Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, leaned back in his chair as the ANBU finished delivering the report. "This is quite an unexpected development," he murmured, his fingers lightly brushing the surface of the desk. "But a welcomed one, nonetheless."
The thought of Naruko training under someone like Guy brought a sense of relief. After all the hardship and isolation she had endured as the vessel for the Nine-Tails, the fact that Yuto, a boy with no clan influence or ill will toward her, was showing genuine kindness was refreshing. Hiruzen had been watching over Naruko closely, always concerned about her well-being and the village's harsh treatment of her.
'Guy may not be from a powerful clan, but his values are solid. His dedication to hard work and perseverance will help both Naruko and Yuto develop into fine shinobi. Plus, with them seeking his guidance instead of me assigning it, the council won't be able to interfere.' Hiruzen thought, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
He waved his hand dismissively to the ANBU. "Continue to observe, but keep your distance. Let them train in peace."
The masked shinobi nodded once and vanished in a blur of motion, leaving Hiruzen alone with his thoughts. He exhaled slowly, staring out the window at the bustling village below. The laughter of children, the chatter of merchants, the calm hum of Konoha's daily life—it all reminded him of what he was trying to protect.
The council, led by men like Danzo, had always been a thorn in his side when it came to Naruko. Any decision involving her was met with fierce opposition and endless debates. He smiled faintly, knowing that this unorthodox path—training under Guy—would benefit both Naruko and Yuto in ways the village's rigid system never could.
But his moment of peace was short-lived. The door creaked open, and the atmosphere in the room shifted immediately. A familiar presence filled the office.
Danzo Shimura stepped forward, his cane tapping softly against the wooden floor. His single visible eye regarded Hiruzen with quiet intensity before he finally spoke. "Hiruzen," Danzo began, his tone cold and rasping, "I've heard of the recent development regarding Naruko. She's training under Might Guy now, is she?"
Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. He could already guess where this conversation was heading. The two of them had clashed many times over Naruko, and Danzo had never been subtle about wanting to bring her into Root. His silence only seemed to encourage Danzo to continue.
"This is a mistake," Danzo said sharply. "That girl is the vessel of the Nine-Tails. You know the power she holds within her. Might Guy is a capable shinobi, but he's not equipped to handle someone like Naruko. He's too soft-hearted, too bound by foolish ideals like perseverance and loyalty."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed slightly, but he let him speak.
"She should be placed in Root," Danzo pressed, stepping closer to the desk. "There, she would learn discipline. She would be taught to control the Nine-Tails' chakra—to become a weapon that could protect the village. Under my guidance, she wouldn't waste time on meaningless exercises or emotional attachments."
Finally, Hiruzen looked up, his expression calm yet firm. "You would turn her into a tool, Danzo."
"A tool for Konoha," Danzo corrected, his tone unflinching. "Her power is too dangerous to be left unchecked. If you allow her to grow up without control, she will become a liability. You've seen how the village treats her. They fear her—and rightly so. The Nine-Tails nearly destroyed Konoha once before. Are you willing to take that risk again?"
Hiruzen's gaze hardened, the warmth in his eyes giving way to steel. "Naruko is a child of this village. She is not a weapon to be used, no matter how powerful the Nine-Tails within her may be. As Hokage, I will not allow her to be treated as anything less than a person."
Danzo's eye narrowed. "You're too sentimental, Hiruzen. Sentiment has no place when it comes to protecting the village. Root exists to handle the threats others cannot. Naruko could become the greatest threat Konoha has ever faced if she loses control of that beast's power—and you've entrusted her training to a man like Guy?"
"Guy is a capable shinobi," Hiruzen replied calmly. "He will teach Naruko and Yuto to grow as individuals, not as tools for others' ambitions. And as for the council—they cannot interfere in this matter. If they try, they will have to face me first."
Danzo's jaw tightened, his grip on the cane firm. "You're making a mistake. If she loses control—if she taps into the Nine-Tails' chakra without proper restraint—you won't be able to stop what comes next."
Hiruzen stood up slowly, but when he did, the very air in the room seemed to thicken with pressure. The quiet authority of the Hokage filled the office. "Danzo," he said in a calm but commanding tone, "I am Hokage."
The words hung heavy in the air. Silence followed.
"I will make the decisions concerning Naruko's future," Hiruzen continued, his gaze unwavering. "You will not interfere. As long as I wear this hat, she will be treated with dignity and respect. She is not yours to control."
For a long moment, Danzo stood still, his visible eye locked with Hiruzen's. The tension between them was thick, unyielding. Finally, Danzo exhaled sharply, his tone laced with frustration and warning. "I hope your trust in her does not come back to haunt you, Hiruzen… because you will regret this decision."
With that, he turned and walked out of the office, his cane tapping softly as the door closed behind him.
Hiruzen stared at the closed door, his expression unreadable. He knew this wouldn't be the last time Danzo tried to meddle in Naruko's future. But for now, the decision was made—Naruko would continue training under Guy, and Yuto would stay by her side.
The future was uncertain, but Hiruzen believed in the will of fire. Naruko was not a monster, nor a weapon. She was a child—a bright, determined child with immense potential—and he would protect her from those who sought to exploit her.
As he sat back down, Hiruzen stared at the endless pile of paperwork on his desk and sighed heavily. 'HOW DID YOU FINISH THIS IN A FLASH, MINATO!!!' he roared internally, glaring at the papers as if they were his mortal enemy.