Uzumaki Menma

The night of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Uprising.

All of Konoha was ravaged.

On the Sealing Altar, there were two blonde infants.

A man and a woman, their chests pierced, tightly embraced the infants, already lifeless.

Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped forward, sorrow and grief etched on his face, and picked up the two infants.

"Minato... Kushina..."

Seven days later.

Konoha held a funeral for the ninja who sacrificed themselves during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Uprising, and for the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

And on this day.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already retired, announced that he would temporarily take over as Hokage until the Fifth Hokage was appointed.

A month later.

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Uprising had passed.

But the wounds it inflicted on Konoha remained.

Although everyone was heartbroken, they were still working hard to rebuild their homes.

At the same time, a rumor was spreading like wildfire throughout the village.

That two children had suddenly appeared in Konoha, and they were the embodiment of the Nine-Tails.

Upon learning of the rumor, Hiruzen Sarutobi issued an order to all the ninja who had survived the battle with the Nine-Tails.

He strictly forbade the spreading of information about the deceased Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his two orphans, and ordered that the current rumor in Konoha be controlled, and that this matter should no longer be discussed!

Anyone who violated this rule would be severely punished.

There were two considerations behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's order.

The first consideration was based on Minato Namikaze himself.

As the Fourth Hokage, Konoha's Yellow Flash, and the greatest contributor to the Third Shinobi World War.

Minato Namikaze had achieved remarkable feats on the battlefield.

However, such feats were inevitably built on the foundation of 'killing'.

Although he killed ninja from other villages, it was still a chain of hatred that was difficult to break.

If the enemy knew that their nemesis had left behind children, they might infiltrate Konoha to eliminate them.

The second consideration was the two children.

Although the two children were the sons of Minato Namikaze, and the Nine-Tails was sealed within their bodies for the sake of Konoha, they should also be regarded as heroes.

However, the two children were still Jinchuriki.

In the eyes of ordinary people, Jinchuriki were almost equivalent to Tailed Beasts.

Tailed Beasts were calamities that could directly cause destruction.

And Jinchuriki were calamities that could potentially cause destruction at any time.

After experiencing the absolutely terrifying power of the Nine-Tails, the identity of a hero had no substantial effect.

Therefore, even if it was announced that the two children were the sons of the Fourth Hokage, it would not bring any change.

On the contrary, these two children would be ostracized by the villagers because of their 'heroic' status, resulting in a psychological gap and thus psychological problems.

And after concealing everything.

The children who were born now, and the children who would be born in the future, would not know that the two children were Jinchuriki.

In this way, the two children could still have playmates in the future.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was now doing everything possible to create a relatively relaxed and free living environment for the two children in the future.

Inside the Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was dealing with a pile of affairs.

Just then.

The door to the Hokage Office was pushed open.

A man with bandages wrapped around his right eye, a cross-shaped scar on his chin, and a gloomy expression appeared in the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in surprise, "Danzo, what brings you here?"

Danzo said coldly, "Recently, several groups of ninja of unknown identity have tried to infiltrate Konoha. They have all been killed by the Root ninja I dispatched. Their purpose is very likely the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I can stop them once or twice, but I can't stop them every time. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must be closely guarded! Hiruzen, hand over the two Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to me now. It is safest for my Root to take care of them!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi directly refused, "Absolutely impossible. I know what you're thinking, Danzo. I will not hand Naruto and Menma over to you!"

"If you're worried that I'll experiment on them, then there's no need to be. I can promise you that I'll only be responsible for their safety, and I won't interfere with anything else.

The Nine-Tails must be foolproof. If anything happens to the Nine-Tails, you should be clear about what kind of situation Konoha will be in!"

Danzo's words were forceful and resolute.

Indeed, as Danzo said, the Jinchuriki had to be foolproof.

Konoha could choose not to use a Jinchuriki, but it couldn't be without one.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still uneasy, given Danzo's extensive track record.

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was still unwilling, Danzo continued to persuade him, "Hiruzen, if you don't trust me with both, then give me one. If anything goes wrong, I'll be here to back you up. Although I'm unscrupulous in my methods, everything is for Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a long time, finally relenting, "I can give you Menma, but there's a condition. If this condition can't be met, then there's nothing to discuss."

"Speak."

"My Telescope Technique must be able to see Menma at any time."

Although Danzo was somewhat reluctant, he agreed, "Alright."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and said, "Come with me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi led Danzo to his home.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's home was now empty.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife had also sacrificed herself in the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Uprising.

In a crib, Naruto Uzumaki and Uzumaki Menma were lying inside, sleeping quietly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up Uzumaki Menma, his eyes filled with reluctance.

Before handing him over to Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi suggested, "How about this, Danzo? You have no children, so why don't you adopt Menma and be his grandfather?"

Danzo frowned, "Hiruzen, you know I don't have the time or the inclination to do such a thing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and touched Uzumaki Menma's small face, saying with heartache, "But only in this way can I entrust Menma to you with greater peace of mind."

Danzo took a deep breath and finally agreed, "I understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully handed Uzumaki Menma to Danzo.

Danzo reached out and held Uzumaki Menma.

Thinking that his identity was now Uzumaki Menma's grandfather, Danzo felt a sense of unease.

Moreover, looking at Uzumaki Menma's small face, Danzo suddenly felt something he had never felt before.

As Danzo was about to leave with Uzumaki Menma, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but warn, "Danzo, I'll be watching Menma at all times. Don't you dare do anything to him!"

Danzo paused, not turning his head, and said, "Suit yourself. I'll only ensure the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Danzo, correcting him, "Your identity is now Menma's grandfather. Don't use the term 'Nine-Tails Jinchuriki'."

Danzo looked at Uzumaki Menma in his arms again and said, "I will only ensure that Uzumaki Menma is safe and sound, and always belongs to our Konoha!"