Arata looked up at the pale moon, his reflection glimmering faintly in its light.
"What if I can't learn it?" he asked, smiling slightly.
Kakashi waved a hand dismissively.
"Then you can't. It's not the end of the world."
His voice was calm, almost amused.
"Even back when the Fourth Hokage taught us, none of us managed to master sealing techniques. Not one."
He looked toward the sky, eyes distant.
"They're incredibly difficult. But if you do learn them… then Naruto won't be a danger anymore."
Kakashi's tone softened.
"If I'd learned Minato-sensei's sealing arts back then, I might've stopped him from using that suicidal jutsu."
Arata turned his gaze toward him, hesitating.
Kakashi caught it immediately.
"Go on," he said. "You've been wanting to ask something."
Arata looked through the sliding door into the dimly lit room where Naruto lay unconscious.
"Kakashi-sensei… why did the Fourth Hokage seal the Nine-Tails into Naruto in the first place?"
He paused.
"And Naruto — he's from the Uzumaki clan, isn't he? There aren't many of them left in Konoha."
Kakashi didn't avoid the question. He sighed, his expression growing solemn.
"You've already guessed it, haven't you?"
Arata frowned.
"Don't tell me it's what I think it is…"
Kakashi nodded.
"You're right. Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"When his wife gave birth," Kakashi continued quietly, "the seal holding the Nine-Tails was at its weakest. That's when the beast broke free."
He looked down at his hands.
"I was assigned to protect her that night. But I failed."
Arata sat still, the night wind brushing against his face.
He wasn't shocked that Naruto was Minato's child — he had long suspected as much.
What truly stunned him was that Kakashi would tell him.
That was a village secret — something known only to the Hokage and a handful of trusted elites.
He really trusts me that much…?
For a moment, Arata didn't know what to say.
Kakashi misread his silence, assuming he was simply surprised by the revelation.
"There's nothing strange about it," he said.
"Naruto carries the Uzumaki bloodline. And the Fourth wanted him to harness the Nine-Tails' power one day."
Arata's eyes softened as he looked back at Naruto.
"Did the Fourth Hokage ever consider what kind of life that would give his son?"
Kakashi exhaled.
"He didn't have a choice. Kushina was dying. Once the beast was extracted, her life was over."
His voice was low, heavy with regret.
"Minato used the Reaper Death Seal to contain what he could. He knew it would cost him his life. In the end… Naruto was the only vessel left."
"And since he carried the Uzumaki bloodline, he was the best candidate. Maybe… the only one."
Arata's gaze lingered on the boy sleeping inside.
"So that's it… the Fourth hoped Naruto would one day control the Nine-Tails — and protect the village."
Kakashi nodded.
"Exactly. His wife never once lost control, you know. She was strong — the purest Uzumaki I've ever met."
Arata smiled faintly.
"That's hardly surprising. The Uzumaki were masters of sealing. It's only natural she kept it in check."
"If Naruto learned sealing techniques himself, maybe he could stabilize it too."
Kakashi shook his head slowly.
"I wish I could believe that."
He sighed.
"But sealing jutsu isn't just about bloodline — it's about understanding. Deep, complex theory. Naruto's got the bloodline, sure… but the mind for it?"
Arata gave him a wry look.
"You won't know unless you try."
Kakashi didn't answer. He didn't need to.
He had tried — once. And given up.
He remembered watching Naruto nod off mid-lesson after misplacing even the most basic hand seals.
It was hopeless.
Even Kakashi, a genius by every standard, had struggled with the theory.
And Naruto… well, his talents lay elsewhere.
That was why every major village had a Sealing Corps — specialists trained together, because true seal masters were so rare.
To learn those techniques was harder than mastering any combat jutsu.
Kakashi stood, brushing the dust off his hands.
"Anyway, I'm more optimistic about you," he said lightly.
"If you master sealing, I'll finally stop worrying every time Naruto loses control."
Arata sighed.
"Don't tell me you plan to drag me along on every mission from now on."
"I'm not part of your team, remember?"
Kakashi smirked.
"You say that like your team actually exists."
Arata blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Kakashi's tone grew quieter — almost careful.
"You realize, don't you? Your squad shouldn't have existed in the first place."
He turned to look at the night sky.
"The only reason it does… is because of you."
Arata frowned slightly.
"Because of me?"
"Your team's test was never supposed to pass. But you did — because you changed the outcome."
"And from that moment, you stopped being 'just another genin.'"
Kakashi's voice lowered.
"You're different, Arata. The higher-ups know that. You're already on their radar."
He paused, his tone now dead serious.
"The more you stay tied to your teammates, the greater the danger for them. If someone wanted to control you — or break you — they'd target the people close to you first."
"That's why your teacher agreed to let me take you."
"If you keep growing stronger, or worse — if you ever defect — your team will be the first to suffer."
Arata fell silent.
He didn't want to believe it. But deep down, he knew Kakashi was right.
He'd already drawn too much attention.
After what happened during the bridge mission, there was no hiding anymore.
The Third Hokage knew his power now.
And Danzo — that snake lurking in the shadows — would never ignore someone like him.
If they can't control me, he thought grimly, they'll come after the ones I care about instead.
His teammates — Benihiko and Yamada — weren't prodigies. Just ordinary kids with dreams.
And his teacher, Toichi… loyal, but outspoken.
He'd challenge anyone who tried to harm his students.
If the village pushed him too far, he might even turn rogue.
And if that happened, it would all trace back to him — to Arata.
He clenched his fists quietly.
Kakashi was right.
Staying close to them would only paint a target on their backs.
"Tch…" he muttered under his breath, looking away.
"So this is what it means to be different."
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