Hiruzen walked back toward his desk, exhaling a long breath as he tipped his pipe over the ashtray, tapping out the burnt remnants of tobacco. His nerves were shot. How had the situation become this surreal? Just an hour ago, he had been expecting a simple conversation with Naruto. Now, he was standing in the presence of a floating, crimson-skinned man whose very existence defied reason.
His sharp eyes scrutinized the being before him. Man? Could you even call him that? Vision hovered effortlessly, his deep red skin gleaming under the office's dim light, the golden gem embedded in his forehead pulsing faintly. The long, flowing cape draped over his shoulders billowed slightly as if caught in an unseen breeze. Was he even human?
Hiruzen's frown deepened. He had never seen a shinobi wearing such an intricate bodysuit before. The closest comparison he could think of was Might Guy's ridiculous green jumpsuit, and even that seemed more normal in comparison.
His thoughts were interrupted when the crimson being finally spoke.
"My name is Vision," he said, his voice smooth and measured. "As for what I am..." He paused, turning his gaze toward the unconscious Naruto. "Or perhaps was..."
His attention shifted back to the Hokage. "I was created by a man named Tony Stark, through a series of extraordinary circumstances—an experiment made possible with the aid of the Mind Stone." He lifted a finger, gesturing toward the glowing gem on Naruto's forehead.
Silence fell over the office as every eye in the room snapped to the slumbering nine-year-old.
"Mind Stone?" Shikaku Nara finally broke the quiet, his usually lazy expression sharpening with interest. "Does that pertain to the Infinity Stones you mentioned earlier?"
Vision nodded once. "Yes. It is one of six."
Shikaku's brows furrowed further. "And what are they, exactly?"
For the first time, Vision hesitated. His gaze lingered on Naruto before he exhaled softly, as if weighing the gravity of his next words.
"It is a long and complicated story," he admitted, his voice taking on a somber note. "One that will shake the fundamental beliefs of your existence. Are you truly certain you wish to know?"
Hiruzen took a slow pull from his pipe, carefully considering the statement.
He prided himself on being an open-minded man. He had lived through wars, led a village full of shinobi, and seen things that defied the laws of nature. He was not so arrogant as to believe he knew all there was to know about the universe. If this man—this creation—stood before him, then there were forces at play beyond his understanding.
And yet, if learning the truth could help him protect Naruto, then he wouldn't hesitate.
Hiruzen chuckled, exhaling a plume of smoke. "We are sure," he said, nodding. "Continue with your tale."
And so, Vision began to speak, unraveling the story of his creation and the chain of events that led to this very moment.
It took an hour for Vision to complete his tale, and when the last words faded from his lips, a heavy silence settled over the Hokage's office. No one spoke. No one even breathed too loudly. The weight of what had just been revealed left them all momentarily stunned.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he tried to process everything. His mind struggled to fully grasp the sheer scale of the events Vision had described. It all sounded far-fetched, borderline impossible, yet the vivid detail in his recounting made it difficult to dismiss as mere fabrication. Besides, if Vision had been lying, what purpose would it serve? If anything, deception would only bring more scrutiny upon him.
His gaze drifted toward Naruto, still unconscious on the sofa. A boy who had already carried the burden of neglect and loneliness now bore a power that could alter the fate of the world itself. Is he blessed with extraordinary luck, or cursed with an unbearable weight?
Hiruzen sighed. If word of the Infinity Stones spread beyond this room... He shuddered at the thought. Naruto wouldn't just be a target—he'd be hunted to the ends of the earth, torn apart by those seeking to claim that power for themselves.
He straightened, inhaling deeply from his pipe before exhaling a slow stream of smoke. His decision was clear.
"If what you've told us is true," Hiruzen finally said, "then we must ensure Naruto gains control over this power. I cannot allow him to run around unchecked, potentially endangering himself and the village. There is no choice but to let you continue training him."
Shikaku's eyes widened slightly before narrowing in thought. "Is that wise, Hokage-sama?" he asked, his usual drawl laced with concern. "Leaving Naruto alone without oversight could lead to him exposing his abilities—intentionally or not. He's just a child. Can he truly hold back? What if a peer provokes him? What if someone pushes him too far?"
Hiruzen hummed, acknowledging the Nara clan head's reasoning. He couldn't refute the concern outright—Naruto was still a boy, and an impulsive one at that. But so far, he had kept this secret. If he had wanted to flaunt his power, he would have done so long ago.
Keeping Naruto locked under constant surveillance would only alienate him further, pushing him toward rebellion. If they wanted him to trust them, they had to trust him first.
"I understand your concerns, Shikaku," Hiruzen said after a moment. "But keeping Naruto under heavy watch will only draw more attention to him. If Vision agrees to my terms, he can monitor Naruto's progress without suffocating the boy."
Shikaku exhaled through his nose, rubbing his goatee as he mulled it over.
"Naruto is far more intelligent and mature than people give him credit for," Hiruzen continued, his voice firm. "I believe he understands the stakes. He won't reveal this power recklessly—not just for his own safety, but for the sake of the village as well."
After a long pause, Shikaku finally nodded. "Very well then, Lord Third. I trust your judgment."
Hiruzen smiled faintly before turning his sharp gaze toward Vision. "As much as you claim to exist beyond the constraints of the real world, I would still ask that you take responsibility for Naruto's training. Help him master his newfound abilities—to the best of your capabilities."
Vision gave a slight bow of his head. "I agree. I do not wish for him to come to harm because of a situation he never asked to be part of. I will train him using the knowledge I possess—not just of the Infinity Stones, but also of his own clan's history and abilities. He will grow into a powerful protector."
Satisfied, Hiruzen nodded. "Then I hereby classify this incident as an S-Class secret under penalty of death. Furthermore, I will speak with Kakashi Hatake. He is not to reveal anything that has transpired here. Nor will he inform Naruto's family."
Shikaku arched a brow. "Why keep it from his family?"
Hiruzen sighed, staring at Naruto's sleeping form with tired, knowing eyes.
"If his family were to find out, they would not keep this secret. Worse, the clan would seek to use him for their purposes. No... this is Naruto's secret to share—if he chooses to. The boy has spent his life being neglected by those who should have cherished him. He deserves the right to decide who knows the truth about him."
Vision let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "I wouldn't worry about that, Lord Third. He despises his family. He has already decided to sever ties with them the moment he becomes a Genin. Naruto does not want to be a pawn for their ambitions, nor does he wish to be a tool for the clan's prestige. He intends to walk his own path, to carve his name into history... not as a Namikaze or an Uzumaki, but as himself."
Hiruzen stared at the crimson being for a long moment before closing his eyes.
Naruto...
Perhaps, in that regard, he and Minato's son were not so different after all.
✨🟣🔵🟢🟡🔴🟠✨
Naruto's eyes fluttered open. A dull throb pulsed through his skull, making him groan. Yeah... not doing that again anytime soon. That beam had taken too much chakra, leaving him drained and with a splitting headache. As powerful as the Infinity Stones were, wielding them came at a heavy price. He had a long road ahead if he wanted to master them.
Slowly, he pushed himself up from the couch, blinking as he took in his surroundings. His gaze swept across the room before locking onto the old man.
His breath hitched.
The memories of what had happened earlier came rushing back in vivid detail, each one hitting like a shockwave. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his throat tightening as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
They know.
Panic surged through him like a cold wave, his muscles tensing instinctively. They know everything.
And what made it worse—what made his stomach twist into knots—was that Vision sat calmly beside the Hokage, speaking with him as if they were old friends. They're talking about me... about what I can do.
His mind raced. He needed to run. Now.
If they knew, it was only a matter of time before others did too. The council. The ANBU. His... family. He couldn't let that happen. They'd either experiment on him, throw him in a cell for lying to the Hokage, or worse, claim him now that he had something valuable.
He could still escape. If he used the Space Stone, he could teleport to his room, grab his essentials, and be gone before the ANBU even realized he had moved. He just needed a plan, needed to—
"Naruto."
The familiar voice snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts.
Vision.
His sensei stood from the couch and approached him, placing a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder. The warmth of his touch grounded Naruto, stopping the rising panic from overwhelming him.
"Don't panic," Vision said, his voice calm and reassuring. "Nobody is going to hurt you. I've spoken at length with the Hokage, and he has agreed to keep your secret. He has also permitted me to continue training you."
Naruto's shoulders sagged as the tension drained from his body, replaced by a deep, shaky exhale. A weight he hadn't even realized he was carrying suddenly lifted.
He hadn't wanted to lie to the old man. He really hadn't. But what choice had he had? If the Hokage had told the council... if his family had found out... They wouldn't have cared about him—not really. They'd only see what they could gain, what they could use. He wanted their attention for himself, not because of the power he carried.
But deep down, he had known for years.
They would never see him. Not for who he was. Not for who he wanted to be.
Only for what he wasn't.
Naruto swallowed hard, staring down at his hands as he fiddled with the hem of his jacket. His voice came out small, barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry, Jiji."
The Hokage's expression softened as he stepped closer. "And I am sorry for taking such drastic action, my boy," he said, his tone filled with quiet regret. "I was never angry at you for keeping this from me—just... a little disappointed that you didn't trust me enough to share it. But I understand why. You feared for your safety, for your freedom. You feared being used by those who should have loved you."
Naruto clenched his fists at those words but said nothing.
Hiruzen sighed. "All I ask is that from now on, you be honest with me. Keep me updated on your training." A small, warm smile tugged at his lips before he reached out and ruffled Naruto's messy golden hair. "But I also want you to keep your true gifts hidden."
Naruto blinked, confusion flickering across his face. "Huh?"
"When you start at the Academy this Monday," Hiruzen continued, "I want you to hold back. A true shinobi never reveals their real skills unless necessary. If you show off too much, you'll only draw attention. Attention we cannot afford right now."
Naruto processed that for a moment before grinning and rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, Jiji. I won't."
But deep down, he was already thinking.
Already planning.
Because if there was one thing he knew for certain—he would grow stronger.
And when the time was right, the world would see what Naruto Namikaze-Uzumaki was truly capable of.