Kakashi ignored little Naruto and kept his eyes fixed on Uchiha Ryosuke.
Ryosuke didn't want to start a conflict here with Kakashi, so he smiled and said to Naruto, "You should head home for now. As for your true identity, you'll find out in time."
Naruto, though reluctant, nodded. He didn't want to cause trouble for Ryosuke-nii, so he chose to leave.
Only after Naruto was gone did Kakashi speak calmly.
"I hope you'll refrain from getting too close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
If he hadn't stepped in just now, Naruto might have learned the truth about his heritage.
And if Naruto did find out, there was no guarantee he could keep it secret. If the information leaked, it could be extremely dangerous.
Ryosuke countered, "Why not?"
Kakashi replied evenly, "It's not exactly appropriate for an Uchiha to be close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, don't you think?"
Ryosuke sighed in frustration.
"You think the Nine-Tails is controlled by the Uchiha clan?"
"You have a fully awakened Three Tomoe Sharingan now—why don't you show me how you control a Tailed Beast?"
The other Anbu nearby turned to look at Kakashi. Could he really be that powerful?
Kakashi was surprised that Ryosuke knew his identity.
But that wasn't the point right now.
His left eye had been a gift from Uchiha Obito. Even with a Three Tomoe Sharingan, he couldn't control a Tailed Beast.
Maybe the Nine-Tails Incident wasn't caused by the Uchiha after all.
Still, that wasn't his concern. He said plainly:
"The Third Hokage doesn't want any Uchiha near the jinchūriki."
But Ryosuke didn't back down at the mention of the Hokage. Instead, he pushed further.
"So this is how the Third Hokage protects the son of the Fourth? The villagers saved by the Fourth now shun and ostracize his son—and this is what you call protection?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you were the Fourth Hokage's student, weren't you?"
"Are you really just going to stand there and watch all this happen?"
Kakashi felt a headache coming on. Not only did Ryosuke know Naruto's identity as the jinchūriki, he also knew his parentage.
Kakashi, who had grown up in darkness, believed Naruto could endure that same hardship.
"I've been protecting him from the shadows," Kakashi explained. "He's never in danger. And the Third Hokage has already ordered the villagers not to speak of the Nine-Tails."
Ryosuke was unimpressed. So that was their so-called protection? Protecting his life but not his dignity?
"Why not publicly reveal who he is? He shouldn't have to suffer this kind of treatment."
"If the village knew he was the son of the Fourth Hokage, even the dumbest of villagers wouldn't dare treat him this way."
"And how did the secret of him being the Nine-Tails jinchūriki get out? Nearly every villager knows now. If a spy from another village came here to investigate, they'd learn the truth easily."
"So what exactly are the Third Hokage and you Anbu doing? Is there a traitor in the ranks?"
"Tell your Third Hokage to clean up this mess. Don't let the blood of a true hero be shed in vain."
With that, Ryosuke turned and left, heading back toward the Uchiha district.
He had said enough. His goal was to ensure Naruto wouldn't have to suffer through a miserable childhood.
And if Konoha's leadership continued down this path, then Ryosuke would personally make sure Naruto lived the childhood he deserved.
Kakashi stood frozen for a moment.
Don't let the blood of a hero be shed in vain…
His father had once been a hero of Konoha too. But after choosing to save his comrades over completing a mission, he was slandered by the villagers and ultimately took his own life from the pressure.
Maybe Naruto really shouldn't have to endure that kind of pain.
What if he couldn't bear it?
Would Naruto also choose to end his own life?
And with everyone already aware of his status as a jinchūriki, spies from other villages could easily learn the truth.
After changing shifts with other Anbu to take over Naruto's surveillance, Kakashi made his way to the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, I have an urgent report."
The Third Hokage, seated at his desk, looked up.
"Speak."
Kakashi respectfully began.
"You ordered me to protect the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto. But I've noticed that many villagers already know his identity. I suspect there may be a leak within the Anbu."
"We need to identify the mole."
Back during the Nine-Tails attack, only a handful of people knew that the Fourth Hokage had sealed the beast into his own son. The Third had even issued a strict gag order on the matter.
The Third Hokage glanced sideways at Kakashi.
So the mole you're talking about… is me? Are you asking me to arrest myself?
Of course, it had been he who deliberately spread Naruto's jinchūriki identity among the villagers.
Why? So that they would hate and isolate Naruto.
Then he could appear in Naruto's life as a kind and benevolent figure.
That way, he could brainwash the child with the "Will of Fire" and secure Naruto's loyalty in the future.
There was no way he'd ever admit any of that to Kakashi.
Remaining calm, he said, "Don't worry, I'll look into it. It might not be a traitor—just a slip-up somewhere that let the information leak."
Kakashi considered the possibility and nodded. It seemed plausible.
"In that case, since the villagers already know Naruto is the jinchūriki and are treating him unfairly, shouldn't we at least make his true identity public?"
"As the son of the Fourth Hokage, he shouldn't be suffering like this."
But the Third Hokage had no intention of announcing it.
If he did, his entire plan would fall apart. He had no intention of giving up such a valuable chess piece.
Naruto, the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, was key to cementing the Hokage's authority.
Even after retiring, having Naruto's loyalty could help the Sarutobi clan produce another Hokage in the future.
He needed to come up with an excuse.
"Kakashi, you're being short-sighted," the old man said smoothly. "Even if the leak was a mistake, revealing Naruto's identity as the Fourth's son would be dangerous."
"Enemies of the Fourth may still be out there. If they knew Naruto was his son, they might come after him."
"You need to think beyond the obvious."
Kakashi paused. That… actually made some sense.
The Fourth had made many enemies during the war. Revealing Naruto's lineage could put him at risk.
"You're wise as always, Lord Hokage."
"But… what do we do about the mistreatment Naruto is facing?"
The Third Hokage was inwardly thrilled that he'd fooled Kakashi. He decided to push the deception further.
"Kakashi, you're still too inexperienced."
"Remember—Naruto is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. He's one of the village's greatest future assets. His loyalty must be absolute."
"Even if he's misunderstood and mistreated, he must remain loyal to Konoha."
"This is his trial."
"Do you understand?"
Kakashi nodded, though something still felt off.
Maybe the Hokage was right.
But deep down, something about all this just didn't sit right with him.