At the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Fugaku was swiftly led to the Hokage's office under ANBU escort.
Inside, the Third Hokage sat with a face like frost, his expression sharp enough to slice ice. His voice was heavy with barely concealed anger.
"Clan Head Fugaku, just what are you trying to do? "
Fugaku t the stormy gaze of the Third Hokage with perfect calm.
"Hokage-sama, I'm not sure what you an by that."
He spoke as if he neither saw the Hokage's cold expression nor heard the fury in his tone.
"Uchiha Fugaku," the Hokage slamd the desk and rose to his feet, voice laced with rage. "Don't play dumb with . Why did you secretly approach Uzumaki Naruto? "
"I must correct you, Hokage-sama," Fugaku said slowly. "I never t with Uzumaki Naruto. The only one who did was my wife."
"You can confirm this with the ANBU who returned with her."
The Third Hokage's expression did not soften at this clarification. He coldly demanded:
"Then what was Mikoto doing with Naruto? "
"She and Naruto's late mother, Kushina, were close friends. When she saw the boy, she simply wanted to et him."
Fugaku's tone was flat, as if the explanation were obvious.
"I've already issued a strict order: no one is to contact Uzumaki Naruto without permission. Don't tell the Uchiha Clan was unaware of this."
The Hokage scoffed.
Of course, he knew Mikoto and Kushina were close. But he didn't buy this excuse. He was certain Mikoto acted under Fugaku's orders—likely trying to get close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Fugaku responded coldly:
"We knew of the order. But frankly, Hokage-sama, I find it quite inhumane."
"That rule exists to protect Naruto. His identity is sensitive—if people contact him freely, it could lead to serious consequences."
The Hokage repeated his usual rhetoric.
Fugaku chuckled softly, his eyes sharp:
"Hokage-sama, that line may fool others, but not ."
"If you truly wanted to protect him, you would have kept him hidden—not left him to be scorned and shunned under the label of 'demon fox.'"
"The truth is, you wanted Naruto to be isolated. So that you could play the benevolent Hokage—be the only one to reach out, to plant your image in his heart, and ultimately gain control over him as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
The Third Hokage's face darkened, a cold glint in his eyes.
"What are you implying? "
"If protecting him was your real goal, you wouldn't have allowed the villagers to label him a demon. You would've announced to the village that he's the son of the Fourth Hokage—soone they should cherish and protect."
Fugaku's voice turned sharper with every word.
"The truth is, that would have made him a target for enemy spies," the Hokage replied sternly. "Revealing his identity might've endangered him even more. I hate to say it, but for his own good, he must bear this burden."
Fugaku sneered.
"Do you truly believe enemy villages don't already know? Let's not fool ourselves."
"All previous jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails were from the Uzumaki Clan. Add in the nickna 'demon fox' and the surna Uzumaki—anyone with half a brain can guess Naruto's true identity."
"By now, I'd wager not just the Five Great Villages, but even the smaller ones, know that Naruto is Konoha's current jinchūriki."
"That's just your speculation," the Hokage snapped. "According to current ANBU intel, Naruto's identity hasn't been exposed."
"Heh—"
Fugaku gave a dismissive chuckle. He clearly didn't believe a word of it.
After all, the ANBU were under the Hokage's direct control. Whether Naruto's identity had truly been exposed or not—only the Hokage's word existed.
Hearing the mockery in Fugaku's tone, the Third Hokage's brow twitched. His voice dropped into an icy register.
"From this mont on, you, Mikoto, and all mbers of the Uchiha Clan are strictly forbidden from contacting Uzumaki Naruto."
Fugaku didn't flinch.
"I can accept that... for myself and the others. But not for Mikoto."
"She was Kushina's friend. She's already connected with Naruto. It would be heartless to sever that bond now."
The Hokage's voice turned harsh:
"This is not a negotiation, Fugaku. It's an order."
But Fugaku didn't back down.
"Hokage-sama, while you may be the leader of this village, you do not have unilateral authority over every matter."
"Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage—his status is extraordinary. Any decisions concerning him should be made through a village council."
"Your 'no-contact' rule was never brought before the council for approval. Strictly speaking, it's not legitimate."
"If you're determined to enforce this, then convene the council and have a proper discussion on how Konoha should treat the son of the Fourth Hokage."
The Hokage's face trembled with fury.
His eyes burned with a fire of anger—and unease.
Because he couldn't allow a council eting to happen.
If he did, he would lose control over Naruto.
Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage—a man who still had many loyal supporters. Most of those old allies now held positions of power within the major clans.
If a eting were held, they would undoubtedly push for Naruto to be protected and accepted by the village—undoing the isolation he had carefully orchestrated.
That was sothing he could not allow.
He needed Naruto to remain alone, so he could be the sole source of warmth in the boy's life—so he could mark Naruto's heart with his image and maintain control.
Suppressing his anger, the Hokage spoke with cold calculation:
"Even if a eting were held, the Uchiha would still be excluded. You'd gain nothing from it."
He wasn't wrong—many still blad the Uchiha for the Fourth Hokage's death.
"Which is why I'd prefer to avoid such a confrontation. But if you insist… then we both lose."
Fugaku said bluntly.
"What are your terms? " the Hokage asked.
"We—the Uchiha—will avoid Naruto. But Mikoto must be allowed to maintain contact."
"If Hokage-sama needs ti to consider, I'll take my leave. Unless I receive a formal objection, I'll assu you've agreed."
With that, Uchiha Fugaku turned and left the Hokage's office.
As he reached the corridor, he heard the sound of sothing crashing to the ground from within the room.
He couldn't help but smile.
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