Hyuga Naraku wasn't going to speak up—because the assassins were from ROOT.
Even if it was confirmed that they were ROOT members, what did that have to do with the Third Hokage?
The Hokage could easily push the blame onto Danzo.
And Danzo? He could claim it was a rogue action by his subordinates acting on suspicion, not on orders—washing his hands of it entirely.
What then? Would someone dare bring this up?
Do they have any proof?
Would they accuse a high-ranking elder of Konoha's council without evidence?
No. That would be political suicide.
So instead of fixating on the three assassins, Naraku changed his approach.
He would use this incident to begin tearing away the Third Hokage's carefully crafted facade.
That's why Naraku guided Shinnosuke—steering the conversation to draw out what he needed.
And Shinnosuke didn't disappoint.
"After a long silence, the Third Hokage let out a deep sigh.'Perhaps... a member of the council who attended yesterday's meeting leaked your information.'"
"But why would they do that?" Naraku asked, sounding confused.
He paused, then said thoughtfully,"Could it be... that someone leaked the information because they didn't want to go to war with Kumogakure? They thought if I died, my body would be enough to seal the deal?"
"..."The Third Hokage's face twitched. "That... may be so."
Standing to the side, Fugaku suddenly understood something.A hidden message in Naraku's words.
Indeed—someone wanted Naraku dead because they didn't want conflict with the Cloud.
And that someone... was likely the man standing before them.The Third Hokage.
"Who would've thought the Hokage was this cunning," Fugaku murmured internally.
If the problem can't be solved… then eliminate the person who exposes the problem.Without this line of thinking, he wouldn't have been able to piece things together.
His gaze turned to Naraku.This Hyuga youth… even in the face of such a sly Hokage, he's still forcing him on the backfoot.
"Hokage, I don't think we should let the person who leaked my information go unpunished," Naraku said firmly.
"...Hmm." The Hokage didn't know where this was going, but his instincts screamed danger.
"For the sake of Konoha's peace, we can't allow people to sacrifice the lives of our villagers," Naraku continued, voice loud and righteous. Then he looked directly at the Third Hokage. "Isn't that right, Lord Hokage?"
"...That's right," the Third said, barely able to hide the tension in his voice.
And just like that, he lost the right to ask Naraku to "sacrifice" himself for the Will of Fire again.After all—how could he now promote sacrifice after agreeing with the opposite?
"But..." Naraku looked troubled."I was lucky to survive this time. What if there's a next time? What if more information leaks, and someone else comes for me?"
Many of those present clenched their fists.
Lucky?He stood in front of a crater, trees split and burned, the earth scorched...And yet Naraku looked pristine, not even a tear in his robes!
Who would believe that was luck?
"Hokage, I have a proposal," Naraku said calmly."I suggest we publicly announce today's events to the village, and declare that an investigation is underway to find the traitor."
"That would scare off anyone else planning something similar."
"This... might not be appropriate," the Third Hokage replied. "This information shouldn't be public knowledge."
"Hokage-sama!" Naraku's tone turned firm."If we don't make this known, I may not live to see tomorrow!"
"Very well," the Hokage said reluctantly, forcing a smile.But inside, he was sneering.Let's see how you plan to inform the village. Just talk? Make posters? Good luck pulling that off.
"As for who leaked the information, I'll leave it to ANBU to investigate," Naraku said, turning to Shinnosuke.
"Don't worry," Shinnosuke growled, "I'll find them and give you justice."
But Naraku could hear the venom in his tone.
Yes... you'll find me 'justice'. Maybe in the form of a silent grave under the moonlight?
"Also," Naraku added, "If this is going to be announced to the village, shouldn't it be passed through the Konoha Military Police?"
Fugaku blinked.Why bring me into this now?
The Hokage's expression instantly darkened."If that's the case, let's not trouble the Military Police, Patriarch."
He couldn't let them get involved—it would ruin any chance to delay or bury the incident.
But Naraku pressed on."I still want the opinion of the Uchiha Patriarch. What do you think, Lord Fugaku?"
Fugaku's voice faltered.
Suddenly, the memory of last night replayed in his head.Naraku's principle: Decisions that offend others should be made by someone else.
And now... he was being put in that position.
If he said yes, he'd offend the Hokage.
So Fugaku gave the same answer Naraku had given the night before:"Of course, normally this would fall under the Military Police… but only if Hokage-sama approves."
The Hokage's gaze was cold as iron.
Would he dare say yes?
And if he refused—how would he explain why?
After a long, bitter silence…
"Then I entrust it to the Uchiha Patriarch," the Hokage said, as if each word weighed a thousand pounds.