Kakashi ignored little Naruto and fixed his gaze on Uchiha Ryosuke.
Ryosuke didn't want to clash with Kakashi here, so he smiled at Naruto and said, "Head back for now. As for who you are, you'll learn it in time."
In the end, Naruto chose to leave. He wanted to know badly, but since someone was stopping them, he didn't want to cause trouble for Big Bro Ryosuke.
Only after Naruto left did Kakashi speak, slowly. "I hope you won't approach the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki again."
If he hadn't stepped in, Naruto would have learned his identity. If Naruto knew, he probably couldn't keep it secret—and if it leaked, the consequences could be dire.
Ryosuke countered, "Why?"
Kakashi answered evenly, "An Uchiha getting close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki won't look good."
Ryosuke said helplessly, "You think the Nine-Tails is controlled by our Uchiha clan? You have a three-tomoe Sharingan too—go ahead and show me how you control a tailed beast."
The ANBU beside them glanced at Kakashi. Did Captain Kakashi possess such power?
Kakashi was surprised the other knew who he was. But that wasn't the point. His left eye had been a gift from Uchiha Obito. Even with a three-tomoe Sharingan, controlling a tailed beast was impossible. Maybe the Nine-Tails incident really hadn't been the Uchiha's doing. But that wasn't his call. He could only explain:
"The Third Hokage doesn't want to see an Uchiha near the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
Ryosuke didn't back down at the invocation of the Hokage's authority; he pressed on.
"Is that how the Third ordered you to protect the Fourth's son? The villagers saved by the Fourth now despise and ostracize his child—is that what you call protection?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you were the Fourth Hokage's student, weren't you?"
"Are you really going to just watch this happen?"
Kakashi felt a headache coming on. Not only did the other know Naruto was the Nine-Tails' vessel, he knew Naruto's parentage too. But Kakashi had been steeped in darkness since childhood; he believed Naruto could endure this darkness as well. He explained:
"I am keeping watch from the shadows—I won't let him be harmed. And the Third Hokage has already forbidden talk of the Nine-Tails in the village."
Ryosuke was speechless. That kind of protection preserved Naruto's life, not his dignity.
"Why not reveal his identity? He shouldn't be treated like this."
"If you announced who Naruto is, even the densest villager wouldn't dare treat a hero's child that way."
"And why was his status as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki leaked? Most villagers already know he's the jinchūriki, 'the fox in human form'. Any enemy spy strolling into Konoha could discover it."
"What exactly are the Third and your ANBU doing? Do you have a mole in ANBU?"
"Tell your Third Hokage to handle this properly. Don't let the blood of Konoha's heroes be shed in vain."
With that, Ryosuke headed back to the clan compound alone.
He'd said enough. His aim was to keep Naruto from having a tragic childhood. If Konoha's leadership continued treating Naruto like this, he'd step in himself to give the kid a better one.
Kakashi stood there, stunned.
'Don't let the blood of Konoha's heroes be shed in vain.'
His own father had been a Konoha hero—yet after abandoning a mission to save his comrades, he was slandered by the village and took his own life. Maybe Naruto shouldn't have to bear this pain. If he couldn't bear it, he might also…
If that happened, how could Kakashi face his teacher?
And since the village already knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, enemy spies really could ferret out the truth with ease.
After swapping shifts with other ANBU to watch over Naruto, Kakashi slipped into the Hokage's office.
"Hokage-sama, I have an urgent report."
The Third Hokage looked at him from the Hokage's chair. "Speak."
Kakashi said respectfully, "Per your order I am guarding the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto, but it seems the villagers already know his identity. I suspect there's a leak inside ANBU."
"We should root out the mole."
Back then, only a handful knew the Fourth had sealed the Nine-Tails into his own son before dying, and the Third had issued a gag order to keep it secret.
The Third Hokage glanced sideways at Kakashi.
'The "mole" you're talking about is me. You want me to arrest myself?'
It had been he who spread Naruto's 'fox' identity. Otherwise, how would the villagers "know" such a secret? His reason, of course, was to make the village hate Naruto while he appeared kindly at the boy's side—so he could indoctrinate Naruto with the Will of Fire and secure him as an ally.
Not that he could tell Kakashi that.
"Don't worry," he said coolly. "I'll handle it. It may not be a mole—someone might have slipped up and leaked it."
Kakashi considered it; that did seem possible.
"Since the villagers already know he's the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and are ostracizing him, shouldn't we announce his parentage so he can grow up properly? As the Fourth Hokage's son, he shouldn't be treated like this."
How could the Third agree? That would ruin his plan. He wasn't about to give up this jinchūriki chess piece. With Naruto, his Hokage seat stayed steadier; even after retirement, with the Nine-Tails' support, the Sarutobi clan might well produce another Hokage.
He needed a deflection.
"Kakashi, you're being shortsighted. Even if his jinchūriki status leaked by mistake, if his lineage as the Fourth's son got out, all those shinobi who bore grudges against the Fourth might target him."
"You're thinking too shallowly."
Kakashi thought it over and nodded. The Fourth had killed many enemies—if the truth spread, retaliation was likely.
"Hokage-sama is wise."
"It's just… faced with this unfair treatment, what should we do for Naruto now?"
Pleased he'd swayed Kakashi, the Third pressed on.
"Kakashi, you're still too naïve. Naruto is the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—Konoha's future strategic asset. We must ensure his loyalty."
"Even if he isn't understood, even if villagers treat him unfairly, he must remain loyal to the village."
"This is his trial."
"Do you understand?"
Kakashi could only nod. He didn't truly understand. Maybe the Hokage was right—but something still felt wrong, somehow.