Chapter 9: Chapter 9: I am the Hokage
...
Naruto stared at Hiruzen.
He could clearly sense the torment within the old man's heart.
The light in his eyes gradually cooled.
If he had previously harbored any doubts about the Nine Tails' story...
Now... the claim that "he is the Fourth's son" seemed ever closer to the truth.
"I'm sorry, Naruto, I can't tell you now," Hiruzen sighed, taking a few more puffs on his pipe and exhaling thick white smoke. "This is for your protection."
"Your identity is very special, it cannot be known by anyone, not even you yourself."
"You have talent, grow quickly."
"When you are strong enough to become the towering tree that protects the village, then you can know about your father, your mother..."
"They, like you, are heroes of the Konoha, great heroes of the Konoha."
Naruto remained unmoved.
Perhaps...
In the past, if he had heard such words, his blood would have boiled, full of passion.
But now, he could detect the "evasiveness" between the lines.
"The entire village knows I'm the Demon Fox now." Naruto's face was expressionless, his tone equally flat. "And they don't see me as a hero."
Hiruzen stroked Naruto's head.
How was he to explain this?
Directly say that "the Konoha is not a monolith"?
Some, like himself, hoped Naruto could be a normal child, a normal shinobi.
While others only wanted the "Jinchuriki" mark on him?
He didn't want a still-unmatured, not "mature" enough shinobi to be left with a "partial," "dark" impression of the village.
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was burst open.
Iruka panted as he rushed in.
He immediately sensed the tangible weight of the atmosphere.
"Hokage-sama! Forgive my intrusion!" Without hesitation, Iruka half-knelt, gritting his teeth, his voice somewhat trembling but also resolute. "Although today is the graduation exam, the official team assignments are not until tomorrow."
"Naruto is still my student."
"I humbly request that the Hokage entrust Naruto to my handling."
"As Naruto's homeroom teacher, if he caused any trouble, it is also due to my poor education."
"I must bear part of the blame in this..."
He spoke, his pace gradually slowing.
His gaze puzzled.
The Third Hokage's face... actually revealed a gentle smile as he listened.
The heavy atmosphere also dissolved.
What's going on...
He can still smile?
Naruto was surprised looking at Iruka.
This teacher, who was usually so strict towards him, seemed to have misunderstood something.
But it was precisely because he understood this misunderstanding that Naruto found it so "unbelievable."
Pleading for him?
Defending him?
Even willing to share the responsibility?
The Konoha... has people like this for him?
"Iruka, Naruto didn't get into trouble this time," the Third Hokage chuckled, taking the pipe from his mouth. "He did a great thing."
"Mizuki was not a good guy."
"Wasn't he previously investigated for harming his teammates?"
Iruka nodded "Yes."
Hiruzen continued "This time, Mizuki told "that" secret to Naruto."
"He wanted to use it to manipulate Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Sealing."
"But Naruto is a good child, he didn't fall for the temptation, and instead brought Mizuki in."
Iruka was surprised.
Naruto knew that "truth" already?
He didn't get distracted and saw through Mizuki's scheme?
This...
Didn't sound like Naruto's style at all.
"Naruto is really impressive." Iruka sincerely marveled, "He's grown a lot these days, hasn't he?"
He was genuinely happy for his student's progress.
Hiruzen nodded approvingly.
He really liked this young Iruka, naively earnest, loyally devoted to the village.
Unfortunately, his talent fell a bit short, Chunin was probably the limit of his growth.
If only the Konoha had a few more such promising young talents.
"Naruto, you see," he smiled lightly, "There are people like Iruka in the village who truly care and love you."
"Don't magnify the filth before you, don't let those dirty things obscure your heart."
Hiruzen spoke, walking to the cabinet and rummaging around.
"Where was it..."
"Aha, found it."
He pulled out a scroll almost as big as half of Naruto's body "This is the Scroll of Sealing that Mizuki mentioned."
"He told you that the secret of your origins is hidden within?"
"That was a lie to trick you."
Hiruzen's hand trembled slightly as he unrolled the scroll.
"Clang" it started falling to the ground, rustling as a long strip rolled out, covered in seemingly dizzying technique text.
"This Scroll of Sealing records a series of dangerous, forbidden jutsu that have appeared in the Konoha over the years."
"They are very powerful, but using them also easily harms the user themselves."
"Only in the hands of the right person will they truly display their might."
"Naruto, I have an idea for a jutsu that would suit you well."
"Consider it a reward for this time."
Hiruzen's hand trembled again as he pulled the scroll back, revealing the first recorded ninjutsu.
["Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)"] Naruto read the text aloud, enunciating each word.
Hiruzen nodded with a smile "This is an A-rank ninjutsu that requires an extremely high amount of chakra, too dangerous for ordinary Shinobis, but perfect for you with your Uzumaki lineage."
"The village will not forget every hero who has contributed to it."
After Naruto finished reviewing and committing it to memory,
Hiruzen put away the Scroll of Sealing "Study well, if there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."
He paused, his tone gentle, his demeanor benevolent "Naruto, I've always seen you as my own grandson."
"Go back now."
"Prepare well, starting tomorrow, you'll be a true Shinobi."
Naruto wanted to continue the previous topic.
But Hiruzen claimed he still had matters to attend to, and with Iruka forcibly dragging and pulling, they took Naruto away.
They had just left when a voice suddenly appeared at the wall corner "Hiruzen, you really are slow-witted, won't you reconsider giving the Jinchuriki to me?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, looking towards the source of the voice.
It was a man with half his head bound in bandages.
"Danzo, I already regret not stopping you in time from spreading the 'Naruto is the Demon Fox' rumor in the village," Hiruzen said softly. "Give up, I will never hand Naruto over to you."
Danzo coldly retorted "The Jinchuriki is already uncontrollable now!"
"Twice, twice he has injured people!"
"And the reason for his drastic change has still not been investigated."
"Maybe the seal is starting to loosen."
"He should be handed over to me to deal with..."
Hiruzen's gaze instantly sharpened, rebuking sharply "Danzo!"
"Naruto's change is a good thing."
"The two instances of injury, the reasons are obvious - it's you!"
"Those rumors you spread made them ostracize Naruto."
"Mizuki even used that information to try to manipulate Naruto."
"Fortunately, Naruto didn't fall for your petty tricks, this makes me very glad."
"Naruto will become an excellent shinobi like his father, I won't let you ruin him."
Danzo sneered "Hiruzen, do you really think the Jinchuriki resisted Mizuki's temptation?"
Hiruzen didn't respond.
Danzo approached, standing beside him "We both want what's best for the Konoha."
"You've been Hokage for too long, you've become too naive."
"Ever since that day, the Jinchuriki's heart has grown heavier."
"After learning he is the Jinchuriki, he hasn't shown much emotion, maybe he's already known his identity, even already contacted the Nine Tails."
He paused, emphasizing "If the seal breaks and the Nine Tails escapes again."
"Or if the Jinchuriki loses control..."
"I'll discipline him well, you know I have certain methods in that regard."
Hiruzen bit down on his pipe, his tone resolute "Enough, Danzo."
"I believe in Naruto, he is a good child."
"If he truly loses control, I'll use this old body to the fullest, just like Minato, and reseal the Nine Tails."
"I am the Hokage."
"I have the responsibility to ensure every person in the village lives well."
"This includes Naruto."
"He is not just a Jinchuriki, he is the Fourth's son, and a member of the Uzumaki clan."
Danzo narrowed his eyes, staring at Hiruzen, this Third Hokage who was much more aged than himself "Hiruzen, you will regret this."
"Is that so?" Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, completely obscuring his face, "I hope I don't live to see that day."
Danzo fell silent, his expression gloomy as he withdrew.
Their ideologies conflicted, they would get into a heated argument every time.
But...
It was always like this.
Hiruzen would ultimately veto his proposals that would be more beneficial for the village.
After all, in the village, the "shadow" holds the greatest power.
...
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