Strictly speaking, the First Hokage's ideal was for everyone in the village to coexist peacefully.
But that ideal came with an unavoidable premise—the vast gap between clan shinobi and civilian shinobi.
Clan shinobi could easily overpower civilians.
And that was precisely why the Second Hokage introduced policies that curbed the influence of the clans while elevating civilians.
Among the Second Hokage's six disciples, Mito Mon and Koharu Utatane were both civilian shinobi.
Likewise, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, led by example—of his three students, only Tsunade came from a clan. Orochimaru and Jiraiya were both civilians.
That fact alone showed how seriously Hiruzen had inherited—and refined—the Second Hokage's policies.
If political stability had been his only concern, he could have followed the Second Hokage's example and taken in far more disciples.
But he didn't.
Two out of three of his students were civilians.
That, in itself, was Hiruzen's stance made manifest.
"So?"
Hiruzen frowned slightly as he looked at his old friend.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki should not be surrounded by clan shinobi."
Shimura Danzō spoke slowly, deliberately.
"Once a clan shinobi forms a personal bond with the jinchūriki, influencing the Nine-Tails becomes trivial."
"I see."
Hiruzen's expression didn't change.
"So what's your suggestion?"
At present, there were three people close to Kyūko: Nightingale, Azure Luan, and Namikaze Kaoru.
Of the three, only Nightingale belonged to a clan—the Hyūga.
Kaoru was born and raised in Konoha, a true child of the village. She was also Hiruzen's grand-disciple—her background was impeccable.
Azure Luan was Mitarashi Shishō, someone Hiruzen had personally nurtured and trusted deeply.
As for the Hyūga clan—
They had always been obedient. After the Senju and Uchiha, they were the third clan to join Konoha, and for decades they had shown neither ambition nor dissent.
"Special personnel should be assigned to monitor the Nine-Tails," Danzō said flatly.
"To ensure the jinchūriki remains a tool of the village, free from outside influence."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen took out his pipe. A match flared, and he took a deep drag, exhaling pale blue smoke that slowly filled the office.
"And who would you propose?"
The smoke blurred Danzō's vision, obscuring Hiruzen's face.
Danzō frowned slightly.
"Root."
"The newly formed Root division should oversee the Nine-Tails.
If Root takes responsibility, its unstable internal structure will immediately solidify—and the Nine-Tails will be firmly under control."
At last, he revealed his true intent.
Root—
The shadow force meant to handle what the Hokage could not.
It was a newly established organization, little more than scaffolding at the moment.
But if it were entrusted with a mission of this magnitude, it would instantly stabilize morale—and place the Nine-Tails squarely in Danzō's grasp.
Hiruzen fell silent.
Kyūko's infuriating, irreverent face surfaced in his mind, and he let out a quiet sigh.
Root was suitable.
But Kyūko wasn't.
Kaoru and Hyūga Shiori had only just begun forming genuine bonds with him.
If he were suddenly reassigned to Root now, Kyūko would explode—possibly tearing Root down with him.
"No."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"That won't work."
"You're the Hokage," Danzō said calmly.
"Your word is final."
"Then what of Root?"
"It's still in its infancy. Without a mission of sufficient weight, it won't stabilize."
Danzō's real goal had never been the jinchūriki.
What he wanted were resources.
If he could take the Nine-Tails—excellent.
If not, he would settle for less.
He hadn't expected success to begin with, and thus showed no disappointment.
"So that's what this is about."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"If you wanted a mission, you could've just said so. No need for all this posturing."
Danzō allowed himself a thin smile.
"On the off chance you've grown senile as Hokage," he said lightly,
"I might as well take the Nine-Tails off your hands—to prevent a mistake."
"Enough."
Hiruzen waved him off.
"Go back. I'll have someone deliver an assignment shortly."
"Tell me, Hiruzen," Danzō said with a hint of amusement,
"Aren't you afraid Root will grow too powerful? That I'll make things… awkward for you?"
Hiruzen thought of the countless competitions—political, ideological, personal—that had defined their lives.
And smiled.
"Then you're welcome to try."
Danzō looked at him for a long moment, then sighed.
"Hiruzen… you will regret this."
"Hmph."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened.
"I am the Hokage."
"Why does Kaoru seem so distracted today?"
Hyūga Shiori, who had rushed over, frowned as she watched Kaoru training in the distance.
Kaoru's talent was undeniable—greater than anyone Nao had ever seen.
More than once, Nao had thought that if Kaoru had been born just five years earlier, she herself would have faced an insurmountable wall among her peers.
Jiraiya's eye for talent was terrifying.
He had pulled Kaoru out of the academy at just six years old—before her gifts were even apparent.
But today, something was off.
Previously, Kaoru had already managed to fully sever leaves with chakra, even beginning to cut through waterfalls.
Now?
Her results were noticeably worse.
Nao glanced sideways at Kyūko, who also seemed unfocused.
"You little brat," she growled, reaching out and pinching his cheek.
"Did you mess with Kaoru again?"
"No way!"
Kyūko protested.
"I swear on my life, I wouldn't dare."
"Even if I wanted to, I'm not sure I could beat her anymore. And if I did bully her, Grandpa Hokage would skin me alive."
He wriggled free, rubbing his face.
It wasn't exaggeration.
At six, he might've beaten Kaoru when she first entered the academy.
But now—after Jiraiya's training?
She'd probably pin him to the ground and educate him.
Her reaction speed was monstrous.
Kyūko had once seen her dance through a storm of falling leaves without a single one touching her.
Absolutely absurd.
"Then why do you both seem so strange?"
Nao narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.
"Your imagination."
Kyūko said, face faintly red.
"Definitely your imagination."
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