The two dull thuds were the sounds of Root ninjas being taken down before they even had time to react.
Theoretically impossible... unless facing the Kyūbi's Jinchūriki.
While Hinata and the others stood frozen, Naruto walked in casually.
— Naruto...
Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, saw him and hesitated for a moment.
Contrary to what one might believe, Naruto wasn't under the Hyūga's control.
His relaxed gait proved he was acting of his own free will.
— Hokage-jii-san, it's been a while!
Naruto greeted Hiruzen warmly, knowing exactly how to win him over.
The old man visibly relaxed.
— Naruto, are you alright?
— Yeah.
Naruto played his role perfectly.
— The Hyūga treated me super well... lots of good food, new clothes for New Year's...
His innocent words cleared the clan of all suspicion.
Hiruzen smiled, casting a triumphant glance at his colleagues.
"See? The Hyūga are loyal!"
While talking, Naruto stepped into the center of the room.
Then his smile faded.
Hiruzen understood immediately.
So did Koharu. With a gesture, she had the unrelated people escorted out.
"None of these leaders are stupid..."
— Let's go.
Hizashi led Hinata and the others away.
Still in shock, Hinata looked back one last time.
In the doorway, she saw Naruto laughing with the four elders as if they were old friends.
At that moment, she realized just how wrong she had been.
Naruto Uzumaki... wasn't someone she could afford to offend.
— Naruto-kun... she murmured, worried.
— Don't worry, Hinata-sama.
Hizashi bowed slightly.
— Naruto is no ordinary child. The Hokage won't harm him.
Hinata looked up at him.
His face, so similar to her father's, seemed less stern than usual.
"Is it an illusion... or did Naruto's arrival brighten his mood?"
---
Chapter 29: On Your Knees! He Must Kneel!
— CLACK.
The door shut completely.
A heavy silence fell in the reception hall.
The four elders — Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzō Shimura — wore varied expressions.
Meanwhile, the Hyūga elder, Hiashi, and Tsukiyo didn't hide their relief.
Everyone present was an eminent figure — the only ones Naruto could speak the truth to.
— Naruto Uzumaki, do you have something to say?
Koharu, the most impulsive, was the first to speak.
Just like in the original story, she had been the first to call for the extermination of the Uchiha, even before Danzō or Hiruzen.
— Granny Koharu...
Koharu: "..."
With his very first line, Naruto stabbed her in the heart.
But it didn't matter. After all, she was an old lady.
"No need to get angry... He's the Fourth's son, after all. Let's give him this favor, for Minato..."
The three other elders listened carefully, curious to hear what Naruto would say.
In any case, the Hyūga couldn't escape.
— That night, I came for Hinata's birthday...
Everyone knew the Hyūga hadn't attended the official festivities that day, preferring to celebrate their heiress's birthday.
— After the party, everyone went to bed, and so did I. But on my way back, I ran into some really nice guys. They wanted to invite me to Kumo. I told them it was late, maybe tomorrow...
The four elders: "..."
Kyūbi: "..."
— But they insisted so much that I ended up agreeing to go with them...
Naruto delivered nonsense without blinking.
Danzō didn't believe a word.
"This kid... is a real little demon."
As an old fox, he recognized another fox immediately.
But, being a master of deception, he didn't flinch.
— Then why are you still here? he asked calmly.
— Because I saw their leader inviting Hinata too! I think they didn't want me to feel alone over there, so they thought of her. Really, they were too nice!
Naruto rubbed his chin, looking innocent.
— Enough!
Koharu stood up abruptly.
Even though Naruto was talking nonsense, the subtext was clear.
— Those Kumo dogs didn't just want the Byakugan... They also tried to kidnap our Jinchūriki!
That changed everything.
The Hyūga? Dispensable.
Hiashi? Hizashi? Whatever.
But the Kyūbi's Jinchūriki? Never.
Especially after the kidnapping of Kushina...
The Hyūga, initially confused, slowly understood Naruto's ploy.
By taking full responsibility, he cleared them of all suspicion.
A wave of immense relief washed over them.
Hiruzen and Homura exchanged approving looks.
But Danzō wasn't about to give up so easily.
— Naruto, tell me... Who killed those eight Kumo ninjas?
— Kyūbi did.
Naruto answered without hesitation.
Kyūbi: "..."
"Me, a future role-model Hokage, I can't have blood on my hands. I didn't kill them — the demon did!"
Just like in the original story, where Kakashi landed the final blow on Kakuzu... after Naruto had already turned him into a wreck.
— You're the one who killed them with your own hands.
Danzō wouldn't be fooled.
If he could prove Naruto was a murderer, he could remove him from Hiruzen's protection.
— You want me to take your place?
Naruto acted like he just realized something.
"Maybe this old man secretly likes me..."
— But I'll have to wait until I'm a bit older...
He blushed, embarrassed.
Danzō: "..."
Kyūbi: "Naruto... You've got no shame!"
The fox wished he could cover his ears.
Alas, no hands.
— No, Kyūbi, I'm really pure as crystal.