The office fell into a long silence again. Only the faint bustle of the village outside drifted through the window, as if reminding them that time was still flowing.
Night Namikaze had anticipated this situation, so he wasn't anxious.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly sat back in his chair. His fingers fumbled for something unconsciously, only to grab empty air.
He didn't bend down to pick up the pipe he had dropped. Instead, he lifted his eyes and re-evaluated the person sitting across from him.
As the Hokage who had personally reviewed the files of Nawaki's graduating class, he had naturally paid attention to this civilian boy who had taken the top spot.
At the time, while he appreciated Night's combat intelligence, he also lamented his lack of a bloodline background and his seemingly average talent, believing his achievements would ultimately be limited.
But now, he had witnessed the boy's transformation with his own eyes. The astonishing talent and strength displayed here would shock the ninja world. That near-instinctive Water Release control, the pure and powerful Adamantine Sealing Chains, and especially the Flying Raijin Jutsu that even he hadn't mastered...
In this moment, all of Hiruzen's suspicions and probing melted away like snow under the sun.
Replacing them was an indescribable sense of relief. Relief that such a brilliant junior had emerged, and even more relief that Night hadn't been killed by internal strife.
He no longer viewed Night as an ordinary Konoha ninja who needed to be interrogated strictly, but as an indispensable pillar of Konoha's future, a dazzling new star that must be carefully nurtured.
"I understand."
After a long time, Hiruzen finally spoke. His tone was much gentler than before.
"Your abilities and experiences, including the details of your mission, involve your personal secrets. The village will not force you to disclose them publicly."
He paused, his words carrying a pointed meaning. "With such upheaval in the Mist, the fact that you were able to preserve yourself in such danger and rescue the Uzumaki remnants is a great merit."
Night, having lived two lives, was sharp enough to immediately pick up on the protective and inviting tone in the Third's words.
He understood tacitly that now was the time to show his attitude. He smoothly pulled several scrolls from his vest. "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Hokage. These are documents I accidentally found in a Mist laboratory. They relate to their recent experiments. I don't understand much of it, but it should have some reference value for the village."
These were the useless documents he had looted from Lab A-1. Since he couldn't pawn them for points, he might as well use them as a gesture of goodwill.
He had already looked at the contents—failure records regarding Three-Tails chakra and early incomplete Jinchuriki experiments.
Their practical value was limited; they couldn't be used directly to create a Jinchuriki. But they were sufficient to explain why the Three-Tails had gone berserk.
Hiruzen took the scrolls and quickly scanned the dense data and charts. Seeing terms like "Three-Tails," "Uzumaki," and "Sealing Formula" explicitly marked, even a brief glance allowed him to grasp the "truth" behind the Tailed Beast riot in the Mist.
He didn't mind Night holding some things back. Knowing he might have been betrayed by an insider, who could blame him for not handing over everything unreservedly?
"These documents are valuable. Your contribution to the mission will be recorded. Go back and wait for the evaluation."
Hiruzen put the scrolls away, his gaze toward Night growing even warmer.
Night had shown his muscles, clarified his stance, and offered a "pledge of allegiance."
Hiruzen acknowledged his achievements and granted him sufficient trust.
Thus, both sides reached a tacit understanding.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Night suggested at the right moment.
Hiruzen nodded and added, "Go. The village will handle the settlement of the Uzumaki clansmen properly. You've worked hard during this time; go back and rest well."
Night glanced at Tsunade beside him. With perfect understanding, the two left the Hokage's office together.
Not long after the heavy wooden door closed, it was pushed open again. The trio of elders walked in with unhappy expressions.
Danzo Shimura, leading the pack, asked first, a cold light flashing in his single eye. "What did that brat confess? Why the need for such secrecy? If you ask me, just put him into ROOT. I have ways to make him spit out every secret and become obedient."
Koharu Utatane, still angry from the earlier confrontation, added indignantly, "Danzo is right. The village's safety is at stake. Better to kill the wrong person than let a threat go. His character and abilities are too suspicious; we must investigate strictly."
Homura Mitokado didn't speak, but his eyes were filled with questioning.
Facing the bombardment from his three old friends and colleagues, Hiruzen slowly stood up. He picked up his pipe from the floor, relit it, and took a deep drag. "This matter ends here. There are no issues with Night Namikaze's mission report. He has already explained his experiences in the Mist to me.
As for his abilities and personal opportunities, they pose no harm to the village; on the contrary, they strengthen Konoha. As a member of this village, I trust his loyalty and his actions."
"Hiruzen! You..."
Danzo wanted to argue. He knew that if Night gained a firm footing, given the tricks Danzo had pulled in the dark, the boy would be a massive thorn in his side.
"I said, it ends here."
Hiruzen's voice rose sharply. The authority cultivated from years in power instantly suppressed all noise.
"What Konoha needs is unity. Night Namikaze is a ninja of Konoha, not our enemy. The Will of Fire needs inheritance, not these underhanded actions that can't see the light of day."
As he finished the last sentence, his gaze burned like a torch, staring directly at Danzo with pointed meaning.
Danzo's face turned livid. He wanted to retort several times but withered under Hiruzen's stare.
Finally, he snorted coldly and stormed out, slamming the door.
Seeing that the Third's mind was made up, Koharu and Homura had no choice but to express their support and say no more.
After everyone left, Hiruzen stood alone by the window, looking at the Hokage Rock outside. His mind was racing.
A thought became increasingly clear: he had to tie Night firmly to Konoha, to the war chariot of the Hokage lineage.
He absolutely could not let the boy drift, nor could he allow other factions—especially Danzo's ROOT—to taint him.
Danzo's almost undisguised intent earlier had clarified many things for Hiruzen. He could even deduce why Night had been repeatedly targeted.
His first thought was to mentor Night personally. With the potential the boy showed, he was fully qualified to be the Hokage's disciple.
But he already had outstanding disciples like the Sannin, and he didn't have the energy to carefully teach a genius who required significant investment. He shook his head and abandoned the idea.
Then, he thought of another perfect candidate.
His proudest and most talented disciple—Orochimaru.
Both were from civilian backgrounds. Orochimaru was powerful, mastered various ninjutsu, and had a unique understanding of different power systems.
"When Orochimaru returns, I'll assign Night to him."
Hiruzen made up his mind, a smile of relief appearing on his face. He had always been reassured by—and even proud of—this disciple upon whom he placed high hopes.
He could almost see how prosperous Konoha would become in the near future.
He was completely unaware that the disciple he felt most "reassured" about had already, in places unseen by others, tainted himself with certain taboos.