Chapter 9: I am the Hokage, Danzo

Naruto stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He could clearly feel the torment in the old man's heart.

The sparkle in his eyes gradually cooled.

If he had any doubts about the Nine-Tails' words before, now... the claim that "I am the son of the Fourth Hokage" seemed increasingly close to the truth.

"Sorry, Naruto, I can't tell you yet." Hiruzen sighed, taking a few puffs from his pipe and exhaling thick white smoke. "This is for your protection."

"Your identity is very special; it must not be known, not even by you."

"You have talent; grow up quickly."

"When you are strong enough, when you can become the towering tree that protects the village, you will know about your father, your mother..."

"They, like you, are heroes of Konoha, great heroes of Konoha."

Naruto remained unmoved.

Perhaps...

In the past, such words would have filled him with fervor and passion.

But now, he could detect the evasion in between the lines.

"The entire village knows I'm the Nine-Tails." Naruto said expressionlessly, his tone devoid of any fluctuation. "And they don't see me as a hero."

Hiruzen patted Naruto's head.

How could he explain this?

Should he say, "Konoha is not a monolith"?

Some people, like himself, wished Naruto could be a normal child, a normal ninja.

While others only hoped he would bear the mark of a "Jinchuriki"?

He did not want a still-growing, still immature ninja to form a "one-sided" and "dark" impression of the village.

At that moment.

The door to the Hokage's office was flung open.

Iruka burst in, panting.

He immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere in the room.

"Hokage-sama! Excuse my intrusion!" Without hesitation, Iruka dropped to one knee, his voice trembling slightly but filled with resolve. "Although today is the graduation exam, the official class division will only happen tomorrow."

"Naruto is still my student."

"I earnestly request that Hokage-sama leave Naruto's handling to me."

"As Naruto's homeroom teacher, if he has caused any trouble, it is due to my inadequate education."

"I must bear part of the blame..."

As he spoke, his pace slowed.

His eyes showed confusion.

The Third Hokage's face... surprisingly, a gentle smile appeared as he spoke.

The heavy atmosphere dissipated.

What's going on...

He can still smile?

Naruto looked at Iruka in surprise.

This teacher, who had always been strict with him, seemed to have misunderstood something.

But it was precisely this misunderstanding that made Naruto feel "incredulous."

Pleading for him?

Standing up for him?

Even willing to share responsibility?

Konoha... there are people like this for him?

"Iruka, Naruto did not cause trouble this time." The Third Hokage smiled, removing the pipe from his mouth. "He performed a great deed."

"Mizuki is not a good person."

"He was investigated before for harming colleagues, right?"

Iruka nodded, "Yes."

Hiruzen continued, "This time, Mizuki told Naruto about that incident."

"He tried to use it to tempt Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals."

"But Naruto is a good boy; he wasn't tempted and instead captured Mizuki."

Iruka was astonished.

Naruto knew the "truth"?

He wasn't swayed and saw through Mizuki's plot?

This...

This doesn't sound like Naruto's usual behavior.

"Naruto is truly remarkable." Iruka sincerely admired, "He really has grown a lot lately."

He was genuinely happy for his student's progress.

Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.

He liked this young man Iruka very much; innocent and sincere, loyal to the village.

What a pity, his talent is a bit lacking, becoming a Chunin is likely his limit.

If only Konoha had more young talents like him.

"Naruto, look." He smiled gently, "There are people in the village like Iruka who truly care for and protect you."

"Do not magnify the filth before your eyes, do not let those dirty things cloud your heart."

As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he walked to a cabinet and started rummaging through it.

"Where was it..."

"Found it."

He pulled out an enormous scroll almost half the size of Naruto. "This is the Scroll of Seals that Mizuki mentioned."

"Did he tell you it contains the secret of your origin?"

"That was a lie."

With a flick of his hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen unfurled the scroll.

With a "clang," the beginning of the scroll hit the floor and a long strip rolled out, filled with dizzyingly complex jutsu inscriptions.

"This Scroll of Seals records a series of dangerous and forbidden jutsus that have appeared in Konoha over many years."

"They are extremely powerful, but they can easily harm the user if not handled correctly."

"Only in the right hands can they exert their true power."

"Naruto, I think there is a jutsu that will suit you very well."

"Consider it your reward this time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave another flick.

He pulled back the scroll to reveal the first recorded jutsu.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique." Naruto read out the words slowly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with a smile, "This is an A-rank jutsu that requires a high amount of chakra. It is too dangerous for most people, but for someone with the Uzumaki clan's bloodline, it is perfect."

"The village will never forget every hero who has contributed to it."

After making sure Naruto had finished reading and memorizing it, Sarutobi Hiruzen rolled up the Scroll of Seals. "Study it well, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

He paused, his tone affectionate and his demeanor kind, "Naruto, I've always considered you as my grandson."

"Go home now."

"Prepare well, from tomorrow onwards, you will be a true ninja."

Naruto wanted to continue the previous conversation.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen, claiming he had other things to attend to, and with Iruka's firm dragging, took him away.

As soon as they left, a voice suddenly emerged from the corner of the wall, "Hiruzen, you are really foolish. Won't you reconsider entrusting the Jinchuriki to me?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted and looked towards the source of the voice.

It was a man with half his head bound in bandages.

"Danzo, I already regret not stopping you from spreading the rumor that 'Naruto is the Nine-Tails' back then," Sarutobi Hiruzen said softly, "Give it up, I will never hand Naruto over to you."

Danzo retorted coldly, "The Jinchuriki is now uncontrollable!"

"Twice, twice he has harmed people!"

"And the reason for his drastic change has not yet been discovered."

"Maybe the seal is loosening."

"It should be handed over to me to deal with..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes sharpened instantly, interrupting with a scolding, "Danzo!"

"Naruto's change is a good thing."

"The reasons for the two incidents are obvious, one is you!"

"The rumors you spread made them ostracize Naruto."

"Mizuki even used that rumor to incite Naruto."

"Fortunately, Naruto was not influenced by your petty tricks, which is a great relief to me."

"Naruto will become an excellent ninja like his father. I will not let you ruin him."

Danzo sneered, "Hiruzen, do you really think the Jinchuriki resisted Mizuki's temptation?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing.

Danzo stepped closer, standing beside him, "We both do this for Konoha."

"You've been in the Hokage's position for too long and have become naive."

"Since that day, the Jinchuriki's mind has become increasingly burdened."

"After knowing he is the Jinchuriki, he did not show much emotion. Perhaps he already knew his identity long ago, or has even interacted with the Nine-Tails."

Pausing, he spoke with increased emphasis and meaning, "If the seal loses control, leading to the Nine-Tails escaping again."

"Or if the Jinchuriki loses control..."

"I have ways to train him properly, you know I have some methods in this regard."

Sarutobi Hiruzen bit his pipe, his tone resolute, "No more, Danzo."

"I believe in Naruto, he is a good child."

"If he truly loses control, I will fight with all my strength, even like Minato, to seal the Nine-Tails again."

"I am the Hokage."

"It is my responsibility to ensure everyone in the village lives well."

"This includes Naruto."

"He is not just a Jinchuriki; he is also the son of the Fourth Hokage and a member of the Uzumaki clan."

Danzo squinted, staring at Sarutobi Hiruzen, staring at this peer of his who looked much older than himself, "Hiruzen, you will regret this."

"Will I?" Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, covering his face completely, "I hope I won't see that day."

Danzo said nothing more, his face darkened as he withdrew.

They always clashed over their differing ideologies.

But...

It was always the same.

Hiruzen would always veto his proposals, which he believed were more beneficial for the village.

After all, in the village, the power of the "Kage" was the greatest.