"Kakashi, I need to report to the Hokage first. If you don't mind, you can wait for me at the ramen shop. Naruto and the others are already there—I'll treat you to a bowl or two."
Carl didn't offer much of an explanation. After briefly exchanging words with Kakashi, he turned and followed Kamizuki Izumo toward the Hokage's office, leaving Zabuza and Haku downstairs. He chose not to bring them along because he was concerned that the Third Hokage might detect inconsistencies in their transformation jutsu.
From his previous life, Carl vaguely remembered a humorous joke that had circulated among Naruto fans: when the Impure World Reincarnation brought all the deceased Hokage back, the First Hokage asked the Fourth how he had died. The Fourth answered, "I sealed the Nine-Tails." The First was stunned—"That thing can kill people?" The camera then supposedly panned to the Third Hokage, who looked ashamed because he died sealing just Orochimaru's arms.
Though it was meant in jest, it reflected a truth about the disparity in strength among the Hokage. The claim that the Third was the strongest Hokage in Konoha was clearly exaggerated. Still, it couldn't be denied that he was an elite shinobi—his sheer experience and versatility were second to none, even if he lacked the raw power of Hashirama.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was famously known as the "Professor" of ninjutsu. Mastery over all five elemental affinities and compound ninjutsu gave him a profound grasp of shinobi arts. Given that, Carl suspected Hiruzen could easily see through even the most advanced transformation jutsu—particularly Zabuza and Haku's, which, while convincing, weren't flawless under expert scrutiny.
Carl entered the Hokage's office on the second floor. As soon as he stepped in, Hiruzen—dressed in his ceremonial robes and hat—stood up to greet him with a warm smile.
"Welcome, Your Highness. I've been busy with preparations for the upcoming Chunin Exams and regret that I couldn't greet you at the gate. I hope you'll forgive me."
Carl was momentarily caught off guard but quickly composed himself, replying humbly, "You're too kind, Lord Hokage. My uncle instructed me to follow your arrangements once I arrived in Konoha. I've always respected this great village and came a month early just to better understand its people and culture. I hope that doesn't trouble you."
Of course, Carl didn't expect the Hokage to personally meet him at the village gate. After all, he wasn't the Daimyo himself. But formalities had their place, and Carl's polite tone was more about appearances than expectations.
What surprised him was that Hiruzen hadn't even needed Izumo's introduction. The old Hokage had recognized Carl instantly. That detail hinted at something deeper—Carl recalled sensing an odd gaze when he entered the village. He now realized it was likely from the Anbu. Perhaps even members of Danzo's Root had eyes on him.
Given that he had arrived unaccompanied, well ahead of schedule, it was only natural for high-level officials like Hiruzen and Danzo to be suspicious.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it," he thought. Still, it was something to consider carefully going forward.
Hiruzen, smiling with grandfatherly ease, continued: "Please, don't mention it. It's an honor for Konoha to host a noble guest such as yourself. You must be tired from the road. I'll arrange for a jonin to accompany you around the village and make your stay more comfortable."
Carl could already see where this was headed. Three days earlier, the Fire Daimyo had informed Hiruzen of his arrival, and the Hokage had no doubt convened with his advisors—perhaps only Danzo—to discuss the motive behind Carl's early visit. The possibility that the Daimyo was once again testing Konoha likely crossed their minds. Some might have even speculated that Carl was seeking out the "Jade"—a veiled reference to potential anti daimyo knowledge.
Though Hiruzen himself had dismissed Danzo's more paranoid theories, the doubt likely lingered.
After all, there had been political tensions in the past—who truly led the Land of Fire, the Daimyo or the Hokage? Only after Hiruzen made a special visit to the Fire Palace to speak with the Daimyo had the question been diplomatically settled. But peace in politics was rarely more than temporary.
So from the moment Carl entered Konoha, his every move had been tracked and documented by the Anbu.
Moreover, Carl's true identity was already known—he had recently completed a mission under the name of a Fire Temple disciple, and that report had been reviewed by the Hokage.
Given his ties to Chiriku and Asuma, and his proficiency in ninjutsu, it was entirely plausible that Carl had simply come early out of genuine curiosity about Konoha, the great village of shinobi. Naruto and the others had even invited him before.
Still, Carl wasn't going to let his guard down.
"Hokage-sama, wouldn't assigning a jonin be too much? I'm already imposing by arriving early—it feels like overkill to have an elite shinobi accompany me."
He wore a friendly expression as he spoke, but his eyes hinted at a desire to roam freely.
Hiruzen didn't budge. "Under normal circumstances, you'd be right. But with so many foreign shinobi gathered in the village for the Chunin Exams, we can't be too careful. The jonin is for your protection, not surveillance. He'll also be your guide."
Carl offered a graceful nod. "Then I'll leave it to your judgment, Hokage."
He had no intention of arguing. Refusing now would only seem suspicious and might lead to covert surveillance from Anbu operatives instead. Better to accept the visible leash than risk an invisible one.
But this conversation confirmed one thing for Carl: the Third Hokage could not be trusted—or saved.
Before arriving in Konoha, Carl had debated two courses of action. One was to secretly assist Hiruzen during the Konoha Crush and win his favor, thereby earning access to higher-level ninjutsu. The other was to use the chaos of Orochimaru's attack to sneak into the Hokage's vault and seize the Scroll of Seals.
After today's meeting, the latter option felt far more viable.
Even if Carl saved the Hokage's life during Orochimaru's invasion, he doubted Hiruzen would ever truly trust him. His identity as the Fire Daimyo's nephew was both a blessing and a curse—it granted him status, but made others wary.
Hiruzen might grant him some techniques, but certainly not the village's true secrets.
Besides, if the Hokage survived, Orochimaru would retain his arms, Tsunade would never be summoned back, and the eventual chain of events—including Tsunade becoming Hokage and paying off her massive debt to Carl—would never happen.
Not to mention, Hiruzen was old, shrewd, and extremely cautious. He had already shown his paranoia in this brief meeting. Tsunade, in contrast, would be easier to influence once in power.
Carl made a quiet decision as he bowed respectfully to Hiruzen: the old man would die on schedule.