After the villagers left, silence settled over the street. Only the clan heads, their children, Hiruzen, his Anbu, Naruto, and Kasi remained.
The smell of smoke and spilled alcohol still lingered, and the moonlight cast long shadows across the ground. The party decorations fluttered weakly in the night breeze — a reminder of how quickly joy had turned to chaos.
Naruto stood quietly beside his friends, unsure how to feel. He had been angry, sad, and thankful all at once.
The clan heads checked their children, relieved to see they were unharmed. Then they turned toward Kasi.
Kasi bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "Your children had to see that because of me. I didn't want them to witness such ugliness."
Hiashi Hyuga shook his head. "There's no need to apologize. The shame lies with those who acted like fools."
Shikaku sighed softly. "Still… it's not something children should have to see ."
Inoichi crossed his arms. "Maybe not. But sometimes reality teaches faster than words."
The children stood close together. Shikamaru, hands in his pockets, looked at his father and then at Kasi.
"We were taught about the Will of Fire," he said quietly. "That everyone in the village is like family… but the villagers treated Naruto like he's not part of that family."
The adults fell silent for a moment.
Ino nodded a little. "It didn't feel right."
Choji frowned. "Yeah… they were so mean. Naruto didn't do anything wrong."
Kiba clenched his fist. "If Akamaru was here, he would've bitten those idiots!"
Shino adjusted his glasses but spoke softly. "Their actions towards naruto was shameful. They acted without thinking."
Everyone turned when Hinata, the shyest among them, stepped forward. Her voice was small but firm.
"They were wrong… Naruto-kun didn't deserve that. He's kind. He doesn't hurt anyone. why didn't you guys protected him."
Her words carried an innocent strength that made everyone quiet again. Naruto's eyes widened; no one had ever defended him so openly before.
Kasi looked at them — each child standing there, confused but brave enough to question what they saw. He smiled softly and said:
"The world is a complicated place," he said in a calm, deep tone. "There are many things you don't understand yet — and that's okay. But remember this: don't follow the crowd. People will always talk, sometimes without thinking. Learn to see things for yourself. Experience, listen, and then decide what's right. That's how you'll truly grow."
The children listened quietly.
Shikamaru nodded slowly. "Guess that makes sense."Choji smiled. "Yeah, I'll remember that."Hinata looked at him with quiet admiration.Naruto, standing there, felt a strange warmth in his heart — someone had stood up for him, and someone had just told his friends to see him for who he was, not what others said.
After a few more words of thanks and reassurance, the clan heads gathered their children.
Before leaving, Shikamaru glanced back and said lazily, "Happy birthday, Naruto… next one better not end like this."Naruto grinned a little. "Yeah, thanks, Shika."
Naruto then turned to Hinata and said. Hinata, thank you
Hinata blushed hearing that.
The families slowly left the area, their footsteps fading into the night.
Now, only Naruto, Hiruzen, his Anbu, and Kasi remained.
The old Hokage's face was unreadable, though his eyes showed both concern and calculation. Naruto looked between the two men — one he'd known all his life, and one who seemed to care in a way no one else ever had.
Kasi's expression hardened slightly. His voice grew colder than before.
"Hokage-sama… we have a lot to talk."
He then turned to Naruto. His warm smile returned.
"Naruto, I know you have a lot of questions for me, and I want to answer them all. But can you wait… just one week? I promise — I will answer everything."
Naruto's eyes widened. His heart was full of questions, and he was a little afraid of the answers. Still, he nodded silently.
Don't forget to give power stones
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