A cold, aged voice came from outside the door.
Danzo Shimura entered, flanked by Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
"I believe the current jinchuriki is extremely dangerous and unsuitable for Kakashi's supervision," Danzo stated flatly. "He should be placed under Root's control to prevent any harm to the village."
He turned his gaze to the two advisors. "Koharu, Homura, you probably don't know what changes have occurred with the jinchuriki, do you?" A cruel smirk touched his lips. "If it weren't for my network in Root, even I would probably be kept in the dark."
Hearing Danzo's sarcasm, Homura and Koharu looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with inquisitive eyes. They had no idea what had happened to Naruto Uzumaki, having simply been invited by Danzo, who claimed it concerned an urgent matter for the village. However, they had heard about Naruto stealing the Scroll of Seals two nights ago.
Thinking of this, Koharu spoke first. "Hiruzen, is this related to the jinchuriki stealing the Scroll of Seals?"
Homura followed up immediately. "Did learning those forbidden jutsu cause problems with the Eight Trigrams Seal?"
The questions startled Kakashi and the two remaining advisors waiting nearby. A problem with the Nine-Tails' seal was a matter of life and death! If what happened twelve years ago were to repeat, Konoha might not survive. The three frowned, looking at Hiruzen for an explanation.
Faced with their questioning gazes, Hiruzen remained silent, his face grim. He wasn't guilty because he'd been exposed, but because Danzo's overreach was becoming intolerable. The ANBU monitoring Naruto were clearly Danzo's men, despite Hiruzen's orders for secrecy. Danzo knew something.
It was time to clean out his direct subordinates in ANBU.
Seeing Hiruzen's silence, Danzo snorted and took over the conversation. "Hmph. If he won't speak, then I will. The jinchuriki's seal malfunctioned two nights ago. The Nine-Tails' consciousness has apparently taken over his body and brutally murdered Mizuki."
Danzo's words, though not loud, resonated like a bell in everyone's hearts. Koharu and Homura were particularly terrified.
"What!?" Koharu gasped. "The seal really malfunctioned?"
"Hiruzen, is what Danzo says true?" Homura demanded. "Say something!"
Seemingly annoyed by their bickering, Hiruzen finally spoke up to calm them. "Koharu, Homura, calm down. Danzo's words are just speculation. In reality, Naruto's seal hasn't malfunctioned."
The Third turned his gaze back to Danzo, his eyes full of warning. "And you, Danzo—Naruto is not someone you can lay a finger on. Keep your ulterior motives to yourself!"
Danzo had heard this lukewarm threat too many times. He sneered. "Don't change the subject, Hiruzen. We're talking about the Nine-Tails' consciousness breaking free of its seal. Do I really need to repeat what the jinchuriki said before killing Mizuki?"
Hearing this, everyone's hearts tightened again. Since Danzo was willing to bring that up, things were certainly not as simple as Hiruzen claimed.
Seeing Danzo's insistence, Hiruzen took a moment to think. He decided it was time to reveal the existence of Menma. After all, he could hide it for a while, but not forever. Naruto was close to him now, so he wasn't afraid of someone else snatching this powerful weapon away. Perhaps he could even use Menma, who possessed the Nine-Tails' power, to consolidate his own authority. Danzo's coup with two high-ranking advisors had greatly displeased him.
Although he was irritated, Hiruzen maintained his calm and collected demeanor on the surface.
"Actually, I was already prepared to explain Naruto's situation at next week's meeting," Hiruzen said, his voice steady. "Since you all came specifically to ask today, I won't wait until next week to get to the point."
He paused, letting the tension build. "The consciousness occupying Naruto's body isn't the Nine-Tails. It's Naruto's alternate personality—Menma Uzumaki."
Without giving everyone time to be shocked, Hiruzen dropped another bombshell.
"Moreover, this alternate personality, Menma, has successfully mastered a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra. I personally witnessed him controlling and using it with a clear mind. And this alternate personality is completely under Naruto's control."
Silence.
The two revelations stunned everyone present. Even Danzo was taken aback; the truth was far from what he had expected! However, he didn't doubt that Hiruzen was lying. If the Third dared to lie about something this critical, his time as Hokage would be over.
"A secondary personality that has mastered the Nine-Tails' power?" Koharu breathed, her voice trembling with excitement. "And it's controlled by the jinchuriki?"
"Our Hidden Leaf has gained another trump card!" Homura added, his eyes gleaming.
The silence was broken by the advisors' excited voices. For a village currently weakened, having the power of the Nine-Tails at their disposal was like a shot in the arm.
"Hiruzen," Danzo interrupted, his voice cutting through the optimism. "That jinchuriki's secondary personality is extremely cruel; it doesn't seem like someone who would willingly submit to control. Those might all be a facade, a deception. Don't trust it!"
Danzo stepped forward, his lone eye boring into Hiruzen. "Therefore, we should immediately hand him over to Root for artificial restraint and correction. I guarantee that before long, you'll have a powerful weapon that will never betray you."
Danzo was still unwilling to give up. He wanted Menma. If he could control the Nine-Tails' power, he could become the Fifth Hokage next year.
Hiruzen gave Danzo a cold look, seeing right through his thoughts. "Regarding this personality, I will arrange for close observation and testing. I won't trouble your Root organization."
Seeing Hiruzen about to exclude him, Danzo refused to back down. He stepped closer, staring directly into Hiruzen's eyes. "The safety of Konoha is at stake. My Root organization cannot stand idly by. I demand that the jinchuriki's instructor be replaced by a Root ninja!"
Hiruzen was equally unyielding, staring intently at Danzo's single eye. "Danzo, I don't need your Root's interference. I don't want to repeat myself."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "And don't forget, I am the Hokage!"
Hearing "I am the Hokage," Danzo's anger instantly peaked. It was the phrase Hiruzen always used to shut him down, and Danzo couldn't refute it.
Danzo's face twisted into a snarl. "Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
With that familiar closing remark, Danzo angrily turned and left. Since open attacks didn't work, he'd try covert ones. He wouldn't let the Nine-Tails' power slip away.
...