Hiruzen Sarutobi's Suspicion
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Sarutobi Mansion.
After comforting Iruka, Hiruzen Sarutobi sent him away.
The task of taking care of Naruto had not been mentioned again. It was almost as if that responsibility had vanished into the air, leaving only the weight of observation behind.
Returning the Book of Seals to the storage room, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused in the corridor. His hands were clasped behind his back, posture straight, yet his mind churned with questions. He spoke into the darkness.
"Tell me everything that happened tonight… including Naruto's changes."
Though the telescope technique had allowed him to witness the events clearly, it could not catch every nuance. Sounds too soft to carry, the subtle flicker of expression, and the fleeting moments of hesitation were all invisible.
For that reason, the darker areas—those parts observed indirectly—were critical to recreate the night in full.
"Yes."
From the shadows, a masked figure emerged, kneeling on one knee in respect. After a brief pause, the Anbu began recounting the night's events.
Most of what the operative described aligned with Hiruzen's observations. But when Mizuki's hands closed around Naruto's throat, the story diverged sharply. Hiruzen's brow furrowed.
Through the telescope, he had seen Naruto unleash a sudden, overwhelming attack on Mizuki. Later, he retaliated against Shuimu for speaking out of turn. Naruto's voice had been too soft to hear clearly, leaving only Mizuki's anguished cries as audible evidence.
Yet the Anbu's account painted a picture far darker:
After being choked, Naruto became a completely different person. Mizuki had not been ambushed; Naruto struck him head-on with calculated ruthlessness. He toyed with Shuimu and Mizuki alike, giving hope and shattering it personally, moving with the precision and cruelty of a predator.
This was not the behavior of a mere schoolboy. Not of an innocent teenager, not of Naruto Uzumaki.
But the most revealing evidence lay in two sentences Naruto had uttered before retaliating:
"Is this the feeling of the real world?"
"I really miss those days!"
The words trembled with knowledge and memory, far beyond what Naruto should have known. They carried a consciousness that was not his own.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. The answer was obvious: the Nine-Tailed Fox. Its presence—its awareness—had surfaced. Otherwise, how could Minato and Kushina's child exhibit such precision and detachment, such calculated cruelty?
He asked the operative sharply, "Did you sense the Nine-Tails' chakra at the time?"
The Anbu paused, then responded confidently, "No. Naruto only used taijutsu. We detected no chakra fluctuations."
"No Nine-Tails chakra?" Hiruzen's frown deepened, shadowing his usually calm demeanor.
The Hokage's mind raced. Could it be that the Nine-Tails' consciousness had emerged, yet its chakra remained sealed? The mechanics of the seal were still intact—but what did it mean for Naruto himself? Could the boy wield power that the village could neither see nor measure?
After giving the operative instructions to leave, Hiruzen returned to the room alone, the weight of his thoughts pressing down.
No Nine-Tails chakra… yet the boy fought like a demon awakened. What is happening inside him?
At least one thing was clear: the seal remained unbroken. The Nine-Tails could not escape. Naruto, as a Jinchūriki, was still safe to be trusted. But Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind could not stop questioning.
He moved to his desk and retrieved a thin envelope from the drawer. The familiar object seemed almost insignificant compared to the storm of thoughts in his head.
"Did Mizuki's words have any impact on him? The man died so easily—it's too convenient. And Iruka… utterly hopeless. He can't even handle a small task. I'll have to fix this mess myself."
Muttering under his breath, Hiruzen added a small stack of hundred-yuan bills to the envelope, thickening it satisfyingly. Picking up his Hokage hat, he hesitated for a moment, touching the envelope once more as if seeking reassurance.
Finally, he walked out, leaving the room steeped in silence and shadow.
...
Later that day, a knock echoed through Naruto's apartment.
"Someone's knocking?" Naruto muttered, excited. Could it be my allowance again? Or maybe… someone visiting me?
He rarely had visitors aside from those delivering his living expenses, so curiosity mingled with anticipation. Naruto jogged over and swung the door open.
Standing there, smiling kindly, was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
"Third Hokage!" Naruto exclaimed, his face lighting up. This was the kindest figure in the village, the closest thing he had to a grandfather.
"Naruto, I've come to see you," Hiruzen said, his voice gentle, yet carrying the authority of a leader who bore the weight of countless lives.
"Please, come in!" Naruto stepped aside eagerly, recalling last night's prank. A sense of pride swelled inside him—he had attracted attention.
But then Mizuki's earlier words surfaced in his memory, and his excitement faltered. Damn him… too easy… too fast! His expression shifted subtly, though he tried to mask it.
Hiruzen noticed the change in Naruto's eyes and frowned ever so slightly, though his outward expression remained calm. The concern in his gaze betrayed a grandfatherly worry.
"Naruto, I heard about last night. Are you alright? If you were hurt, just tell me. Grandpa will do everything he can—even if it means going bankrupt!"
Naruto's little chest swelled with joy, though a flicker of nausea stirred in him as Feng Xu's consciousness observed quietly. He had to maintain appearances; he could not risk exposing the truth.
"Grandpa, I'm fine! Not hurt at all!" he said with a sway, attempting to appear strong and unconcerned.
Hiruzen patted his head gently, then allowed his expression to darken slightly. His voice softened, but each word was weighted with thought and care.
"Naruto, you've suffered these past years. You're a big kid now, and there are things you should understand."
He spoke carefully, ensuring that Naruto would feel both reassurance and the gravity of his words.
"Naruto… you are not the Nine-Tailed Fox. You are a living, breathing human being. A ninja of Konoha Village."
The words hung in the air, solemn, filled with unspoken questions and caution. Yet in them was also the unmistakable warmth of a grandfather's concern, a blend of authority and care.
Naruto blinked, trying to process the weight of the Hokage's statement. Feng Xu stirred in the background of his mind, analyzing every nuance, every potential trap hidden beneath Hiruzen's gentle tone.
The world is watching me closely… and now, even the Third Hokage is suspicious.
The room was silent, but the tension was palpable. Outside, the village carried on as usual, unaware that within one small apartment, the balance between innocence and hidden power teetered on the edge of revelation.
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