Naruto stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He could clearly feel the inner torment of the old man in front of him.
The light in his eyes gradually faded.
If he had once doubted the words of the Nine-Tails...
Now, the claim that he was the son of the Fourth Hokage felt more and more like the truth.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. I still can't tell you right now," Hiruzen sighed, took a few puffs of his pipe, and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "This is for your protection."
"Your identity is very special. It can't be known by others, not even by you."
"You have talent. Grow up quickly."
"When you are strong enough, when you become a great tree that can shelter the village, you'll learn who your father and your mother were."
"They, like you, were heroes of the Hidden Leaf. Great heroes."
Naruto remained unmoved.
Perhaps...
If it were the old him, hearing these words would have filled him with passion and excitement.
But now, he could hear the evasion hidden between the lines.
"The whole village knows I'm the Nine-Tails," Naruto said expressionlessly, his tone devoid of emotion. "And they don't treat me like a hero."
Hiruzen gently patted Naruto's head.
How should he explain this?
Should he just say that the Hidden Leaf was not a unified whole?
Some people, like himself, hoped Naruto could grow up as a normal child and ninja.
While others, only wanted him to be branded solely as a "Jinchuriki"?
He didn't want a still-growing, immature ninja to form a one-sided, dark impression of the village.
Just then—
The door to the Hokage's office was suddenly slammed open.
Iruka barged in, panting.
He immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere that felt almost tangible.
"Lord Hokage! Forgive my rudeness!" Without hesitation, Iruka dropped to one knee. He clenched his teeth, his voice trembling slightly but filled with determination. "Although today was the graduation exam, the official team assignments aren't until tomorrow."
"Naruto is still my student."
"I humbly request that you allow me to take responsibility for him."
"As his homeroom teacher, if he caused any trouble, it's my failure in teaching."
"I must take responsibility for part of this."
His words slowed as he spoke.
His gaze turned confused.
Because on Hiruzen's face... a warm smile had formed in response.
The heavy atmosphere had dissipated.
What was going on?
He could still smile?
Naruto stared at Iruka in surprise.
This teacher, usually strict with him, seemed to have misunderstood something.
But it was precisely because Naruto realized that he misunderstood...
That it felt so unbelievable.
Pleading for him?
Standing up for him?
Even offering to share the blame?
There were still people in the village like this—for him?
"Iruka, Naruto didn't cause any trouble this time." The Third Hokage smiled, removing the pipe from his mouth. "He made a great contribution. An incredible achievement."
"Mizuki is not a good man."
"I recall he was once investigated for harming fellow comrades?"
Iruka nodded. "Yes."
Hiruzen continued, "This time, Mizuki told Naruto about that matter."
"He wanted to tempt Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals."
"But Naruto is a good kid. He wasn't swayed—instead, he captured Mizuki."
Iruka was shocked.
Naruto knew the "truth"?
And yet he wasn't affected, and even saw through Mizuki's scheme?
That...
Didn't sound like the Naruto he knew.
"Naruto is truly impressive." Iruka said it sincerely, from the heart. "He's really grown a lot recently."
He was genuinely happy about his student's progress.
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.
He liked this young man Iruka—naive, sincere, and loyal to the village.
Unfortunately, his talent was limited. Chūnin was probably the furthest he would go.
If only the Leaf had more promising youths like him.
"See, Naruto?" He smiled gently. "There are people like Iruka in the village—people who truly care for you and cherish you."
"Don't focus only on the filth before your eyes. Don't let the dirt cloud your heart."
As he spoke, Hiruzen walked over to a cabinet and began rummaging.
"Where was it..."
"Ah, found it."
He pulled out a giant scroll, nearly half the size of Naruto himself. "This is the Scroll of Seals Mizuki talked about."
"He told you it contains the secret of your origins?"
"That was a lie."
Hiruzen flicked his wrist and unfurled the scroll.
Clatter— The scroll hit the ground and rolled out in a long strip, covered in dazzling, complicated sealing formulas.
"This Scroll of Seals records a series of dangerous and forbidden jutsu developed over the years in the Leaf."
"They are incredibly powerful, but also very dangerous to the user."
"Only in the right hands can they be truly effective."
"Naruto, I think there's one jutsu here that suits you very well."
"Consider it your reward for this mission."
Hiruzen gave another flick.
He rolled the scroll back slightly to reveal the first jutsu listed.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique," Naruto read aloud, word by word.
Hiruzen smiled and nodded. "This is an A-rank jutsu with a high chakra requirement. It's dangerous for most, but with your Uzumaki bloodline, it's a perfect fit."
"The village will never forget any hero who contributes to it."
He waited for Naruto to finish reading and ensure he memorized it all.
Only then did he roll the scroll back up. "Study well. If you have questions, feel free to come to me."
He paused, then added warmly, "Naruto, I've always thought of you like my own grandson."
"Go now."
"Prepare yourself. Starting tomorrow, you'll be a true ninja."
Naruto wanted to continue their earlier discussion.
But Hiruzen brushed it off with, "I have work to do," and with Iruka firmly dragging him away, Naruto had no choice but to leave.
As they exited—
A voice suddenly came from the shadows in the corner: "Hiruzen, you fool. Won't you reconsider handing over the Jinchuriki to me?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and turned toward the voice.
It was a man whose head was half-covered in bandages.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said quietly. "I already regret not stopping you when you spread the news that Naruto was the Nine-Tails. Give it up. I will never hand him over to you."
Danzo said coldly, "The Jinchuriki is out of control!"
"Twice now—twice he's harmed others!"
"And we still haven't found the reason behind his sudden change."
"What if the seal is weakening?"
"Shouldn't he be dealt with by me?"
Hiruzen's gaze turned sharp. He interrupted with a stern tone: "Danzo!"
"Naruto's change is a good thing."
"Both incidents had clear causes. One of them was you!"
"The rumors you spread caused people to shun him."
"And Mizuki exploited those rumors to manipulate him."
"Thankfully, Naruto wasn't affected by your petty tricks. That gives me hope."
"Naruto will become an excellent ninja like his father. I won't let you destroy him."
Danzo sneered. "Hiruzen, do you really believe the Jinchuriki resisted Mizuki's temptation?"
Hiruzen remained silent.
Danzo stepped closer, standing beside him. "We both want what's best for the Leaf."
"But you've sat on that Hokage seat too long. You've grown naive."
"Since that day, the Jinchuriki has become increasingly heavy-hearted."
"He showed little reaction when he learned he was a Jinchuriki. Perhaps he already knew long ago. Perhaps he's even contacted the Nine-Tails."
He paused for effect, then emphasized ominously:
"What if the seal breaks and the Nine-Tails escapes again?"
"Or the Jinchuriki loses control?"
"I can train him. You know I have ways."
Hiruzen bit down on his pipe, his voice firm: "No more, Danzo."
"I believe in Naruto. He is a good child."
"If he truly loses control, I will sacrifice this old body of mine—just like Minato—to seal the Nine-Tails once again."
"I am the Hokage."
"I have a duty to ensure every villager lives a good life."
"That includes Naruto."
"He is not just a Jinchuriki. He is the Fourth Hokage's son. A descendant of the Uzumaki clan."
Danzo narrowed his eyes, staring at Hiruzen—this man his age, yet far more weathered. "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
"Will I?" Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, the mist completely veiling his face. "Let's hope I never have to see that day."
Danzo didn't speak further, his face dark as he turned and left.
Their ideologies clashed, and every meeting ended in argument.
But...
It was always like this.
Hiruzen would always veto the proposals Danzo believed were truly in the village's best interest.
After all, in the village—
The Hokage's power was supreme.
(End of Chapter)