Sarutobi Mansion
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat quietly in his study, watching as Iruka left with slumped shoulders. The Hokage had comforted him briefly but said nothing about reinstating his task of caring for Naruto.
Once Iruka was gone, Hiruzen returned the Scroll of Seals to its proper storage. He stood in the corridor with his hands clasped behind his back, staring into the shadows.
"Report everything about tonight—Naruto's behavior and any changes you noticed," he ordered.
A masked Anbu emerged from the darkness, kneeling respectfully.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," the Anbu began. "Naruto's behavior was as expected at first, but there was a noticeable shift when Mizuki attempted to strangle him. It seemed as though… someone else took over."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. He had seen much of the encounter through his Telescope Jutsu, but sound and finer details had been obscured. The Anbu's account filled in the gaps.
"The transformation began when Mizuki was choking him. Naruto's demeanor shifted entirely—he became calm, calculating, and ruthless. There was no hesitation in his actions, and his fighting style was vastly different. Mizuki was overpowered through direct combat, not by a sneak attack."
Hiruzen's frown deepened as the Anbu continued.
"After incapacitating Mizuki, Naruto seemed to toy with him, giving him hope before crushing it. The techniques he used were precise and deliberate, not something you'd expect from an Academy student."
"Go on," Hiruzen prompted, his voice steady but cold.
"There was one moment that stood out, Lord Hokage," the Anbu added hesitantly. "Naruto said something peculiar before fighting back: 'Is this what the real world smells like? I really miss it.'"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. Those words carried significant weight. They suggested that whoever—or whatever—had taken over Naruto's body wasn't Naruto himself.
---
Theories and Concerns
The Hokage dismissed the Anbu with a wave.
"Understood. You may leave."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," the Anbu replied, vanishing into the shadows.
Alone, Hiruzen replayed the details in his mind.
If not Naruto, then who?
The most obvious answer was the Nine-Tails. While the seal on Naruto should prevent the fox's chakra and consciousness from leaking, it wasn't impossible for the beast's will to slip through.
"Was that the Nine-Tails?" Hiruzen muttered aloud. "No… the Anbu said there were no chakra fluctuations. If it was Nine-tails, chakra would've been detected."
The Hokage stroked his beard thoughtfully. If it wasn't the Nine-Tails, then what? Could it be some lingering influence from Minato or Kushina? That possibility seemed equally implausible.
---
A New Mystery
For now, Hiruzen chose to focus on the facts.
Naruto's seal appeared intact.
The Nine-Tails' chakra hadn't leaked.
Yet Naruto's behavior had changed dramatically, and he had displayed skills far beyond his level.
"This warrants closer observation," Hiruzen decided.
He retrieved a thin envelope from his desk drawer, frowning as he weighed it in his hand. Inside were a few bills of money meant for Naruto's living expenses.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen opened another drawer and withdrew a thicker wad of cash. He stuffed it into the envelope, doubling its weight.
Satisfied, he donned his Hokage robes and headed for Naruto's apartment.
---
At Naruto's Apartment
"Knock, knock!"
Naruto, still buzzing with excitement after learning the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, paused when he heard the knock on his door.
"Someone's here?" Naruto muttered, tilting his head in confusion. "It's not time for living expenses yet..."
Curious, he ran to the door and flung it open, his face lighting up when he saw who it was.
"Grandpa Third Hokage!" Naruto exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
Hiruzen chuckled softly. "Naruto, may I come in?"
"Of course, come in!" Naruto stepped aside quickly, eager to welcome his favorite person in the village.
As Hiruzen entered, Naruto's excitement dimmed slightly. Mizuki's words from earlier echoed in his mind, casting a shadow over his usual enthusiasm.
---
Sarutobi's Concern
Hiruzen noticed Naruto's shift in demeanor and silently cursed Mizuki again. The man's actions had created a rift that would take time to mend.
But Hiruzen's expression remained warm and concerned.
"Grandpa heard about what happened last night," Hiruzen said gently. "Are you okay, Naruto? Did you get hurt?"
Naruto puffed out his chest and shook his head vigorously. "No way! I'm fine! Look!"
To prove his point, Naruto flexed his arms and struck a confident pose.
Hiruzen smiled, placing a hand on the boy's head.
"That's a relief," he said. But then his expression darkened slightly, and his tone grew serious. "Naruto, you've grown up a lot, and there are some things you deserve to know."
Naruto's smile faltered. He knew where this was going, and his heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation.
"Grandpa Third," Naruto began hesitantly, "I don't believe anything Mizuki-sensei said. You don't have to explain..."
But Hiruzen shook his head. "No, Naruto. You need to hear this. It's time you understood the truth."
---
The Truth
Hiruzen's voice became solemn. "Naruto, you are not the Nine-Tails demon fox. You are a living person, a ninja of Konoha, and a hero who protects this village."
Naruto's breath hitched as the words sank in.
"A hero?" he echoed, his voice trembling.
"Yes," Hiruzen confirmed. "Twelve years ago, the Nine-Tails attacked the village, and many lives were lost. But your parents made a great sacrifice to protect Konoha. They sealed the Nine-Tails inside you so that its power could one day be used to keep the village safe."
Naruto's eyes widened. "My parents...?"
Hiruzen hesitated, then nodded. "They were brave and selfless, Naruto. Their love for you was immeasurable."
Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes as he tried to process everything.
"I... I'm not the demon fox?" he whispered.
"No, Naruto," Hiruzen said firmly. "You are Uzumaki Naruto, a ninja of Konoha. And you are not alone."
End of the Chapter.
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