In a quiet conference room within the Hokage Residence, four figures sat in solemn silence.
At the head of the table was the Third Hokage — Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Beside him sat Shimura Danzō, representing the Root division of Anbu.
The other two were Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the village's elder advisors.
The air was thick with cigarette smoke.
No one spoke.
Outside, a few Anbu operatives stood guard, their presence hidden in the shadows — vigilant, silent, unseen.
Hiruzen took another slow puff from his pipe before setting it aside.
Utatane Koharu was the first to break the silence.
"Sarutobi, what is the reason for calling us here so suddenly?"
Her tone was curious but cautious.
Homura nodded in agreement. "Yes. Since the Nine-Tails incident four years ago, Konoha has been recovering quietly. There hasn't been any major crisis lately."
Hiruzen's gaze swept across them. His weathered face looked even more solemn under the dim light.
"The Fourth Hokage and his wife, Kushina, gave their lives to seal the Nine Tails. Because of their sacrifice, the village was saved," he began slowly.
"I have called you here… regarding Naruto."
The name Uzumaki Naruto fell like a hammer.
The other three instantly understood.
The son of the Fourth Hokage.
The Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Konoha's greatest secret — and its most dangerous weapon.
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance.
"Did something happen?" Koharu asked.
Only Danzō remained silent, eyes half-lidded.
Of all of them, he already knew.
Earlier that day, his Root subordinates — disguised as Anbu — had reported everything that happened in the marketplace: Naruto's breakdown, the villagers' hostility, and the Third Hokage's personal appearance.
Danzō had anticipated this meeting the moment he received the report.
After a pause, Hiruzen exhaled deeply.
"I don't know who spread the rumor that Naruto is the demon fox incarnate," he said, his voice heavy. "But today, the villagers surrounded him. His emotions nearly triggered the Nine-Tails' chakra. If Jinchūriki loses control, the results will be catastrophic."
As he spoke, his sharp eyes turned toward Danzō.
So did the others.
Three pairs of eyes locked onto one man.
Danzō merely snorted, unmoved.
Hmph. Accuse me if you wish, he thought coldly. Everything I do is for the stability of Konoha. These sentimental fools could never understand.
Outwardly, he remained calm.
A perfect mask.
Finally, he said, "I warned you long ago. The Nine-Tails should have been entrusted to Root. Only through discipline can we turn him into an obedient weapon."
The room fell silent again.
The Third Hokage's brow furrowed.
He knew this argument well — and the danger in it.
Homura and Koharu looked uncertain. They were old comrades, but political weather always made them sway like reeds in the wind.
"Danzō," Hiruzen said coldly, "you've crossed the line."
Danzō didn't respond.
Hiruzen rose to his feet.
His once-gentle aura hardened like steel. The quiet office seemed to tremble as the weight of his killing intent filled the air — the same pressure that had once shaken the entire Shinobi world.
"Remember," he said softly, voice echoing like thunder,
"the old man is still Hokage."
His words silenced them all.
Even Danzō's expression tightened.
The decision was made.
"From today," Hiruzen declared, "it is forbidden for any villager to discuss Naruto's identity. Violators will be punished according to the law."
No one dared object.
The meeting was adjourned.
That Night
On the other side of the village, Chiba hurried home under the pale moonlight.
He could guess what had just taken place in the Hokage's office, but it didn't matter. Those were the affairs of the powerful — and for now, he wasn't qualified to intervene.
What mattered was strength.
Only by becoming stronger could he protect himself and survive what was coming.
The future of this world…
Konoha's collapse plan. Pain's invasion. The Fourth Great Ninja War…
Those were battles between gods.
Even a Kage would be reduced to dust in the crossfire.
Chiba clenched his fists.
"I won't be one of the nameless who vanish into that storm," he whispered.
Now that his life had become a game, the limits of talent and bloodline no longer bound him.
He would train. Grind. Fight.
Until one day—
he would surpass them all.