"I'm doing pretty well now," Naruto whispered to Kushina before entering the Hokage's office.
He was used to a quiet and peaceful life, so sudden changes made him feel uneasy.
But Kushina realized this was just her son trying not to worry her, so he only reported the good news and kept the bad hidden.
"Naruto, don't worry. Mom will handle it."
As a mother, Kushina pinched Naruto's cheek and comforted him. "That old man from the Third Generation promised Minato!"
Naruto felt helpless.
But this was his mother's wish, after all.
Their conversation left the ANBU escorting them dumbfounded.
Because of Kushina's sudden appearance, no one yet realized she was the younger version of Kushina.
Without waiting for the ANBU to knock, Kushina opened the door and walked inside.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was comfortably smoking while reviewing documents.
Hearing the door open, he looked up.
The next second, Hiruzen dropped his pipe, his face a mask of shock.
"Kushina…? What's going on?"
Following her were Uzumaki Naruto and an ANBU.
The ANBU scolded Kushina, "Hey! Kid, you can't just barge into the Hokage's office!"
Hiruzen's scalp tingled at the words. He quickly said to the ANBU, "You have nothing to do here. Step outside first."
The ANBU hesitated, then left without asking more questions.
"Kushina, what is the meaning of this?" Hiruzen asked, swallowing hard, disbelief in his voice.
Kushina's face was stern. "Sarutobi Hiruzen, do you remember the promise you made to Minato?"
Seeing Kushina protect Naruto, Hiruzen immediately understood what she meant.
He gave a bitter smile. "Kushina, you know why Minato's fame exists. He made many enemies. If Naruto's identity were revealed, especially as a Jinchūriki, assassinations would follow immediately."
Minato's fame came from defeating enemies.
But those enemies had families.
So while Minato was popular in Konoha, outside the village, the other major nations resented him.
Many sought revenge on Minato.
If Naruto's identity were exposed while he was still weak, he would face constant danger, even in Konoha.
Hiruzen's explanation made sense.
Kushina's expression softened, but more questions remained.
Hiruzen answered them one by one.
Why hide Naruto's identity?
—To prevent assassination attempts.
Why does Naruto live in an apartment?
—The Fourth Hokage's house is too conspicuous and could reveal his identity.
Why doesn't Naruto have sufficient living expenses?
—He does, distributed in batches from the Fourth Hokage's inheritance. People simply sell things to him at inflated prices.
Hiruzen had promised Minato to take care of Naruto, and he had done so.
He shielded Naruto from danger, prevented careless spending, and protected his identity.
Kushina felt reassured but still asked, "Then why do villagers still treat Jinchūriki as monsters?"
If it were her time, it was normal—they had never encountered a Jinchūriki.
Hiruzen had hidden Naruto's identity for his safety, but why not teach the villagers that Jinchūriki were not monsters, but heroes who seal monsters?
Hiruzen sighed. "That is partly my fault… but more so, it's Shimura Danzō's doing."
He explained: rumors spread that Naruto was the Nine-Tails demon fox that killed the Fourth Hokage and destroyed Konoha.
Danzō manipulated the villagers' resentment to turn their hatred of the Nine-Tails onto innocent Naruto.
"Damn Danzō!" Kushina yelled, anger in her voice. "If you knew he did it, why did you let him continue?"
Hiruzen rubbed his forehead. "Danzō is a high-level official and leader of Root. Even I can't confront him recklessly.
And even if removed, it cannot undo the damage already done to Naruto…"
Unspoken was a harsher truth: every village has shadows.
The taller the tree, the larger its shadow, and the more nourishment it needs.
Villages need someone like Danzō at the top.
For difficult or dirty work, his power was necessary, and sacrifices had to be made.
Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were both victims of Konoha's harsh realities.
Kushina felt powerless listening to Hiruzen.
She missed Minato—if he were here, none of this would have happened.
She wasn't a reckless person, but her child had been victimized, which was even harder to accept than personal sacrifice.
"Then why not punish the wrongdoers?" she asked, thinking of the hateful looks on villagers' faces.
Hiruzen was silent for a moment. "Some things are too complicated, Kushina. But I will try to make changes."
This was a concession.
Naruto comforted her: "Don't be too sad. I still have friends, I live well, and if no one disturbs me, I can be happy."
He knew the debt with Hiruzen could be settled later.
Kushina's presence reminded Naruto of care and warmth.
But her Chakra was nearly depleted.
He didn't want her to leave in hatred.
Seeing Naruto's sensibility, Kushina felt more distressed. Without enough Chakra, she might have made a rash decision.
Hiruzen assured her: "Kushina, this is my fault. I promise that no villager will target Naruto again."
Now, one elder and one young had only one goal: soothe Kushina's heart.
They couldn't undo the past, but they could ensure she left without hatred.
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