Shinichi's thoughts raced...
Even more ridiculous: when the Tailed Beast ran wild, the Village ended up relying on a bunch of freshly graduated Genin to chase and stop it?
They were literally staking the Village's safety on luck and the potential of a few kids—how absurd!
What astounded Tejima Shinichi the most was that, while the Third Hokage was trapped inside the Sound Four's Four Violet Flames Formation, none of Konoha's Elite Jonin or Anbu experts outside even tried to smash the barrier and rescue their Hokage.
Was it impossible?
Or was some invisible "rule" or "tacit understanding"… restricting them?
Or could it be that the higher-ups themselves were entangled in deep-rooted inertia and compromise, so that at the critical moment no one was willing —no one dared to shoulder the risk of breaking the deadlock?
Whatever the reason, it exposed a colossal hidden danger behind Konoha's peaceful façade.
And all of this was inseparable from the Third's long-standing governing style —one that prized "balance" above all, sometimes to the point of indecision.
In Tejima Shinichi's eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen's final sacrifice was undeniably tragic and worthy of respect, yet it felt more like an act of atonement —paying a bitter price for past administrative failures rather than a perfect curtain call.
Had he only rooted out the Village's internal ills earlier and more decisively… perhaps none of this would have happened!
Watching the brooding, deep-eyed Tejima Shinichi, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't read every thought swirling in the boy's mind, but he could still feel the lingering estrangement.
He sighed and spoke earnestly,
"Shinichi, I don't intend to argue about right or wrong in the past. But I hope you'll understand—and believe—"
"—as long as I still draw breath, as long as I wear this hat, I will never allow anyone, under any pretext, to impose darkness and sacrifice upon your generation! Konoha's future should be written by you —under the sun, choosing your own path by your own will."
"This is my promise, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Third Hokage, to you and to every young sprout in Konoha."
His words echoed through the silent park, carrying the final stubbornness of an old man.
Tejima Shinichi finally lifted his gaze, meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen's weather-beaten eyes once more.
After a moment's silence, the question that had haunted him for so long still slipped out,
"Hokage-sama, there's something I've always wondered. Why is Shimura Danzo fixated on me? Just because I'm this year's top student?"
"From what I know, previous top students —and even some other talented Ninja —never received such 'special attention.' Why only me? Is there something else I don't know?"
Hearing the question, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face twitched, a mix of complexity and guilt flashing in his eyes.
"Since you ask… very well. With your current strength, you have the right to know!"
He drew a deep breath, meeting Tejima Shinichi's inquisitive stare with candor,
"The reason Danzo is obsessed with you —apart from your astonishing talent and Chakra —is that he values the bloodline you inherited from the Senju clan."
"Senju bloodline…" Tejima Shinichi frowned, waiting for the rest.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated, then asked, "Shinichi, you've heard of 'Jinchuriki', haven't you?"
Tejima Shinichi pondered, half-truthfully replying,
"I know. My parents told me about the forbidden art of sealing Tailed Beasts into humans. Twelve years ago, when the Nine-Tails rampaged through the Village —though I wasn't born yet—they spoke of it."
"Good. Then this will be easier to explain. He… sees you as a spare vessel for the Nine-Tails."
"A spare… vessel for the Nine-Tails?"
Tejima Shinichi's eyes lit up.
'If that's all… Old Dog Danzo, you should've said so earlier!'
'Raising a little fox inside me isn't out of the question!'
'Happy? I'll pet it. Not happy? I'll just tell it, "Nine-Tails, you're too powerful, you need to…"
"Exactly." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was thick with suppressed anger. "He believes the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is emotionally unstable —a huge risk. With your massive Chakra and robust physique, you're his perfect 'backup plan' to take over the Nine-Tails should the current host lose control, ensuring the Village doesn't lose its strategic power."
So that's why… everything now made sense.
Why Danzo hounded him relentlessly, even dispatching Root Elites to abduct him.
It wasn't just his talent —his role had long been predefined: a fuse that could be ignited at any moment.
Suddenly Sarutobi Hiruzen looked past Tejima Shinichi's shoulder toward the Fourth face on Hokage Rock.
Sunlight outlined the stone visage; for a moment the golden hair and gentle yet resolute blue eyes seemed alive, merging in his memory with the couple who had given everything for the Village.
"In any case… I will never approve of this 'spare vessel' plan! I believe in the current Jinchuriki; he has inherited his parents' will and character. With proper guidance he'll overcome his trials, truly master that power, and become a pillar protecting Konoha!"
Tejima Shinichi nodded thoughtfully and casually added,
"Mm. If it's Naruto, though he usually looks a bit… slow, he can definitely do it!"
"Yes, what you said is—"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement, but halfway through his words his expression froze, pupils contracting. His ever-steady composure cracked; he almost cried out,
"You… how could you possibly know that Uzumaki Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?!"
That information is one of the Village's highest secrets!
Apart from a handful of top brass and related personnel, no one knows!
How on earth did Tejima Shinichi find out?!
Seeing the Third's violent reaction, Tejima Shinichi blinked, then gave a soft laugh, as though the Hokage had asked something utterly ridiculous.
"Hokage-sama, isn't it obvious?"