"How was it?"

Inoichi was subjected to Sarutobi's question as soon as he returned to reality.

"The boy didn't lie. Everything he had claimed was true."

Sarutobi stilled. He had expected Inoichi to return to tell him that Naruto was lying, though he found it hard to believe. After all, how could memories be faked? But now Inoichi's telling him that everything Naruto had claimed was proven true by his memories? How could it be!? How could two people memories contradict each other!?

"I felt dizzy..."

Naruto's voice brought him out of his thoughts. Sarutobi glanced at the clock and sighed. "You can go home now Naruto. Sorry for doubting your words...and all the trouble I've brought to you."

"..." Naruto was silent, as if he's debating whether or not he should forgive his old man. "It's...alright. As long as you believed me... I'm just hurt that you believed a spy over me, jiji."

Sarutobi looked down guiltily.

"Your memories may not be faked."

A voice made all three of them jump a feet. Three heads turned simultaneously to Mizuki's direction, to Mizuki...

...and to the person standing behind him: Ibiki.

"But you can be faked."

Naruto forced himself to stare into those cold, tunnel-like eyes.

"Ibiki!" Sarutobi barked.

"I'm not a Yamanaka, so I won't say much about your memories..." Ibiki began, his voice deep and rough. "However, you're actions made me suspicious. Or rather, everything about you made me suspicious. I've been observing you since you entered this room. And I found that everything you do, your reactions and replies, were all trying to lure us to check your memories."

Naruto looked calm, but inside he was in turmoil. Even with hundreds of loops he had been through, he still couldn't trick Ibiki. Seems like age doesn't equal experience.

"Ibiki, you will stop right now!"

Ibiki ignored Sarutobi and continued. "You kept on making the Hokage feel guilty for suspecting you. You mentioned how he believed a spy over you, how memories doesn't mean anything, and how a Yamanaka may have turned traitor and helped Mizuki. Then, to make the Hokage even more guilty and worried, you 'lose' control of the Kyuubi's chakra, which I'm sure you have planned ahead of time, though I have no idea how you manage to have such great control of it on your first try. You continued your little drama and talked bad about yourself, reminding the Hokage of your identity as the Kyuubi host and making him even more guilty and saddened of his actions.

"Seeing the Hokage was finally moved by your little act, you stopped releasing the Kyuubi's chakra. Because Hokage-sama was so guilty, he was urged to prove your innocence. Thus, when Inoichi asked to look into your mind, the Hokage didn't stop him. And then you smirked, because everything went exactly according to your plan. Am I correct?"

Silence followed Ibiki's little speech. Inoichi was looking thoughtful. Sarutobi was looking furious. And Naruto...

...he didn't say anything. Partly because he didn't know what to say, but mostly because he's worried that what he say next would be used against him again.

"I don't know how you manage to fool Inoichi, a master in psychological torture, with your memories, but I do know that you're definitely not who you claimed to be. You better be careful in your actions, and whatever you're planning. Because I will be watching you. Have a nice day."

Naruto turned his head almost mechanically towards Sarutobi. After getting no response, Naruto bolted out of the room with an expression of a mix of disappointment, anger, and sadness.

The door slammed shut...then it was silence...

"Well..." Inoichi coughed, and began explaining what he had seen in Naruto's mind.

When he finished, Sarutobi sighed and rubbed his beard. "So that's why my ANBU reported to have seen Naruto going to Sasuke's house. I never thought they could be friends. After all, one's the deadlast while the other is the top of the class. Finally, one matter solved."

"And not to say, the boys' are a genius in acting..." Inoichi remarked, reminding Sarutobi of how Naruto and Sasuke had managed to hide their friendship from the entire village for all these years.

"Which could be not true."

"Be quiet, Ibiki!" Sarutobi ordered, tightening his jaws in anger. "You have said enough to the boy. Even if he had planned all this, it doesn't mean he's guilty."

"Hokage-sama, you're acting exactly how the boy wanted you to act. As I have said, he wanted you to feel guilty, just so you would stop suspecting him and help prove his innocence. It's all a trap." Volume rising, Ibiki continued in anger. Angry at the Third for not understanding how much of a danger the boy was.

"And as I have said," Sarutobi retorted, glaring at the taller man. "The boy may have planned all this, but that doesn't mean he's guilty. He could've wanted us to read his mind, just so his memories can prove his innocence. Have you never thought of that?"

"But-"

"No buts. I don't want to hear you talking about Naruto as if he's a criminal ever again. Do you understand me?"

Sarutobi's voice was powerful and commanding, even Ibiki couldn't say 'no' hearing that tone.

"I will keep my watch on Naruto. After all, he plays an important role in this strange event. However, I won't believe that his memories were faked-"

"'Won't believe' or 'don't want to believe'?"

Sarutobi swirled around so fast his hat almost flew off. He quickly slammed it back down onto his head, and growled. "Are you mocking me?!"

"No sir. Sorry sir."

Sarutobi retracted his KI when he was satisfied with Ibiki's reply.

"If anything, it has to be Mizuki's memories that are faked. After all, like Naruto had said, what kind of Hokage, and jiji, would I be if I believed a spy's memories over one of my own's?" Ibiki shook his head in remorse, while Inoichi continued to look undecided of whose memories he should believe.

Sarutobi ignored Ibiki's action and continued, "I will have my ANBU looking after Naruto, while you two keep your eyes on Mizuki. Try to get as much out of him as you can. Also, send some ANBU to check those locations you saw in his memories. Lastly, Inoichi, I want you to keep an eye on your clan. Report to me as soon as you find any members suspicious. Don't try to handle them yourself. If they can create the seemingly impossible fake memories, who knows what else they can do."

"Yes sir."

AN: Can anyone guess how come Naruto's memories contradict with Mizuki's memories? :))) And how to create the 'false memories'?