Chapter 16 : Sarutobi Hiruzen

"Ah~"

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out an inward sigh.

Upon discovering that Gold List was communicating with people across the world and the Pure Land, he had a feeling that things could not remain hidden.

The central issue was Naruto, as it involved the legendary Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Minato Namikaze.

They had claimed that concealing Naruto's true identity was due to the fact that Minato Namikaze had amassed numerous enemies, and they feared those enemies might seek revenge on Naruto.

But really, in the world of shinobi, who didn't have their share of adversaries and foes?

If someone genuinely wished to target the descendants of the Fourth Hokage, protected under the shelter of Konoha, then the village itself needn't exist.

What about Third Hokage's own grandson, Konohamaru? Wasn't he living unharmed?

The argument of safeguarding a Jinchuriki, as Mitokado Homura had put forth, was pure nonsense.

Except for Naruto himself, who within the entirety of Konoha was unaware that he was the vessel of the Nine-Tails?

In private, they might have tried to deceive Minato and Kushina with such explanations, but on the world stage, where shinobi from all corners gathered, this tale was just a face-saving measure, an attempt to save face only to have it smacked.

With the political acumen of Hiruzen Sarutobi, how could he not have foreseen this?

From the very start, he had not intended to provide justification for this truth.

Originally, he had hoped that this matter would gradually come to light, perhaps even finding a way to manipulate Danzo into shouldering the blame willingly.

But the time for that wasn't now.

Thankfully, the Golden List had speech restrictions. There weren't many voices from Konoha that could be heard. He trusted that the situation was under control.

"This matter falls on me."

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to hear what Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, his two advisors, had to say.

But he couldn't allow them to continue anymore, so he hastened to halt their speech.

Rising from his seat, he approached Naruto, positioning himself within Gold List's live broadcast frame.

"Firstly, I must offer my apologies to Kushina and Minato."

With a deep bow, Sarutobi Hiruzen extended his regrets to the camera.

"Kushina, listen to what the Third Hokage has to say," Namikaze Minato comforted Kushina within the sealed space.

"Humph!" Kushina let out a cold snort, though she granted Namikaze Minato a semblance of respect.

"The blame for this incident rests on my shoulders."

Hiruzen Sarutobi removed his Hokage hat, letting out a sigh. "The Nine-Tails Uprising inflicted immense devastation upon Konoha. Countless shinobi lost their lives, including the Fourth Hokage, who sacrificed himself."

"The entire village was steeped in sorrow."

"Before the Minato embarked on that battle, only the village's Anbu operatives were privy to the secret of Jinchuriki."

"However, at that crucial moment, Naruto was chosen by you, Minato, as the new Jinchuriki. A multitude of individuals were present, and despite the ban I imposed on spreading this knowledge, anxiety grew among civilians."

"So, I did not publicly proclaim Naruto was Minato's son."

"Neither did I inform Naruto of his heritage as a hero's child, for children struggle to keep secrets and may inadvertently reveal the truth."

"Why all this subterfuge?"

"It's because the families of the deceased shinobi, consumed by their grief, would inevitably bear animosity towards the Nine-Tails."

"Is this hatred justified? Yes."

"And what if they discovered that the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails was also the offspring of the hero Fourth Hokage?"

"In their anger, they might come to resent the hero Fourth Hokage as well."

"And so, I took a two-pronged approach."

"If nobody knows of Naruto's lineage, I could have disclosed everything when the initial anger and sorrow had abated."

"However, as long as the identity of the Jinchuriki was exposed, I just had to bear the burden of his temporary exclusion. So that, the Fourth Hokage would forever be remembered as a hero."

"With time, I would reveal Naruto's true parentage. He could then express his anger towards me, and people might accuse me of deceit, but they would still honor the Fourth Hokage as a hero. This respect, combined with the past guilt of harboring hostility towards Naruto, would grant him the standing of a hero's child."

"That was my plan."

"Now that the truth has come to light, I, as the Third Hokage, announce..."

"Uzumaki Naruto, the son of Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato and his wife Uzumaki Kushina, is both the progeny of a hero and the hero who sealed the Nine-Tails."

"I apologize, Kushina, Minato."

"You may curse me, for I have indeed caused Naruto pain."

"But I stand by my decision."

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi released a sigh of powerlessness.

His performance resonated, quieting the world momentarily.

However, the silence was soon replaced by a crescendo of voices from the crowd.

"Third Hokage-sama, it was our own failing that led us to mistreat Naruto."

"Lord Third Hokage, you needn't shoulder so much. We acknowledge the reality."

"Lord Third Hokage, our faults lie within ourselves. Naruto, we apologize."

"Fourth Hokage-sama, please forgive me. I should not have treated Naruto poorly."

"Lord Third Generation, you're a good person. Your responsibilities have been immense."

"…"

At this moment, the villagers were touched by the grandeur of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Despite Naruto's suffering, he would eventually enjoy the status of a hero's offspring. The fact that he had kept the secret for the Fourth Hokage was an act of filial piety.

"Grandpa Third Hokage, don't blame yourself. I don't hold any resentment towards you!"

Naruto was swept up by Sarutobi Hiruzen's sorrow and the villagers' outpouring of emotions. He reached out, taking Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I truly am sorry," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, gently touching Naruto's head with a remorseful expression.

At this moment, the cries of the Hidden Leaf Village residents grew louder.

Collectively, they were expressing one sentiment: their culpability and apology towards the Fourth Hokage and Naruto.

The Third Hokage was an extraordinary figure, working tirelessly for the village's sake. There was no need for him to bear this guilt.

To criticize the Third Hokage in light of this was to have no conscience, a lapse of morality.

Amidst all this, Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato within the sealed space could only watch in silence.

Kushina seethed with anger, and though Namikaze Minato wanted to speak, he held his tongue. Sarutobi Hiruzen kept insisting it was for him, and he was willing to apologize.

Most significantly, Naruto chose to forgive.

It was like swallowing a bitter pill.

[Uzumaki Kushina: Well done, very well done!]

Such blatant hypocrisy, such a practiced liar.

[Namikaze Minato: Understood.]

Namikaze Minato's response was clear. He didn't agree, but he saw through the man who had once earned his utmost respect.

"Hehe~"

Sarutobi Hiruzen maintained a facade of remorse, though inwardly he felt a surge of pride.

He believed that many could see through his sophistry, yet no one could expose it.

To unveil the dark truths of the ninja villages would undoubtedly tarnish their reputations.

Claiming that Kushina and Namikaze Minato had been trapped by morality wouldn't be an easy argument.

As for the other Konoha shinobi, they understood that he was working tirelessly to uphold the village's honor.

Most importantly, the villagers were genuinely naive and trusting, fully manipulated by him.

In the public eye, he was the Third Hokage, still brilliant in their eyes.

It was all thanks to his prowess.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, I underestimated your audacity."

Uchiha Ran regarded Sarutobi Hiruzen with a mocking expression.

This old monkey managed to make a comeback.

Yet he shouldn't believe that his sophistry was flawless.

Reflecting on how the original Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru had stood alone until their demise, Uchiha Ran sneered.

"People are not fools."

Orochimaru's intervention could potentially transform the prevalent understanding, shifting from passive acceptance to popular realization.

Uchiha Ran looked forward to that.

However, at this juncture, Senju Hashirama offered an unexpected surprise.

[Senju Hashirama: Monkey, you erred, and you've admitted it. Though the parties involved may not hold you accountable, for now, you should step down from the Hokage position. As your mentor and the First Hokage, I hereby relieve you of your Hokage duties.]