Truth

Hokage's Office

A week had passed.

Kazeo stood before Hiruzen, his hands clasped behind his back, posture straight but not stiff. The office smelled faintly of old paper, ink, and the ever-present smoke from the Hokage's pipe. The old man had placed it aside for now, his fingers steepled as he studied Kazeo.

"It's been a week." Hiruzen finally spoke, his tone neutral yet expectant. "Have you decided on your reward, Kazeo?"

Kazeo nodded, but instead of answering right away, he hesitated for a beat. His lips parted slightly, then pressed back together before he finally spoke. "Yes, Hokage-sama, I've made my decision. But… before I say it, I have a question."

Hiruzen arched an eyebrow, motioning for him to continue.

"Why isn't the Senju Taijutsu style suited for me?" Kazeo asked, keeping his tone polite, but his curiosity was real.

Hiruzen exhaled through his nose "Curious, aren't you?" He leaned forward slightly folding his hands together on the desk. "Before I answer that, tell me—do you know what chakra is truly composed of?"

Kazeo frowned slightly. "Yin and Yang… Right?"

Hiruzen nodded. "Correct. Yin comes from the mind, the spiritual side. Yang comes from the body, the physical aspect. In your case, your soul is… unique. It's powerful. Stronger than your body can handle at this stage."

Kazeo absorbed that for a second, his brows furrowing. "So, that means I have high Yin chakra. But what does that have to do with the Senju Taijutsu style?"

Hiruzen tapped a finger on the desk. "The Senju style relies heavily on Yang chakra to reinforce the body, strengthening resilience and enhancing regeneration. However, in your case, your Yang chakra is already being redirected to maintaining your body—keeping it from being overwhelmed by your strong soul."

That made Kazeo pause.

' My soul again '

"Does that mean I can't use Yang chakra at all?" he asked, his voice quieter, more introspective.

Hiruzen shook his head. "Not forever. Your body will gradually adjust. By the time you're around fifteen or sixteen, it should have synchronized on an acceptable level with your soul, and at that point, you'll be able to use Yang chakra properly."

Kazeo bit the inside of his cheek. So until then, my physical combat potential is likely crippled due to not having a good technique? He didn't like that.

There was a moment of silence before he finally exhaled and nodded. "I understand."

Then, without wasting any more time, he spoke again. "In that case, Hokage-sama, for my reward—I'd like the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

For the first time in the conversation, Hiruzen looked surprised. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? That's an interesting choice. Where did you hear about that jutsu?"

Kazeo shrugged, keeping his expression neutral. "The library. I was reading about the previous Hokages, and I learned that the Second Hokage created it, along with several other jutsu."

At that, Hiruzen's features softened. A hint of nostalgia flickered across his face. 

"…Tobirama-sensei." His voice was quiet, reverent. "Your legacy continues to inspire younger generation even today."

For a few seconds, he seemed lost in thought before he finally refocused. "Very well. Your chakra should be strong enough to create at least one or two clones. Come back this evening—I'll give you the scroll then."

Kazeo nodded but hesitated for a fraction of a second before speaking again. "Hokage-sama… I have one more request."

Hiruzen's sharp eyes immediately picked up on the shift in tone. "Go on."

Kazeo exhaled slowly. "Can you keep my reward a secret? If anyone asks, could you say I asked for something like resistance seals for training instead?"

The Hokage leaned back slightly in his chair, studying him. Kazeo kept his face unreadable, but inwardly, he was tense. He didn't trust this village's politics. If Danzo got wind of this, it wouldn't end well.

'I am just an orphan here and should be good to recruit or even to keep his eyes on me if he knows I can control shadow clones at age of 7.'

Hiruzen's voice was calm but firm. "And why would you want that?"

Kazeo met his gaze head-on. "I'd just prefer to keep my training methods private."

Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. The silence stretched. Finally, he hummed. "I'll give you my answer in the evening. But know this, Kazeo—even if people find out, you will not be harmed."

Like hell, I'll trust that.

Kazeo merely nodded, thanked the Hokage, and left.

The moment the door closed, Hiruzen's entire demeanor shifted. His kind, grandfatherly aura vanished, replaced by a hardened, calculating expression.

With a subtle movement, he tapped his desk twice.

A masked figure materialized instantly.

"Call Itachi. Tell him to meet me."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

-------

A Minute Later –

Itachi entered, his ANBU mask absent, revealing his calm but ever-watchful gaze.

Hiruzen motioned for him to step forward. "How are you finding ANBU life?"

Itachi's voice was as composed as ever, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words. "It's fine. But even in times of peace, there's too much blood."

Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his temples. "That's the burden Anbu bears, Itachi. We must do what others cannot, so the village can remain standing."

Itachi gave a slight nod, but his eyes held a knowing look.

Hiruzen shifted topics. "I have a task for you this evening. At exactly 6:00 PM, you are to put someone under a genjutsu. I need someone reliable and strong for this job. You won't be able to hold him for long, but a brief window will be enough."

Itachi's expression didn't change, but his mind was already working. A genjutsu… on whom? And why?

Still, he simply nodded. "Understood. I will be here at the appointed time."

As Itachi vanished from sight, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk. His gaze lingered on the spot where the young Uchiha had stood, his mind deep in thought.

"It was a good decision to bring Itachi into ANBU earlier than planned. I had intended to wait a few more years, but after observing Kazeo… No, Konoha cannot afford to waste talents like Itachi on mere Genin missions."

A slow exhale left his lips. His expression darkened, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Let's see if you're hiding something, Kazeo."

------

Hokage's Office – Evening

Kazeo stepped into the dimly lit office, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Hiruzen sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable.

"Ah, Kazeo," the old man greeted. "Close the door behind you, would you?"

Kazeo nodded and did as he was told, the soft click of the latch echoing in the room. He turned back—

—only to meet a pair of glowing red eyes.

His body froze.

Sharingan? Here?

Shit.

A sudden weight pressed against his mind, drowning his thoughts before he could even react. His vision blurred, his limbs went numb, and darkness swallowed him whole.

Itachi stood in front of him, his Sharingan glowing ominously.

'His chakra… it's resisting.'

It was subtle, but there. Even under the illusion, Kazeo's mental pathways weren't entirely suppressed. Most shinobi at this age would have already sunk into full submission. But this child? His consciousness fought back in flickers, like a candle refusing to go out.

'Is it instinct? Training? No… it's something else.'

Itachi didn't let his intrigue show, merely pressing the genjutsu deeper, reinforcing the hold.

"Hokage-sama," he said, his voice composed but carrying a hint of urgency. "Please hurry, he won't stay under for long."

Inwardly he frowned.

'This boy… his mind is resilient. If he survives long enough, he may become strong.'

Hiruzen nodded and got straight to the point.

"What is your real name?"

Kazeo's voice came out dull, mechanical.

"Tanaka Kazeo."

Hiruzen observed him for a second. "Good. Were you planted by any other ninja village?"

"No."

"Have any foreign ninjas or masked individuals contacted you recently?"

"No."

Hiruzen's fingers tapped against the desk. "Do you know why your soul is so strong?"

A pause.

"I… don't know."

Hiruzen prepared his next question—

Then he noticed something.

Kazeo's lips twitched. His eyes, still dull, seemed like they were trying to focus.

Silence.

He was about to ask what—

Kazeo's body tensed.

And in the blink of an eye—

His lifeless eyes snapped back into awareness.

And then—

"WHAT THE FU*K WAS THAT?!"

The room shook with his voice as he staggered back, breathing hard.

His mind raced. His hands shook.

"Did you just—?!" His breath hitched as realization sank in like a knife to his gut.

They put me under genjutsu.

His heartbeat pounded like war drums.

They forced their way into my head.

His stomach twisted. The violation, the powerlessness—it made his blood boil.

Kazeo's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms so hard they might bleed.

"What the hell, Hokage?! Are you trying to control me?! You put me under a genjutsu after calling me here!"

His voice was raw, trembling with a mixture of rage and shock.

"What's next?! You gonna strip me naked and throw me in a cell too?!"

His chest rose and fell rapidly, his breaths shallow.

For a few seconds, the only sound in the room was his ragged breathing.

Then—

A horrible realization settled in.

Kazeo's body froze.

His mind caught up to what he had just done.

His breath stilled. His stomach sank.

I… am yelling at the Hokage.

This wasn't Earth.

There were no "human rights." No "fair treatment" to demand. No internet forums where you could rant behind a screen and expect justice.

This was a shinobi village.

The old man in front of him? He wasn't just a grandfatherly figure.

He was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Professor, the strongest ninja in Konoha.

A man who could erase him from existence without a trace.

'Did I just screwed up my entire life?!'

His hands trembled. His chest felt tight.

Slowly—almost mechanically—he lowered his head.

His lips parted, but his voice came out small.

"…I…"

Silence.

What do I even say?

A long pause passed before Hiruzen finally spoke.

"I understand your anger, Kazeo. Anyone would be furious if they were placed under genjutsu without warning. That's why I will forget your outburst."

Kazeo took a shaky breath, his head still low. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. It won't happen again."

Hiruzen exhaled and leaned back. "I apologize for using genjutsu on you. But due to your strong soul, I couldn't risk a Yamanaka reading your memories. Your resistance could harm them—or worse harm you. 

For the safety of this village, some measures must be taken. I expect you to understand that, Kazeo."

His voice remained level, carrying the weight of authority.

"… The Shadow Clone Jutsu is a classified technique. Before giving it to any shinobi, their loyalty must be confirmed—either through memory scanning or genjutsu. It's a standard procedure, not a personal attack."

Kazeo stiffened slightly at that.

A "standard procedure"?

His mind flashed to an alternate reality—one where he wasn't reincarnated with a strong soul.

One where the Yamanaka clan had scanned his mind.

One where they had seen everything.

The future of Konoha. The Uchiha Massacre. The Akatsuki.

…Him, locked in a cell for the rest of his life, his mind picked apart day and night.

A shiver ran down his spine.

No, never.

He couldn't allow that to happen.

Not now. Not ever.

His voice was hollow as he spoke. "I understand."

Hiruzen studied him for a moment, then changed the subject.

"Kazeo, As an apology your request to keep your reward secret has been approved. No one will know about the Shadow Clone Jutsu unless you reveal it yourself."

Kazeo's ears perked up at that.

His earlier rage and paranoia faded just a little.

Good. That's one less problem to deal with.

He resisted the urge to sigh in relief. Now, I don't have to worry about Danzo or any jealous shinobi trying to target me for shadow clones.

Hiruzen spent another ten minutes talking to him, subtly pacifying his emotions and ensuring he understood the necessity of what happened.

By the time Kazeo left the office, his anger had faded.

But deep inside…

A cold realization burned.

I am weak.

And if he ever wanted to live freely without any fear in this world—

That had to change.

-------

After Kazeo left the office.

(Hiruzen's POV )

…Sigh.

This kid is too smart for his own good.

Even after snapping out of the genjutsu, he didn't stay angry for long. His outburst was short—impulsive, but not reckless.

The moment he realized where he was… he shut himself down.

A normal child would have ranted, panicked, or demanded answers.

But Kazeo?

He adapted.

He knew he was in front of me and shouldn't push his luck. That kind of restraint, at his age…

Troublesome.

I just hope he doesn't hold a grudge for this. The last thing I need is another unpredictable element growing in Konoha.

…But I suppose it's too late for that.

Hiruzen glanced at his desk, rubbing his temples.

Anyways there's no doubt now—this boy isn't a spy.

Hiruzen exhaled, his fingers tapping the desk.

"…Call Danzo here immediately," he ordered.

A masked ANBU knelt before him in an instant.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

With a flicker, the ninja vanished through the window.

Hiruzen leaned back.

I don't think I'll ever get an opportunity like this again.

Kazeo won't fall for the same trick again.

No… that brat would be probably already thinking about learning ways to counter genjutsu for the future.

Now that I know he's no threat to Konoha… he must be guided carefully.

He can be molded into a powerful asset.

But to do that—I have to keep Danzo in check.

If he gets his hands on Kazeo…

Hiruzen's grip on his pipe tightened slightly.

No.

That cannot happen.

(To be Continued...)