Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

Standing atop the Hokage Tower, Natsuro finally broke the silence.

"I want to tell everyone that Naruto Uzumaki has been a hero of Konoha since he was a child."

At these words, the crowd below froze in stunned silence, only to erupt moments later into a chorus of murmurs and debates.

But the murmurs carried doubt, not agreement. Even with Natsuro's impressive strength and authority as the new Hokage, many couldn't reconcile the idea of calling someone they viewed as a "fox demon" a hero.

Natsuro had anticipated this response. Calmly, he continued.

"I understand your doubts, but let me tell you this, Naruto Uzumaki is the only son of the Fourth Hokage."

The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd fell deathly silent again. Shock rippled through the crowd. How could it be? The fox demon is... the son of the Fourth Hokage? The gap between these two identities was unfathomable.

Even Naruto himself was wide-eyed, staring at Natsuro in disbelief. He had no idea about this revelation.

Natsuro gave the crowd a moment to absorb this bombshell before continuing.

"Of course, being the child of a hero doesn't automatically make one a hero themselves. But let me explain why Naruto is unquestionably a hero."

He began recounting the events of the Nine-Tails attack years ago, adding details unknown to the general public.

Most citizens knew only that the Fourth Hokage had given his life to stop the Nine-Tails and save Konoha. But they were unaware of the truth, that the Fourth Hokage had sealed the Nine-Tails inside his own son to contain its destructive power and ensure it couldn't harm the village again.

The Fourth Hokage had entrusted his son with this burden, believing in the village's people to treat him with kindness and compassion.

While Natsuro deliberately omitted details about Kushina, the previous Nine-Tails jinchūriki, the main point was clear.

"And yet, despite everything," Natsuro continued, his voice steady and solemn, "Naruto has never, not even once, harmed the people of Konoha due to the Nine-Tails."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"This means Naruto has fulfilled the Fourth Hokage's expectations perfectly, using his own body to seal and suppress the Nine-Tails' power, protecting Konoha every single day since he was born. That is why I say Naruto Uzumaki has always been Konoha's hero!"

Natsuro's gaze swept over the crowd, his tone softening.

"I know many of you lost loved ones in the Nine-Tails incident. I'm not asking you to forgive the fox. But..." Natsuro's voice sharpened, cutting through the air like a blade, "the fox is the fox, and Naruto is Naruto. He is not the Nine-Tails, and the Nine-Tails is not him."

As his words echoed, the atmosphere in the square grew heavy with contemplation. Even though Natsuro had laid out the truth, he knew not everyone could easily accept such a shift in perspective. For years, many had harbored resentment, fear, or outright hatred toward Naruto.

For some, the revelation left them reeling. They had merely watched Naruto with indifference, but now they realized their silence had contributed to his suffering. For others, those who had mocked or bullied him, the shame was almost unbearable. Many lowered their heads, their faces flushed with guilt, wishing they could vanish into the ground.

....

Naruto stood there, frozen. He had never imagined such a thing, that he was the son of the Fourth Hokage, the man he had admired his entire life.

His gaze drifted toward the Fourth Hokage's face carved into the mountainside. Was it true? Was that great man really my father?

The realization felt surreal, almost dreamlike. Yet, Natsuro had no reason to lie, especially in front of the entire village. It had to be true.

Naruto turned back to face the crowd. He saw the villagers' mixed reactions... Some remained silent, others averted their eyes, and many appeared deep in thought. It was a sight Naruto had never seen before.

Suddenly, a gruff voice echoed in his mind.

"Hmph, brat. Their hatred for you is starting to dissolve. Right now, they're probably drowning in guilt," scoffed the Nine-Tails, his tone dripping with disdain.

Naruto blinked in surprise at the sudden comment but then felt a small spark of hope. His eyes brightened, and he whispered in reply, "Thank you."

The Nine-Tails froze, startled by the unexpected gratitude.

Even in this moment, Naruto's kind heart shone through.

Clearly, it was because of the Nine-Tails that Naruto had never received the treatment befitting the son of the Hokage. For the first time, the beast's expression grew complex.

It had seen the moment when Natsuro spoke and acknowledged his words. The hatred the villagers bore toward the Nine-Tails was justified, it had taken their loved ones. Even the Nine-Tails itself could not dispute this.

But it still didn't understand why it had felt compelled to prompt Naruto earlier.

The Nine-Tails slowly closed its eyes, lost in thought.

Naruto, meanwhile, looked at the crowd before him. Are they feeling guilty? Are they regretting how they treated me in the past?

A brilliant smile spread across his face. In that moment, all his nervousness melted away.

"Everyone," Naruto began, his voice loud and clear, "I've always been happy growing up. I've had friends like Natsuro, Sasuke, and Iruka-sensei, who've always taken care of me... So, please, don't feel guilty for me!"

Tears glimmered in his eyes as he continued, "And now, I've decided to fully accept the Nine-Tails' presence inside me. So, from this moment on, I can represent it."

The crowd grew silent, hanging on his every word.

"The wrongs caused by the Nine-Tails, I'll take responsibility for them. Here and now, I promise all of you that I won't let the Nine-Tails ever harm anyone in this village again! I'll use its power to protect Konoha!"

His voice grew stronger, full of resolve. "And one day…"

Naruto stretched out his hand, his voice unwavering.

"I'll become a Hokage that everyone can look up to... Just like my father, Granny Tsunade, and Natsuro!"

He bowed deeply toward the crowd. "Until that day comes, please watch over me!"

Naruto's words left everyone stunned. Even Natsuro hadn't anticipated Naruto's heartfelt declaration. Naruto wasn't just claiming responsibility for the Nine-Tails, he was actively taking on its burdens and vowing to use its power for the village's sake.

To Natsuro, the villagers' anger and hatred hadn't been unjustified. They had lost family and homes because of the Nine-Tails. Their pain and resentment were natural.

The only issue was that they hadn't known the truth about Naruto's connection to the Nine-Tails. How could they? Without the higher-ups revealing the truth, they had only ever seen Naruto as the incarnation of the beast that had caused their suffering.

"Naruto..." Iruka whispered, his gaze softening as he looked up at his former student standing proudly on the Hokage Tower.

Iruka himself hadn't known Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son. The revelation had been as shocking to him as to the others.

But now, seeing Naruto speak with such conviction, tears glimmered in Iruka's eyes. A proud smile spread across his face. They've all grown up... My students, each and every one of them, are my greatest pride.

Sasuke stood quietly, his gaze fixed on Naruto. There was a complex mix of emotions in his eyes. But slowly, he smiled. That's Naruto for you, he thought. Always stepping up in ways I couldn't.

"Calling me 'Granny Tsunade' in front of everyone? That little brat!" Tsunade muttered, though her smile betrayed her true feelings.

Shizune, standing nearby, chuckled softly, glancing between Tsunade, Natsuro, and Naruto. For the first time in a long while, she felt like things were finally falling into place.

Gradually, the villagers who had lowered their heads in shame began to raise them again. What they saw was Naruto's radiant, unshakable smile, a smile meant for all of them.

Somewhere, someone began clapping.

The sound echoed in the silence, spreading like wildfire. Soon, the entire square was filled with applause, a thunderous ovation that seemed to wash away the past.

In that moment Naruto's heartfelt words, and his radiant smile, reached every heart...

Check out the patreon and get 55 chapters in advance -> SaintXI

Currently on Chapter 296 - Swift Release's Power