Hokage's Office.
A huge pattern was carved into the ceiling, resembling a leaf. At its center was a spiral. The Third Hokage sat in his office chair and drew deeply from his pipe, as if savoring it carefully. Several seconds later, he slowly exhaled one white smoke ring after another. They grew from small to large as they drifted toward the center of the leaf spiral on the ceiling.
He sat at his desk like a workaholic, carefully reviewing the government documents submitted from throughout the village and intelligence relayed through other channels.
As Hokage, one did not necessarily need to be proficient in every field. One only needed to assign the right tasks to the right people, then manage those people.
However, the Fourth Hokage had occupied this position before him. In order to balance the Hokage's authority, he had distributed much of that power among the village's other clans and the three senior advisers before stepping down.
So the Fourth Hokage himself had possessed virtually no real authority.
Back then, after planning to retire, he had intended to gradually hand over power from behind the scenes as an adviser, depending on the situation. After all, the Sarutobi Clan stood behind him.
But all of his arrangements had been destroyed on that night four years ago.
Power was now divided too severely. Even though he had become Hokage again, reclaiming the authority that had been handed out was extremely difficult.
The thought gave him a headache.
Just as he set down a document in his hand, a knock came from outside the office. Someone had arrived.
"Come in!" the Third Hokage said flatly, though his voice carried with remarkable force.
Having received permission, the office door opened and two people walked in.
The Third Hokage raised his gaze from his chair. "Shikaku and Hayate, is that you?"
"Lord Hokage, I heard you wished to see me." The one who spoke was Shikaku Nara, with the Nara Clan's distinctive pineapple-shaped hairstyle.
The Third Hokage nodded slightly, picked up a file from beside him, and handed it over. "Take a look at this first."
Shikaku stepped forward and accepted it, his pupils shrinking at once. Before even opening it, he saw the top-secret Jinchuriki seal stamped on the cover. After several thoughts flashed through his mind, he pulled out the stack of papers and began reading.
After turning only a few pages, Shikaku frowned. The documents contained surveillance records of Naruto from childhood to the present. Though there seemed to be plenty of material, he finished reviewing it quickly.
After a while, he carefully returned the documents he had read to the folder, sealed it, and handed it back to the Third Hokage.
"After reading Naruto's records, what do you think?" the Third Hokage asked Shikaku Nara.
Shikaku fell silent for a long while before saying, "Suspected precocious development."
"Hmm? Suspected?" The Third Hokage's eyes sharpened. He heard the implication behind his adviser's words.
After thinking for a moment, Shikaku replied, "Yes. There are quite a few precocious children, such as my son Shikamaru. But Naruto has displayed none of the traits normally found in a precocious child."
"Although precocious development means a child understands and learns about the world at a level beyond their peers, such children should display three obvious traits."
"They have broad interests and pursue them with focus."
"They display creativity and original thinking, possessing extraordinary imagination."
"They ask many questions and are not satisfied with superficial answers."
"Based on the information you showed me, Naruto displays none of these traits. He is far too composed and calm. Therefore, I can only say he is suspected of being precocious."
The Third Hokage said nothing after hearing this. Turning his gaze toward Gekko Hayate, he asked, "Hayate, what is Naruto's situation?"
"Cough, cough."
After coughing twice, Gekko Hayate pulled a sheet of paper from his chest pocket and read, "At seven this morning, the target left home and used the Transformation Jutsu to enter the center of the village. He first walked through several streets he had visited before. At around nine, he arrived at Ninja Tool Full Point Hall. He remained at the entrance for two minutes before entering, then exited fifteen minutes later."
"There were no signs that the target purchased ninja tools. After leaving Ninja Tool Full Point Hall, the target returned home along one of his usual routes. On the way, he encountered Miss Hinata of the Hyuga Clan, who had gotten lost."
"The target voluntarily escorted Miss Hinata home. Then, following your instructions, I went to contact Mr. Shikaku. While on the way, others reported that the target had already returned to his own home. There are currently no abnormalities."
Shikaku, standing to the side, heard Hayate's detailed surveillance report of every move made by four-year-old Naruto. His expression became slightly uneasy, but thinking of the child's identity, he could only sigh inwardly.
After hearing the report, the Third Hokage remained silent. He rose from his chair and followed his gaze to a picture frame hanging on the wall to one side.
It was a portrait of the Fourth Hokage.
He had read the report provided by the medical ninja. Although Naruto had not inherited his mother's striking red hair, he had perfectly inherited the Uzumaki Clan's physique.
The Uzumaki Clan was born with immense Chakra and tremendous vitality.
Naruto had only learned to refine Chakra yesterday evening, yet he could already use the Transformation Jutsu this morning. It seemed he had also inherited the Fourth Hokage's exceptional talent.
This had to be controlled!
Because Naruto not only possessed terrifying potential himself, but also contained another enormous power within his body.
If Naruto grew up unable to control his own power and accidentally ignited that force, it would be a catastrophe beyond measure.
"For Konoha's peace, I hope you won't blame me."
After gazing once more at the Fourth Hokage in the portrait, the Third Hokage made a decision. His expression grave, he walked to the window, and his eyes became incomparably deep as he looked outside.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Hokage and his son were locked in a standoff within the Jinchuriki's Sealed Space.
"Naruto! You must believe me. The Nine-Tails cannot be trusted! The instant you enter that sealed iron gate, it will seize your consciousness and take control of your body!"
Minato Namikaze stood before Naruto with a solemn expression, staring fixedly at the fox behind the iron gate.
"Gahaha! Kid, scared now? I told you humans and Tailed Beasts could never trust or understand each other. Look at your father. I'd like to ask: has the Shinobi World ever heard of a Tailed Beast that would break promise? Over the years, though, I've seen plenty of human betrayal. Especially that part about the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools. Konoha, their blood-allied partner, was rather heartless, wasn't it?"
Minato Namikaze's eyes widened as he immediately roared, "Nine-Tails! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Hehe! Nonsense?" The fox could sense just how anxious Minato Namikaze was. Seeing him on the verge of flying into a rage made it feel quite comfortable. With a soft chuckle, it lay its head down and closed its eyes, saying nothing more.
Why had this situation arisen?
After Naruto had told his father about his different views regarding Tailed Beasts, he spoke with both his father and the fox about his seal.
Minato Namikaze explained that this seal was an improved and strengthened Eight Trigrams Seal based on the seal of Naruto's mother, the original Jinchuriki.
This seal had been designed specifically for Naruto. As he continued to grow, he could gradually take the Nine-Tails' Chakra and make it his own.
Naruto said that power which did not belong to him carried too much risk. If the other party would not cooperate, then he did not want it. He felt it would be better to free the fox, provided he could keep himself alive.
The fox claimed that the father and son were definitely putting on an act before the iron gate to deceive it. They were undoubtedly toying with it, hoping to let it see a sliver of hope before ruthlessly mocking it.
What did they say?
Give it freedom?
For over a thousand years, so many people in the Shinobi World had coveted the power of the Tailed Beasts. Had a single one been willing to let them go?
This kid seemed somewhat different from the people it had met before, but there was no way it would simply trust him. So the fox rolled its eyes and told the kid to show some sincerity. Unless he dared enter the iron gate, it would give him one chance to establish mutual trust.
"Father! Move aside. The root of the hatred born from the mutual distrust between Tailed Beasts and humans began with humans. In my eyes, Tailed Beasts are no different from humans."
"Besides, before people can understand one another, they must first build a foundation of trust. I have to answer its invitation."
Naruto looked helplessly at Minato Namikaze, who stood in front of him. He truly wanted to tell his father that he had a trump card and was not afraid of having his consciousness seized by the fox inside.
After the Mirrored World collected data from his father earlier, it had updated a function specifically meant to protect the soul and consciousness. If the fox broke its promise, it would pay the price.
When the fox heard Naruto say that Tailed Beasts and humans were no different, its narrow eyes flew open. After a nostalgic figure flashed through its mind, it closed its eyes again.
Minato Namikaze turned around, his expression stern. "Impossible! I will never let you go in!"
"Impossible?"
Naruto finally ran out of patience. With a solemn expression, he looked at his father and said, "My father, you should remember what I said earlier."
Minato Namikaze's heart skipped a beat.
"You are already dead," Naruto reminded him slowly.
A flash of astonishment crossed Minato Namikaze's face, then his expression darkened. He understood what Naruto meant. Only a fragment of Chakra remained here; he could not stand in Naruto's way forever.
"Everyone has to have a starting point!"
Naruto took two steps past his father, who was blocking his path.
Smack!
One foot stepped through to the other side of the iron gate.
"This is my starting point!"
Before you continue