Veil of Ignorance
The four elders turned around and Hiruzen took note of Yugao Uzuki, codename Neko, waiting in silence for his permission. She would begin only when he granted her the right. Yes, he had assigned Neko to watch over Naruto.
It was supposed to be a weekly status of her observations. As much as Hiruzen didn't believe that Naruto, of all people, would harm Konoha, there was a tension that Hiruzen wished would go away. He just hoped that it truly had been a prank all along. He prayed for some worthwhile news.
"Your report then, Neko. A brief one will do for now. We have more pressing concerns," Hiruzen said. Yugao firmly agreed. Though, if one could see behind her mask, then they would see just how unsettled she felt. Yet, by Naruto's orders, she was as still as the wind.
"Hai Hokage-sama, I saw the explosion. Unfortunately, while I was investigating the destruction I had to leave Uzumaki Naruto for a time so I'm unable to ascertain his actions for last night. However, from the near week that I have observed him. I have not noticed any suspicious behaviors. He is loud and boisterous, but he has not made any threatening actions against anyone. Though, he mostly keeps to himself. He spends most of his days training in the woods," She explained.
The Sandaime breathed a sigh of relief that went unnoticed by most in the room. That was definitely better news than what he was being given at the moment. "It seems Naruto-kun is taking my promise to heart. I only hope I am making the correct choices," Hiruzen thought to himself. He was ready to send her off, but the members of the council turned to him.
"You have an Anbu keeping watch of the boy? After the predicament we are facing, I think it would be prudent for all ANBU agents to place their full time and attention into this investigation. Do we have a need to be concerned over the boy?" Homura was the one to ask.
Everyone quickly took note of the Sandaime Hokage's visage. It was painted with sheer displeasure. "Need I remind all of you how close we came to the Kyuubi being released on October 10th. Homura, Koharu, I had you both directly responsible of all civilian affairs unless it was a situation dire enough that it required my input upon handling the situation. Because of the village, I believe Naruto is harboring resentful feelings against Konoha. He was nearly killed that day. I am still in the process of investigating those behind the attack.
It has grown larger than I had expected. I have had nearly ten people imprisoned currently. You are supposed to be handling this! We have all always attempted to agree that the needs of Konoha are paramount. I do not believe it would fit in Konoha's best interest if the Kyuubi were to run amok with no one capable of stopping it!" Hiruzen exclaimed with steel in his voice.
Both elders felt a slight chill down their necks, but Koharu cleared her throat. "I...see. This is troubling news. Though jinchuuriki aren't well-liked by your village, no matter the region, it would be best to err on the side of caution. The Bijuu are a symbol of each nation's military might. Though some of the nations have two, we have managed to attain the most powerful one in the Kyuubi. It wouldn't do well to have him resent the village. We will need him in case of war," Koharu explained.
"His grades are currently appalling. Clearly the boy needs to apply himself more if we are to make use of him. He will be a shinobi and we make use of all our shinobi. Though we have the strongest bijuu, we also have the least experienced jinchuuriki handling it. Hiruzen, I believe it is time that you accepted this fact. The boy will never have a proper childhood. If we wish to utilize the power of the Kyuubi, then we must start quickly!" Danzo earnestly, yet calmly, expressed.
Sarutobi glanced between his council. They all seemed to be in agreement. Hiruzen had to agree as well. Something had to be done. He turned around and stared out the window. "Very well. I agree that keeping Naruto-kun from learning of this is too much. We must make a move before someone says one word too many to him. However, I would say that we wait one year from now," Hiruzen said.
The three elders, and Yugao, were surprised to hear this. "Why so long? Unless, you do not believe he is ready for such training material at his current level," Koharu theorized. Naturally, Hiruzen remained silent for a moment.
"That is one part of it. I would also like him to have one more year to enjoy whatever of this time he has. For we all know he will be very busy from now on until his graduation exams in the year after the next. I would like for Neko to continue monitoring him for the time being. I want no more incidents like the last one." The Hokage said.
Though there were some obvious protests, the elders agreed to the one year period before the blonde would be made aware of his status as the Kyuubi jinchuuriki. Yugao agreed to continue monitoring Naruto, though if one were able to access her thoughts then they would hear her plead do put as much distance between her and the boy as much as possible.
Even now, she wanted to scream to them that it was too late to rely on him to protect the village. He was the one seeking to end it. This only served to increase her frustration.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Yugao said and vanished from the room. The elders saw her go and they began to file out as well. Once Hiruzen watched them depart, he sat back in his chair and exhaled again. He really wished there was someone who would take the hat and all the responsibilities that came with it. He was too old to be handling this again.
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