I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Konoha Hospital, inside the ward.

Naruto woke up from his coma and found himself lying on a hospital bed. A wave of relief washed over him as he took in his surroundings.

He briefly entertained the wild idea of storming out and confronting Shimura Danzo. However, he quickly realized he was overthinking it—Danzo wouldn't dare interfere with the village's Jinchuriki while the Third Hokage was still alive. With Hiruzen Sarutobi watching over matters, Danzo had no choice but to remain in the shadows.

Naruto reflected on his actions. Although he had lost control, he hadn't harmed any villagers, something the Third Hokage would undoubtedly see as a positive. After all, replacing a Jinchuriki wasn't an easy task.

Sitting up gingerly, Naruto examined his injured arm. Thanks to his Uzumaki heritage, his wounds had already healed, leaving only a faint scar. It served as a reminder not to let his guard down, even in the supposedly safe confines of Konoha. Who knew when another lunatic like Mizuki might strike?

Bored, Naruto shifted his attention to the scenery outside the window, his hands resting idly on the quilt. He tried reaching out to Kurama, the Nine-Tails sealed within him, but the fox refused to respond, leaving Naruto puzzled and slightly annoyed.

Just then, the door creaked open, and several figures entered, led by a nurse. Among them were the Third Hokage, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji, who brought along fruits. Trailing behind them was a white-haired man whose face was partially obscured. Naruto immediately recognized him.

"That's Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake," Naruto thought. "The man's practically a walking unit of measurement for elite shinobi."

The Third Hokage smiled warmly. "Naruto, your friends and I came to see you."

After brief greetings, Hiruzen dismissed the others. "I need to speak with Naruto in private," he said. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji quietly exited the room.

Once alone, the Third Hokage's expression turned grave. "Naruto, do you remember who attacked you?"

Naruto pretended to think hard, covering his head as if searching his memories. "I was showering when some middle-aged guy barged in and attacked me. After that, things get fuzzy…" He paused dramatically. "Grandpa Hokage, you have to lock that guy up! He can't get away with this!"

Hiruzen placed a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "The attacker has been dealt with, but I need you to focus on what happened afterward. Think carefully, Naruto."

Naruto's face twisted in mock pain as he gasped. "I had a dream… I turned into a demon fox, killed that guy, and went on a rampage. But I can't remember anything else. Grandpa Hokage, am I really the demon fox? Is what the villagers say about me true?"

Hiruzen sighed heavily. "You did transform, but you are not the demon fox. The Nine-Tails is sealed within you, and sometimes it takes control of your mind."

Naruto clung to Hiruzen's words like a lifeline. "Grandpa Hokage, there has to be a way to get rid of it! I don't want to be seen as a monster anymore."

Hiruzen shook his head sadly. "The seal cannot be undone. All I can do is protect your identity and hope that, in time, the villagers will come to accept you."

He placed a few scrolls on the nearby cabinet before leaving the room, deep in thought. Naruto might not yet be ready to embrace his role as a Jinchuriki, but Hiruzen believed he would come to terms with it one day.

As the Hokage exited, Naruto's friends returned to check on him. Shikamaru and Choji offered their support before leaving again, while Kakashi lingered at the doorway. He cast a long, contemplative look at Naruto before following the Hokage.

Left alone with Hinata, Naruto felt an awkward silence settle over the room. They exchanged shy glances but said nothing, the tension palpable.

Breaking the silence, Kurama's deep, sarcastic voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "You played your part well, kid. That 'confused and pained' act was almost convincing enough to fool me."

Naruto frowned, entering his inner mindscape to confront the Nine-Tails. He found the massive fox behind the bars of its cage, its crimson eyes glinting with amusement.

"Why didn't you warn me that the old man was coming?" Naruto demanded.

Kurama huffed. "Hiruzen strengthened the seal after our last little 'incident.' My connection to the outside world is weaker now. And why should I help you, anyway?"

Naruto clenched his fists. Strengthening the seal might be a safeguard for most Jinchuriki, but for him, it only added to his frustration.

Back in the real world, Hinata nervously approached Naruto with a tray of peeled fruit. "Um… Naruto-kun, you must be hungry. Would you like some fruit?" she offered hesitantly.

Meanwhile, in the hospital corridor, Hiruzen and Kakashi stood together, watching the bustling activity around them.

Lighting his pipe, the Third Hokage exhaled a plume of smoke. "If you have questions, Kakashi, now's the time to ask. There are no ears here but ours."

Kakashi hesitated before speaking. "Lord Hokage, is it true that Naruto is Minato-sensei's son?"

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Yes. Naruto is the child of Minato and Kushina. Before his death, Minato sealed the Nine-Tails into his own son to protect the village."

The weight of this revelation left Kakashi silent. For years, he had believed Minato's child was safe and well cared for, but reality painted a different picture.

"Then why not reveal his identity to the village?" Kakashi asked.

Hiruzen's eyes softened with regret. "Minato had many enemies. If they discovered Naruto's lineage, they would target him. As for the rumors about the fox, that was my failure to prevent. But telling Naruto the truth now would be cruel. He's not ready to bear the weight of that knowledge."

Kakashi nodded reluctantly. "I understand, Lord Hokage."

Though he disagreed with the decision, Kakashi could see the wisdom in waiting until Naruto was mature enough to handle the truth. For now, all they could do was protect him and hope for the best.