Konoha Hospital, inside the ward.
Naruto woke up from his coma and immediately felt a wave of relief.
Before going berserk, he had even been prepared to face Shimura Danzo himself—but that was clearly overthinking. With the three generations of Hokage still alive, Danzo couldn't interfere in the growth of the Jinchuriki and could only slink back into the shadows.
"Although…" Naruto thought, "I went a little crazy, at least I didn't hurt the villagers."
In the eyes of the elders, that was probably a bonus. After all, finding a new Jinchuriki who almost doesn't kill everyone around him wasn't easy.
Stretching into a comfortable sitting position, Naruto glanced at his injured arm. Thanks to the Uzumaki constitution, the wound had healed on its own, leaving only a shallow, not-so-ugly scar.
"Well, at least I didn't end up looking like a freak," he muttered.
This whole incident also reminded him that life in Konoha wasn't exactly safe. Lunatics like Tianfeng could appear at any time.
Bored, Naruto placed his hands on the quilt and looked out the window, attempting to communicate with Kyuubi.
But Kyuubi had apparently gone on strike, refusing to talk.
Naruto frowned. "When did I piss him off?"
Just then, the ward door opened, and several figures entered under the nurse's guidance.
As expected, the three-generation Hokage came to check on him, accompanied by Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji, who carried fruits. Behind them was a white-haired young man, face partially hidden.
After a moment, Naruto guessed his identity.
"Isn't that… Kakashi? The Jonin who spends half his time reading dirty little books?" Naruto muttered under his breath.
"Naruto, I came to see you with your friends," Kakashi greeted casually.
Sandai Hokage waved the others away. "You three, step outside. I need to speak with Naruto alone."
Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji exchanged knowing glances and left.
Once the room was quiet, the Third Hokage looked at Naruto. "Do you remember who attacked you?"
Naruto covered his head, pretending to think hard. "Uhh… I was taking a shower when a middle-aged uncle just broke in and attacked me. After that… my memory is a little fuzzy."
"Grandpa Hokage," he added seriously, "you must punish that uncle! Put him in prison!"
The Third Hokage patted him on the shoulder. "The criminal has already received his punishment. But you… you need to think about what you did afterward."
"What did I do?" Naruto asked. Then, recalling the events, his face twisted in horror.
"I… I had a dream. I became a demon fox… I killed that uncle… and then… I ran out. I don't remember anything after that!"
He looked up at the Third Hokage, confusion written all over his face. "Grandpa Hokage… am I really a demon fox? Were the villagers right? Did I hurt anyone? But… that shouldn't have been my power—I don't remember being a demon fox."
The Third Hokage sighed. "You did tap into the demon fox's power… but you're not a real demon fox. The real Nine-Tails is sealed inside you, controlling your mind."
Naruto grabbed at straws. "Grandpa Hokage… you have to have a way to help me! I don't want to be treated like a demon fox! Can't you get it out?"
The Third Hokage shook his head. "There's nothing I can do. I can only cover up your identity, so the villagers see you as a normal person. Maybe… over time, they'll accept you."
After speaking, he placed a few ninjutsu scrolls on a nearby cabinet and left the ward.
Naruto may not be ready to accept his role as a Jinchuriki yet, but he had time. Sandai Hokage came mostly to check the seal and Naruto's psychological state—nothing more.
Once he left, friends returned. Shikamaru and Choji showed concern and then left in a hurry. Kakashi lingered at the door, staring at Naruto before following the Third Hokage.
Now only Naruto and Hinata remained.
They exchanged shy glances, neither daring to speak, the awkward silence thick between them.
From the sealed space, Kyuubi's voice suddenly broke in.
"Not bad, kid. That dazed, pained look of yours… you almost made me believe you thought you were a demon fox. Oscar-worthy."
Naruto blinked. "Is that… a compliment?"
He appeared in the sealed space, glaring at the Nine-Tails in its cage. "By the way, big fox… the Third Hokage was here. Why didn't you warn me?"
Kyuubi snorted. "After lending you chakra, the Hokage strengthened the seal. My perception of the outside world is shrinking… and anyway, why should I warn you?"
Naruto clenched his fists. Strengthening the seal was good for ordinary Jinchuriki… but not for him.
Back in the ward, Hinata brought him a peeled fruit. "Naruto-kun… you must be hungry. Here, eat."
Meanwhile, in the hospital corridor…
The Third Hokage and Kakashi watched the flow of people. Sandai Hokage lit a cigarette.
"Kakashi, ask me whatever you need. There are no outsiders here, so don't hold back."
Kakashi inhaled deeply. "Thirdai-sama… the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must be Minato-sensei's posthumous son."
The Hokage exhaled smoke, nodding. "Exactly. Naruto is Minato's child. Minato sealed the Nine-Tails into him before dying, making him and Kushina's child the village's new Jinchuriki."
Kakashi remained silent. He had heard rumors about the fox, but connecting it to Minato's child was another matter entirely. Reality was harsher than he had imagined.
"Master Sandai… if that's true, why hide Naruto's identity?"
The Third Hokage glanced at him. "Minato had many enemies. If they knew his child existed… it would be dangerous. As for the fox rumors, yes… I was negligent."
He continued after a pause. "If I tell Naruto now, the psychological shock may be too much. It's safer to wait for the right time."
"Yes… three generations of adults," Kakashi muttered.
He didn't argue. He knew the Hokage was right—revealing the truth now would be cruel.
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