The Shinobi World was in chaos.
Hyperinflation had thrown everything into disorder.
The authorities either shirked responsibility or passed the buck. Some lords or Kage tried to save their countries, only to discover that too many people below them were greedy.
The money had already been distributed; asking for it back was impossible—half of it was already in private pockets.
No one would give it up.
With human nature's flaws, the unrest only grew, and the upper echelons and nobles seized the chance to amass wealth.
Konoha.
"Heavens! A loaf of bread costs five hundred thousand! Is this madness!?"
"No wonder the Hokage handed out money—it was a trick to make everything more expensive, so he wouldn't have to give out as much."
"Monster! He's a disaster, a demon!"
"He only brings bad luck!"
The commoners, limited by their circumstances, saw only rising prices and felt tricked by the Hokage.
Anger boiled in every street and alley. Even some ninjas joined the crowds in front of the Hokage building.
"The Hokage owes us an explanation!"
"Why, Hokage-sama, you promised to protect us—now a bowl of ramen costs five hundred thousand! That much money wouldn't even fit in a wagon…"
"Give us an explanation!"
Outside, angry voices swelled. Inside, Naruto was panicked and aggrieved.
"Naruto, calm down. I'll handle things outside," Kakashi soothed, worried Naruto would lose control.
Yet, under the weight of negativity, Naruto stared out the window at the angry faces of the villagers he'd sworn to protect and felt fear and alienation.
Is this the Konoha I swore to protect?
"Kakashi-sensei, why! I just wanted everyone to live well! I printed money, and gave it out, is that wrong!? I only wanted to help!"
Naruto slammed the desk in frustration, his face twisted in anger.
"Why are they like this!"
Kakashi rubbed his brow wearily and sighed.
"Naruto, it's beyond repair now. Not just Konoha, but the entire Shinobi World is in turmoil. Many countries' monetary systems have collapsed."
"Riots are breaking out everywhere. Even with ninja forces trying to keep order, things look grim. Rogue and rebel ninja are forming opposition groups—even some villages are…"
Kakashi was exhausted—he blamed himself for not watching Naruto more closely.
But it was too late!
The money distributed to each country had already been divvied up by the lords and Kage, with only scraps left. No one would give it back.
So, the collapse was total!
"Kakashi-sensei!"
"Naruto, listen to me. Stay in the office—I'll take care of everything."
Kakashi, physically and emotionally drained, decided to bear the responsibility alone.
Responsibility was the least of their worries—the unrest could last for years.
He stepped out, took a deep breath, and issued orders to the ninja outside:
"Keep order in the village. I'll explain everything myself."
"Yes!"
As soon as Kakashi left, the office door opened again.
When Naruto saw Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado enter, his expression soured.
He knew he was in trouble; the two elders were there to scold him.
"Seventh Hokage, you're the current Hokage. You made a mistake, but having Kakashi take the blame? Are you trying to show everyone you're a coward?"
"Letting the Sixth Hokage stand up for you? He's already retired."
Barely inside the room, the two elders started berating Naruto.
"I—!"
Naruto, feeling wronged, couldn't refute them.
Unexpectedly, Koharu took a deep breath and, suppressing her anger, said:
"Seventh Hokage, if you let Kakashi take the heat, do you know how the people will see you?"
"They'll think their Hokage is a coward! That you only run away from your mistakes!"
She almost seemed to care for him.
Homura nodded secretly—Koharu was putting on a good show. Regardless, their goal was to force Naruto to face the people.
With the situation spiraling, the two elders planned to step in and take charge, using Naruto's emotional instability as an excuse to temporarily seize power and have researchers study his blood and flesh.
"Seventh Hokage, listen to the voices outside."
Homura, seeing Naruto still calm, walked to the window and opened it.
Instantly, the curses and shouts outside flooded the office.
"Monster! You're the Nine-Tails incarnate!"
"Since this monster was born, Konoha has only suffered."
"What kind of Hokage are you?"
"Naruto, you're not fit to be our Hokage! We want an Eighth Hokage!"
Hearing this, and seeing the mood intensify, both elders smiled—they had planted people in the crowd to stir things up.
Hearing the villagers say he was unfit, Naruto finally snapped.
"I made the mistake, I'll take the responsibility! Kakashi-sensei doesn't need to bear it for me!"
As Naruto stormed out, the two elders exchanged triumphant glances.
"Naive boy!"
To them, Naruto was just a powerful ninja, but completely unfit for politics.
…
Outside the Hokage building, the crowd surged. Kakashi, exhausted, was preparing to speak when a golden-haired figure appeared.
"Naruto!"
Kakashi was shocked to see him there.
Despite his emotional state, Naruto's resilient nature showed as he stepped forward.
"Kakashi-sensei, this is my mistake. Let me handle it!"
But as he appeared, many in the crowd recoiled in fear.
"See? He's a demon!"
Someone shouted, and panic spread.
Naruto's appearance had changed—red skin, ferocious features, fangs—like a demon.
Koharu and Homura also stepped out.
"Kakashi, you were once Hokage. When did the Hokage become so cowardly, afraid to face the villagers?" Koharu said coldly.
Kakashi was speechless.
Naruto forced a stiff smile at the crowd, unaware of how terrifying it looked.
"Everyone, this is all my fault. My intention was only to help everyone live better lives. I gave out money so you could eat…"
But villagers began yelling.
"Hokage! You printed over a trillion, but how much did we get? How much did you give the other villages!?"
"Yeah! We suffered, but you gave other villages our money."
"Now a bowl of ramen is fifty thousand! Even a dog would do a better job as Hokage!"
"Step down! You're a demon in disguise!"
"You killed our families! Since you appeared, Konoha has only suffered."
"Give me back my parents!"
"Step down! We want a new Hokage!"
With the crowd whipped up, the anger escalated, and the scene spun out of control. Naruto's eyes reddened with fury.
"Overthrow the demon Hokage! Overthrow the demon Hokage!"
The people of Konoha had become too spoiled, forgetting the power Naruto possessed.
As things got out of hand, Kakashi tried desperately to calm the crowd.
Koharu sneered.
"Let Kakashi take over!"
"Yes, we welcome the Sixth Hokage!"
"Kakashi-sama, we support you!"
"Remove this monster!"
This was blatant incitement against Naruto—if it had been any other Hokage, it would've been considered treason.
"Everyone, please, Naruto did everything for the village…"
Kakashi exhausted himself trying to explain.
But the elders, Koharu and Homura, had no intention of letting things calm down.
Homura stepped forward, sighing.
"The villagers are revolting. The only option is for Kakashi to take charge for now."
Koharu, feigning concern, turned to Naruto.
"Naruto, you see how angry everyone is. If this continues, there'll be chaos. Why not resign for now? Don't worry—the Third Hokage did it too. You'll be needed again later…"
The two elders believed they'd succeeded. Even Kakashi was focused solely on calming the crowd.
But nobody noticed Naruto's bloodshot, furious eyes.
"I lived my whole life for you all! Now you want to throw me away!"
Suddenly, someone threw a rotten cabbage leaf. An old woman screamed:
"You monster, you should've been drowned at birth!"
The sight of the angry woman overlapped with memories of his childhood—cold, hateful villagers throwing stones and garbage at him.
It was all happening again, even after becoming Hokage.
"Step down! Monster!"
"Monster! You only bring disaster to Konoha!"
The crowd grew more violent, hurling refuse and curses.
Kakashi sensed danger and shouted:
"Ninja, move out! Stop the riot!"
He glared at the two elders—he finally realized there were agitators in the crowd.
"Naruto!"
Trying to calm Naruto, Kakashi was shocked by Naruto's furious gaze.
"Naruto, you—!"
Kakashi stared in disbelief as Naruto, overwhelmed by the crowd's ugly words, snapped and shouted:
"Kakashi-sensei! I just wanted to help them! What did I do wrong!? I gave them food and money, and they turn on me!"
Naruto roared, red-eyed with rage.
"I gave you food, and you betrayed me! Filthy wretches!"
Naruto cursed, shocking Kakashi.
Koharu and Homura exchanged satisfied looks—Naruto had shown his ugly side in public and was now unfit to be Hokage. Their plan had succeeded.
They signaled their agents in the crowd to stop inciting.
But then, the unexpected happened.
The White Zetsu hidden in the crowd, disguised as ninjas and villagers, gleefully kept stirring things up, out of control.
"Oh no! This is bad!"
Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat—Naruto's eyes were growing more and more frenzied, losing all reason.
"Stop! Stop!"
Even the elders panicked—it was out of their control.