Chapter 90: Sixth Hokage
Renji stood before Naruto, half a head taller, looking down at him. His heterochromatic eyes were filled with playful mockery. He stared at Naruto as if watching a private joke.
As if recalling something delightful, the corners of his lips slowly curved upward.
"Oh, right."
"It's not just Pain..."
Renji stared unblinkingly into Naruto's eyes and said, word by word, "Your sensei, Jiraiya, also died by my hand."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (230,975,002 / 400,000,000)]
As if that wasn't enough, Renji continued, "And Renji... he also died by my hand."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (235,975,002 / 400,000,000)]
"You really are an idiot," Renji sighed, almost amused.
"Aren't you supposed to be ending the cycle of hatred?"
Renji took a step forward, closing the distance. At this range, it would be difficult to dodge any sudden move. He slightly raised his chin, exposing his neck to Naruto.
"You can avenge them right now."
Naruto's reflection in Renji's pupils was a mask of pure, naked hatred. His eyes were crimson, staring fixedly at Renji. The veins on his forehead bulged, his hands trembling.
He was enduring, trying to hold onto his new resolve. 'When would hatred end? He wanted to end hatred. He wanted to bring peace.'
"Why did you do this?" Naruto demanded.
When Renji heard the question, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a sarcastic smile.
Naruto's hands shot out, gripping Renji's collar. "Tell me! Why did you do this?!" he shouted. "Pain said he was doing it for peace! What about you? Why did you kill them?"
Naruto couldn't understand. Was Hasumi Maki just born evil? Was he rotten to the core? Naruto didn't want to believe it. He and Renji were brothers. How could they be so different?
Renji truly admired Naruto. If his enemy was this close, he wouldn't be able to restrain himself.
"For what?" Renji repeated.
"For malice." He smiled and told Naruto the simple truth.
But Naruto didn't understand. He opened his mouth, speechless. After a long moment, he stiffly continued, "And what is malice for?"
Renji patted Naruto's head. "Good question. What is malice for?" He answered, "To become stronger."
Naruto looked as if he'd heard something absurd. "Other people's malice makes you stronger? Like... like fuel for your training?"
Naruto's understanding of 'malice' and Renji's were clearly on different levels. Renji didn't bother to explain. He just nodded, acknowledging Naruto's statement.
"Aren't you going to kill me?" Renji whispered, tempting him. "If you kill me, you can resolve your inner conflict. You can avenge Renji and Jiraiya."
Naruto clenched his fists, his eyes darkening. "I won't kill you," he declared, making the same choice. His tone firmed. "I believe that if Renji and Ero-sennin were here, they wouldn't want me to kill you either!"
Renji almost burst out laughing. 'Using others as an excuse for your own selfishness really does make you feel better, doesn't it?' It was just self-comfort.
Renji took a Modified Human from his ninja tool pouch and placed it in his palm. He raised an eyebrow, signaling Naruto to look closely.
"Guess who this is?"
Naruto's pupils trembled as he stared at the distinctly featured creature.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (240,975,002 / 400,000,000)]
'Even hating me this much, you're still unwilling to take revenge?' Renji smiled.
Naruto's vision blurred. He now... had some trouble distinguishing between Renji and Hasumi Maki...
Pfft!
Blood splattered on Naruto's cheek. He blinked blankly, his pupils slowly moving downward.
Renji tightened his grip. The blood of the crushed Modified Human dripped from between his fingers.
Plop... Plop...
Naruto's pupils constricted to pinpricks, staring fixedly at Renji's clenched fist.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (245,975,002 / 400,000,000)]
"I believe that a time when people understand each other will surely come..." Naruto murmured, Jiraiya's and his father's words echoing in his ears. "...Someone has to swallow the bitter fruit... to end the endless cycle of hatred..."
Naruto closed his eyes. Yes, this was the responsibility entrusted to him. He couldn't give in.
He opened his eyes, looking at Renji with a calm gaze that hid his sadness.
Renji didn't believe Naruto could endure this.
"Kill me," he whispered, his voice a curse. "And Renji will be able to return to your side."
Renji's hand slowly took Naruto's. His eyes softened, and his voice shifted, softening into a perfect, gentle imitation of the brother he'd killed.
"Naruto, I miss you so much..."
Naruto's pupils constricted. He gasped for air, as if he couldn't breathe, his free hand tightly clutching his chest.
Renji released Naruto's hand, his eyes turning cold and his voice returning to his own mocking tone. "And he considered you his best friend. Why aren't you willing to save him?"
Naruto was in so much pain he couldn't breathe. Tears overflowed, bringing a burning sting.
"He was only sixteen when he died..." Renji continued, twisting the knife. "He didn't even want to die. He hadn't said a proper goodbye... The friend he protected with his life, yet that friend didn't care enough to save him..."
Thump!
Naruto fell to his knees, curling over like a shrimp in pain. Tears dripped onto the ground.
Renji watched indifferently, his lips curling, before his figure vanished. Black Zetsu also disappeared.
"Naruto!" A figure appeared in the damaged gap of the iron tower. Sakura rushed in, kneeling before Naruto.
Naruto looked up, tears streaming. "Sakura, will you blame me?" he asked.
Though she didn't know why, the sadness in Naruto seemed to transfer to her. Her eyes reddened, and she forced a smile. "I will never blame you, Naruto. We are comrades."
She reached out and hugged him, gently patting his back.
At the damaged part of the tower, Ino, Shikamaru, Lee, Tenten, Hinata, and Neji entered, but no one spoke. Naruto's tears flowed even more profusely.
"Renji could have survived..." Naruto murmured.
Sakura's body stiffened. Renji's name had become an unspeakable, hidden pain.
...
Shikamaru and Sakura helped Naruto walk toward the village. Naruto had become a hero. Yet no one was in the mood to celebrate. The entire village was immersed in sadness.
One after another, corpses were excavated from the rubble. Husbands, wives, children, parents... they all fell on the stiffened bodies, weeping bitterly. Despair shrouded Konoha.
…
Land of Fire, Conference Room.
The atmosphere was solemn. The Land of Fire Daimyo sat at the head, leisurely fanning himself.
On the left were Konoha's representatives: Danzo Shimura, Renji (masked), and Nara Shikaku. On the right were the Land of Fire's ministers.
"Regarding the handling of the Akatsuki, we and our allies intend to continue," Danzo stated.
"Now that the village is in such a state, our Land of Fire must fully support its reconstruction," the Finance Minister said to the Daimyo. A ninja village was a country's most important military force.
"First, a budget must be made, and then we have the tense relations with other countries..." The Finance Minister's words were cut off.
"Before all that, one thing must be done first!" Danzo interrupted.
"The most important thing is to choose the new Hokage," Danzo said, looking at the Daimyo.
Renji noticed the change in Nara Shikaku's expression.
"Won't it be fine once Tsunade recovers?" the Daimyo asked calmly, wanting to avoid the effort of selecting a new one.
"Does Lord Daimyo truly want Tsunade to continue as Hokage?" Danzo countered. "Konoha has suffered a severe blow, and Tsunade, as Hokage, bears great responsibility!"
The Daimyo pondered, finding Danzo's words reasonable. "Then who do you think is suitable?"
Danzo remained silent.
"Lord Daimyo," Renji spoke up. "I believe Konoha needs someone who can bring reform and uphold the ninja's iron rules."
The Daimyo nodded. "That makes sense."
"Therefore, I recommend Lord Danzo as the next Hokage," Renji said softly. "Lord Danzo is not only the Second Hokage's disciple, but he also possesses extensive experience, having dedicated decades of service. There is no one more suitable."
His tone was factual. The Daimyo nodded repeatedly.
"Hmm, it's decided. Danzo, I appoint you as the Sixth Hokage," the Daimyo declared casually.
Nara Shikaku gritted his teeth. He knew exactly who Danzo would target first. He worried for Naruto.
…
Konoha's reconstruction was in full swing. Simple tents were erected. Inside one, the atmosphere was heavy. Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi stood guard beside the unconscious Tsunade.
Sakura knelt worriedly. "Hokage-sama expended too much chakra summoning Katsuyu. That's why she hasn't woken up."
Whoosh— The tent flap was thrown open. Intense sunlight flooded in.
As their eyes adjusted, they saw Danzo Shimura silhouetted in the entrance.
What shocked them more was Renji, following right behind him.
Renji wore the ANBU uniform but no mask. His familiar, yet unfamiliar, face was completely exposed. For a moment, everyone stood frozen.
"Ren... Renji..." Naruto's voice trembled with joy and fear. He feared it was a dream. He took two difficult steps forward, eyes fixed on Renji as he slowly raised his hands.
Clack—
A crisp sound. Danzo's cane struck Naruto's hand with lightning speed. A crimson mark instantly appeared, but Naruto seemed oblivious, still staring at Renji.
Kakashi and Sakura's gazes hadn't wavered. Time seemed to freeze.
"Time for lunch!" The tent flap opened again. Ino, Shikamaru, Lee, Tenten, Hinata, and Neji entered. The lively scene instantly fell silent.
Ino's lunchbox slipped from her grasp, crashing to the ground. Rice balls rolled out, ignored. Everyone stared dumbfounded at Renji.
The tent was silent.
Renji's gaze swept over them. "Three days ago, the Land of Fire Daimyo officially appointed Lord Danzo as the Sixth Hokage," he announced calmly.
The news struck like thunder.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Sakura was the first to react, shouting in protest. She stared intently at Renji, unaware she had bitten deep marks into her lower lip.
Hearing her, Renji's expression darkened. "Sakura Haruno, are you questioning the Daimyo's decision? Or are you questioning the Sixth Hokage?"
His voice was icy, sending chills down spines.
Sakura's eyes reddened. She couldn't believe this cold person was Renji. 'Renji had always been gentle with her.' She fought back tears, sniffing hard.
Naruto seemed not to hear. 'Hokage? Sixth? Daimyo?' He threw it all to the wind. His eyes saw only Renji. Renji was finally back!
After entrusting matters to Renji, Danzo left to inform the jonin of an emergency meeting.
Naruto rushed forward and grabbed Renji's hand. His facial muscles trembled uncontrollably from excitement.
"Renji, you're back... It's really great..." Naruto's voice choked. "Why are you only coming back now? I've waited for you so, so long..."
Renji expressionlessly brushed away Naruto's hand.
Lee stood quietly. He sensed a profound change in Renji—a heavy dark cloud. "Renji... why... why is it like this..." His words were fragmented.
In panic, Lee turned his pleading gaze to Neji.
Neji pursed his lips. "Renji, since you didn't die, why did you hide it from us?"
"He didn't lie to us!" Naruto interjected anxiously. "Renji was resurrected! He didn't deceive anyone! We personally placed him in the coffin..." He stopped, turning to shake Shikamaru's shoulders. "Shikamaru, you should know! Renji really didn't lie! Explain for Renji!"
Shikamaru remained silent, his eyes filled with complex emotions. His rational mind had already analyzed the cruel truth the moment Renji appeared.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000]
[Chakra (245,985,002 / 400,000,000)]
Shikamaru let Naruto shake him. He stared at Renji and asked Naruto, "Why don't you let Renji explain himself?"
He understood that Naruto knew, deep down. From the moment Renji stood with Danzo, he wouldn't bother explaining.
Renji couldn't be bothered. He stared at Naruto, hands quickly forming seals.
Instantly, a smooth, transparent, crystal-like ice mirror appeared before Naruto. It rushed toward him, passing through his body without obstruction. Simultaneously, Naruto vanished, his figure clearly trapped within the ice mirror.
Inside, Naruto pounded the mirror surface, shouting, "Renji! Renji! Let me out! Renji, why is this happening?" His tone held no anger, only deep confusion.
Renji replied expressionlessly, "By order of the Sixth Hokage, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto, is to be apprehended and detained."
His gaze swept over the shocked group. "From today onwards, no one may visit the Jinchuriki without the Sixth Hokage's order."
Shikamaru gripped Renji's wrist, trembling. "So, you were an undercover agent planted among us, right?"
Everyone stared.
"Yes," Renji confirmed. Afraid they wouldn't give up, he added, "Everything was a pretense. My purpose in joining Team 7 was to monitor Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."
Inside the ice mirror, Naruto stopped struggling.
"Whether you admit it or not, only the Sixth Hokage can lead Konoha to a true tomorrow," Renji stated. He looked back at the unconscious Tsunade. "And not... the incompetent and cowardly Tsunade."
"Oh, and by the way," Renji warned Shikamaru, "stop playing your Nara Clan's little tricks. If your father cannot wholeheartedly support the new Hokage, then he should step down."
"Are you killed Yuhi Kurenai..." Shikamaru didn't know why he connected the two. He would have blamed Hasumi Maki in the past, but his intuition screamed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Renji said, his lips curving into a smile. "I only kill Konoha traitors who collude with the Akatsuki."
He added, "She might have been among them."
----
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