Dressed in his new winter coat, Naruto felt a wave of warmth and comfort enveloping his body. He looked up, a satisfied, sun-like smile blooming on his face.
"Thank you, Grandpa Sandaime! The new clothes are so warm. I really like them!"
Hearing this, the Sandaime looked at the child's pure, radiant expression, but the memory of that tight, threadbare autumn shirt from moments ago flickered in his mind. His mouth twitched unnaturally. He forced a smile, though it was weighted with an anchor of guilt.
"As long as you like it, Naruto," he murmured, his voice slightly strained. "As long as you like it..."
As if seeking to atone for his neglect, Hiruzen picked up the kraft paper envelope from the table. He reached into his robes, pulled out several crisp, high-denomination ryo bills, and tucked them inside before handing the thickened envelope to the boy.
"This is your living expense for the coming month," he said, his tone softening further. "You're at the age where making friends is important. Grandpa is giving you a bit more this time. When you're with your classmates, don't be afraid to be generous. Treat them to ramen once in a while."
"Wow! Thank you, Grandpa Sandaime!"
Naruto took the heavy envelope with eager hands. He could feel the thickness of the bills through the paper—a tangible reward for his performance. Success, he cheered inwardly. This was the most practical gain of the night; more capital meant more resources for his private research.
Then, as if unable to contain his excitement, Naruto leaned in, his blue eyes sparkling with pride. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you—I made a new friend today! Her name is Hyuga Hinata. I had to chase off some bullies, but she's really nice. Her dad seems super strict, though. He's probably a good guy deep down, right?"
So, she left a positive impression on him during their first meeting? Hiruzen nodded inwardly. Hiashi, you old stick-in-the-mud, you managed to handle that better than I expected. Ensuring a positive bond between the Jinchuriki and the Great Clans was crucial for the village's internal stability.
After a few more minutes of grandfatherly advice about training and health, the Sandaime patted Naruto's shoulder. "It's getting late. Get some rest, Naruto. You're still a growing boy."
The Hokage stepped out into the night, his silhouette merging with the shadows of the sleeping village. However, the warmth of the visit evaporated the moment he stepped back into his brightly lit office in the Hokage Building.
He had just sat down and refilled his pipe when the door was unceremoniously slammed open.
Thump. Tap. Thump.
A thin, sinister figure entered the room. His right eye and arm were shrouded in thick bandages, and he leaned heavily on a cane, each step carrying a rhythmic, oppressive weight. It was Danzo Shimura, the "Darkness of the Shinobi."
Danzo didn't bother with pleasantries. He marched to the desk, his sharp, singular gaze fixed on Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen! I received a report that Hyuga Hiashi dared to make private contact with the Jinchuriki! How can you allow this?" His voice rose in a hoarse, accusatory rasp. "The Head of the Hyuga Clan, meeting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the dead of night? What is his endgame?"
The Sandaime did not flinch. He unhurriedly lit his pipe, letting the pungent smoke circulate in his lungs before exhaling a long, calming cloud.
"Calm down, Danzo. I observed the entire interaction myself. It was nothing more than a father looking for his daughter and happening across some children eating ramen. You shouldn't exaggerate a simple social encounter."
"Hiruzen!"
The cold light in Danzo's eye intensified, and his cane struck the floor with a hollow crack. "You are always so careless! Of Konoha's two great ocular clans, the Uchiha are gone. Only the Hyuga remain. No other clan can rival their strength. We must take precautions to ensure they do not become too dominant and threaten the balance of the village!"
Hiruzen looked at Danzo with a strange, weary gaze. Speaking of preventing one family from dominating, the Shimura Clan's influence has expanded faster than any other since you became my assistant, hasn't it? He kept the thought behind his teeth.
Seeing the silence, Danzo pressed on, making the demand he had repeated a thousand times. "I have told you: a strategic weapon like the Jinchuriki should not be left to his own devices. He should be handed over to my Root for training! Hand him over to me, Hiruzen!"
"That is impossible, Danzo."
The refusal was sharp and final. Hiruzen was tired of the cycle.
Danzo's expression darkened, and he pivoted to his true objective for the night. "Fine. If the Jinchuriki is off-limits, then what of the girl he met? She is the heiress of the Main Family. But Hiashi has a second daughter, does he not? In two years, she will be branded with the Caged Bird Seal and relegated to the Branch Family."
Danzo leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Hand the second daughter over to Root. I will ensure she receives training far superior to—"
"Enough!"
Hiruzen slammed his hand onto the desk, standing abruptly. The "God of Shinobi" replaced the "Grandfather."
"What are you planning, Danzo?" Alarm bells rang in Hiruzen's mind. You want the children of the Great Clans now? Are you trying to build a private army of elites to bypass my authority? "You will not touch the children of the Hyuga."
"Hiruzen! You are weak!" Danzo spat, his single eye bloodshot with obsession. "Always worrying about optics! Follow my arrangements, and the village will be secure. Otherwise, one day, you will regret your indecisiveness!"
"I said enough, Danzo!"
The Third Hokage's voice boomed like thunder, vibrating the windows of the office. He drew himself up to his full height, his eyes flashing with the lethal resolve of a man who had survived three World Wars.
"I am the Hokage!"
Danzo's eye widened. That familiar, condescending phrase was a poisonous thorn that pierced the most sensitive part of his soul. I wanted to stay behind that day too! he screamed internally. If you hadn't spoken first... the hat would be mine!
Danzo's jaw tightened until he could taste copper in his mouth. All his resentment and fury were squeezed into a single, bone-chilling "Hmph!"
He turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door with a violent Bang! that echoed through the empty corridors like a roar of unvented rage.