At that same time—in the Hokage's office, atop the highest tower of Konoha—the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had just sat down to handle the afternoon's paperwork. He hadn't even picked up his pen when the door suddenly burst open.
Bang! A tall, hawk-eyed man strode in with his cane tapping sharply against the floor. His voice was low and full of restrained fury. "—Hiruzen! "
The Third looked up slowly. "Danzo…"
The intruder was Shimura Danzo, founder and leader of the secret organization Root, and once Hiruzen's closest comrade. Now, though, their relationship was far from friendly.
Danzo's expression was grim. He didn't bother with pleasantries. "You saw it too, didn't you? That Nine-Tails brat's chakra—his talent is terrifying! "
He slammed his cane down on the floor. "The first time he refined chakra, he produced an amount equivalent to a fully trained chunin! "
His one visible eye glared like a knife. "If that monster loses control, the consequences will be disastrous! "
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "Have you already forgotten what happened during the Nine-Tails' rampage, Hiruzen? "
Sarutobi remained calm, exhaling a puff of smoke from his pipe. "Of course I haven't forgotten. That night took many lives—among them, Minato and Kushina. "
Danzo's expression twisted. "Then you should understand how dangerous this is! "
"The Fourth's seal might hold for now, but the boy's power is growing too fast. If the demon fox ever seizes control—if even for a moment—the entire village will be reduced to ashes! "
He paused, then delivered his true purpose in one decisive strike. "Hand over the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki to me. I'll take him into Root and train him properly. "
His voice dripped with conviction. "I'll turn him into a perfect weapon—loyal, obedient, and without emotion. That's the only way to ensure Konoha's safety. "
Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Danzo, we've had this conversation before. "
He set down his pipe and met his old friend's gaze. "You call it 'training, ' but what you really mean is breaking him—brainwashing him into another one of your emotionless tools. "
Danzo didn't even deny it. "Of course! That's what a jinchūriki should be! A weapon for the village—nothing more! "
His tone was sharp, almost venomous. "Do you think I enjoy doing this, Hiruzen? No! But someone has to make the hard choices! "
He jabbed a finger toward the Hokage. "You're too soft. You let your emotions cloud your judgment. Your pity will destroy Konoha one day. "
Hiruzen's gaze cooled. "Softness is what keeps this village human, Danzo. If we lose that, then Konoha is already finished. "
He leaned back in his chair, voice calm but heavy with authority. "Root was dissolved for a reason. You have no right to interfere in matters concerning the jinchūriki. "
Danzo's eye narrowed. A faint trace of killing intent leaked through the air. "Hmph… you always think you know what's best. You talk about humanity and ideals—but ideals won't stop a rampaging Nine-Tails, Hiruzen. "
He straightened, his tone biting. "You're playing a dangerous game. That boy is a ticking bomb. "
He turned toward the door, his cloak swaying behind him like a dark shadow. "Mark my words, Hiruzen—if you don't control him now, you'll regret it. "
Then he was gone, leaving only silence and the faint echo of his cane tapping down the corridor.
Hiruzen sat motionless for a long while, the smoke from his pipe curling lazily into the air. Danzo… still as paranoid as ever. He could understand the man's fear—but that didn't mean he agreed.
The boy wasn't just a weapon. He was also… an opportunity. A chance to restore the Hokage's reputation, to raise a new "symbol of hope" that would strengthen the people's faith in his leadership. And more importantly—as long as Naruto's heart remained bound to him, the Nine-Tails would remain bound as well.
He smiled faintly through the haze of smoke. "Don't worry, Danzo. I'll handle him… in my own way. "
At that very moment, Naruto was walking home through the fading sunlight, completely unaware that two of Konoha's most powerful men were arguing over how best to control his fate. But deep down, he already understood one thing very clearly— If he wanted to be free, he'd have to fight his own destiny.