Naruto: The Abstract Strategist of the Akatsuki

"Old... Hokage, please spare them. They were all forced into this by Orochimaru. We should unite and deal with Orochimaru first."

Naruto spoke up to plead on their behalf.

"Naruto, I remember you said your dream is to become Hokage, right? So how do you think we should deal with this kind of situation?"

"Spare them? What kind of mercy? To what extent?"

Kushina didn't respond to Naruto directly, but instead threw the question at him.

When this specific question came up, Naruto was immediately stumped.

He hadn't really thought about these things.

To what extent?

Should we let them go completely?

That seems a little off.

He was punished by Iruka-sensei for skipping classes at the ninja academy. Now that they've done something like this, they can't just go unpunished, can they?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Naruto's mind.

"Lord Hokage, I think they should not only not be punished, but should be rewarded."

Firstly, the fact that they did not choose to run away or resist after being discovered shows that they were struggling internally, had their own reasons, and knew they were wrong.

If you choose to forgive them, Hokage, then next time someone faces this situation, they won't fight to the death, but will choose to obediently admit their mistake.

Secondly, if you even reward those who betray you, wouldn't those who are loyal to you be even more devoted?

Naruto's words revealed his extraordinary wisdom.

The Kushina in the Tsukuyomi and the Kushina in the real world share the same thought at this moment—Naruto is hopeless.

And what about the idea that "next time someone betrays you, you won't fight back to the death"?

No, why should someone have to betray us again next time?

Isn't this the same as the law not using the death penalty to deter serious criminals, but instead reducing sentences in the hopes that criminals will spare some victims?

It seems illogical at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it is indeed illogical.

Isn't doing this the same as giving encouragement?

People didn't want to betray you or commit crimes, but when they saw there was no punishment, they were tempted to give it a try.

The following statement, "Those who betrayed you were rewarded, and those who remained loyal to you became even more devoted," is even more outrageous.

All that's missing is the phrase "I understand the applause".

Is this something that would make even your loyal people lose their minds and betray you?

Liu Bang did reward Yong Chi to appease his internal forces, but Yong Chi had indeed rendered meritorious service. The reward was for his military achievements, expressing that past mistakes would not be punished.

Instead of bestowing rewards for "betrayal".

What have these people done that they should not only be forgiven but also rewarded?

If he wanted to atone for his crimes, Kakashi produced a video recording.

"Naruto, you've gone too far!"

Rock Lee, facing the eloquent Naruto, revealed an angry expression and clenched his fists.

"Yes, Naruto, we have bullied you before, but you can't take revenge on us now, can you?"

Neji glared angrily at Naruto.

"Huh? I didn't! Wasn't I pleading for you?"

Naruto was stunned and felt very innocent.

"Naruto, are you pretending to be stupid, or are you really stupid? Aren't your words just sarcastic, implying that the Hokage should severely punish us as a warning to others?"

Kakashi sighed.

"I……"

"So that's what you mean, Naruto. Okay, we'll do it your way."

Kushina slammed her hand on the table.

She knew perfectly well that Naruto didn't mean it that way, but Naruto's words really annoyed her, so she had to annoy Naruto back.

"I……"

Naruto's face turned red.

He really wanted to say that he was sincere and not being sarcastic.

Kakashi gave him two options: [pretend to be stupid] and [actually stupid]. He couldn't very well admit that he was actually stupid, could he?

"However, now is the time when we need people. I can give you a chance. As long as you thwart Orochimaru's conspiracy and expose his plan completely, I can forgive and forget about it."

But remember, this is the last time. You won't have another chance!

Kushina issued the mission.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to set off to atone for their sins, Naruto suddenly stepped forward again.

Everyone immediately tensed up.

Please, Naruto, stop talking!

"Um, actually I have a little information..."

Naruto hesitated, unsure whether he should speak.

Kushina's condition for sparing everyone was to thwart Orochimaru's plot. The information she knew should be very important and could help everyone.

However, Naruto was also afraid that his mother, Kushina, might do something cruel if she found out about this.

"What? Naruto, you have information? Yes, you've been creating countless shadow clones all over the village these past few days, and there are even many outside. No one knows more than you! Naruto, tell me now!"

Neji realized what was happening and urged Naruto on.

Naruto is almost at the level of a T0 ninja these days thanks to his Shadow Clones.

"Actually... I saw Orochimaru, the Sage of Lewdness, and the son of the Fire Country's daimyo all coming out of the Fire Temple together..."

Naruto revealed the crucial information he had uncovered.

Naruto hesitated because if this matter were brought up, wouldn't Jiraiya also become a suspect?

As for the son of the Fire Country Daimyo, Naruto didn't know him. He had only seen a black-and-white smiling photo of the Fire Country Daimyo's family in a newspaper obituary, and he didn't remember him at all.

It was mainly because Orochimaru and Jiraiya personally addressed each other as "Crown Prince" and "Young Master" that Naruto recognized them.

As for what "Crown Prince" and "Prince Ruodian" mean, Naruto had to look them up in the dictionary to find out.

"..."

Kushina's face immediately darkened upon hearing this.

"Lord Hokage, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has come to see you, saying he wants to discuss the allocation of funds..."

The Hokage's secretary, Shizune, knocked on the door from the outside and spoke softly.

"You've come at the perfect time. Please, Your Excellency, come in."

Kushina smiled with relief.

"Hokage, why...why are there so many people standing here?"

The daimyo of the Land of Fire, accompanied by his son, Enichi, who will be the daimyo successor in the Boruto era, entered the Hokage's office.

Seeing so many people standing around, I was taken aback.

"Lord Daimyo, are you aware that the Crown Prince is plotting a rebellion?"

Kushina waved her hand, and a masked ANBU member suddenly appeared and subdued Enichi Kyu from behind.

Daimyo and Enichi both looked terrified.

"Come on, tell me, what exactly did you conspire with Jiraiya and Orochimaru at the Fire Temple?"

Kushina turned her gaze to the daimyo.

"Hokage, I don't understand what you're talking about. I really don't know."

Daming swallowed hard, his mind already made up; he would never admit it, no matter what.

He sent his son to negotiate, just in case, to be on the safe side, and now it seems that he was right.

This doesn't mean his son isn't important to him; it just means he's not as important as he is to himself.