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Just as Qianyu expected, Danzō made his move. He stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi and proposed taking Naruto under his wing, to be molded into a weapon of war belonging solely to Konoha.
From the village's perspective, Danzō's suggestion was logical. The perfect vessel for a tailed beast, the ideal living weapon, needed no heart. No attachments. In every hidden village, jinchūriki lived under a shadow of fear and prejudice. Attachment bred the risk of betrayal. A weapon with feelings might one day turn on its creators.
And no one was better suited to strip away that humanity than Danzō. His Root operatives were living proof—empty husks, perfect tools. Hiruzen knew he could never forge such a weapon himself.
But…
Hiruzen thought of Minato.
He'd pushed Minato Namikaze for Hokage to block Orochimaru's path, yes. Minato was Jiraiya's student, and Jiraiya was steadfastly loyal. Therefore, Minato would be loyal too. A simple calculation. Yet, in his single year as Hokage, Minato had proven himself capable, wise beyond his years. Hiruzen had even begun to think of truly stepping aside, handing the village fully to the younger man.
Then the Nine-Tails attacked. Minato fell into a coma, leaving a mess of problems in his wake.
Talent truly is cursed by heaven, Hiruzen thought bitterly.
Naruto was Minato's only child. Minato had sacrificed everything for Konoha—his life, his wife. And now, Hiruzen was to turn that man's son into a heartless weapon? The very thought twisted something inside the old Hokage.
And Jiraiya… if Jiraiya found out, the rift between them would be irreparable. Just like with Orochimaru. His first disciple was already lost, holed up in some hidden lab, undoubtedly continuing his forbidden research despite all warnings. At least Qianyu had been quiet lately, staying with Kushina. The warning seemed to have stuck. His other student, Tsunade, was gone, wandering the world with Shizune, haunted by the ghosts of her brother and lover.
Of his three legendary students, only Jiraiya remained at his side. He couldn't lose him too.
Danzō saw the conflict on Hiruzen's face, the way he sucked harder on his pipe. Good. Hesitation meant the idea had taken root. If he controlled the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, the position of Fifth Hokage would be within his grasp.
"Hiruzen," Danzō's voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of pipe smoke. "This is no time for sentimentality. You are the Hokage of Konoha. You cannot afford weakness. You cannot afford doubt! This is the greatest crisis Konoha has faced since the Third Great War. You have no idea if Miyuki Uzumaki will return for her son. And if she does, whose side do you think the boy will choose? His mother's, or the village that made him a weapon? Strip him of feeling, and that possibility vanishes. The Nine-Tails remains Konoha's forever!"
Koharu and Homura nodded in grim agreement. They added their voices to Danzō's, pressing the old Hokage.
Watching from the shadows, Qianyu let out a soft, disdainful breath. "What a bunch of senile old fools."
Under the combined pressure of his three advisors, Hiruzen's resolve hardened. He was the Hokage. Konoha came first. Minato had sealed the fox inside his own son for Konoha. If Minato ever woke, he would understand. He had to understand.
All of this… is for Konoha.
Just as he opened his mouth to give his answer, a sharp knock echoed through the office.
Hiruzen frowned. He'd given strict orders not to be disturbed. Unless it was an emergency, in which case they would have barged in.
"Enter!" he called out.
A chūnin opened the door and bowed. "Lord Third, Qianyu has arrived at the Hokage Building. He insists on seeing you immediately."
The air in the room froze. Four pairs of eyes snapped to attention. In their minds, Qianyu was the prime suspect in Miyuki's defection. Laying low would be the smart move. Coming here? Unthinkable.
Hiruzen gave a slow nod. "Send him in."
"Yes, sir!"
Moments later, Qianyu strode into the office. His eyes swept over Danzō, Koharu, and Homura, and he feigned surprise. "Oh? All three of you are here? Lord Third… has something actually happened?"
Hiruzen's gaze was heavy, scrutinizing. "Actually happened? What do you mean by that, Qianyu?"
"Kushina left something at Miyuki's place," Qianyu explained smoothly. "I went to retrieve it tonight. Found signs of a struggle. Miyuki and Naruto were gone. My sensory skills picked up Naruto's chakra in the ANBU base, but Miyuki's… vanished. So I came straight to you." He gestured at the three elders. "Seeing all of you gathered… I guessed the worst might be true."
Hiruzen exhaled a plume of smoke. He didn't believe a word of it. Going to Miyuki's house late at night? On the very night she defects? The coincidence was too perfect.
"Qianyu," Hiruzen said, his voice low. "Miyuki Uzumaki has defected from Konoha."
Qianyu's face contorted in 'shock'. "What? Miyuki? Defected? That's impossible! She's the Fourth's wife! Why would she ever betray Konoha?!"
Hiruzen's eyes half-lidded, shielding his thoughts. "It is difficult to believe. But it is the truth. Qianyu… as her friend, you and Kushina must have spent time with her. Did you notice anything… unusual in her behavior recently?"
Qianyu pretended to think, tapping his chin. "Unusual? Well, there is one thing. The village rumors, Lord Third. I'm sure you've heard them. They got so bad, Miyuki was afraid to take Naruto outside. To slander a woman who contributed so much to Konoha, and her infant son… it's truly despicable." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto Hiruzen's, dark and intent. "If it were me, I'd arrest anyone who spread such rumors. Wipe out all those voices. Don't you agree, Lord Third?"
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