Chapter 128 The sharp teeth that tear the darkness (2)

   "The refreshments are here."

   "Got it, just put it here, mom."

  Shikamaru turned his head and said to the elderly woman who brought tea into the room.

  It may be because it is usually well maintained, so from the outside, it looks only twenty-seven or eighteen years old, but its actual age is thirty-six years old.

  Nara Yoshino is the name of a woman.

   is Konoha Jonin squad leader, the wife of Nara Shikahisa of the Nara clan.

   is also Shikamaru's mother.

   "Thank you, Auntie."

  Ino and Choji in the room said politely, thanking Yoshino for bringing refreshments at this time.

  Especially Choji, already felt the corner of his mouth drooling.

   "You should at least say thank you."

  Yino is very dissatisfied with Shikamaru's casual attitude, and seems to want her to put down the tea quickly and kick her out.

   "Thank you mom...does this work?"

   Shikamaru said troublesomely.

   "Be the same as your father, and teach him a lesson when he comes back."

  Although he said so, Yoshino's eyes still showed deep worry, worried about the abnormal situation that her husband hadn't responded to the message for several days.

   "Dad, he knows the seriousness, and he doesn't fall down so easily."

  Although Shikamaru is also very worried about the safety of his father Shikaku, but after his father left, he is now the head of the family and cannot show any timidity.

  Be like what my father said, be an excellent man who makes women feel reliable.

   Yoshino sighed, put down the tea and left here.

   "Aunt Jinai looks preoccupied."

   Ino couldn't help but said.

   "She cares too much about Dad, that's why she looks like this, it's just superficially strict."

   Shikamaru said.

   "Then what should we do next?"

   Ino asked.

   Immediately, she saw Choji enjoying the refreshments by himself, eating there carelessly, and immediately frowned.

   "I just know how to eat, is it time to enjoy afternoon tea?"

  However, facing Ino's harsh criticism, Choji smiled nonchalantly:

   "Ino, just like Aunt Yoshino, you care too much, so caring makes chaos. Father and the others have already arranged everything, and nothing will happen."

   "But what if..."

   "That kind of thing is something that adults should deal with. Now, it's not our turn to intervene. We wait here quietly, which is the best support."

  Although what Dingji said made sense, to Ino, it sounded a bit self-defeating.

   "Joji is right, Ino, our job is to wait here with peace of mind. Some things are not for us to intervene."

  Shikamaru also ate the refreshments.

   "Why even you are like this..."

   "The situation outside is so chaotic, there is very little we can do. Moreover, even that troublesome guy Naruto is involved..."

   Shikamaru said with a headache.

   "No, is it true that the rumor that Naruto is the son of Hokage... is true?"

  Ino blinked, full of disbelief.

   Thinking of Naruto's unreliable behavior in the ninja school before, Ino couldn't imagine that he would be the son of Hokage.

   is still the legendary Fourth Hokage.

   is simply a fantasy.

   "Who knows about this kind of thing. When I was in the ninja school, my father hinted to me more than once that I hope I can get along well with Naruto and not isolate him. After that, I also secretly investigated Naruto's life experience."

   "The result?"

   "The level of secrecy is so high that even Junin is not qualified to check it. Besides, don't you think Naruto's performance in the Chunin exam is very abnormal? Just like Gaara from Sand Hidden, there is something strange in his body. It should be the so-called 'demon fox'."

  Ino recalled the scene at that time.

   "That look does look a bit like a fox."

  Listening to Shikamaru and Ino's exchange of words, Choji suddenly said: "So, are you going to visit Naruto now?"

  Shikamaru put his hands behind his head, lay directly on the floor, and said helplessly:

   "Then you have to be able to go out. The family has already issued a restriction order. Even if you visit Naruto, you can only wait for the restriction order to pass."

   "That is to say, that guy has been heartless since he was a child, and he should be able to survive by himself now."

  Ino is also worried about Naruto's situation, but under the foot restriction order, she can only stay with the Nara clan and cannot leave here.

   It is impossible to visit Naruto.

   "I hope this storm will pass quickly..."

  Shikamaru is feeling more irritable than ever. Even though his mind is smarter than his peers, he doesn't know what to do in the face of such a situation.

  I can only pray in my heart that my father can return safely.

  ◎

   "It's really boring... I really want to go out to practice, but neither the satyr teacher, the lecherous fairy, nor Kakashi teacher is here."

   Lying on the bed of a single-living apartment, with his head buried in a soft cotton pillow, he wanted to cover up the rumors outside that were not true at all.

  But the more you cover it up, the more uncomfortable the gap in your heart will be for Naruto.

  Do you really have something like your parents?

  Are you going to ask Grandpa Hokage for the answer?

  However, if the rumors spreading outside are true...

  Naruto felt cowardly in his heart.

  He couldn't believe that Grandpa Hokage, whom he had believed in all these years, would be the image spread in the rumors.

   dong dong.

   There was a knock on the door.

   Let Naruto stop from thinking.

  He got out of bed, put on his slippers, and went to open the door.

   "It's Mr. Kakashi..."

  Naruto subconsciously said this sentence.

   "It's me, Naruto."

   "Mr. Iruka? Why are you here?"

   It wasn't the Kakashi he had hoped for who knocked on the door, but Iruka, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

  Naruto's face showed joy, and he felt the long-lost peace of mind.

   "So many things happened, so I came to visit you. And this, for you."

  Iruka put the convenience bag in his hand in front of Naruto, and said with a smile.

"This is…"

   Naruto smelled the aroma of food from the convenience bag.

   "Ichiraku Ramen!"

   "You should be starving, hurry up and eat while it's hot."

   "As expected of Iruka-sensei, thank you so much, I am really hungry!"

  Naruto took the convenience bag unceremoniously, put the Yile ramen packed inside on the table, and couldn't wait to open it.

"I'm gonna start now!"

   After finishing speaking, Naruto picked up the chopsticks and ate heartily, filling his hungry stomach with all his strength.

  After eating the ramen, Naruto was surrounded by a sense of happiness called fulfillment, making his face filled with a fulfilled smile.

   Seeing Naruto like this, Iruka smiled knowingly.

  Naruto is still the same as before, there is no change in his liking for Ichiraku Ramen.

   "I've heard about the things outside."

   When Naruto was about to wipe out Ikraku Ramen, Iruka seemed to have made up his mind, and suddenly said to Naruto.

   "Really...Iruka-sensei came here to comfort me?"

  Hearing Iruka's words, Naruto paused slightly while eating ramen, with a playful smile on his face.

   But behind this laughter, Naruto's extremely complicated state of mind is hidden at this time.

  Iruka can clearly feel this point.

   "There are reasons for this... Regardless of whether those rumors are true or not, it is difficult for you, Naruto, to agree. After all, you have insisted on it for so many years, and suddenly you have to accept such a fact. No matter who you are, it is difficult to accept."

   Iruka couldn't judge whether the rumors outside were true, but he knew that such rumors would definitely cause huge trauma to Naruto's heart.

  He was a teacher at Naruto's ninja school. It can be said that he was a ninja who watched Naruto grow up. He also knows exactly where Naruto's sensitive and delicate parts are.

   "Yeah, the sudden addition of Hokage's father... I really don't feel used to it, more precisely, I don't feel it. However, if you think about it carefully, this is actually not bad. The idol you worship is your father or something..."

  Naruto was still smiling.

   It's just that this kind of smile, in Iruka's view, is very reluctant, as if it was squeezed out of the face, not from the heart.

  He still hopes in his heart that the rumors outside are just false existences, facts fabricated by someone, not the truth.

   "I can understand, you have been working very hard all this time..."

  Iruka hugged Naruto's body in his arms, bringing his forehead to his chest.

   "Ms. Iruka..."

  "Teacher, I used to be the same as you. In order to relieve the loneliness and loneliness in my heart, I liked to pretend to be a fool, and I didn't hesitate to use the way of a clown to attract people's attention and blend into the group. But what I got afterwards was a bigger emptiness..."

   "But Iruka-sensei became like this because of the demon fox..."

  Naruto's eyes darkened.

   "Didn't the teacher say a long time ago that that kind of thing doesn't matter anymore? Compared to that, your current strength may have surpassed mine... So, Naruto, try to recognize yourself."

   Iruka let go of Naruto and laughed.

   "Recognize yourself?"

  Naruto raised his head and looked at Iruka's sincere eyes.

   "Don't care about the things you don't want to hear, just be yourself once. Recognizing yourself is something that everyone must experience. You can't live under the "approval" of others all your life. You just care too much about other people's eyes and opinions, like a little fool."

   Iruka smiled.

   "If you say that, isn't Iruka-sensei also an idiot?"

   "That's right, I'm also an idiot, so I wasted too much time before. When I recall these past events, I'm full of wry smiles and helplessness. Now I'm really ashamed to recall the stupid things before..."

  Iruka scratched his cheek with his fingers, and looked away in embarrassment.

   "What? This kind of preaching tone that understands everything..."

  Naruto puffed up his cheeks, slightly dissatisfied.

   "Yeah, I can't preach to you anymore, because you are already a real ninja. An excellent ninja, start by recognizing yourself. At least the third generation of purpose, this matter may have another story, don't be misled by some people with ulterior motives."

   "Of course I understand this kind of thing! I don't believe Grandpa Hokage is that kind of person, someone must have set him up!"

  As if he had found a resonance, Naruto's face gradually regained its vitality, and it was no longer as resentful as before, with an inextricable knot.

   "If that's the case, then I'm relieved."

  Iruka rubbed Naruto's head.

   "Compared to that, Mr. Iruka, buy me another bowl, no, buy two more bowls of Ichiraku Ramen, one bowl is not enough."

  Naruto rubbed his hands, he was not at all embarrassed to ask Iruka to treat him.

   Iruka was stunned, and then smiled wryly: "I said you..."

   Forget it, eating can be regarded as a way to reduce stress.

   "Okay, you wait here, I'll buy you two more bowls of Yile Ramen..."

  Before Iruka finished his sentence, there was a sudden knocking sound on the window lattice.

  Naruto and Iruka turned their heads to look, just in time to see the window being opened.

  Sasuke and Sakura are standing outside the window.

   "No need for that, we have already bought it."

   Talking, Sasuke and Sakura each held a convenience bag containing Ichiraku ramen, and said while standing outside the window.

   "Sasuke, Sakura! Why are you here?"

   Naruto asked in surprise.

   "We're not deaf. The rumors outside are spreading so violently that it's hard not to pay attention. Of course, we don't want to worry about some idiot who likes to dig into horns."

  Sasuke and Sakura went over the window and entered the room.

   "Who is the idiot?"

   "Of course it's Naruto, otherwise we wouldn't have come here."

  Sakura put down the ramen and said to Naruto.

   "Damn it, why does Sakura even say that?"

   Naruto let out a sigh.

   "Long time no see, Iruka."

  Sasuke greeted Iruka.

  Hearing that Sasuke omitted the word 'teacher', Iruka had a headache and said: "Sasuke, you are still the same, and you don't like to see outsiders. However, you seem to be a Chunin. Congratulations."

   "It's nothing, it's a simple matter."

  Hearing Sasuke's understatement, Naruto couldn't hide the jealousy in his eyes anymore.

   "Now the Hokage building is fully blocked, only a small number of ninja can enter, and I don't know what's going on inside. I want to ask, hasn't Mr. Kakashi contacted you?"

  Iruka's face became serious, and he asked Kakashi's whereabouts.

   Sasuke shook his head and replied: "It's Kamino Ebisu who is guiding us these days. As for Kakashi, I haven't seen him for nearly a month, and I don't know what's going on with him."

   "This is really bad."

  Iruka sighed.

  Although Chunin is the backbone of the village, but if you want to participate in major events in the village, you basically start with the above ninja.

   Moreover, it is not just a casual Jonin who can participate.

  Although he repeatedly asked to meet with the Third Hokage, but without exception, he was rejected by the people guarding the door.

   It is simply impossible to break through.

  It is the residence of Hokage's office, and there are many confidential information of Konoha hidden there.

   Once discovered, they may be executed on the spot.

   "The current situation, I can only believe that the higher-ups can properly arrange it, before the situation is too serious to be out of control... Otherwise, it won't be long before the people in the village will panic, and it will be troublesome to clean it up."

  Because of this matter, Sasuke doesn't even have free time to practice now.

   It can be said that Konoha is now showing signs of chaos.

   "Especially you, Naruto."

  Sasuke suddenly changed the topic to Naruto.

   "Me? What's wrong with me?"

   Naruto, who was eating Ikraku Ramen, blinked in confusion.

   "Someone is using you to write articles to suppress Hokage-sama's prestige... Regardless of whether the rumors outside are true or not, as long as Hokage-sama doesn't clarify, it is possible to confuse the fake with the real one."

   Moreover, Sasuke didn't say what he was most worried about.

  Naruto's identity is likely to be true.

  He has investigated Naruto's identity through Kakashi's authority.

  In addition to the sensitive identity of the Uzumaki clan, and the confidentiality level of the identity, the son of the fourth generation of Hokage... this identity is probably not a fictional story.

   However, when the rumors appeared, the Third Hokage did not clarify, so it is not allowed to make some people think wildly.

   This made Sasuke very worried about the situation at the Hokage Building. There must have been some critical situation that they didn't know about, and was deliberately blocked by the people above.

   "From now on, you should stay at home honestly and don't go anywhere. If you find suspicious people near your home, immediately send signal flares to cause as much disturbance as possible, so that the hidden enemies will not dare to act rashly. Prepare ninja tools at night when you sleep, and go into a fighting state."

   Sasuke reminds Naruto.

   "Then what do I eat during the day and night? There is only half a carton of milk left at home, and three instant noodles."

  Naruto asked a rather crucial question.

   "..."

   Sasuke walked to the table without saying a word, picked up the half carton of undrinked milk, and threw it into the trash can.

   "Whoa, what are you doing? My milk!"

   "It's about to expire. Sakura, buy milk and deliver food every day. You are in charge. I need to investigate some things."

   "I see. But, Sasuke, is there a problem with you alone?"

   Sakura asked worriedly.

   "I will be careful, I must get in touch with Kakashi as soon as possible, otherwise, our side will be very passive."

  Honestly speaking, under the current situation, there are very few Jnin that Sasuke can trust.

   And Kakashi is the Minister of Anbu, his position can be very close to Hokage, it can be said that he is a close minister of Hokage.

  As long as Kakashi is found, many things can be easily solved.

   Moreover, there is also the unknown elder who frequently appears in rumors—Danzo, who is also a very suspicious target of investigation.

   "Do you want me to go there with you? The school is just closed right now."

  Iruka volunteered.

   "Compared to me, Naruto's situation is probably more dangerous. There are too few people who can trust it now."

  Hearing Sasuke's implication, Iruka nodded, and had to admit that Sasuke's consideration was very reasonable.

  Naruto being one of the core figures in the public opinion storm, it means that someone is secretly eyeing Naruto, and Naruto's situation is very bad.

   "Then I'll leave it to you."

   After finishing speaking, Sasuke walked to the window, under the gaze of everyone, jumped down and disappeared into the street.

  Leaving Naruto's residence, Sasuke returned to the clan of the Uchiha clan, but not towards his own home, but in the open woods near the clan.

  The terrain there is complex and more suitable for concealment.

  After finding the place where he usually practiced, Sasuke suddenly stopped, moved his ears slightly, and said to the surrounding air:

   "Come out, you have followed me all the way from Naruto before, your goal is not Naruto, but me."

  Sasha's voice sounded from behind.

  Sasuke turned around immediately, took out Kunai from the ninja bag, and pointed at the person with a blank expression.

  It is a middle-aged man with an unfamiliar face, wearing a Konoha Jōnin uniform and a Konoha forehead guard on his forehead. His appearance is unremarkable, and he is inconspicuous among the crowd.

   "Junin?" Sasuke murmured, and then his eyes turned cold: "Who are you? What's the purpose of following me?"

  The middle-aged man didn't care about Kunai on Isaac's assistant, nor the vigilance in his eyes, he just smiled and said, "As expected of Itachi's younger brother, your strength will soon reach Jonin. Although compared to Itachi, it seems a little less interesting."

   "You mean Itachi? Do you know him?"

   Sasuke's eyes were fixed.

   "Do you know him or not? He used to be a Konoha ninja. It's not strange that I know him. My name is Minazuki Yuki, have you heard of it?"

   The middle-aged man asked.

   Sasuke frowned slightly and shook his head.

  Minzuki Teak, he had never heard of the name, and he didn't know that there was such a Jōnin among Konoha.

   After all, there are so many jonin in Konoha, and some jnin are stationed outside all year round. The jnin he sees are only a small part of Konoha jonin.

   "That's right, I'm still an inconspicuous little person. Sure enough, my genius guide, Jonin, has no reputation at all."

  Middle-aged man Minazuki Yuki smiled wryly, as if mocking himself.

   "Genius...instructing Jonin?"

   "Ah, I am your elder brother Itachi's guidance in Konoha period, Jonin."

   Sasuke was slightly surprised when he heard the other party's explanation.

  Afterwards, Sasuke regained his composure.

   "Even so, what does that have to do with me? That kind of traitor, I will clean up the door sooner or later, so you don't have to worry about it."

   "Really? Like Itachi, innocent and cute."

"What's the meaning?"

   While the leaves were dancing, Minazuki Teak smiled softly:

   "It's a bit sudden to say this, and you may not be able to accept it for a while... But, let me say it anyway, do you want to know the truth about the Uchiha extermination?"

  (end of this chapter)