Boom!
Naruto dropped the Book of Seals from his back onto the floor, producing a dull thud.
Though the motion was clumsy, the words that followed weren't.
"Are you sure this is the Book of Seals?" Kitahara Hitoshi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm!" Naruto nodded without hesitation.
"You stole it?" Kitahara continued.
"Yes!" Naruto grinned. "I thought it would be dangerous, but no one was guarding it!"
Kitahara Hitoshi was speechless.
---
Children and Grandchildren Chat Group
Namikaze Minato: That statement's a bit alarming.
Namikaze Minato: The Book of Seals is a core artifact. It's not something that should ever be left unattended.
Namikaze Minato: For Naruto to waltz in and take it so easily... Something's off.
Namikaze Minato: And the way he clambered through the window? Not subtle at all.
Senju Tobirama: Has the value of the Sealed Book declined under Sarutobi's rule?
Senju Hashirama: Maybe it should have been destroyed altogether.
Senju Tobirama: Destroyed? Brother, I poured everything into those techniques. The Book is a culmination of decades of research.
Senju Hashirama: Yeah, but they're all so dangerous. You're practically the only one who can use most of them safely.
Namikaze Minato: I'll back Tobirama-sama here. I learned the Flying Thunder God from that book.
Senju Tobirama: The Flying Thunder God? My prized technique!
Senju Tobirama: I'd love to see how you've adapted it.
Namikaze Minato: I feel a little awkward... but honored.
Senju Tobirama: Don't be. This is a matter of technique, not pride.
Namikaze Minato: Still, I can't believe Hiruzen would leave the Sealed Book unguarded. The techniques in there, if leaked, could destabilize the entire ninja world.
Senju Hashirama: My vote is still for destruction.
Senju Tobirama: Anija, please...
Senju Hashirama: I just wanted the next generation to inherit peace, not danger.
Senju Hashirama: Is this really the Konoha I hoped for?
Hashirama's tone fell heavy with disillusionment.
Namikaze Minato: Tobirama-sama...
Senju Tobirama: Ignore him. He's always been too idealistic. Still, even he knows the next generation faces challenges we never dreamed of.
---
At that moment, Tobirama and Minato heard Kitahara Hitoshi's voice come through the live feed.
"Then Naruto, you've likely been set up," Kitahara said evenly. "The Book of Seals is a compilation of powerful Forbidden Techniques created and researched by the Second Hokage himself."
"Just releasing one of them to another village could be catastrophic."
"So, the fact that you were able to steal it so easily means this was planned."
Naruto was unfazed. "Of course I know! But I'm a kid, and I failed today's genin exam."
"Then Mizuki-sensei approached me. He comforted me, said there was still a way."
"He said if I stole the Book of Seals and studied one technique, I could pass a secret make-up exam."
"My first thought? Something was wrong with him."
"Because besides you, Uncle Teuchi, Grandpa Third Hokage, and Iruka-sensei... no one else has ever cared about me."
"They just hate me. Always have."
"So when Mizuki suddenly treated me kindly, I knew he was lying."
"But I tried anyway... and I didn't expect it to actually work."
Naruto looked down at the Book of Seals in disbelief.
"So, this really is the Book..."
"Before Grandpa Third shows up... and before that idiot Mizuki catches on, let's leave Konoha and go to another village!"
Naruto said it so seriously that it sounded like a grand escape plan.
---
Children and Grandchildren Chat Group
Senju Hashirama: Poor kid... He sounds like he's been through a lot.
Namikaze Minato: Yeah. He's starved for kindness, so he can't even trust it when it comes.
Namikaze Minato: And... he's called Naruto.
Senju Tobirama: That name means something to you?
Namikaze Minato: Before I died, I named my newborn son Naruto... after the protagonist in Jiraiya-sensei's novel.
Senju Tobirama: Wait... You think this is your son?
Namikaze Minato: I don't know. It's possible. But it's also possible someone else liked the name too.
Senju Tobirama: Well, if he is your son, he should've been raised properly by Hiruzen.
Senju Tobirama: I trusted Sarutobi with that task.
Namikaze Minato: I left Naruto in his care too. I hoped he would be safe...
Namikaze Minato: But hearing this Naruto... it's hard to believe things went well.
Senju Tobirama: Fourth, you're compassionate. That's what made you a great Hokage.
Senju Tobirama: But this situation is serious. If Naruto is ready to defect with the Sealed Book, Hiruzen must've set a trap.
Senju Tobirama: Probably using Mizuki as bait and Naruto as the trigger.
Senju Tobirama: I may have misjudged Sarutobi. He's taking responsibility after all.
Namikaze Minato: Yeah...
---
Tick.
Hatake Kakashi has gone live.
Kakashi, finally recovering in the hospital, had just thanked Iruka. Though he hesitated, he decided to speak to Minato and Tobirama.
As soon as he logged into the group, though, he saw their conversation and froze.
He couldn't bring himself to speak.
---
But no one noticed Kakashi's arrival.
Because at that moment, everyone's attention shifted to what Kitahara Hitoshi said next.
"Naruto, while your plan seems clever... the predator chasing you isn't the only danger."
"There's always a bigger fish."
Kitahara glanced sideways.
"That idiot Mizuki... is already here."
With that, Kitahara shoved Naruto behind him and stepped forward.
Just then, a dozen kunai burst through the window in a spray of shattered glass.
"Shinra Tensei," Kitahara Hitoshi said calmly, raising his left hand.
His Rinnegan flared as the gravity wave surged forward.
And beside him, the white ninja rabbit lifted its head.