The Cruel Truth
Konoha Hospital – In the Ward
After waking up from a coma, Naruto found himself lying on a hospital bed, letting out a small sigh of relief.
Before losing control, he had braced himself for the worst—perhaps even facing Danzo Shimura's schemes. But with the Third Hokage still alive, Danzo had no authority over the Jinchūriki's fate. The old war hawk could only lurk in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.
Still, Naruto suspected his own actions played a role. Though he had succumbed to the Nine-Tails' influence and run wild, he hadn't harmed any villagers. That, at least, worked in his favor. After all, replacing a Jinchūriki wasn't a simple matter.
Shifting to find a more comfortable position, he sat up and examined his injured arm. Thanks to his Uzumaki lineage, the wound had nearly healed, leaving behind only a faint scar. Not too bad.
This incident served as a reminder—even within Konoha, he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
Who knew if another lunatic like Mizuki would appear?
Bored, Naruto placed his hands on the quilt and gazed out the window, attempting to communicate with the Nine-Tails.
But Kurama remained silent.
This annoyed Naruto slightly—what had he done to upset the fox this time?
At that moment, the door creaked open. A nurse entered first, followed by several familiar figures.
The Third Hokage, as expected, had come to visit. But alongside him were Hinata, Shikamaru, and Chōji, carrying a small basket of fruit. Trailing behind them was a tall, silver-haired man, his face partially obscured by a mask.
Naruto blinked. Wait a minute... isn't that Konoha's so-called "fifty-fifty" guy? The legendary pervert, Icha Icha enthusiast, and famous unit of measurement—Hatake Kakashi, the Jōnin?
"Naruto, your friends and I came to see you," the Third Hokage said gently.
After a brief exchange, Hiruzen turned to the others. "You all wait outside for now. I need to speak with Naruto alone."
Hinata, Shikamaru, and Chōji exchanged glances before quietly exiting the room.
Now alone with Naruto, the Third Hokage took a step closer. His voice, though calm, carried a weight to it.
"Naruto, do you remember who attacked you?"
Naruto furrowed his brows, rubbing his temple as if deep in thought. Then, with a dramatic gasp, he exclaimed, "Oh yeah! I was taking a bath, and this creepy middle-aged guy barged in and attacked me! I barely had time to react before everything went blurry…"
With an exaggerated pout, he added, "Grandpa Hokage, you gotta lock that guy up! That was a total crime!"
Hiruzen let out a tired sigh, placing a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "The culprit has been dealt with. But more importantly, you need to recall what happened afterward."
Naruto hesitated, as if struggling to remember. Then, as though a painful realization hit him, his expression twisted with unease.
"I… I had a dream," he murmured. "I dreamt I turned into a monster—a giant fox. I killed Mizuki, then rampaged through the village. After that… everything went blank."
His blue eyes lifted to meet Hiruzen's. "Grandpa Hokage, does that mean… I really am the demon fox? Was everyone in the village right about me?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened. He let out a slow breath before answering, "You did transform—but not into a real demon fox. The Nine-Tails inside you took control. That power isn't yours, Naruto. It belongs to the beast sealed within you."
Naruto's hands clenched into fists. "Then… can't you just get rid of it? I don't want to be treated like a monster anymore!"
Hiruzen shook his head. "I'm afraid that isn't possible. What I can do is protect your identity—to ensure you are seen as a normal child, not as a Jinchūriki. In time, perhaps the village will come to accept you."
With that, the old Hokage set several scrolls on the nightstand and turned to leave.
Naruto remained silent, watching his retreating figure.
He may not have fully grasped his situation yet, but one thing was clear—this wasn't just about him. There were forces in play far beyond his understanding.
Outside the Room
Shikamaru and Chōji had already said their piece before heading out. That left Kakashi, who lingered at the door, his one visible eye scrutinizing Naruto before following the Hokage into the hallway.
As the two walked through the hospital corridors, the Third Hokage lit his pipe, exhaling a stream of smoke.
"Kakashi," he said, his tone neutral. "If you have something to ask, now is the time. There are no outsiders here."
Kakashi hesitated before speaking.
"Hokage-sama… the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki—is he really Minato-sensei's son?"
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe before nodding. "Yes. Naruto is the child of Minato and Kushina. Before his death, Minato sealed the Nine-Tails inside his own son, ensuring Konoha's future."
Kakashi fell into stunned silence.
For years, he had been an ANBU operative, hearing rumors of the "demon fox brat." He had never once considered that child could be his late teacher's son. He had assumed—no, trusted—that the village would have taken care of Minato's legacy.
But reality was far crueler than he had imagined.
"Sandaime-sama…" Kakashi's voice was uncharacteristically heavy. "If that's the case, why didn't you ever tell Naruto the truth?"
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "Minato had many enemies. If word got out that Naruto was his son, do you think those enemies would simply ignore him?" He shook his head. "As for the villagers' treatment of him… that was my failing."
The Third Hokage paused before adding, "Even if I told Naruto now, do you think he could accept such a revelation? Learning that he is the son of a revered hero, yet growing up alone and hated—it would be too much for him. For now, it is best to keep the truth hidden."
Kakashi clenched his fists. He understood the reasoning, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.
"…Yes, Hokage-sama," he finally said.
Because for now, this truth was simply too cruel for Naruto to bear.
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