Konoha Village.
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought while holding the report Kakashi had submitted.
"The number of chakra tails has increased to three, and he can even release a chakra construct with destructive power exceeding S-rank ninjutsu…"
"And Naruto allowed Lock to control the body for nearly two weeks without appearing. Could it be…"
Hiruzen's brows tightened, his expression darkening.
Regarding Naruto—the child whose ideology he had guided since infancy—Hiruzen was confident he could influence him.
But the suddenly appeared Lock, with his violent temperament and unpredictable nature, left him completely uncertain.
The first time he met Lock, he felt an indifference carved into bone itself.
There had been no warmth.
No respect.
No attachment.
Hiruzen knew clearly that Lock was a double-edged sword, with Naruto acting as the hilt.
But he never expected that before the blade could even be wielded, the hilt itself would disappear.
Suppressing the irritation rising in his chest, Hiruzen reread Kakashi's report carefully.
The report was extremely detailed.
From Root's ambush… to the emergence of the Four-Star Consortium in the Land of Waves.
Nearly twenty thousand words long, it included not only Kakashi's observations but also testimonies from Sasuke and Sakura.
And it was precisely their accounts that revealed the key issue.
"So… his comrades acknowledged the other personality, combined with guilt and shame after failing to protect them…"
Hiruzen instantly grasped the core problem.
Naruto's psychology was something he understood thoroughly.
"It seems strengthening Naruto himself has become urgent. Someone must help stabilize him and bring him back out."
His expression eased slightly as he tapped the desk.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Whoosh!
An ANBU operative appeared instantly.
"Has Jiraiya been located?"
The ANBU shook his head.
"No. However, sightings have been reported in the Land of Hot Springs. Further verification is underway."
"Increase the search effort. I want confirmed information within a week."
"Yes."
The ANBU are prepared to leave.
"Wait," Hiruzen added. "Have Iruka and Asuma come here."
Team 7's chakra natures had already been tested once their control improved and they reached Chunin-level capability.
Before Jiraiya returned, Hiruzen intended to act.
Asuma, possessing Wind Release, would begin training Naruto.
"Yes."
The ANBU vanished.
…
Across the street from the Hokage Building.
Lock sat with Sasuke and Sakura, casually eating tri-color dango.
Mostly, Sasuke and Sakura spoke while Lock quietly observed the Hokage Tower.
Only when he saw Iruka and Asuma entering the building did Lock set down the dango and gesture for Sasuke to pay.
Sasuke didn't object and stood to settle the bill.
After all, he had suggested the outing to discuss Naruto.
Truthfully, Sasuke himself found Naruto strange lately.
Annoying, yes.
Yet strangely compelling.
As if some invisible pull kept drawing him closer.
"Lock, about what we discussed earlier… please tell Naruto—"
Before he could finish, Lock waved dismissively.
"Alright. I'll talk to him properly."
The main personality's trust hadn't yet reached eighty percent. Continuing to occupy the body brought little benefit.
Control still wasn't absolute.
Naruto could reclaim the body anytime.
More importantly, Naruto had spent two weeks staring blankly within their shared consciousness, generating zero blackening value.
It severely slowed Lock's growth.
And with Iruka and Asuma summoned, it was clear Hiruzen planned intervention.
Rather than allowing someone else to persuade—or poison Naruto against him—Lock preferred to speak first.
Enough time had passed.
Naruto should have reached an answer by now.
"I'm heading off."
After a brief farewell, Lock departed swiftly.
Inside their shared consciousness, his voice echoed.
"You heard Sasuke and Sakura, didn't you?"
"So what will you do?"
"Come out and face everything… or hand the body over completely?"
Naruto's dull eyes finally regained a spark.
But instead of answering, he returned to an earlier topic.
"Lock… I've thought a lot about what you said."
"And about the King and the Steed."
"You were wrong."
Lock raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"The King isn't the stronger one."
Naruto slowly stood.
"The King is the one who guides the right direction."
"The one who holds the reins so the steed doesn't go astray."
"The master who restrains the powerful steed's instincts."
His eyes grew brighter with each word.
He had not wasted these two weeks in despair.
He had been thinking.
Relentlessly.
"And?" Lock asked, amused.
"You're stronger than me," Naruto said firmly. "But also more brutal."
"That means you shouldn't dominate the body."
"I'm more optimistic. I think about protecting people the right way."
"So I should be the one in control."
He clenched his fist.
"We're like a ninja and his ninjutsu. A samurai and his blade."
"We complete each other."
"You're my power—my weapon—and I'll guide that power in the right direction!"
"Heh…"
Lock laughed, almost incredulous.
"What kind of logic is that?"
"What makes you think I'm your weapon?"
"If I refuse, I can simply never come out again. No matter how dangerous things become."
"You won't," Naruto said calmly.
Lock paused.
"You're just another version of me. More ruthless—but still me."
"You won't abandon your own people."
"And if I die, you die too."
"If I suffer, you suffer."
"That connection can't be cut."
Lock inhaled sharply.
Annoying.
In just two weeks, Naruto had actually grown sharper.
And this legendary Talk no Jutsu… really was troublesome.
Lock wanted to argue further.
But as he arrived at Naruto's apartment balcony, he noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi standing below with Iruka and Asuma.
"Hmph. We'll continue this later."
"I'm returning the body."
Lock withdrew instantly.
Naruto's eyes opened outside, bright and alive once more.
"Wait! I haven't finished yet!"
"You still haven't taught me how to use the Nine-Tails' chakra!"
Naruto had delayed reclaiming control earlier because he feared Lock would stop communicating once he retreated.
And now—
Knock knock.
The door interrupted his thoughts.
Naruto opened it.
His face lit up instantly.
"Third Grandpa! Iruka-sensei!"
Hiruzen froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…You… you're Naruto?"
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