Naruto sat under his bed, shaking slightly. He didn't understand what had just happened. One moment, the villagers were yelling and throwing stones. The next, everything went quiet.
A soft wind brushed his cheek—warm and gentle—like someone was telling him it would be okay.
After a while, his breathing slowed, and he fell asleep, unaware that his quiet night had already reached the Hokage's desk.
In the Hokage's office, the night was heavy with silence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, a half-burned pipe resting beside the paperwork. He had just received the report about the sudden chakra surge when the door swung open.
"Still working late, Hiruzen?"
Danzo's voice carried its usual arrogance. He walked in with his cane tapping on the floor, his single eye sharp.
"I assume you've heard about the outburst near the jinchūriki's apartment?"
Hiruzen frowned slightly. "Yes. The ANBU are investigating as we speak."
Danzo snorted. "Investigating? That chakra could crush a squad of elite shinobi. Whoever it was, they're a danger to the village. We should increase Root's surveillance around the boy before things get out of hand."
Before Hiruzen could respond, a quiet voice came from the corner of the room.
"There's no need for that, Danzo."
Both men turned instantly toward the shadows. From the darkness, a figure stepped forward—tall, calm, faint blue lightning flickering along his arm.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Danzo's face twisted. "Who are you to enter here uninvited?"
The man smiled slightly. "It's been a long time since someone dared speak to me like that… Danzo."
Hiruzen's eyes widened. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Kasi… Namikaze…"
Danzo froze, his arrogance cracking for a split second before returning with forced composure.
"That's impossible. You've been in a coma for years. You were never supposed to wake up."
Kasi gave a low, rough laugh. "Looks like I didn't get that memo."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "You were injured during the Nine-Tails attack. We didn't think—"
"I know what you all thought," Kasi interrupted, his tone quiet but sharp. "And I've seen what became of the legacy of the Yondaime—the son of Minato and Kushina. The one you call the jinchūriki."
Danzo's single eye narrowed. "You speak of him as if he's special. He's a vessel, nothing more. The village's safety comes before—"
Kasi's gaze flicked to him.
Suddenly, the air in the room grew heavy. A faint hum of lightning filled the silence. His chakra began to leak—slow and steady—pressing down like the moment before a storm breaks.
Danzo gritted his teeth as the pressure increased. Even Hiruzen's chakra flare couldn't balance it. Papers fluttered off the desk. The wooden floor creaked under the strain.
"Careful, Danzo," Kasi said softly, a cold smile on his face. "You might break your cane."
Danzo's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Kasi turned away, his presence fading as he left the office without another word.
Only then did Danzo straighten, his voice taking on that old, hard edge that never left him.
"That jinchūriki is the village's weapon. He must be under village control. If anyone—anyone—tries to take him or influence him, they must be stopped. If Kasi Namikaze tries to take the boy away, then eliminate him. The village comes first."
The room went colder at Danzo's words. Hiruzen's face tightened. He had always known Danzo would reach for extreme measures when he believed the village was at risk.
"You would order the death of a Namikaze?" Hiruzen asked, quiet but fierce. "You know what he is capable of."
Danzo's eye burned. "I would do what keeps Konoha safe. If that means making hard choices, so be it. I'll handle it myself."
He turned and stomped out of the office.