Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 399 Sasuke: What are you talking about?
The dawn mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the rising sun draped the leaves in a pale golden veil.

Smoke curls from chimneys, early-rising vendors are already busy at work, and the whole village seems to be waking up from its slumber, just like countless other mornings.

Inside Ichiraku Ramen, steam rises gently.

"That's great!" A ninja pushed his empty bowl towards the counter and laughed heartily, "Another bowl of char siu ramen, please, with extra bamboo shoots!"

"Alright!" Teji took the empty bowl, a smile in his eyes, and turned to walk into the shop. Ayame helped him, the steam rising from the ramen making her cheeks slightly flushed.

Just then, the noren curtain was suddenly flung open, and another ninja with a tense expression strode in, walked straight to the first ninja, and whispered a few words in his ear.

"What?" The ninja eating noodles froze instantly, his smile turning into one of surprise and uncertainty.

He stood up abruptly, only managing to hastily apologize to the puzzled Changpu, slam the money on the table, and without bothering to find change, hurriedly left with the person who had come.

Just as the two lifted the noren curtain, Ayame, who looked up at the sound, caught a glimpse of several dark figures quickly passing by on the rooftops of the shops across the street.

Moreover, their expressions were more serious and stern than ever before.

"Looks like something bad is about to happen again."

A somewhat somber voice came from behind her. Feeling a little uneasy, Ayame turned around and saw Tsuteki holding a bowl of noodles with a frown on his face.

"Dad, what are they doing..." Changpu asked subconsciously.

Teuchi didn't answer, gazing in the direction the ninjas had disappeared, and sighed, "Every Monday, Iruka-sensei comes for breakfast without fail, but today..."

Upon hearing this, Changpu fell silent, and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere quietly permeated the morning air.

At this moment, the Uchiha clan's territory was shrouded in an almost frozen, deathly silence.

Due to the sacrifice of Uchiha Shisui, a somber atmosphere permeated the clan's territory. The clan members wore black mourning clothes, which added to the already chilly atmosphere brought on by the cooler weather.

Clan members gathered in front of the main hall of Nanga Shrine in the center of the clan's territory to pay their respects.

Uchiha Yakumi, dressed in a crisp black mourning robe, gazed silently at the coffin placed in the center of the main hall.

He instinctively turned his head and whispered, "Sasuke?"

"..."

There was no response; only the white lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed gently in the breeze, casting flickering shadows. Silence replaced the usual hustle and bustle of the village.

In the shadows unseen by anyone, a figure vanished silently, casting a final, complex glance at Zhishui's coffin with his dark eyes.

Stop the water...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"What did you say?"

Meanwhile, in a secluded side hall corridor of the shrine, Sasuke's eyes were still red from crying the night before, but now, the sorrow on his face was replaced by a blank stare.

He stared intently at Iruka in front of him, as if he hadn't heard what the other had just said.

"Sasuke, listen carefully, I don't want to say it a third time."

Iruka's face betrayed his exhaustion as he whispered, "Naruto, he colluded with the Jashin Cult and killed the Daimyo and..."

"I heard it very clearly!"

Sasuke's voice suddenly rose, interrupting Iruka, his expression shifting from surprise to anger: "That's why I said, 'What are you talking about!'"

Iruka was silent for a moment, then lowered his eyes to avoid Sasuke's gaze, and said in a dry voice, "Ryosuke has also suffered severe psychological trauma and remains unconscious."

"Judging from the traces left at the scene..."

"Enough!" Sasuke's expression turned ferocious as he roared, "What are you talking about?! How could Naruto possibly..."

"Sasuke!"

Iruka abruptly raised his head, his face also showing pain and anger, and his voice rose eight octaves: "Do you think you're the only one who cares about Naruto?!"

“You’re not the only one who can’t believe this!” He took a step closer and growled, “But this is the choice he made himself! This is the truth!”

"These are facts witnessed, confirmed, and heard by dozens of survivors, including that Yamato Jonin and Uzuki Yugao Jonin!"

"He, together with the heretical cultists lurking in the Daimyo's capital, murdered the Daimyo, tortured and killed more than a dozen nobles, and hundreds of ninjas, monks, and samurai!"

"The Daimyo's office has sent an inquiry, and the Hokage's office is preparing to sign an order listing Naruto as an S-rank rogue ninja!"

Seeing the genuine pain and anger on Iruka's face, Sasuke felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, and his raging anger instantly subsided.

boom……

He staggered back a few steps, his back slamming heavily against the cold pillar. His breathing became rapid and labored, and he clutched his mourning clothes tightly to his chest.

"Sasuke!" Iruka's expression changed, and he subconsciously reached out to help him, but Sasuke raised his hand and shook him off.

"No, that's impossible. Naruto isn't the type to kill indiscriminately like that..."

Sasuke slowly raised his head, three tomoe appearing in his crimson eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "This matter is definitely not that simple!"

His unfocused gaze refocused, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Where is Hyuga Kumokawa? He knows Naruto so well, how could he so hastily label Naruto a rogue ninja!"

"I have to go and ask him!"

Before he could finish speaking, Sasuke suddenly turned around and rushed out of the shrine without looking back, leaving Iruka's shouts far behind.

At this moment, a far greater number of ninjas had gathered in the plaza in front of the Hokage Building, their faces all filled with solemnity, unease, and disbelief.

The hushed discussions buzzed like a swarm of bees, yet the volume was subconsciously suppressed.

"Have you heard? Is it true? The daimyo of the Land of Fire, and so many nobles..."

"It's Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto? How could he be..."

"They're even connected to the 'Cult of Evil Gods'? They're actually lurking in Daming Prefecture?"

"The scene was said to be horrific, just like a slaughterhouse, with the daimyo's head hanging outside..."

"The Hokage summoned us in such an urgent manner, could it be because of...?"

call!
Just then, a strong gust of air suddenly pressed down from the sky, silencing all the whispers in the square.

Everyone instinctively fell silent and looked up at the same time.

There, Hyuga Kumokawa was suspended in the air, his wide divine robes fluttering in the wind, and behind him were pure white wings.

"Everyone," Hinata Kumokawa said in a deep voice, looking down at the crowd below, "I'm sure you've all heard the terrible news from the capital."

"The daimyo of the Land of Fire and dozens of his important ministers perished last night."

"Kazuma and Kitako, who were members of the Twelve Guardian Ninjas, have been confirmed dead. The Daimyo's guard forces have suffered heavy losses, with almost the entire force wiped out."

"The current Daming Prefecture is no longer able to control the chaotic situation. Rioters are running rampant, and the remaining 'Void' is wandering around."

He stated the cold, hard facts, making the hearts of those below grow even heavier.

"Our primary mission in this trip to the capital is clear!"

Hyuga Kumokawa continued, "First, suppress the chaos. With the power of Konoha, suppress the capital city that has spiraled out of control due to this incident, protect innocent civilians, and eliminate the rampaging humans and Hollows!"

"We must restore the most basic order to the capital; this is the responsibility that Konoha owes to its people!"

"Secondly," his voice suddenly rose in intensity, his gaze sweeping across the room, "we must do everything in our power to uncover the complete truth of this matter!"

Upon hearing this, a murmur of astonishment erupted from below.

the truth?

Is there more to the story?

(End of this chapter)