Chapter 69 – The Final Flaw
As those scenes appeared one after another, the negative emotions in Naruto's mind completely dissipated.
At that moment, Jirou reached out and gently patted Naruto's head. "Don't worry. The Uzumaki clan all have red hair. Your hair is blond, so maybe you just happen to share the Uzumaki surname by coincidence."
Jirou spoke with a smile, then crouched down to let Naruto stand on his own. "We're almost at Tazuna's house. You should have recovered a bit of strength, right?"
A trace of gloom flashed across Naruto's eyes, but he still nodded vigorously and forced a bright smile. "I'm going to be Hokage! A little exhaustion is nothing!"
Seeing his expression, Jirou raised a brow slightly. This genin called Uzumaki Naruto truly had a strange way of thinking.
"Jirou-san… what about your wife?" Naruto asked, unable to ignore the sorrow Jirou always showed whenever he mentioned her.
"She disappeared. And so did my newborn child."
Jirou spoke calmly, but the sadness on his face could not be hidden.
He sighed lightly, then turned to look at Naruto, his voice tinged with bitterness. "If that child is still alive, he would probably be about your age now."
Naruto, walking beside him, trembled slightly. His gaze drifted to Jirou's bright blond hair, his lips quivering as if wanting to speak. But before he could, Jirou's voice sounded again.
"The reason I came to the Land of Waves is because someone told me they had information about my wife and son. I'm waiting for them to come and make a trade."
"Don't tell anyone about this. I only told you, Naruto."
Jirou spoke gently, as if not noticing Naruto's expression at all.
So that's why Jirou-san came here—to find his wife and son, and he finally had information…
Hearing this, Naruto's brief suspicion was extinguished, and faint disappointment showed on his face.
"All right, Naruto. Training must be done in moderation. Rest early today."
Standing at Tazuna's door, Jirou spoke softly.
"Ah—thank you, Jirou-san."
Naruto blinked, realizing they had already arrived, and quickly bowed his head in gratitude.
"Dead last. I thought you wouldn't make it back tonight," Sasuke said with a cold sneer while leaning on the doorway, though the tension from earlier had vanished.
After all, Kakashi and Jirou had left at the same time—it was impossible for Sasuke and Sakura not to worry.
With a warm smile, Jirou nodded politely to Sasuke and Sakura before heading to his room. Behind him, he could hear Sasuke and Naruto immediately begin quarreling again.
Click.
As the door closed softly, Jirou's gentle smile vanished instantly, replaced by complete indifference.
Kakashi was already suspicious of him. If not for Lord Yuto creating this opportunity today, it would have been nearly impossible to get Naruto alone.
But with how things went… he hadn't wasted the chance Lord Yuto prepared.
He had already done everything he needed to do, and he had kept every piece of information vague on purpose.
Naruto might look like a child, but anyone who drew this much attention from Lord Yuto was certainly no ordinary ninja.
Jirou had already placed Naruto on the same level as himself—every word he spoke carried a purpose.
As a former clan leader, no one understood better than him that in this world, no one ever fully believes what another person says. No matter how sincere someone appears, or even if their intentions are completely benevolent, the listener will always retain some level of caution. That is human nature.
To make someone believe what you say, you don't tell him what to think—you make him reach the conclusion himself.
People may doubt the words spoken by others, but the conclusions they reach through their own thinking are rarely questioned.
The things Jirou told Naruto, though seemingly disconnected, continuously planted subtle reminders in Naruto's subconscious.
When the day came that Naruto stopped to think deeply, Jirou's objective would be achieved.
In Jirou's view, someone who states their intentions outright is incredibly foolish. No matter how flawless a plan is, there will always be loopholes.
This method—appearing to hand over all initiative to the other party—was what Jirou excelled at most.
Just like back then with Tsuchida Masamitsu, the former deputy captain of the Anbu. Jirou had said nothing and done nothing, yet Tsuchida Masamitsu had spoken every word Jirou wanted him to say.
Unfortunately, Jirou underestimated Lord Yuto's influence, and he also underestimated Genshin's resolve.
"The time was too rushed… there are still several flaws."
"But this is a good chance to carry out the second matter Lord Yuto entrusted to me."
Jirou's expression remained calm as he spoke in a voice only he could hear.
————
Early the next morning—
Countless rays of light fell from the sky, warm sunlight landing on Naruto's face.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling in silence.
Why is my surname Uzumaki? Are my parents originally from the Uzumaki clan, or is there another reason? But Jirou-san said the Uzumaki clan all have red hair, and mine is blond. Does that mean one of my parents had blond hair? Then who is my father? Who is my mother? And why does everyone in the village know I'm a monster?
Naruto touched his stomach as countless questions he had never considered before surfaced one by one.
Bang! Bang!
Heavy knocking sounded from outside the door.
"Naruto, you idiot, get up already! Tazuna-san insists on going to work on the bridge today—we have to protect him."
Sakura's annoyed voice came from outside.
Hearing her, Naruto froze for a moment, then suddenly leapt up from the bed, grabbing his head and shouting:
"What am I even thinking about?!"
Naruto shook his head hard. The silence on his face vanished, replaced by his usual bright expression. "I'll be ready soon!" he shouted back toward the door.
(End of Chapter)
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