Naruto stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, clearly sensing the inner turmoil of the old man standing before him. The light in his eyes gradually dimmed. If he had previously doubted the Nine-Tails' words, now the claim that he was the Fourth Hokage's son seemed closer to the truth.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. I can't tell you the truth right now," Hiruzen sighed, taking a few puffs from his pipe, exhaling thick white smoke. "This is for your protection. Your identity is special; it cannot be known by others, not even by yourself."
"You have talent. Grow quickly. When you become strong enough, when you can protect the village like a towering tree, you'll learn about your father and your mother... They were both heroes of Konoha, just like you."
Naruto remained unmoved. Perhaps in the past, such words would have stirred his emotions, filling him with enthusiasm. But now, he could hear the evasion in Hiruzen's words.
"The entire village knows I'm the demon fox," Naruto said flatly, his tone devoid of emotion. "And they certainly don't see me as a hero."
Hiruzen gently placed his hand on Naruto's head. How could he explain this? Should he bluntly say that Konoha isn't a monolith? That while some, like himself, wished for Naruto to live a normal life as a regular child and ninja, others only saw him as the Jinchuriki?
He didn't want to burden Naruto, who hadn't yet matured, with a dark, one-sided view of the village.
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office burst open. Iruka Umino stormed in, gasping for breath. The tense atmosphere was palpable, almost tangible.
"Hokage-sama! Please forgive my intrusion!" Iruka dropped to one knee, his voice trembling slightly but firm. "Even though today was the graduation exam, the official team assignments are tomorrow. Naruto is still my student. I beg you, Hokage-sama, let me handle Naruto's situation. As his homeroom teacher, if he's caused any trouble, it's my fault for failing to educate him properly. I share the blame."
As he spoke, his words slowed, his eyes filled with confusion. To his surprise, Hiruzen's face softened into a gentle smile, and the heavy atmosphere dissipated. How could the Hokage still smile in a situation like this?
Naruto looked at Iruka in astonishment. This strict teacher seemed to have misunderstood something. But it was precisely because Naruto understood this misunderstanding that he found it "unbelievable." Someone was standing up for him? Someone was willing to take the blame for him? Was there really someone in Konoha who cared about him like this?
"Iruka, Naruto isn't in trouble this time," Hiruzen said with a chuckle, removing the pipe from his mouth. "He has done something commendable. Mizuki is not a good person. He was under investigation before for harming his colleagues, wasn't he?"
Iruka nodded. "Yes."
Hiruzen continued, "This time, Mizuki revealed that secret to Naruto, trying to manipulate him into stealing the Scroll of Seals. But Naruto is a good kid. He wasn't swayed by Mizuki and even captured him."
Iruka was shocked. Naruto knew the "truth"? And he wasn't swayed? He saw through Mizuki's plot? This... This didn't seem like the Naruto he knew.
"Naruto, you're incredible," Iruka said sincerely, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You've really grown a lot recently."
He was truly happy for his student's progress.
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. He liked Iruka, a young man who was sincere, loyal to the village, and dedicated to his students. It was just a pity that Iruka's talent was somewhat lacking; becoming a chunin was likely his limit. If only Konoha had more promising youths like him.
"Naruto, you see," Hiruzen said with a soft smile, "there are people in this village, like Iruka, who genuinely care about you."
"Don't let the dirt in front of you cloud your heart," he added, walking over to a cabinet and rummaging through it. "Where is it... Ah, found it."
He pulled out a massive scroll, almost as big as half of Naruto's body. "This is the Scroll of Seals that Mizuki mentioned. He told you that it contains the secret of your lineage? That's a lie."
With a flick of his wrist, Hiruzen unrolled the scroll. It clattered to the floor, revealing a long strip covered with intricate and bewildering jutsu formulas.
"This Scroll of Seals records a series of dangerous, forbidden jutsus developed in Konoha over the years. They are incredibly powerful, but using them can easily harm the user. Only in the right hands can they show their true potential."
"Naruto, I think there's a jutsu here that suits you well. Consider it a reward for your efforts."
Hiruzen pulled the scroll back slightly, revealing the first technique listed. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu," Naruto read aloud.
Hiruzen smiled and nodded. "This is an A-rank jutsu that requires a lot of chakra. It's too dangerous for most people, but for someone with the Uzumaki bloodline like you, it's perfect."
"The village never forgets the heroes who contribute to it."
After Naruto finished reading and committed it to memory, Hiruzen rolled up the scroll. "Study it well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
He paused, his tone kind and gentle. "Naruto, I've always considered you like a grandson. Now go home and prepare. Starting tomorrow, you'll be a real ninja."
Naruto wanted to continue their earlier conversation, but Hiruzen deflected by saying he had other matters to attend to. Iruka then dragged Naruto out, leaving the Hokage's office.
Once they were gone, a voice suddenly echoed from the corner of the room. "Hiruzen, you're being foolish. Have you reconsidered handing the Jinchuriki over to me?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and turned toward the voice. It was a man with half his face wrapped in bandages—Danzo.
"Danzo, I regret not stopping you back then when you spread the rumor that Naruto was the demon fox," Hiruzen said quietly. "But give up. I will never hand Naruto over to you."
Danzo's voice was cold. "The Jinchuriki is becoming uncontrollable! Twice now, he's hurt people! And we still don't know the cause of his drastic change. What if the seal is weakening? He should be in my hands for proper handling."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened, and he interrupted with a stern voice. "Danzo! Naruto's change is a good thing. The reasons for those incidents are clear—one is you! The rumors you spread made people ostracize Naruto. And Mizuki used those rumors to manipulate him. Thankfully, Naruto wasn't swayed by your petty tricks, which reassures me. Naruto will become an outstanding ninja like his father, and I won't let you destroy his future."
Danzo sneered. "Hiruzen, do you really believe the Jinchuriki resisted Mizuki's temptation?"
Hiruzen remained silent.
Danzo stepped closer. "We're both doing this for Konoha. You've been Hokage for too long; you've grown soft. Ever since that day, the Jinchuriki's thoughts have been heavy. He knows he's the Jinchuriki, yet he shows little emotion. He might have known his identity for some time, maybe even made contact with the Nine-Tails."
He paused, his tone growing more ominous. "If the seal fails and the Nine-Tails escapes again, or if the Jinchuriki loses control... I have the means to handle him, as you know."
Hiruzen bit down on his pipe, his voice firm. "Enough, Danzo. I trust Naruto. He's a good child. If things go wrong, I'll give my life, like Minato, to seal the Nine-Tails again. I'm the Hokage. I'm responsible for ensuring every person in this village lives a good life, including Naruto. He's not just a Jinchuriki; he's also the Fourth Hokage's son and a member of the Uzumaki clan."
Danzo squinted, staring at Hiruzen—his contemporary, yet far more aged. "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
"Will I?" Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, obscuring his face completely. "I hope I never have to see that day."
Danzo said nothing more, his face darkening as he withdrew. Their ideals clashed every time they spoke, always leading to an argument. Yet it was always the same—Hiruzen would veto any of his proposals that might benefit the village. After all, in Konoha, the Hokage's authority was absolute.
(End of Chapter)