Fugaku almost fainted when he heard Naruto’s idea. This wasn’t just treating Itachi as a criminal.
It was torturing Itachi. Didn’t he understand Itachi? Would he ever accept such punishment?
No, he would never accept it. He would rather die without meeting Sasuke than face such a punishment.
As for Sasuke, it was possible for him to accept this punishment. After all, Itachi didn’t just kill his clan and his parents.
He also tortured Sasuke.
But after knowing the truth, Sasuke’s mind might change slightly. Even so, he believed Naruto would be able to convince Sasuke.
Because Sasuke wouldn’t want to tarnish his clan and his brother’s reputation. So, Naruto’s story held some truth.
"What the hell? Naruto, when did you get a brain like this?"
Kurama was stunned inside his psyche. He never thought Naruto would play a card like this.
Even Minato and Kushina shuddered at the thought of this. Even for a lecherous person like Jiraiya, it would be torture.
’Well, Kurama, you should know about this. You can sense my emotions.’
Naruto didn’t know how to explain that he thought of that. It just occurred to his mind when he was thinking about his anger and resentment.
It was because of this resentment that Kurama didn’t try to convince Naruto. He just let Naruto do whatever he wished.
"But I never thought you would come up with an idea like this."
Kurama shouted.
’Kurama, I don’t want Sasuke to lose his only brother, but Itachi’s crimes are not something that I can just ignore.’
’He didn’t just kill people who wanted to revolt. He killed children, women, and older people who were just living their own lives.’
Naruto answered him before turning towards Fugaku as he said.
"From the village’s perspective, Itachi is a hero. He saved the village from a civil war. But the problem is the village is the culprit here."
"It was Danzo pulling the strings, and the Third Hokage did nothing about it. So for the village, both Danzo and Itachi are criminals."
"One wanted Sharingan; the other was just too arrogant to think of other solutions. So, I am not going to favor either of them."
"Danzo’s goal has always been to be Hokage. But I have turned him into a traitor and the most infamous person in the Leaf."
"Not only that, he will continue getting more infamy. This is Danzo’s punishment: living a life of a rat in a gutter with no one to help him."
"Itachi’s punishment is just to give birth to at least a thousand children within twenty years."
"The punishment shouldn’t be an end. It should be the beginning of something more important, a more beautiful future."
"A future where people of the village have the talent of the Uchiha Clan, blood of the Senju Clan, and the Will of Fire of Konoha."
These words affected Tobirama and Fugaku more than anything else. They also believed that if it was possible, then Itachi’s punishment was indeed logical.
One could never underestimate the Uchiha’s talent.
Kabuto suddenly asked.
"Naruto, what if Itachi’s children became just another Itachi? Can Konoha or even this world handle that?"
Naruto gave him a strange look and said.
"Why do you think like that? If parentage was really that important for a person’s mindset, why do you think education exists?"
"It is to teach them what they can’t learn from their parents. Even if arrogance is hidden deep within their bones, do you think it is something Konoha can’t handle?"
Naruto stood up and said.
"The only reason Uchiha were even thinking of rebelling against Konoha was that its leaders were weak."
"I am not weak. I have a whole century ahead of me. The person I will choose as the second Hokage will not be weak."
"So, what reason do we have to fear a possibility? If we start fearing possibilities, how will that make us any different than the previous leaders of Konoha?"
"Remember Kabuto, only fear the possibility of innocent death; do not fear the possibility of chaos."
That’s right! Naruto wasn’t afraid of any kind of rebellion. He even believed some Root members could ignite rebellion.
But he only killed those who were sure to rebel against him. Just because some of them could rebel against him didn’t mean he should kill everyone.
To a certain extent, even Sai could rebel against him. After all, Sai hadn’t seen his bond with Sasuke, nor had he felt the bond between people.
But just because of fear of possibility, he couldn’t possibly kill Sai, right?
Naruto looked at Tobirama and said.
"Wear a mask and release the soundproofing array!"
Tobirama sighed. He took out a mask, wearing it as he released the soundproofing array.
Naruto used Chakra to tap the table in a certain pattern. A few seconds later, two Anbu members appeared in the room.
"Restore this man’s identity under the order of the Fifth Hokage. Consult the current caretaker; he should recognize Kabuto."
Naruto knew that man. He wasn’t the director, since that man only recognized Nono as the director of Konoha Orphanage.
But he did take care of the orphanage while Kabuto was away.
"Also, Kabuto, take this!"
Naruto folded the scroll on the table and threw it towards him.
Kabuto looked surprised.
"Are you going to trust me with this so early, Lord Hokage?"
Naruto smiled upon hearing that title and said.
"I trust anyone willing to help the village thrive. Besides, I believe you will do better with that than me."
Kabuto grew serious and nodded.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Soon, he was taken by two Anbu members.
On the other hand, Tobirama looked at Naruto and said.
"Isn’t that trust a bit too much? Just a few hours ago, he was still the traitor of the village."
"Isn’t it because of your student?"
Naruto remarked before quickly continuing.
"We don’t have to worry about his betrayal. Kabuto is a remarkable individual. He is just misguided by others."
"Someone who can feel compassion for an unknown child couldn’t possibly raise an ingrate."