The next afternoon.
In the Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi had gathered together.
Everyone was discussing who had spread the rumor that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Namikaze Minato spoke up, "I've assigned people to investigate. The villagers heard about it through word of mouth. When we asked them to describe what those people looked like, there were no such individuals that could be found in Konoha."
Nara Shikaku rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Transformation techniques?"
Minato nodded thoughtfully. "Most likely. Therefore, if the enemy is prepared, this investigation will become very difficult."
Koharu and Homura analyzed, "What's certain is that the enemy definitely holds resentment, even hatred, toward the Fourth. They must know about the Jinchuriki. The purpose of spreading rumors claiming the Fourth's child is the Nine-Tails incarnate is to incite conflict.
There are already voices calling for the Fourth to punish the Nine-Tails incarnation. Now, whether or not we reveal Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki, these discussions won't stop, because many people equate the Jinchuriki with the Tailed Beast itself."
Minato's frown deepened. "Who exactly would do something like this?"
Nara Shikaku speculated, "Firstly, the enemy must be someone within Konoha itself. Spreading the rumor so quickly indicates they belong to a collective rather than acting individually.
Now the question is whether this group acted collectively out of dissatisfaction with the Fourth, or whether a single person gave orders to subordinates to carry it out.
If it's a group, then there's not much to worry about—we'll eventually trace their origins.
However, if one person is commanding underlings to do this, it becomes troublesome, because that suggests organization and discipline, meaning they will not leave any traces for us to follow."
Minato's expression grew heavy; he was worried about exactly that possibility.
If the enemy is organized, more serious developments could occur at any moment.
Nara Shikaku continued, "I lean more toward an organized operation. At the time the Fourth sealed the Nine-Tails, aside from Shindai and Uchiha Hikaku who helped restrain it, it was just the Third leading our group.
Therefore, the people who should know Naruto's status as a Jinchuriki are limited to us. Excluding Shindai and Uchiha Hikaku, the main suspects would be among our group, though we can't completely rule out the possibility of someone eavesdropping nearby at that time.
So, regarding this incident, the investigation might not yield results. The Fourth must brace himself mentally for that possibility."
Minato Namikaze sighed, "Perhaps this incident was orchestrated by the same person responsible for the breach during Kushina's childbirth all those years ago. Enemies lurking in the shadows are quite troublesome."
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Then how do you plan to handle this situation, Minato? We must suppress the rumors immediately and stop them from spreading further."
"Let me think about it carefully."
Right now, Minato had a splitting headache. Even if they managed to control public opinion, Naruto's identity as a jinchuriki had already been exposed. The villagers' prejudice against jinchuriki would still lead to fear and discrimination toward him.
Minato worried that this would negatively affect Naruto's growth in the future.
Concerning his own child, Minato wanted to find a way that would minimize the negative impact on Naruto as much as possible.
...
Inside the Puppet Shop.
Hikaku Uchiha, who was reading a book, looked at Shindai sitting beside her and asked, "Why aren't you tinkering with your puppets in the workshop today? Why are you spacing out here instead?"
Shindai answered with his eyes closed, "Thinking about Naruto."
"As the Hokage, The Fourth should be able to resolve this, right?"
Shindai opened his eyes and shook his head, "No, this issue is complicated. Lord Minato is the Hokage, but Naruto's identity is already common knowledge. At best, he can just make people shut up and stop spreading rumors, but who knows what they'll whisper behind his back?"
Hikaku shrugged indifferently, "Then just issue a command: anyone caught spreading rumors will be severely punished. That should work, right?"
Shindai disagreed, "You're thinking too simply. Taking such action would backfire instead, making villagers even more fearful and discriminatory toward Naruto."
Hikaku questioned, "Then what should we do? Since it's already been revealed, it seems like that's the only solution available."
Shindai sighed, "I mean, what exactly are they so afraid of regarding the jinchuriki anyway?"
Hikaku replied, "Jinchuriki are treated as military assets of a nation. However, if a jinchuriki loses control emotionally, they transform into their tailed beast form.
And tailed beasts symbolize disaster—humans naturally fear calamities. Take last year's Nine-Tails attack, for example; I don't think anyone wants to experience something like that again. They see Naruto as the Nine-Tails itself and fear another catastrophe like the Nine-Tails' attack.
Therefore, for those without power or with very little strength, having a jinchuriki nearby equates to living next to a time bomb. It's perfectly normal for people to feel fear and rejection under such circumstances."
Shindai reflected on Hikaku's words.
Suddenly, Shindai's eyes lit up. "I think I've got an idea. I'm going to visit Lord Minato at the Hokage Building."
Without hesitation, Shindai jumped up from his chair, left the Puppet Shop, and hurried quickly toward the Hokage Building.
Arriving at the Hokage Building, Shindai began knocking loudly on the office door: "Lord Minato! Lord Minato!"
"Minato Namikaze wanted to say, 'Come in,' but Shindai still couldn't enter.
Due to past incidents, there's now a Barrier around the office—those outside can neither hear nor see what happens inside.
Minato Namikaze got up and opened the door. Shindai immediately said, 'Lord Minato, I've come up with a solution to Naruto's problem!'
Minato had always found some of Shindai's wild ideas worth considering, so he asked, 'What kind of plan?'
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed, 'Ahem, Minato, you two should come in and talk.'
Only then did Shindai realize that Hiruzen and the others were already inside.
Minato Namikaze led Shindai inside and closed the door behind them.
Minato Namikaze said to Shindai, 'Shindai, go on. Share the solution you've come up with about Naruto's situation.'
Shindai replied, 'In my opinion, the villagers' prejudice against Jinchuriki stems from their fear of the Tailed Beasts. They regard Jinchuriki as the beasts themselves. If we can change this perception, we might be able to solve the problem!'
Koharu Utatane raised a question, 'But human biases are hard to change. How exactly do you plan to shift such deeply rooted perceptions?'
'We need to educate people about Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beasts, making them understand the importance of the Tailed Beasts to our ninja village, and shape Naruto as a hero who sacrificed himself for Konoha!'
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