What's even more ridiculous is that when facing a rampaging Tailed Beast, it ultimately required a group of newly graduated Genin to pursue and stop it.
This was simply entrusting the safety of the Village to luck and the potential of a few children! How ridiculous!
And what Shin found most inconceivable was that when the Third Hokage was trapped within the "Four Violet Flames Formation" set up by the Sound Four, none of the Elite Jonin or ANBU operatives outside attempted to forcibly break the barrier and rescue their Hokage!
Was it because they couldn't? Or was it some invisible "rule" or "tacit understanding" that restricted their actions?
Or perhaps... There existed some deep-rooted inertia and compromise within the higher-ups themselves, such that at the critical moment, no one was willing—or rather, no one dared—to take on the responsibility and risk of breaking the stalemate?
Regardless of the reason, it exposed the enormous hidden dangers lurking beneath Konoha's facade of peace!
And all of this was inseparable from the Third Hokage's long-standing style of governance, which focused too heavily on "balance"... and at times even appeared indecisive.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's final sacrifice was undoubtedly tragic and worthy of respect, but in Shin's eyes, it felt less like a heroic conclusion and more like an act of atonement—a painful price paid for the mistakes and compromises of his years in power.
If he had been able to clear out those entrenched internal problems earlier and more decisively... perhaps this outcome would never have happened!
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Shin, whose deep eyes were lost in thought. Although he couldn't fully grasp the specific thoughts surging through the boy's heart, he could still sense the lingering distance that had yet to completely fade.
He sighed and spoke earnestly:
"Shin, I have no intention of arguing too much about the rights and wrongs of the past. But I hope you can understand, and more importantly, believe—"
"—As long as I still have breath left in my body, as long as I wear this hat for even one more day, I will never allow anyone, under any name, to impose darkness and sacrifice upon your generation again!
Konoha's future should be written by your own hands, beneath the sun, choosing your own path according to your own will."
"This is my promise, as the Third Hokage, to you and to all of Konoha's young saplings."
His voice echoed through the silent park, carrying the old man's final stubborn conviction.
Shin finally raised his eyes, meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen's weathered gaze once again.
After a moment of silence, he finally asked a question that had troubled him for a long time:
"Hokage-sama, I have always had a doubt in my heart. Why did Danzo fixate on me? Just because I am this year's Top Student?"
"As far as I know, the Top Students of previous years, and even some exceptionally talented Ninjas, don't seem to have received such 'favor.' Why only me? Is there some reason behind this that I don't know about?"
Hearing the question, Hiruzen's expression stiffened slightly, and a trace of complexity and guilt flashed across his eyes.
"Since you've asked... then very well. With your current strength, there are some things you have the right to know."
He drew a deep breath and met Shin's questioning gaze honestly.
"The reason Danzo is obsessed with you, aside from the astonishing talent and Chakra you've displayed, is an even more important reason..."
"He has his eyes on the bloodline you inherited from the Senju Clan."
"Senju bloodline..." Shin frowned slightly, waiting for him to continue.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment before asking, "Shin, you know something about Jinchuriki, don't you?"
Shin looked thoughtful and replied with a half-truth:
"I do. My parents told me some things about the forbidden technique used to seal a Tailed Beast inside a human body. Twelve years ago, when the Nine-Tails rampaged through the Village, I wasn't born yet, but I've heard them talk about it."
"Since you know, that makes this easier to explain. He... regards you as... a 'spare vessel' for the Nine-Tails."
"A spare vessel... for the Nine-Tails?" Shin's eyes lit up.
If that's all it is... Danzo, you old bastard, you should've just said so earlier!
Keeping a little fox inside his body wasn't impossible! If he was in a good mood, he'd pet it.
"That's right." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried a note of restrained anger. "He believes the current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is emotionally unstable and poses a significant risk to the Village.
"And you, with your immense Chakra reserves and exceptional vitality, are exactly what he considers the ideal candidate—a perfect backup vessel for the Nine-Tails. In his eyes, if the current Jinchūriki were ever to lose control, the Nine-Tails could immediately be transferred to you, ensuring that Konoha never loses one of its greatest strategic assets."
So that was it...everything suddenly made sense.
Why had Danzo been so relentless, even going so far as to dispatch Root elites to carry out a kidnapping?
It wasn't just because of his talent. It was because he had already been assigned a role.
Hiruzen suddenly lifted his head, his gaze passing over Shin's shoulder toward the fourth, youthful face carved into the distant Hokage Rock.
The sunlight outlined the contours of the stone monument. For a moment, that brilliant golden hair and those gentle yet resolute blue eyes seemed to come alive, overlapping with the image of the couple in his memories who had given everything for the Village.
"In any case... I will never agree to this 'spare vessel' plan! I believe in the current Jinchuriki. He has inherited the will and character of his parents.
As long as he receives proper guidance, he will surely overcome his difficulties, truly master that power, and become a pillar capable of protecting Konoha!"
Shin nodded thoughtfully and casually added, "Hmm, if it's Naruto, although he usually acts a little... mentally challenged, he can definitely do it."
"Hmm, what you said is not—"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement, but before he could finish speaking, the expression on his face froze instantly.
His pupils contracted sharply, and the calm composure he had maintained until now showed its first obvious crack as he nearly blurted out in shock:
"You... how do you know... that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is Naruto?!"
This information was one of the Village's highest-level secrets!
Aside from a handful of top-level officials and directly involved personnel, no one was supposed to know it at all!
How did Shin know?!
Seeing such a dramatic reaction from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shin was momentarily stunned before letting out a small scoff, as though the Third Hokage had asked an extremely strange question.
"Third Hokage-sama, isn't that a pretty obvious thing?"