Everything Must Have a Beginning

Hokage's Office.

A massive leaf-shaped pattern was carved into the ceiling, its center spiraling inward. The Third Hokage sat in his office chair, drawing deeply on his pipe as if savoring the taste. Seconds later, he slowly exhaled ring after ring of white smoke, each one swelling from small to large as it rose to strike the center of the leaf-shaped spiral on the ceiling.

Like a workaholic, he sat at his desk, meticulously reviewing the administrative documents submitted from the village below and the intelligence reports relayed from other channels.

As Hokage, one didn't need to be an expert in everything—just assign the right tasks to the right people and manage them accordingly.

But because the Fourth Hokage had previously held this seat, and to balance the Hokage's power, he had delegated much of his authority to the other clans in the village and the three other advisors among the higher-ups before stepping down.

So the Fourth himself had actually wielded no real power.

Back then, I planned to retire and gradually hand over authority from behind the scenes as an advisor, depending on the situation. After all, I still had the Sarutobi Clan backing me.

But all my arrangements were destroyed that night four years ago.

Now the division of power was too severe. Even though I'm Hokage again, reclaiming the authority I gave away is extremely difficult.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

As he set down another document, a knock came from outside the office. Someone had arrived.

"Come in!" The Third Hokage spoke calmly, but his voice carried a piercing force.

With permission granted, the office door opened, and two people entered.

The Third Hokage, seated in his chair, lifted his gaze. "Ah, Shikaku and Hayate."

"Lord Hokage, I heard you needed to see me," said Shikaku Nara, sporting the pineapple-shaped hairstyle characteristic of the Nara Clan.

The Third Hokage nodded slightly, picked up a file from his side, and handed it over. "Take a look at this first."

Shikaku stepped forward and took it, his pupils contracting. Even before opening it, he spotted the words "Jinchuriki Top Secret" stamped on the cover. Certain thoughts crossed his mind as he pulled out a stack of documents and began reading.

After flipping through just a few pages, Shikaku's brow furrowed. The files were all surveillance records of Naruto from childhood to the present. Though the pages seemed packed with content, he finished reviewing them quickly.

A moment later, he carefully reinserted the documents he'd read into the file, sealed it, and handed it back to the Third Hokage.

"After reading Naruto's file, what do you think?" the Third Hokage asked, looking at Shikaku Nara.

Shikaku was silent for a long moment before replying, "Suspected early bloomer."

"Hmm? Suspected?" The Third Hokage's gaze sharpened. He caught the undertone in his advisor's words.

Shikaku thought for a while before answering, "Yes. There are plenty of early-blooming children—my son Shikamaru, for example—but Naruto hasn't shown any of the traits typical of an early bloomer."

"While early blooming refers to children whose cognitive and learning abilities surpass their peers, such children usually display three distinct characteristics."

"They have broad interests and pursue them with focus."

"They show creativity and original thinking, with extraordinary imagination."

"They ask many questions and aren't satisfied with superficial answers."

"Based on the files you showed me, Naruto's situation doesn't match any of that. He's too composed and calm, so I can only call it suspected early blooming."

The Third Hokage said nothing at this, then turned his gaze to Hayate Gekko. "Hayate, what's the situation with Naruto?"

"Cough—cough—"

After two coughs, Hayate Gekko pulled a slip of paper from his chest pocket and read aloud: "Target left home at 7 a.m., used Transformation Jutsu, and entered the village center. First, he walked through several streets he'd visited before, arriving at Ninja Tool Full Point Hall around 9 a.m. He paused at the entrance for two minutes, then went inside. He came out 15 minutes later."

"No evidence of the target purchasing any ninja tools. After leaving Ninja Tool Full Point Hall, he followed his usual route home. On the way, he encountered Miss Hinata of the Hyuga Clan, who was lost."

"The target personally escorted Miss Hinata home. Then, following your instructions, I contacted Mr. Shikaku. On the way, other operatives reported that the target had returned home. No abnormalities so far."

Shikaku, hearing how detailed the surveillance report was on four-year-old Naruto's every move, looked a bit uncomfortable. But considering the boy's identity, he could only sigh inwardly.

After listening to the report, the Third Hokage remained silent. He stood up from his chair, and his gaze fell on a photo frame hanging on the wall.

It was a photo of the Fourth Hokage.

He had reviewed the medical ninja's data. Though Naruto hadn't inherited his mother's striking red hair, he had perfectly inherited the Uzumaki Clan's physique.

The Uzumaki Clan was naturally gifted with immense Chakra and extraordinary vitality.

Naruto had only learned to refine Chakra yesterday evening, yet this morning he could already use Transformation Jutsu. It seemed he had also inherited the Fourth Hokage's exceptional talent.

This had to be controlled!

Because Naruto didn't just possess terrifying potential himself—there was another immense power sealed inside his body.

If Naruto, as he grew up, couldn't control his own strength and accidentally ignited that power, it would be a catastrophe.

"For the peace of Konoha, I hope you won't blame me."

Gazing once more at the photo of the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage made a decision in his heart. His expression solemn, he walked to the window and stared outside, his gaze growing profoundly deep.

~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, the Fourth Hokage and his son were locked in a stalemate inside the Jinchuriki's Sealed Space.

"Naruto! You have to trust me—the Nine-Tails cannot be believed! The moment you step into that sealed iron door, your consciousness will be seized, and you'll lose control of your body!"

Minato Namikaze stood firmly in front of Naruto, glaring at the fox behind the iron door.

"Gahaha! Scared now, little brat? See, I told you humans and Tailed Beasts can never trust or understand each other. Look at your father's face. Let me ask you—has the Shinobi World ever heard of a Tailed Beast breaking its promise? I've seen plenty of human betrayals over the years, especially that bit about the Land of Whirlpools' destruction. As their blood-related ally, Konoha was hardly righteous!"

Minato Namikaze's eyes widened, and he roared, "Nine-Tails! What nonsense are you spouting!"

"Heh heh! Me, talking nonsense?" The fox could feel how anxious Minato Namikaze was, and that nearly furious demeanor pleased it. After a light chuckle, it dropped its head and closed its eyes, falling silent.

Why had this scene come about?

After Naruto shared his different views on Tailed Beasts with his father, he also discussed his own seal with his father and the fox.

Minato Namikaze explained that this seal was an enhanced, improved version of the Eight Trigrams Seal, originally based on the seal of his mother, who was the previous Jinchuriki.

This seal was designed specifically for Naruto, allowing him to gradually siphon the Nine-Tails' Chakra for his own use as he grew stronger over time.

Naruto said that power not his own carried too high a risk. If the other party wouldn't cooperate, he didn't want it. He felt giving the fox its freedom would be better for him—provided he could keep his own life safe, of course.

The fox thought this father-and-son pair was definitely putting on an act in front of the iron gate to trick it, absolutely messing with it. Their goal was to give it hope and then mock it mercilessly.

What were they saying?

Give it freedom?

In the thousand-year history of the Shinobi World, so many had coveted the power of them, the Tailed Beasts. Had any one of them ever been willing to let them go?

This brat might seem a bit different from the people he'd met before, but getting it to trust him just like that was absolutely impossible. So the fox rolled its eyes and said the kid should show some sincerity. Unless he dared to step inside the iron gate, it wouldn't give him even one chance at mutual trust.

"Father! Step aside. The root of the hatred born from the mutual distrust between Tailed Beasts and humans started with humans in the first place. In my eyes, Tailed Beasts and humans are no different."

"What's more, before people can understand each other, they must first build a foundation of trust. Facing its invitation, I have to respond."

Naruto looked helplessly at Minato Namikaze blocking his way. He really wanted to tell his old man that he had a trump card and wasn't afraid of having his consciousness seized by the fox inside.

Just now, the Mirrored World had collected data from his father and updated a certain function, specifically targeting protection on the soul and consciousness front. If the fox dared to Break Promise, it would be in for a world of trouble.

When the fox heard Naruto say that Tailed Beasts and humans were no different, its narrow eyes snapped wide open. A nostalgic figure flashed through its mind, then it closed its eyes again.

Minato Namikaze turned around, his face stern, and said, "Impossible! I will never let you go in!"

"Impossible?"

Hearing this, Naruto lost his patience. He looked solemnly at his father and said, "My father, you should still remember what I said just now."

Minato Namikaze's heart skipped a beat at that.

"You're already dead," Naruto reminded him slowly again.

A flicker of shock crossed Minato Namikaze's face, then his expression darkened. He understood what Naruto meant. The only thing left here was a sliver of his Chakra; there was no way he could stand in his way forever.

"A man has to have a starting point!"

Naruto took two steps past his father blocking his path.

Slap!

One foot stepped across to the other side of the iron gate.

"This is my starting point!"