"Correct answer!"
As Uzumaki Nagato's trembling voice echoed through the space, everyone fell silent in utter disbelief.
Especially the residents of Konoha Village—they were almost stunned to death by what they had just heard about Uzumaki Nagato.
They didn't know who Yahiko was or the exact nature of his relationship with Nagato, but they weren't fools. For the space to ask that kind of question, Yahiko had to be someone incredibly close to him—possibly his brother in all but blood.
If they hadn't already seen countless miracles and truths within the exam space, they might've thought it was just some elaborate, twisted joke.
For the peace of the ninja world… he razed Konoha to the ground?
That voice—cold and divine—descended from the skies above Konoha. That same man who shouted, "Feel pain!", and cast the world into despair… Was he actually fighting for peace?
They were stunned.
No, they were beyond stunned.
Even Jiraiya's heart felt like it was about to explode from his chest.
He had faced countless dangers, from the Hidden Rain to the shadows of the Akatsuki, but this moment—this revelation—shook him more than anything else in his life.
Not even when he confessed his feelings to Tsunade did his heart beat this hard.
He was beginning to question everything.
Was Naruto really the Child of Destiny? Or was it… Nagato?
Why did it feel like the deeper he understood, the more Nagato fit the prophecy?
The burden he carried. The decisions he made. The power he wielded. The eyes he bore.
The Rinnegan...
Could it be that the one the Great Toad Sage spoke of—the one who would bring peace to the shinobi world—was Nagato all along?
But wasn't he dead?
Then again, the Fourth Hokage had been brought back. Resurrection wasn't an impossibility anymore. Could Nagato return too?
Jiraiya's thoughts spiraled in every direction, confusion gripping his soul like a vice.
Meanwhile, Konan's eyes shone with surprise after hearing Kakuzu's answer.
So that's why Nagato never resurrected Yahiko...
So that was the true reason...
Konan had always believed Nagato was guided by unshakable logic and strength. Her love for both Nagato and Yahiko had always been the purest kind—deep, loyal, without selfish intent. That truth hadn't changed.
Now that she understood, her heart finally found peace.
But...
Her sharp gaze turned to Kakuzu. She didn't expect someone in Akatsuki to know Nagato better than she did.
Could it be…?
What kind of relationship did they share?
For the first time, a flicker of something unreadable—curiosity, fire, perhaps even jealousy—lit Konan's beautiful eyes.
---
Uzumaki Nagato looked at Kakuzu with newfound respect. He hadn't expected him to actually guess the right answer.
He had thought this question would go unanswered.
He was still curious—deeply—but this wasn't the time or place to dig deeper.
He cast a long, thoughtful glance at Kakuzu. For the first time, Pain—no, Nagato—felt that this man was not to be underestimated.
He would have to get to know Kakuzu better. This man clearly had stories... and secrets.
After all, hadn't Kakuzu once said he completed a mission 800 miles away by himself?
That kind of man wasn't ordinary.
---
"Congratulations to the black team for answering correctly. Please prepare for the fifth question:
Who is Naruto Uzumaki's father?"
---
"Huh?! My father?!"
In the red team, Naruto Uzumaki froze.
His expression shifted rapidly: first stunned, then momentarily happy, then clouded by rage.
If he knew who it was, he would've grabbed the man by the collar and demanded answers.
Why didn't you come find me?
Why did you give birth to me but never take care of me?
Is that what a father is supposed to be?
---
"How is this question even hard?"
Jiraiya turned toward Tsunade, expecting to see her relaxed. But instead, she wore a complicated expression.
Wasn't the answer obvious?
Wasn't Naruto's father the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze?
That golden hair, that undeniable Uzumaki bloodline—wasn't it all obvious?
---
"This has to be a freebie," Tsunade said, nodding. "Feels like we got lucky this round."
She truly believed Naruto's future strength was the result of years of secret nurturing—probably by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, with the support of all Konoha's resources.
After all, after the live broadcast, Naruto had become the beacon of hope for the entire village. How could people not know his background?
---
"Well, we Konoha folk know it... but the Iron Country and other villages? Maybe not."
"This one's ours to take."
---
"Damn it...!"
Within the red team, the two Konoha Elders looked at each other, and both their expressions changed instantly.
Without saying a word, they began pushing past Root members toward Danzo, clearly agitated.
They weren't fools. They knew the storm this revelation would bring.
Everyone in Konoha's upper echelon, from the oldest clans to the council members, already knew the truth.
And now, it was going public.
---
"Father, do you know who Naruto-kun's father is?"
Hinata looked up with her pure white eyes, her face glowing with innocence and curiosity.
Her recent closeness with her father had made her more comfortable. She even got excited when her father asked her to invite Naruto over, and he always sent treats back through Naruto, made by her mother.
That alone made her heart flutter.
But her father's training had also become stricter. He was trying to prepare her—for something.
Hyuga Hiashi's expression darkened.
He had originally wanted to wait—wait until Naruto and Hinata grew closer, until Naruto's heart softened toward Konoha and the Hyuga clan.
This wasn't supposed to come out so early.
But now, with the question made public...
He looked around at the vast crowd of Konoha shinobi and citizens.
He sighed.
"I was planning to tell you later," Hiashi said quietly.
"Naruto Uzumaki's father... is the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
---
"The Fourth Hokage?!"
Hinata gasped, then quickly covered her mouth in shock.
Her little mind was spinning.
Naruto was the son of Hokage?
The Hokage?
That's what her father meant all along!
Her face turned bright red.
Luckily, after spending so much time with Naruto, she had learned how to control her excitement better.
Still, she couldn't help but glance at him, her white eyes wide with admiration.
---
"The Fourth Hokage...?"
Hinata's exclamation wasn't subtle. Despite her best efforts, several other teams heard it clearly.
Now, aside from the black team (who was answering), and the unconscious Sasuke Uchiha, the entire arena knew.
Whispers and gasps spread like wildfire.
Everyone looked at Naruto Uzumaki as if seeing him for the first time.
The Son of the Fourth Hokage?
A child of legacy?
Born with excellent genes and unmatched potential?
No wonder he rose so fast.
No wonder he survived so much.
---
"Uzumaki Naruto... is the son of Minato Namikaze?"
Raikage A of the Hidden Cloud was floored.
He never even knew Minato had a child.
The Fourth Hokage's sudden death had left a vacuum, one that nearly brought the world to the brink. If not for the repercussions, the other villages would've thrown a party at his passing.
But now?
Now they learn he left behind a son?
A monstrous son...
Ai shook his head, regret tugging at his face. If only they'd known sooner...
But before he could spiral deeper into thought, a loud voice rang out from the black team.
---
"Boss! I know the answer!"
"The answer is you, Boss: Uzumaki Nagato!"
It was Hidan, pointing proudly at Nagato.
---
...Silence.
---
Even Kakuzu facepalmed.
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