Naruto stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He could clearly sense the inner turmoil of the old man in front of him.

The light in his eyes gradually cooled.

If he had had any doubts about the Nine-Tails before, now... the notion of "being the son of the Fourth Hokage" felt increasingly like the truth.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, but I can't tell you right now," Sarutobi sighed, took a few puffs from his pipe, and exhaled a thick white cloud. "This is for your protection."

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

"You have talent; grow up quickly."

"When you are strong enough to become a towering tree that protects the village, you will learn about your father and your mother..."

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

Naruto remained unmoved.

Perhaps...

If he had heard such words before, he would have been fired up and passionate.

But now, he could hear the evasion in the undertones.

"Everyone in the village knows I'm the Nine-Tails," Naruto said flatly, his tone showing no change. "And they don’t see me as a hero."

Sarutobi patted Naruto's head.

How could he explain this matter?

To put it bluntly, "Konoha is not a monolith."

Some people, like himself, hope that Naruto can be a normal child and a normal ninja.

While others only wish for him to bear the Jinchuriki mark.

He didn't want a ninja who had not yet grown up, who was still not mature, to have a one-sided and dark impression of the village.

Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was slammed open.

Iruka dashed in, out of breath.

He immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere that felt almost tangible.

"Hokage-sama! Forgive my intrusion!" Without hesitation, Iruka half-kneeled, gritting his teeth, his voice somewhat trembling yet very firm. "Although today is the graduation examination, the official class assignments will be tomorrow."

"Naruto is still my student."

"I kindly request Hokage-sama to let me handle Naruto."

"As his homeroom teacher, if he causes any trouble, it is also my failure in education."

"I must bear part of the blame in this matter..."

As he spoke, his pace slowed.

His eyes were filled with confusion.

To Iruka’s surprise, a gentle smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face as he listened to him.

The heavy atmosphere dissipated like ice melting away.

What’s going on...?

He can still smile?

Naruto looked at Iruka in astonishment.

His usually strict teacher seemed to have misunderstood something.

But knowing he had misunderstood made Naruto feel so incredible.

He pleaded for him?

He stood up for him?

Even willing to share the responsibility?

Konoha... had such people who cared for him?

"Iruka, Naruto is not in trouble this time," the Third Hokage said, smiling as he removed the pipe from his mouth. "He has made a significant contribution."

"Shuiboku is not a good guy."

"He seems to have been investigated before for injuring his colleagues."

Iruka nodded. "Yes."

Sarutobi continued, "This time, Shuiboku told Naruto about that incident."

"He tried to tempt Naruto into stealing the sealing book."

"But Naruto is a good kid; he resisted the temptation and instead captured Shuiboku."

Iruka was astonished.

Naruto knew that truth?

He actually wasn’t disturbed and saw through Shuiboku's conspiracy?

This...

It didn’t sound like Naruto’s style at all.

"Naruto is really impressive," Iruka said sincerely from the bottom of his heart. "He has indeed grown a lot during this time."

He was genuinely happy for his student’s progress.

Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

He really liked this young man, Iruka, who was innocent, sincere, and devoted to the village.

Unfortunately, he lacked talent; becoming a Chunin was probably his limit.

It would be great if Konoha had more young talents like him.

"Naruto, look," he said with a gentle smile, "there are people in the village like Iruka who truly care for and protect you."

"Do not magnify the dirt before you; do not let those filthy things obscure your heart."

As Sarutobi spoke, he walked to the cabinet and started searching.

"Where is it..."

"Found it."

He took out a giant scroll that was almost half the size of Naruto. "This is the sealing book that Shuiboku mentioned."

"He told you it hides the secrets of your identity?"

"That was a lie."

With a shake of his hand, Sarutobi opened the scroll.

With a clatter, the beginning fell to the ground, rolling out a long strip filled with dazzling technique characters.

"This sealing book records a series of dangerous and forbidden ninjutsu that have appeared in Konoha over the years."

"They are very powerful, but using them can easily harm the user."

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

"Naruto, I have a technique in mind that would suit you perfectly."

"Consider it your reward this time."

Sarutobi shook his hand again.

He pulled the scroll back, revealing the first recorded technique.

"Shadow Clone Technique." Looking at the text above, Naruto pronounced each word clearly.

Sarutobi nodded and smiled: "This is an A-rank ninjutsu that requires a very high amount of chakra; it’s too dangerous for an ordinary person, but for you, who has the Uzumaki clan bloodline, it’s just right."

"The village will not forget every hero who has contributed to it."

Once Naruto finished reading and confirmed he had memorized it,

Sarutobi put away the sealing book: "Study well, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

He paused, his tone kind, his expression gentle: "Naruto, I have always regarded you as my grandson."

"Go back."

"Prepare well; from tomorrow on, you will be a real ninja."

Naruto wanted to continue the previous topic.

But Sarutobi, stating that he had things to attend to, along with Iruka's insistence, took him away.

Just as they left, a voice suddenly appeared from the corner: "Hiruzen, you are truly foolish. Have you not considered handing the Jinchuriki over to me?"

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and looked toward the voice.

It was a man whose head was half bound by bandages.

"Touzai, I now regret not stopping you from spreading the news that 'Naruto is the Nine-Tails' in the village back then," Sarutobi said softly. "Give it up; I cannot hand Naruto over to you."

Touzai replied coldly: "The Jinchuriki is now uncontrollable!"

"Twice, twice he has hurt people!"

"Moreover, the reasons for his drastic changes have yet to be discovered."

"It might just be that the seal has loosened."

"It should be handed over to me to handle..."

Sarutobi's gaze instantly sharpened as he interrupted sharply: "Touzai!"

"Naruto's changes are a good thing."

"The reasons for the two incidents are very clear; one is you!"

"The rumors you spread have caused them to reject Naruto."

"Shuiboku further exploited that news to tempt Naruto."

"Fortunately, Naruto was not influenced by your petty tricks, which makes me very relieved."

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

Touzai sneered: "Hiruzen, do you really believe that the Jinchuriki has resisted Shuiboku's temptation?"

Sarutobi remained silent.

Touzai stepped closer, standing by his side: "We both want what's best for Konoha."

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

"Since that day, the Jinchuriki's thoughts have become heavier."

"After he learned he is the Jinchuriki, he has not shown much emotion; maybe he already knows his identity and has even come into contact with the Nine-Tails."

As he spoke, he paused.

Emphasizing his tone, he added meaningfully: "What if the seal goes out of control and allows the Nine-Tails to escape again?"

"Or the Jinchuriki goes out of control..."

"I will train him well; you know I have my methods in this regard."

Sarutobi bit down on his pipe, his tone firm: "No more talk, Touzai."

"I believe in Naruto; he is a good kid."

"If he truly goes out of control, I will fight with all my might, even if it means sealing the Nine-Tails again just like Minato."

"I am the Hokage."

"I have a responsibility to ensure that every person in the village lives a good life."

"This includes Naruto."

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

Touzai narrowed his eyes, staring at Sarutobi, eyeing this Third Hokage who was the same age as himself but looked much older: "Hiruzen, you will regret this."

"Will I?" Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, obscuring his face completely. "I hope I will not see that day."

Touzai fell silent, his expression dark as he stepped back.

Their ideologies were incompatible, and they would always end up arguing.

But...

It was always like this.

Hiruzen would always veto his proposals that would benefit the village more.

After all, in the village, the power of the Kage is the greatest.