Naruto: The Shadow of Uchiha

Kakashi didn't respond to little Naruto's angry questioning—instead, his gaze remained fixed on Uchiha Ryosuke.

Ryosuke didn't want to clash with Kakashi right then and there. Instead, he gave Naruto a gentle smile and said,

"You should head back for now. As for your identity… you'll find out one day."

Naruto hesitated, but eventually nodded and left. He really wanted to know the truth, but he didn't want to get Ryosuke in trouble. If someone like this masked ninja was stopping them, he didn't want to cause a bigger problem.

Once Naruto was gone, Kakashi finally spoke in a low tone.

"I hope you'll stop getting involved with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

He had stopped Ryosuke just in time. Naruto had almost learned the truth of his parentage. If that kind of information leaked, it could endanger Naruto and destabilize the village.

Ryosuke frowned.

"Why?" he asked.

Kakashi answered calmly, "It's not good for someone from the Uchiha clan to be seen near the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."

Ryosuke gave a bitter laugh.

"You really think the Nine-Tails is under the control of the Uchiha? Then how about you—now that you have the three tomoe Sharingan, why don't you go try to control the Nine-Tails and show me how it's done?"

The other ANBU nearby glanced toward Kakashi. Could he really control a Tailed Beast?

Kakashi, startled, realized Ryosuke somehow knew about his Sharingan. That was unusual… but there were more pressing matters.

Even with the Sharingan gifted to him by Obito, Kakashi couldn't control a Tailed Beast. So maybe... maybe the Uchiha weren't responsible for the Nine-Tails attack after all.

Still, that wasn't his mission. He was there to protect Naruto. That was it.

"Lord Third doesn't want anyone from the Uchiha getting too close to Naruto," Kakashi finally explained.

But Ryosuke wasn't about to back down just because Hiruzen's name had been mentioned. Instead, his eyes narrowed and his voice sharpened.

"Is that how the Third Hokage protects the Fourth's child? By allowing villagers saved by the Fourth to mistreat and ostracize his son? And you, Kakashi Hatake—you were the Fourth Hokage's student. Can you really just stand by and watch this happen?"

Kakashi winced. Ryosuke's words hit him hard. Not only did he know that Naruto was the Jinchūriki, he also knew about Naruto's parentage.

Kakashi had always believed Naruto would grow stronger by enduring hardship. He himself had lived through darkness and loss. He believed Naruto would be able to carry that burden too.

"I've always protected him from the shadows," Kakashi replied, "And the Third has forbidden anyone from talking about the Nine-Tails. That's the best we can do."

Ryosuke scoffed. "Oh, great. So you're protecting his life, not his dignity."

"Why not announce his identity? If the villagers knew he was the Fourth Hokage's son, even those idiots would think twice before treating him like garbage."

"And if his identity as a Jinchūriki was supposed to be a secret, then why does every villager know about it? If it's already leaked, then any enemy spy could come to Konoha and figure it out easily."

"What the hell is the Third and your ANBU doing? Or is there a traitor among you?"

"Tell your precious Hokage to fix this. Don't let the blood of Konoha's hero be spilled in vain."

With that, Ryosuke turned and left. He'd said enough. He didn't want Naruto to grow up with a broken childhood. But if Konoha's leadership wasn't going to do anything, he'd personally make sure Naruto had someone to rely on.

Kakashi stood frozen, Ryosuke's words ringing in his ears.

Don't let the hero's blood be spilled in vain.

His mind flashed to his own father, Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang of the Leaf. Once revered as a hero, Sakumo had committed suicide after being shamed and vilified for choosing comrades over mission. That pain had shaped Kakashi's life.

Was Naruto destined for the same fate?

What if Naruto couldn't bear the weight either? What if he broke?

If that happened, how could Kakashi ever face his teacher—the Fourth Hokage?

And Ryosuke had a point: the secret was already out. If the villagers knew about Naruto's status as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, then any foreign intelligence unit could figure it out with ease.

Later that day, after being relieved from his guard duty, Kakashi returned to the Hokage's office under the cover of night.

"I have something urgent to report, Lord Third," he said respectfully.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated calmly behind his desk, looked up.

"Speak."

Kakashi bowed his head.

"I've been following your orders to protect Naruto, but I've found that many villagers already know he's the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. I suspect there's a mole in the ANBU. We need to root them out before more secrets are compromised."

The Third Hokage gave Kakashi a long, unreadable look.

A mole? You're staring right at him, Hiruzen thought silently. I'm the one who spread that information.

It had all been part of his strategy—to turn the villagers against Naruto while maintaining the image of a caring, kind old man. That way, Naruto would be desperate for acknowledgment and validation. Hiruzen could slowly manipulate him into becoming the perfect weapon—loyal and grateful to the village no matter the cost.

Of course, none of that could be said out loud.

"Don't worry," Hiruzen said calmly, "I'll look into it. It may not be a traitor—perhaps someone made a mistake and leaked the information unintentionally."

Kakashi nodded, unaware of the deception.

"Perhaps… but if the secret's already out, maybe it's better to publicly announce that Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son. He's being hated and shunned—if people knew the truth, they might start treating him better."

Hiruzen frowned inwardly.

Announce Naruto's identity? Impossible. That would undo everything I've worked for. The boy must grow up desperate for love—so he'll cling to me and the village like a lifeline.

Outwardly, he stayed calm and thoughtful.

"Kakashi, you're too naïve," Hiruzen said solemnly. "If word got out that Naruto is the Fourth's son, every enemy of the Fourth would target him. You're not thinking ahead."

Kakashi hesitated. It sounded logical… and yet… something still felt wrong.

"I understand, Lord Hokage," he finally said. "But Naruto is suffering. He's facing discrimination from the very people his father died to protect. What should we do?"

Hiruzen smiled gently, masking his manipulative heart.

"This is part of his trial, Kakashi. As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Naruto must learn to endure pain. If he can remain loyal to the village despite being hated, then he's truly worthy of protecting it."

"Don't worry… he'll understand one day."

Kakashi nodded, but something inside him still felt… off.

The logic seemed sound—but the feeling in his gut whispered that something wasn't right.

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