Naruto Uzumaki had long known about the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him, so the revelation itself wasn't difficult for him to grasp.
However, even so, upon hearing the full truth, he stood frozen in place for a long time. It took a while before he finally came back to his senses. With a hint of confusion in his eyes, he looked at Kazuki and asked:
"Big Brother Kazuki, if my parents were great heroes... then why does everyone hate me so much?"
Kazuki took a slow sip of tea from his cup before responding, meeting Naruto's bewildered gaze.
"Because very few people in this village know that you are the son of the Fourth Hokage."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly as Kazuki continued.
"After the night of the Nine-Tails attack, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, decided to keep your parentage a secret. It was classified as a top-level matter—no one was allowed to speak of it. However, the fact that the Nine-Tails was sealed inside you was not kept secret. Instead, that information was deliberately spread among the villagers by Konoha's higher-ups."
Kazuki's voice was calm, but each word carried weight.
"That's why you were treated that way growing up, Naruto. The truth is… the way the village viewed you wasn't just the result of ignorance or fear. It was something the leadership of Konoha—Hiruzen Sarutobi included—allowed to happen."
Naruto's childhood had been briefly touched upon in the original records, but much of it remained unclear. Kazuki, having worked in the Anbu, had accessed numerous classified files and pieced together the truth. And now, as those words sank in, their impact on Naruto was undeniable.
The man he had always looked up to—the only elder he had ever respected apart from Kazuki—
The Hokage he had admired since he was a child…
And now he was being told—
That his suffering had been caused by the very person he had trusted?
Naruto's hands trembled slightly as he stood up from his stool, his voice rising in disbelief.
"Big Brother Kazuki, are you saying… Grandpa Hokage did this? But why? Why would he do such a thing?!"
Kazuki's expression remained composed as he answered.
"Because they feared the power of the Nine-Tails."
Naruto's gaze dropped to his stomach.
"The power of the Nine-Tails…"
Kazuki nodded.
"To Hiruzen Sarutobi, the safety of Konoha came above all else—even above you or your parents. For the sake of peace, he was willing to sacrifice anything, including your childhood."
Naruto's face showed deep confusion, his mind struggling to process it all.
Kazuki sighed and explained further.
"Tailed Beasts are weapons of war, Naruto. No matter the village, Jinchūriki are seen as tools—powerful assets to be controlled. For any Kage, one of the most important tasks is ensuring their Jinchūriki remains loyal and within their grasp. And Hiruzen Sarutobi's method of control… was manipulation through emotion."
Naruto scratched his head, still not quite understanding.
"Emotional manipulation?"
Kazuki nodded.
"You lost your parents that night, leaving you completely alone. If the people of the village rejected you, if you had no one to turn to, then the smallest bit of kindness from Hiruzen Sarutobi would feel like salvation. By keeping you isolated, he ensured that every time he showed you even the slightest care, you would be grateful. That gratitude, Naruto, is what would make you obey him."
Naruto's breath hitched as the realization set in.
"Are you saying… Grandpa Hokage let everyone treat me that way… just so he could control me?"
Kazuki gave a solemn nod.
Naruto's fists clenched. His stomach twisted with a mixture of anger and betrayal.
"Then, Big Brother Kazuki… how were you able to befriend me? And now that you've told me all this… aren't you afraid of what will happen?"
In that moment, the image of Hiruzen Sarutobi—the kind, wise grandfatherly figure Naruto had believed in—
Shattered.
The only person he felt he could trust now…
Was the man standing before him.
Kazuki's voice was steady.
"Hiruzen never saw me as a threat. When we first met, I was just a year older than you, and he didn't know my true strength. Because of that, he never thought much of our friendship."
Kazuki set his cup down and looked Naruto in the eyes.
"And as for why I'm telling you all this now? There are two reasons.
First, because I believe your heart is strong enough to handle the truth. Knowing it now will spare you unnecessary pain in the future. You don't need to feel ashamed for being an orphan, or for being called a 'fox demon.' Because you, Naruto, are the son of the Fourth Hokage. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki gave their lives to protect this village, and they sealed the Nine-Tails inside you to ensure its safety. You should be proud of who you are."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
"And the second reason?"
Kazuki smiled slightly, his confidence unwavering.
"Because I'm strong enough now. No matter what Konoha's higher-ups think, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, they no longer pose a threat to me."
Naruto felt a chill run through him.
Kazuki's words were absolute.
And for the first time, Naruto realized…
There was a power far greater than he had imagined—one that wasn't just physical strength, but the ability to see through the deception that had bound him his entire life.
And now… he was free.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock, and he suddenly exclaimed,
"Big Brother Kazuki, y-you mean… your current strength is already stronger than the Hokage?"
Kazuki simply gave a faint smile in response, choosing not to answer directly.
But his silence spoke volumes—Naruto understood the implication immediately.
A brief silence filled the air. Naruto lowered his head, his expression complicated.
"Brother Kazuki, I'm heading out for now. Heh, I learned way too much today… My brain can't keep up. I need some time to process all of this properly."
He tried to put on his usual big grin, acting like nothing was wrong.
But the expression on his face didn't look cheerful—it was a forced smile.
Kazuki nodded. He knew that after learning the truth, Naruto needed time to digest everything.
In the Days That Followed…
Kazuki didn't see Naruto again for a while.
Word had it that he had left the village on a mission with Team 7 under Kakashi's leadership.
Kazuki had already taken care of the Land of Waves incident himself,
so this time, Team 7's mission was nothing more than a standard C-rank task—nothing too dangerous.
And just like that, a month passed.
Spring Arrives
The warm spring breeze made the grass sway gently.
Kazuki lay lazily on the lawn near Training Ground 3, eyes closed, basking in the peaceful moment.
He had just finished his training and was enjoying a well-earned break.
Suddenly, a loud, energetic voice broke the silence.
"You're really slacking off, Kazuki! I searched half the village for you, and here you are, sleeping in the sun!"
It was the Leaf's Green Beast, Might Guy, standing over him with his usual enthusiastic grin.
Seeing Kazuki's relaxed demeanor, Guy let out a dramatic sigh.
Why was this kid getting lazier by the day? It was so un-youthful!
Ever since Kazuki left the Anbu, he had been spending his time either researching ninja tools at home, training in the field, or… just lazing around.
If not that, he'd be shopping with some little girl…?
This wouldn't do!
"Kazuki!" Guy suddenly declared, striking a passionate pose. "You have always been my proudest disciple!"
"You're strong, talented, and even from a good family! There's nothing lacking in you!"
"So have confidence in yourself! No matter what happens, I'll always be here to support you!"
Saying that, Guy spread his arms wide, attempting to embrace Kazuki in an overenthusiastic hug.
"Oi, oi, I don't need that kind of encouragement!"
Hearing Guy's over-the-top compliments, Kazuki—who had still been half-asleep—suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Guy by the collar and hurled him away!
"Seriously?! Why does everything you say sound so weird?!"
Guy tumbled across the grass but quickly sprang back up, laughing heartily.
"Whoa, Kazuki! How is your strength still improving?!" he shouted in exaggerated disbelief.
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