Naruto: All depends on the Nine-tails Fox

Kakashi looked up, feeling a pang of disquiet as he took in the slightly rundown house before him.

Was this truly where the orphaned son of his late teacher lived?

But that moment of sorrow faded quickly. After seven years in the Anbu Black Ops, Kakashi had seen enough darkness to understand the burden of being a jinchuriki. He knew that for the Third Hokage, protecting Naruto came with difficult compromises.

After all, even his own mentor's wife—also a Nine-Tails jinchuriki—had been under constant surveillance until his teacher became Hokage...

"Let's go up," Hiruzen spoke, breaking Kakashi's thoughts, "and we'll discuss that matter as well."

Following the Third Hokage, Kakashi entered Naruto's room. No one was there at the moment. Scanning the area, Kakashi noted the open, bare space, the angles from the windows, and several ideal positions for surveillance.

Almost instinctively, he began searching for hidden Anbu watchers. But to his surprise, he didn't find any.

"I've had them removed," Hiruzen explained. "As of recently, there's no Anbu assigned to watch over Naruto."

Kakashi paused, caught off guard. "That could pose a risk... considering Naruto's identity and the danger of a jinchuriki..."

"That's why I've called you here today," Hiruzen said, glancing over the walls and window ledge. His Hokage hat cast a shadow over his face, giving him an inscrutable expression. "I need you to take on this mission and ensure that no danger arises."

Meanwhile, unaware of what was happening at home, Naruto continued training as usual.

He was at a new training ground—a far better facility than the old one, courtesy of Gai-sensei. Gai had promised Naruto full access to this site and even told him he could bring friends if he wanted. Equipment fees and repairs? All on Gai.

Naturally, Naruto didn't hold back from using it.

Today, he had two training partners: Hinata and Sasuke.

Ever since fainting the first time Naruto got too close, shy Hinata had tried to keep her distance, hoping not to cause him any trouble. But each time she started watching from afar, Naruto would sense her presence and come over, insisting she train with him.

When it came to Naruto's invitations, Hinata simply couldn't say no.

And once training began, she was stunned by Naruto's prowess. Despite her own limited skills, Hinata knew enough to realize that Naruto's talent, especially in taijutsu, was remarkable. She doubted even her cousin Neji could compare. Even the guards watching her seemed to approve of Naruto, often encouraging her to join him.

What she didn't know was that her father, Hiashi, was observing from a distance, too.

Since hearing the reports from two of the clan members, Hiashi had been trailing his daughter. Part of it was concern for her safety, especially after Gai's "demonstration" bypassed the family guards effortlessly. The other part was curiosity about Naruto himself.

And the more he watched, the more Hiashi's shock grew. Naruto's training, including his precision with shuriken, chakra control, and taijutsu, was incredibly refined. His technique was nearly flawless, something Hiashi found perplexing. Who could be training Naruto? As a clan head with the Byakugan, Hiashi doubted anyone in the village would risk secretly instructing a jinchuriki, given the Nine-Tails' potential to endanger Konoha.

What on earth was the Third Hokage thinking?

What was even more surprising was Naruto's teaching style. Watching Naruto explain techniques to Hinata, Hiashi nearly stepped forward to stop him when he heard Naruto's abstract guidance, like, "You just do this, then this, and finally, this..." But Hinata, unable to follow, eventually asked to figure it out on her own, saving Hiashi from stepping in.

He feared that Naruto's unconventional approach would ruin her training.

And Naruto wasn't alone today. Another young shinobi was there as well—wearing dark-gray clothing with a distinctive Uchiha fan on his back.

It was Sasuke Uchiha.

"Darn it... hey, how do you throw shuriken like that?" Sasuke complained after missing his mark yet again.

Naruto glanced over at Sasuke's shuriken throw. The first one hit the target squarely, but he raised an eyebrow. "Where did your second one end up?"

Sasuke's cheeks flushed as he pointed silently at a tree off to the side.

Naruto squinted, finally spotting a glinting shuriken reflecting light high up in the branches.

How did it even get there? Naruto couldn't help but laugh internally.

"Why not ask your brother? I learned by watching him," Naruto said, casually throwing his own shuriken. It sailed smoothly through the air, curving mid-flight and striking the exact same spot on the target, hitting the bullseye right above Sasuke's shuriken and wedging a small kunai star precisely between the two.

"Whoa, Naruto-kun, you're amazing!" Hinata exclaimed, staring in awe.

"That's it! How did you do that?!" Sasuke's jaw dropped. The only person he'd seen pull off a throw like that was his older brother, Itachi. Ever since seeing Naruto's skills, Sasuke had tried to outmatch him, only to find himself seeking Naruto's guidance by the end of each day.

The difference between them was overwhelming!