrate her value.
Naruto's movements paused.
"Listen, Karin."
Naruto looked into her eyes, his tone calm and serious.
"There is only one thing you need to do now."
Karin froze for a moment, "W-what?"
"Live."
Naruto turned to tidy the sofa, "Live well, live for yourself."
Karin stood still, staring blankly at his back.
Her eyes gradually reddened, and tears streamed down her face.
On this ordinary night, she felt the dignity of being a "human" for the first time…
The next morning.
Several Anbu sealed off an inconspicuous small hotel.
Inside the room, three corpses lay on the floor; one of them had a twisted hand wrapped in white gauze.
They were the Grass Ninja who had provoked them on the street yesterday.
Their deaths were gruesome, their faces purple, and their bodies emitted a sweet and fishy stench.
These people had clearly died from a potent poison, dying suddenly.
"The time of death was late last night."
An Anbu wearing a mask finished examining the bodies and stood up to report.
"The cause of death is snake venom, and… there are no signs of a struggle at the scene; they were all killed with a single blow."
The Anbu captain in charge of the investigation had a grim expression.
If they had died in the Forest of Death,
it would have been chalked up to a lack of skill; they would just be dead.
But now, as envoys of an allied nation, they had died in a Konoha hotel.
Moreover… snake venom, one-hit kills, and a conflict with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki last night… It seemed all clues, as if deliberately arranged, pointed to that name…
The Hokage Building.
"Dead?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report in his hand, his brow furrowed.
"Hmph."
Danzo stood before the desk; although his tone remained cold, a flicker of excitement gleamed in his eyes.
"Last night, Uzumaki Naruto publicly threatened to kill them on the street."
"As a result, just a few hours later, these three died of poisoning in their hotel…"
Danzo's cane struck the floor heavily, making a dull thud.
"Hiruzen, does this even need investigating? This is blatant retaliation!"
"Perhaps Orochimaru did it…"
The Third Hokage felt his throat go dry and managed a weak defense.
The report indicated snake venom, clearly Orochimaru's method.
"Is there a difference?"
Danzo sneered, pressing further.
"Why would Orochimaru kill a few insignificant Grass Ninja? Was he instructed by someone? Or was he venting someone's anger?"
"Uzumaki Naruto has a Cursed Seal, and the people he clashed with died of snake venom that very night."
"This shows that there is a connection between him and the fugitive Orochimaru that we don't know about!"
Danzo paused, then continued.
"That brat has already begun to kill innocents for his own selfish desires!"
"Today he kills Grass Ninja; will it be Konoha Ninja next time?"
"And the time after that… will it be you?"
The Third fell silent.
Naruto… could it really be you?
After a long silence.
The Third closed his eyes and waved his hand weakly.
"…I see."
"Men, summon Naruto."
…
Knock knock knock.
An urgent knocking sounded.
Naruto opened the door to find Kakashi standing there with a solemn expression.
"Naruto, those Grass Ninja from last night are dead."
Hearing this, Naruto's pupils contracted slightly.
"Dead?"
He was somewhat surprised.
But in an instant, Orochimaru's figure appeared in Naruto's mind.
Could it be him…
Kakashi looked at him deeply.
Although reason told him there were many suspicious points and all evidence was extremely unfavorable to Naruto,
in the end, he decided to believe in his student and continued.
"Since you didn't do it… that's good."
Kakashi lowered his voice, hinting meaningfully.
"However, be careful during this time…"
He didn't say more, just gave a subtle look.
Naruto adjusted his glasses calmly, his perception extending in the direction Kakashi indicated.
Behind utility poles, in the shadows of eaves, through window cracks… several cold gazes were locked onto him.
"Is this your response?"
Naruto sneered inwardly.
Because a few bugs died, have you finally torn off your mask of hypocrisy and started treating me like a criminal?
But Naruto's expression didn't change on the surface.
He just nodded slightly to show he understood.
Swoosh.
Just then, an Anbu wearing an animal mask flickered into existence before Kakashi and Naruto.
In a cold, businesslike tone, he said:
"Uzumaki Naruto, Lord Third summons you. Report to the Hokage Building immediately."
After speaking, the Anbu vanished instantly, leaving Naruto no room to refuse.