Chapter 43: Chapter 43:- This Is His Trial
[T/N: 🥳HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS🎊~]
Naruto ultimately chose to go back. Although he really wanted to know, since someone was stopping him, he didn't want to cause trouble for Brother Ryosuke.
After Naruto left, Kakashi finally spoke slowly.
"I hope you won't interact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki anymore."
If he hadn't stopped it, Naruto might have almost learned about his identity.
If Naruto knew his own identity, he likely wouldn't be able to keep it secret. If the information leaked out, it could be extremely dangerous.
Ryosuke retorted.
"Why?"
Kakashi replied with a calm expression.
"It might not be appropriate for members of the Uchiha clan to get close to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Ryosuke sighed helplessly.
"Do you think the Nine-Tails was controlled by the Uchiha clan?"
"You have a three-tomoe Sharingan now; go ahead and control a tailed beast and show me."
The other Anbu nearby turned to look at Kakashi. 'Could it be that Captain Kakashi really had such a powerful ability?'
Kakashi was a little surprised that the other party knew his identity.
However, now wasn't the time to focus on that.
His left eye was indeed the Sharingan gifted to him by Uchiha Obito.
But even with the three-tomoe Sharingan, it was absolutely impossible for him to control a tailed beast.
Perhaps the Nine-Tails incident wasn't caused by the Uchiha clan after all.
But this wasn't part of his current duties.
He could only explain, "The Third Hokage doesn't want to see Uchiha clan members appear near the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Ryosuke, unfazed by the authority of the Hokage, questioned further.
"Is this how the Third Hokage ordered you to protect the Fourth Hokage's child?
"Saved by the Fourth Hokage, and yet the villagers despise and ostracize his child? Is this how you protect him?"
"As far as I remember, you were also a student of the Fourth Hokage, weren't you? Are you just going to stand by and watch all of this happen?"
Kakashi felt a headache coming on. The other party not only knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki but also knew about his lineage.
However, having experienced darkness from a young age, Kakashi believed Naruto could endure such darkness too.
He explained, "I'm protecting him from the shadows, ensuring he doesn't face any threats. Moreover, the Third Hokage has prohibited the villagers from discussing the Nine-Tails incident."
Ryosuke felt utterly speechless. This kind of "protection" ensured only Naruto's life but not his dignity.
"Why not reveal his identity? He shouldn't be subjected to such treatment."
"If his identity as the child of the Fourth Hokage were made public, no matter how ignorant the villagers might be, they wouldn't treat the child of a hero this way.
"And why has Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki been leaked? Most villagers already know he's the Jinchuriki, the incarnation of the Nine-Tails. Any spies from other villages could easily uncover this information in Konoha.
"What are the Third Hokage and the Anbu doing? Are there spies within the Anbu?"
"Tell the Third Hokage to handle this properly. Don't let the blood of Konoha's heroes be shed in vain."
After finishing his piece, Ryosuke returned alone to the Uchiha clan's territory.
He had said enough, and his goal was simply to ensure Naruto wouldn't have a miserable childhood.
If the higher-ups in Konoha continued treating Naruto this way, he would personally step in to give Naruto a better childhood.
Kakashi was stunned by Ryosuke's words.
"Don't let the blood of Konoha's heroes be shed in vain."
His own father had also been a hero of Konoha. However, after abandoning a mission to save his comrades, he was vilified by the villagers, eventually succumbing to the pressure and taking his own life.
Perhaps Naruto shouldn't have to endure such suffering either.
If he couldn't handle it, he might end up taking his own life too.
How could he then face his mentor?
Moreover, if the villagers already knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, spies from other villages could indeed easily discover such information.
After switching shifts with other Anbu, who took over monitoring Naruto in secret, Kakashi went to the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, I have an important matter to report."
The Third Hokage, seated in his chair, glanced at Kakashi.
"Speak."
Kakashi respectfully reported, "Lord Hokage ordered me to protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto. However, I've noticed that the surrounding villagers seem to be aware of Naruto's identity as the Jinchuriki. I suspect there may be a traitor within the Anbu."
"We need to root out this traitor."
At the time of the incident, only a few individuals knew the Fourth Hokage had sealed the Nine-Tails within his son. The Third Hokage had also issued a gag order, requiring them to keep this a secret.
The Third Hokage gave Kakashi a sidelong glance.
'You're accusing me of being the traitor? Do you want me to investigate myself?'
Of course, it was he who had allowed this information to spread. Otherwise, how could the villagers have learned such a classified detail?
His reasoning was to ensure the villagers would hate Naruto while he presented himself as a kind and caring figure to the boy.
This way, he could instill the "Will of Fire" in Naruto, ensuring the boy's loyalty to him in the future.
Naturally, he couldn't reveal these intentions to Kakashi.
Calmly, he said, "Don't worry. I'll handle this matter. Perhaps the information was leaked accidentally rather than intentionally."
Kakashi found the Hokage's explanation plausible.
"Since Naruto's identity as the Jinchuriki is already known to the villagers, and he's facing their prejudice and hostility, shouldn't we reveal his lineage? As the child of the Fourth Hokage, he doesn't deserve such treatment."
The Third Hokage would never agree to disclose Naruto's lineage.
Doing so would ruin his plans. He wasn't about to give up on using Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, as a chess piece.
With this piece in play, his position as Hokage would be more secure.
Even after his retirement, with the support of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, there was a good chance someone from the Sarutobi clan could ascend to the role of Hokage again.
He needed to come up with a way to dismiss Kakashi's concerns.
"Kakashi, you're thinking too simplistically. While it's true that the villagers have learned about Naruto being the Jinchuriki due to an oversight, if the identity of the Fourth Hokage's child were revealed, enemies of the Fourth Hokage might target him."
"You're being too naive."
Kakashi pondered this and agreed that the Hokage might have a point.
After all, the Fourth Hokage had killed many enemy shinobi. If his child's identity were exposed, the boy could indeed become a target for revenge.
"Lord Hokage, you are wise."
"But what about the unfair treatment Naruto is currently facing? What should we do about that?"
The Third Hokage was secretly pleased to have fooled Kakashi and decided to push further.
"Kakashi, you're still too shallow in your thinking. Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and a vital future asset for the village. We must ensure his loyalty.
"Even if he's misunderstood and unfairly treated by the villagers, he must maintain his loyalty to the village.
"This is his trial."
"Do you understand?"
Kakashi could only nod after hearing the Hokage's explanation.
Although he didn't entirely understand, he felt the Hokage's words made sense. Still, something about it seemed a bit off.
The Third Hokage, seeing Kakashi's response, gave him an order.
"In the future, don't let that Uchiha Ryosuke approach the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki again."
"You know the Nine-Tails incident might have been caused by someone from the Uchiha clan."
Kakashi agreed and left the Hokage's office.
Alone in the office, the Third Hokage smiled faintly, pleased with his own cunning.
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