Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 78 Multiple Reactions

"This actually happened?!" Such a humiliating compromise was carried out almost entirely in secret, and Konoha would intentionally erase the impact of the incident within a year or two. A certain ninja god who had never lost a battle in his life almost exploded in extreme anger, and even though he managed to hold back, a deep, angry voice echoed in the minds of several people.

"Tsk, look at your good disciples. We don't expect them to avenge their teacher, but surely they don't have to betray their allies to survive?" Izuna's sarcasm followed like a shadow. Even Izuna, who wasn't particularly attached to Konoha, was subtly angered, let alone Hashirama Senju. The Hyuga and Uchiha clans both possessed eye-type bloodline limits, and during the Warring States period, they had reached a tacit understanding of non-conflict due to their shared plight. Now, even the heads of prestigious Konoha clans were being used as bargaining chips; who would dare say such a thing back in the Warring States period?

There's also the Land of Lightning, the Hidden Cloud Village... The Uchiha clan's ancestral home was in the Land of Lightning, but why did they later move their entire clan to the Land of Fire? It's because the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was too greedy! He was greedy, extremely aggressive, and always on guard against the Uchiha! The Uchiha's ancestors realized that even charging into battle carried the risk of being wiped out, which is why they moved to the Land of Fire. In the end, the clan was still wiped out!

Indeed, ninjas are like frogs soaking in lukewarm water, with those who don't consider them their kind never stopping adding fuel to the fire. If they don't jump out of the pot, dying from their sluggishness is their fate.

"...Is Hyuga Hizashi's body still in Kumogakure?" Even the usually calm Tobirama immediately thought of something else. Recently, he had summoned back all the suitable members of the Senju and Uchiha clans; the remaining elderly and weak were not yet suitable to return to the human world. The number of White Zetsu in the Mountain Graveyard would only be a multiple of their current number, so once they conquered Akatsuki, they wouldn't have to worry about a lack of resurrection materials. Therefore, he didn't mind resurrecting another meritorious figure who died under mysterious circumstances.

"Investigate! We must investigate!" Hashirama no longer resists digging up graves; he's even quite adept at it. "Can that seal be broken?"

"Yes, I've researched it." This was the first time Tobirama had spoken so confidently about researching another race's secret techniques. "This child is too young. Wait until he's older before removing the seal; that way, it won't affect his body."

"I'm glad you guys are so enthusiastic, but half of the Hyuga members are sealed. This isn't just about removing one person's seal." Someone still on the field couldn't stand it anymore and interjected, "We'll discuss this in detail after it's over, but Uncle Hizashi can get some help."

"…What are you talking about? Can someone explain?" A questioning voice came from the only one not in Konoha, the nemesis of the clan.

Unlike the atmosphere in the mental space where people were already debating solutions and Hinata Mirai, the audience was more focused on things that concerned them.

"That brat... that's what he actually thinks?"

"Malicious perception? What kind of bizarre ability is this!"

"...You can actually get caught even if you secretly look at him?"

"This fox demon was already this powerful. Lord Hokage shouldn't have let him get away with it in the first place..."

"This child helped me move things before. He's very polite and thoughtful. What a wonderful child!"

"Am I the only one who thinks he looks a bit like that person?"

"Shh, don't make wild guesses about things like that!"

"He's quite capable, being able to hold his own against the geniuses of Hyuga."

"I thought he couldn't win, but I didn't expect..."

The noise at the gathering was mixed; some thought Naruto was great, while others wished for his quick death. Even from the rest room, the sharp-eared ninjas could hear a great deal of conversation. The crowd was clearly divided into two small groups, with the ninja village as the dividing line. However, at this moment, the two groups reached a subtle consensus, both looking up with unfriendly expressions.

The Konoha side's reasoning was obvious. Those present were all Naruto's childhood friends, and Sasuke was so angry he was practically spitting fire, so he simply closed his eyes, choosing to ignore it. The Sunagakure side's reasoning was more peculiar. That day, Gaara went home and immediately fell asleep, startling his older sister, brother, and teacher. Yet, he slept so peacefully, showing no signs of a breakdown. It wasn't until a day later, when Gaara woke up and recounted Naruto's actions, that the two children who had received orders to carry out the Konoha Crush plan, along with the teacher who had devised it, fell silent.

As everyone knows, the Uzumaki clan is renowned for its sealing techniques, and Naruto's surname is Uzumaki. A mere twelve or thirteen-year-old child easily subdued the unruly Shukaku, even adding a seal several times stronger than the Sand Village's sealing techniques. Furthermore, testing revealed that Gaara's sand control abilities remained intact, and were even more precise without Shukaku's interference…

No matter how you look at it, they can't be wrong about conspiracy theories at all!

Maki racked his brains but still couldn't figure out what the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha meant. However, it was clear that their plan to use Shukaku to cause trouble was doomed to fail because the corresponding Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was terrifyingly powerful! He reported the news almost immediately, but the result was still that the plan remained unchanged.

This is understandable, since the investment in the preparation plan is irreversible, and Otogakure cannot allow Sunagakure to manipulate them. But what is strange is that, knowing that Shukaku poses no threat, the Kazekage did not take any other measures.

This is strange; it doesn't fit Lord Rasa's usual behavior. Lord Rasa has rarely appeared lately, not even at pre-battle meetings. These unusual occurrences have made Maki, who was blindly following him, somewhat sober. Perhaps he should leave a way out for Sunagakure. Once Shukaku appears in Konoha, there will only be a fight to the death. Therefore, he specifically instructed the three Sunagakure siblings not to be too harsh on Konoha ninja, to be friendly, and to evacuate immediately if necessary.

No matter how many undercurrents are swirling off the field, they cannot affect the outcome of the battle on the field.

Neji, stunned by Naruto's words, remained silent for a long time before suddenly smiling with relief. He raised his hand and retied his headband, but instead tied it around his neck. This symbol of the ninja had once been used as a fig leaf for powerful clans; now, it should return to its original function.

"Naruto, I'm not as brave as you, but I don't want to be a coward either."

"Back then, when you said your dream was to become Hokage, I scoffed at you in my heart. But I was a cowardly coward back then, which is why I was so certain that the future was unchangeable."

"Thank you, Naruto."

Neji assumed an attack stance once more. This time, he appeared even more unrestrained, and the invisible pressure on his shoulders had vanished.

"You're welcome, Neji."

Naruto chuckled softly. This time, he finally stopped pretending to form that broken hand seal. He used a newly learned Swamp of the Underworld, forcing Neji to use Rotation to deal with it. Then, he used a genjutsu that countered all ninjas who relied on special vision.

"Illusion Technique: Dark Travel Technique"