The bustle of the Ninja Academy's graduation day gradually faded, and the setting sun draped the village in a layer of warm, golden light.
Inside the Hokage's office, however, the atmosphere remained still and quiet.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was not seated at his desk handling the usual mountain of paperwork.
Instead, he stood before the wide floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking Konoha as it settled into twilight. The pipe in his hand released slow curls of white smoke, partially obscuring eyes lined with age, yet still sharp and perceptive.
On the table beside the window, the crystal ball lay dim and without luster.
Today's graduation exam had left more than just one impression on his mind. Aside from Naruto, there was another figure he couldn't ignore.
Kagutsuchi Shin.
Hiruzen exhaled a slow ring of smoke, his brows drawing together slightly.
"Kagutsuchi Shin…" The name echoed faintly in the quiet office, unusually clear in the stillness.
He tapped his pipe lightly against the window frame, knocking away a bit of ash.
"Morisaki Aoi's son… The Senju bloodline… What a frightening talent."
He recalled fragments of what he had observed through the crystal ball. What Shin displayed was strength far beyond that of his peers.
From the moment he entered the academy, his name had consistently remained above even the so-called genius of the Uchiha clan, never once wavering.
Perfect scores in written exams. Effortless composure in Taijutsu.
Every confrontation with Uchiha Sasuke ended in an overwhelming victory.
This was far beyond the level expected of a typical graduate. It even surpassed many experienced genin… and in some respects, even chunin.
At the same time, he recalled the report just submitted by the ANBU.
The word used to describe Shin's chakra reserves was simple, yet striking.
Massive.
"To possess such an amount of chakra at this age… The physique of the Senju clan is truly remarkable…" Hiruzen's gaze deepened. "Chakra on par with his mother's—no… perhaps even beyond that."
A genius of this level would be a valuable asset anywhere.
But the real question was how to guide him. How to place him. That was the decision that weighed on Hiruzen now.
"Who should I entrust him to?" he murmured. "Kakashi? No… that won't do. The current Kakashi is still…"
He considered each capable jonin in the village, searching for the right mentor… and the right observer for such a rare talent.
Just then—
"Clatter!"
The office door was suddenly pushed open with force.
Hiruzen glanced back without turning fully. There was no need to look. In all of Konoha, only one person would enter the Hokage's office so brazenly. Danzo.
Danzo walked in slowly, leaning on his cane, step by measured step, until he reached the center of the room. His single visible eye swept over Hiruzen before settling on the crystal ball by the window.
"Hiruzen." His hoarse voice broke the silence.
Hiruzen remained facing the window, taking another slow draw from his pipe. He already knew. At a time like this, Danzo's appearance could only mean one thing.
"You're here about this year's graduates."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes." Danzo moved to stand beside him, his gaze also directed outside. "In today's exam, the child from the Kagutsuchi family… his performance was quite remarkable."
He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eye. "I believe it requires action."
Hiruzen said nothing, continuing to smoke as he waited for him to elaborate.
"Hiruzen." Seeing no response, Danzo turned his head, his eye fixed intently on Hiruzen's profile.
"Hand over that child, along with the Uchiha boy… and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki… to Root."
"Cough—! Cough!" Even prepared as he was, Hiruzen nearly choked on the smoke, coughing sharply.
He turned around abruptly, his face slightly flushed, his gaze instantly sharpening.
"Impossible." His refusal was immediate. "Danzo, don't even think about it."
Not one of them, let alone all three. They were the most important individuals of this generation.
The very thought was absurd.
"Not a single one," Hiruzen said firmly, turning back toward the window. "Their paths will be chosen by themselves, under the light of the sun."
Danzo's eye flickered. He knew Hiruzen well. Asking for everything was merely a way to gain leverage.
"If not all three… then at least one," Danzo said coldly. "I must also consider the future of Konoha."
Hiruzen turned again, his gaze steady through the drifting smoke. "Which one?"
Danzo did not hesitate. "Kagutsuchi Shin."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Danzo continued calmly.
"The Senju bloodline grants extraordinary chakra and physical resilience. This Kagutsuchi Shin is exceptional even among them. The reports indicate his chakra exceeds even jonin levels.
More importantly, his temperament is calm, detached, and not easily influenced. That is precisely the kind of talent Root requires. Strip away unnecessary emotion, and that power can be pushed to its limit. He could become Konoha's most reliable weapon."
Hiruzen remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Danzo shifted tone, revealing his true objective.
"Hiruzen, you understand the instability of the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Uzumaki Naruto is too emotional, too unpredictable. Entrusting such power to him alone is a risk."
Hiruzen's fingers tightened slightly around his pipe.
"What are you getting at?"
Danzo's lips curved faintly.
"We need insurance. A backup plan. Kagutsuchi Shin possesses a bloodline compatible with such a role. His chakra and physique make him an ideal vessel."
His gaze sharpened.
"Give him to Root. I will forge him into the perfect weapon. A blade for the present… and a safeguard for the future. Should anything happen to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he will be ready."
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
Hiruzen turned fully to face him, his expression no longer calm.
"A backup… Jinchuriki?" His voice carried both disbelief and anger. "So this is what you've been planning?"
Danzo did not flinch. "This is for Konoha's absolute security."
"Enough." Hiruzen's voice cut through the air sharply.
"I will never agree. To define a child as a vessel, as a weapon… is that your idea of responsibility?"
Danzo sneered. "Responsibility requires preparation. If the Nine-Tails ever loses control—"
"Then guide Naruto properly!" Hiruzen stepped forward, his robes shifting with the motion. "Not sacrifice another child!"
"Without power, there is no future!" Danzo snapped. "Emotion is weakness!"
"That is not weakness!" Hiruzen's voice rose. "The next generation is the hope of the village, not tools to be shaped at will!"
Danzo's gaze hardened.
"Hope without power is meaningless."
"Power born in darkness will eventually turn against us," Hiruzen replied firmly. "His future will be under the sun."
"Your ideals are naive."
"And your methods are unacceptable."
The tension thickened.
"Hiruzen, you should understand—"
"Enough!" The shout echoed through the office, cutting him off completely. "I will not hand him over."
Silence followed.
The two men stood facing each other, the air heavy and unmoving.
After a long moment, Danzo's expression twisted slightly. "Hiruzen… you will regret this."
Hiruzen met his gaze without hesitation. "I am the Hokage."
Danzo's expression darkened.
"Hmph." With a cold snort, he turned and strode out, his cane striking sharply against the floor.
"Bang!" The door slammed shut behind him.
Hiruzen remained where he stood, the pipe in his hand long since gone cold. He exhaled slowly and turned his gaze back to the list of jonin on the table.
"I need to find the right teacher for him…"
Kagutsuchi Shin.
His gaze drifted toward the direction of the Kagutsuchi residence.
The growth of a genius was never without storms. And his role… was to ensure that this young talent could grow beneath open skies for as long as possible.
At least, while he was still Hokage.
But for now… Hiruzen stepped toward the crystal ball and formed hand seals.
"Crystal Ball Jutsu."
Mist swirled within it, gradually revealing a familiar figure of Naruto.