This Naruto is too easily persuaded.

The third generation's hand holding the pipe suddenly trembled.

He raised his head, his gaze sharp and fixed on the blond boy before him.

He exuded a powerful aura unique to Ren Xiong.

If it were in the past, when that mischievous, attention-seeking boy said something like that...

He might not take it seriously, thinking it's just a child's innocent joke.

but now……

Looking at the boy with the cursed seal of Orochimaru still on his neck, his expression was terrifyingly calm...

The third generation's intuition was screaming at him: he was serious.

If he really wanted to,

At his current terrifying growth rate, it will take him at most two or three years.

He truly has the power to "wipe out a small country."

Moreover, his tone just now clearly indicated that he was weighing the pros and cons, rather than joking.

"...Naruto."

The third generation's voice became deep and serious, filling the air with a sense of oppression.

"This kind of thinking is not only dangerous, but also a major taboo for a ninja."

"Power is meant to protect, not to destroy the rules."

"If one tramples on allies for personal gain, how is that any different from Orochimaru?"

The old man's gaze was like a knife, seemingly trying to pierce through Naruto's disguise:

"I'll pretend I never heard that."

"Don't have that kind of thought again!"

This is a warning.

This was also the last time the old man gave the boy a stern rebuke.

"Haha, of course I was just kidding. Grandpa Hokage, you're too serious."

Faced with the Hokage's pressure, Naruto simply smiled slightly.

He waved his hand casually, as if it were just a simple joke.

"How could Kusagakure suddenly disappear? I was just saying it casually."

"Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Naruto bowed politely and turned to walk towards the door.

The door was closed gently.

A deathly silence fell over the office.

The pipe in the Third Hokage's hand had been extinguished.

He stared at the tightly closed door, and the kindness that had once graced his aged eyes gradually faded.

Instead, there was a deep sense of wariness and...fear.

He watched the sunset gradually sink below the horizon outside the window.

Naruto's words kept replaying in his mind.

If Kusagakure were to disappear...

In that instant, what he saw in Naruto's eyes was no longer the warmth of sunlight like Minato's.

Rather, it is the absolute disregard and challenge to the rules by the strong.

……

Clang.

Suddenly, the office door was violently pushed open.

Three aged figures walked in, carrying an imposing aura.

"Hiruzen".

The leader was Danzo, who leaned on a cane and had a sinister, one-eyed look.

Behind him followed two equally white-haired elders, Konoha's advisor elders—Minato Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Seeing the three of them arrive together,

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned involuntarily, feeling an even greater headache.

Nothing good ever comes from these three getting together.

"...Why are you here?"

"With something this big happening, how long are you planning to keep it from us?"

Koharu, who was switching dorms, was the first to speak out, her tone sharp:

"Orochimaru infiltrated the Forest of Death and even came into contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

"If someone hadn't reported it, we would still be completely in the dark!"

Mitokado Homura added with a serious expression:

"Hiruzen, this is no longer an ordinary exam accident."

"This concerns the safety of the village's ultimate weapon. Your previous plan has completely failed!"

The third generation refilled the pipe with tobacco, attempting to mask their inner weariness:

"Naruto has returned safely. Although Orochimaru left him with a cursed seal, it has been suppressed."

"That child..."

"What! The Jinchuriki has been cursed with the Heavenly Curse Seal?"

The three of them were taken aback.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

The already unstable Jinchūriki were further afflicted with the even more unstable Heavenly Curse Seal...

"It's been suppressed?"

Danzo sneered, slamming his cane heavily on the ground with a dull thud.

"Hiruzen, what are you talking about?"

Even you and I cannot easily suppress the curse mark on Mitarashi Anko's body.

"A mere Jinchūriki brat actually managed to suppress it himself?"

"Whether true or false, this is an extremely dangerous sign!"

Danzo walked to the desk, his one-eyed man staring intently at the Third Hokage:

"How could a twelve-year-old brat suppress Orochimaru's cursed seal?"

Was it due to the power of the Nine-Tails? Or was it due to some forbidden technique unknown to us?

Or perhaps he was just bait left behind by Orochimaru?

Even... this Jinchūriki has completely lost control!

Danzo leaned forward, staring intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"Judging from his current rate of growth and the fact that he had a one-on-one encounter with Orochimaru..."

"Can you guarantee that his heart... is still with Konoha?"

The third generation's hand trembled slightly.

He recalled Naruto's seemingly joking remark from earlier.

Danzo's words struck at his deepest fears.

If Naruto's heart is no longer in Konoha, then the stronger he becomes, the more dangerous he will be to the village.

Seeing that the third generation remained silent, Koharu Utatane immediately followed up with pressure:

"Hiruzen, Danzo is right, Jinchuriki must be controllable."

"Now that Orochimaru has his eye on him, we can't let him roam freely outside."

"Give him to me!"

The true nature of the treasure is revealed in the final chapter:

"Hand Naruto over to Root."

"Only under my supervision and training can Orochimaru's spying be completely cut off, and his unstable mind eliminated!"

"No!"

The Third Hokage resolutely refused:

"He's Minato's son! I absolutely cannot let him enter a place like Root that stifles humanity!"

Mitokado Homura frowned, his tone revealing his displeasure:

"Hiruzen, you're just too emotional!"

"Orochimaru escaped because of your soft heart back then. Do you want to repeat the same mistake with Kurama because of your soft heart again?"

Koharu, who was turning over a new bed, also said sternly:

"Personal sacrifice is necessary for the safety of the village!"

"As Hokage, you should understand this principle!"

Danzo looked at the Third Hokage's expression, which, though angry, showed a slight wavering.

He narrowed his eyes, deciding to retreat as a tactic to advance.

"Since you refuse to relinquish guardianship, then at least... we need to strengthen oversight."

"What do you mean?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked warily.

"Have the elites of Root monitor Naruto Uzumaki around the clock."

Danzo spoke slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority:

"It's not just to prevent Orochimaru from getting close, but also to monitor that brat's every move."

"If he shows any signs of losing control or betraying us, Gen can deal with it immediately."

Danzo paused for a moment, then threw out his final trump card:

"Hiruzen, this is our final concession."

If you refuse even this... what if Naruto really defectes? Can you bear that responsibility?

"Hiruzen, that's our opinion."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado both nodded in agreement, supporting Danzo's proposal.

The third generation remained silent.

The smoke from his pipe rose again, blurring his wrinkled face.

In his mind, on one hand, were the words of the Minato couple, and on the other hand, he was filled with their entrustment.

On one side are these three aggressive old friends.

For the stability of the village...

To prevent Naruto from doing anything outrageous, or from being taken away by Orochimaru...

Perhaps surveillance is simply a necessary evil?

After a long while, the sun finally set completely.

The only light emanating from the three generations of pipes in the office was faint glow.

Looking out the window at the Konoha Village, whose lights were already on, the Third Hokage's back appeared incredibly hunched and aged.

He didn't speak, he just waved his hand weakly.

This is tacit approval.

"...Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

Danzo's lips curled into a cold smile.

He doesn't need to completely control Naruto right now.

In his opinion,

As long as he can tear open a hole and let Root's tentacles reach in, that brat will be his for the taking sooner or later.

When that scene actually comes to pass, it won't be up to Hiruzen to agree or not.

The three turned and left, just as they had come together.

Only the Third Hokage remained in the office.

Looking at his aged reflection in the glass, an indescribable sense of sorrow welled up inside him.

He knew that from this moment on...

The last vestige of trust between him and that child was gone.