This Naruto is too easily persuaded.

As Naruto finished speaking, the three grass ninjas turned pale with fright.

The Hidden Grass Village Jonin clutched his shattered wrist, not daring to utter a single harsh word.

Like a stray dog, they fled into the night in a sorry state.

"call……"

Seeing them leave, Naruto concealed his aura.

He adjusted his glasses and returned to his usual demeanor.

"Sorry, I ruined the mood."

Naruto turned around, his tone relaxed, as if he hadn't just been about to kill someone.

Kakashi looked at Naruto, a side of him he had never seen before.

However, he did not accuse Naruto, nor did he mention any alliance or so-called diplomatic influence.

In his life motto, those who do not cherish their partners are worse than trash.

Naruto's methods may be a bit extreme, but his initial intention was to protect others, which suits his taste perfectly.

Kakashi sighed.

He stepped forward, patted Naruto on the shoulder, and broke the silence:

"Now that you've filled your stomach, go back and rest early."

"The rest of the trouble... the teacher will handle."

Naruto glanced at Kakashi and nodded slightly:

"Then I'll leave it to Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi didn't say much, he just waved his hand.

There were not many words spoken.

At this moment, the master and apprentice reached a subtle understanding.

Sasuke stood to the side, watching Naruto's departing figure, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

……

back home.

Pushing open the slightly old door, the lights came on.

Although Naruto's apartment was small and filled with various scrolls and books, it was full of life.

Karin stood at the door, somewhat at a loss.

She still couldn't quite believe that she had actually left that hell and found a place to stay in Konoha.

"Come in, it's okay if you don't need to take off your shoes."

Naruto hung his coat on the hanger 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 I can do for you?"

She asked timidly:

"For example, cleaning, or..."

She raised her arm again. "Want to bite me again?"

Having never been treated kindly, she really didn't know how to demonstrate her own value.

Naruto stopped moving.

"Listen, Karin."

Naruto looked into her eyes, his tone calm and serious:

"There's only one thing you need to do now."

Karin was stunned for a moment. "W-what?"

"To live."

Naruto turned around and started tidying up the sofa. "Live well, live for yourself."

Karin stood there, staring blankly at that figure from behind.

His eyes gradually reddened, and tears welled up in his eyes.

On this ordinary night, she felt the dignity of being a "human being" for the first time.

……

The next morning.

Several secret agents sealed off an inconspicuous little hotel.

Inside the room, three corpses lay on the floor, one of them with his hand twisted and wrapped in white gauze.

These were the same few Kusagakure members who had provoked them on the street yesterday.

Their deaths were extremely gruesome; their faces were purple, and their bodies reeked of a sweet, foul stench.

These people clearly died from severe poisoning.

"The time of death was late last night."

A masked undercover agent, having examined the body, stood up and reported to his superior:

"The cause of death was snake venom, and... there were no signs of struggle at the scene; it was all a single, fatal blow."

The commander of the secret service unit in charge of the investigation looked grim.

If they die in the Forest of Death,

That's because they were less skilled; if they died, so be it.

Ironically, they, as envoys of the allied nations, died in a hotel in Konoha.

Moreover... snake venom, a fatal blow, and a clash with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki last night...

It seemed that all the clues, as if deliberately arranged by someone, pointed to that name.

……

Hokage Building.

"Dead?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he looked at the report in his hand.

"snort."

Danzo stood before the table, his tone still icy, but a glint of excitement flickered in his eyes:

"Last night, Naruto openly threatened to kill them in the street."

Just a few hours later, the three men died of poisoning in the hotel…

Danzo's cane slammed heavily on the floor, making a dull thud.

"Hiruzen, is there even a need for investigation? This is blatant revenge!"

"Maybe Orochimaru did it..."

The Third Hokage felt his throat was a little dry and managed to offer a weak explanation.

The report indicated it was snake venom, clearly a tactic employed by Orochimaru.

Is there a difference?

Danzo sneered and pressed forward relentlessly:

Why would Orochimaru kill several insignificant Grass Ninja? Was he acting on someone's orders? Or was he simply avenging someone else?

"Naruto Uzumaki has a cursed seal on his body, and those who clashed with him died of snake venom that very night."

"This means that he has a connection with Orochimaru, who is on the run, that we are unaware of!"

Danzo paused, then continued:

"That brat has started killing innocent people indiscriminately for his own selfish desires!"

"Today he killed a Grass Ninja, could it be a Konoha Ninja next time?"

"Next time... could it be you?"

The third generation remained silent.

Naruto... could it really be you who did it?

a long time.

The third generation closed his eyes and waved his hand weakly.

"……knew."

"Someone, bring Naruto here."

……

Bang bang bang.

A rapid knocking sounded at the door.

Naruto opened the door, and standing outside was Kakashi, who had a solemn expression.

"Naruto, those grass ninjas from last night are dead."

Upon hearing this, Naruto's pupils contracted slightly.

"Dead?"

He was somewhat surprised.

But in an instant, Orochimaru's image appeared in Naruto's mind.

Could it be him...?

Kakashi gave him a deep look.

Although Li Zhi told him that there were many doubts and all the evidence was extremely unfavorable to Naruto.

But in the end, he decided to trust his student, and then said:

"Since you didn't do it...that's good."

Kakashi lowered his voice and gave a pointed hint:

"But be careful during this time..."

He didn't say much, but gave a subtle wink.

Naruto subtly adjusted his glasses, his senses extending in the direction Naruto had indicated.

Behind utility poles, in the shadows of eaves, through window cracks...

Several cold gazes were fixed on him.

Is this your response?

Naruto sneered inwardly.

Because a few bugs died, did they finally tear off their mask of hypocrisy and start treating him like a criminal?

But Naruto's expression didn't change much.

He simply nodded slightly to indicate that he understood.

Swish.

Just then, an ANBU member wearing an animal mask appeared instantly in front of Kakashi and Naruto.

His tone was cold and businesslike as he said:

"Naruto Uzumaki, the Third Hokage summons you to the Hokage Building immediately."

After saying that, the Anbu members vanished in an instant, leaving Naruto no room for refusal.