Konoha Village – Inside the Hokage's office.
An elderly man took a slow drag from his long smoking pipe and exhaled a cloud of white smoke.
Dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Hokage, this man was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage and the current leader upholding the foundation of Konoha.
Known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," he was also the longest-serving Hokage in the village's history.
Sitting across from his desk was a man who had grown up alongside him since their youth — Danzo Shimura, now operating under the name of the Anbu Training Division but in reality heading the covert Root faction.
"What's the meaning of this, Hiruzen?" Danzo said coldly. "Did you summon me here just to preach at me again?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes as he looked at Hiruzen. The two had long held conflicting views, and their conversations were often laced with tension — especially when it came to matters concerning the Uchiha Clan and the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
"Danzo, I've turned a blind eye to your activities within Root," Hiruzen said firmly. "But when it comes to Naruto Uzumaki and the Uchiha, there will be no negotiations — at least, not for now."
He tapped the ashes from his pipe, his expression stern and commanding — more a warning than a suggestion.
Danzo responded with nothing but a cold snort.
"Uzumaki Naruto may be the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, but don't forget — he's also the son of the Fourth Hokage," Hiruzen continued. "Minato's wish was for Naruto to grow up as a hero of the village."
"I'll overlook the rumors your subordinates have been spreading for now. But you'd do well to remember your limits."
Danzo fell silent, but a sharp glint flickered in Hiruzen's eyes.
If Hiruzen was the warm light of the Hokage, always shining under the sun, then Danzo was the cold, ruthless shadow — the executor in the dark. Together, their roles had helped Konoha regain its status as the strongest shinobi village after the First Hokage's era.
But their philosophies often clashed.
Danzo belonged to the radical faction. In his eyes, Naruto's existence as a jinchūriki was acceptable — but only if he could be controlled. He should be turned into a weapon, molded into the perfect human container of the Nine-Tails — a blade sharpened solely for Konoha's protection.
But to Hiruzen, that violated every principle of humanity.
He still remembered the last words and wishes of the Fourth Hokage. Out of respect for Minato and sympathy for Naruto, Hiruzen had tried to involve himself in Naruto's life.
Naruto was a child who, despite being hated and shunned by everyone around him, had never once shown hatred in return.
That kind of child was born with a kind heart.
Hiruzen believed that if he could foster true bonds within Naruto — bonds of affection and loyalty — then Naruto would grow up to genuinely love the village.
Only that kind of love could unlock the true potential of the power inside him.
Still, Hiruzen hadn't said "not ever" — he had said not for now.
In truth, while he had been watching over Naruto these past few years, it had also been a form of surveillance.
If Naruto ever showed even the slightest sign of being a threat to the village, Hiruzen would not hesitate to approve Danzo's proposal.
Because regardless of how extreme Danzo's actions were, his goal was always the same — to protect Konoha.
"We can put the jinchūriki issue aside for now," Danzo said at last. "He's just a brat, after all."
"But have you forgotten what Lord Second once said?"
"The Uchiha Clan… they're born with evil in their hearts. They're a ticking time bomb."
Danzo sighed lightly. For once, he didn't argue further about the jinchūriki. But when it came to the Uchiha, he was unshakable.
Both he and Hiruzen had once served in the elite guard of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
As comrades, Danzo believed they had a duty to remember Tobirama's warnings — not just as a leader, but as their teacher.
Having survived the brutal shinobi wars of the past, they both understood well the dangerous potential of the Uchiha Clan.
And now, more than ever, the Uchiha were slipping beyond the village's control.
Many within the clan bore growing resentment toward Konoha. Forced to live in the outskirts of the village, they were given the task of overseeing the police force — a job cloaked in authority, but ultimately isolating.
Meanwhile, other clans like the Nara and Akimichi, who joined Konoha in the same era, lived comfortably and ran their own businesses.
That inequality had long festered among the Uchiha.
"Enough, Danzo!" Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk, a rare flash of anger crossing his face. "The Uchiha are just as much a part of Konoha as any other clan."
"Do you even realize what you're saying?"
"Have you forgotten everything the First Hokage stood for?"
Danzo was attacking the Uchiha again — and Hiruzen could no longer tolerate it.
Yes, he knew the Uchiha harbored resentment. He knew they were capable of rebellion.
But nothing had happened yet.
And as Hokage, he couldn't make decisions based on mere suspicion. If he moved against the Uchiha now, what would the other clans think — the Hyuga, the Nara, the Akimichi?
They'd be afraid. Distrust would spread. Konoha would fracture from within.
Hiruzen believed in the current Uchiha clan leader — and until solid proof of rebellion emerged, he would not act.
Any premature move would only drive the village into chaos.
"One day, your soft heart will be your downfall," Danzo muttered coldly. "And it'll drag all of Konoha down with it."
With a dark expression, Danzo rose, glanced at his former comrade, and turned to leave, leaning on his cane.
This was how all their meetings ended — bitterly.
Their conflict wasn't just personal. It was the clash of light and shadow.
Hiruzen sank into his chair, a trace of exhaustion in his eyes.
"Uchiha Clan... and Naruto…" he murmured.
He turned to the crystal ball on his desk.
Inside, it showed an image of Naruto Uzumaki, running.
Even as Hokage, busy with countless duties, Hiruzen often took time to observe Naruto when he could.
After all, there had been incidents in the past — moments when jinchūriki had lost control, and the Nine-Tails' seal nearly broke.
That meant he couldn't simply let Naruto grow unchecked. His care wasn't just born out of guilt toward Minato Namikaze.
Hiruzen understood clearly: a jinchūriki treated only as a weapon was a double-edged sword.
It could defend Konoha from the greatest threats.
Or it could one day erupt like a ticking time bomb, destroying everything from within.
That was why he had chosen to take a gamble — to bet on the boy's kindness, and hope that through bonds, he would come to protect the village by his own will.
(End of Chapter)
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