Undercover in Konoha: I Was the Real Hokage All Along!

For a heartbeat, the Hokage's office fell into absolute silence — not a sound could be heard.

Minato Namikaze and Sakumo Hatake both glanced toward the center of the storm. They knew it was unlikely, but each was still prepared to move at a moment's notice.

Danzo Shimura sat to the side, eyes closed in meditation.

Orochimaru folded his arms, eyes gleaming with interest as he observed the mysterious young man before them.

Only Uchiha Yayoi had visibly tensed, her fists clenched tight. She was doing her best to keep her expression calm, but her unease was almost palpable.

But Saharu Kiri?

His expression remained unchanged.

He had been ready for this ever since the moment he'd crossed paths with Ash Soiled in the halls of the Hokage Tower.

"Huu…"

Kiri exhaled slowly. His face relaxed, gaze locking calmly onto Hiruzen Sarutobi's commanding presence, unafraid.

"That's because, quite frankly… this is your failure, Lord Third."

The entire room shifted in an instant.

Even Sarutobi himself hadn't expected that answer.

"Kiri?!"

Yayoi immediately reached out and grabbed his sleeve, trying to stop him from saying something he couldn't take back.

But Kiri had already stepped forward — no hesitation, no retreat.

He was done playing the quiet observer.

"As your records say — my clan, the Saharu, has followed the ideals of the First Hokage since my grandfather's time."

"We joined Konoha as shinobi and served the village faithfully. My grandfather was a shinobi. My parents were shinobi. My sister and I — also shinobi."

"During the First Great Ninja War, my family followed the orders of the Second Hokage… and you. They fought on the frontlines without hesitation — and died as heroes."

"So tell me — what did the children of the fallen receive in return?"

His heart pounded, breath sharp with emotion. His eyes were bloodshot, his tone cracked with the weight of long-held pain.

He looked like a 15-year-old boy finally pushed to his emotional edge.

He took a step forward.

The ANBU guards around the room instantly moved to block him, but Hiruzen lifted a hand to stop them.

Kiri's voice continued — cold, clear, and unstoppable:

"Since my parents died when I was five, our family's death compensation was a third of what the regulations promised."

"The village's limited meat rations never reached us — not when we were kids. We couldn't even compete to get it. Orphaned ninja clan kids like us were left to fend for scraps."

"Meanwhile, the children of other clans, shielded by their family names, got full support — even extra training tools."

"Only after passing the academy entrance exam did I qualify for basic food rations. But even then, aside from the meager benefits, we received only seven ryō a day."

"Until age three, my baby sister survived on nothing but rice paste."

"Other kids like me? Some abandoned their younger siblings on the streets, left them to die or be adopted."

"Even the village orphanages refused to take in babies — no space, no staff."

"I didn't inherit my parents' savings until I graduated at ten. And even then, repairing the house — damaged during the war—drained nearly everything."

"Only children like Minato, born with genius and self-discipline, or those like Kushina Uzumaki — clearly from a noble family — ever received enough training or support to truly grow."

Minato flinched slightly at that.

Kiri's slow steps brought him directly before the desk, towering over the seated Hokage.

Yet his voice… was calmer than ever.

"Even so… the village raised us."

"I truly love Konoha."

"I'd gladly give my life for it."

Then his tone dropped.

"But I will not let the last of my family — my sister — grow up suffering the way I did."

"Now that Yuki is grown and a ninja in her own right… I believe she can live on her own."

"Which means it's finally time for me to give everything I have… to Konoha."

With that, Kiri bowed his head slightly, awaiting judgment.

Danzo's brows twitched. Sarutobi caught the movement out of the corner of his eye.

A different kind of silence settled over the room.

But the terrifying pressure from earlier… was gone.

BANG!

Sarutobi slammed the desk with his palm, a deep roar bursting forth:

"Outrageous!"

"This must be investigated thoroughly!"

Then, sighing with regret, he muttered:

"That a martyr's orphan suffered so unjustly… It's an insult to the entire village."

He looked at Kiri, his voice suddenly much softer.

"Kiri-kun. You should've told me sooner."

Even the way he addressed him had changed — from formal to familial.

Kiri said nothing.

He simply kept his head lowered.

Because everything he said just now was true.

Worse still, many orphans had been forcibly conscripted into Root as disposable tools.

But of course...

Those who made it this far — standing before the Hokage — never lived that kind of life.

And those who did live it…

Never had the voice to speak up.

Don't be fooled by how freely Naruto wandered around the Hokage Tower like it was a ramen shop — that treatment was reserved for the Twelve Guardian Genin, for Jinchūriki, for clan heirs, and child prodigies.

As for Sarutobi saying he didn't know?

Kiri… wasn't so sure.

Not that it mattered.

What mattered was that the image he had just built — the sorrowful orphan, loyal despite adversity — was now the perfect propaganda piece.

"Born of a loyal line. Orphaned in war. Struggled through poverty. Yet still chose to dedicate his life to the Will of Fire."

"Such loyalty. Such nobility."

Even if there were a hundred levels of clearance, Kiri would now pass them all.

This was wartime. Optics mattered. Politics mattered.

And Sarutobi — an experienced leader — understood this instantly.

He also saw the perfect opportunity to rein in Danzo once more.

If you didn't check that man every so often, he'd start trying to run the whole show.

And the key… was standing right in front of him.

"Kiri-kun."

Sarutobi's voice softened again:

"Regarding you, your sister, and all Konoha's orphaned war children — the village will give you a proper answer."

"For now, take a few days to rest."

"We'll begin formal commendation for your service, and conduct a specialized ability review… to assign you a rank fitting of your true strength."

Standing, Sarutobi placed a hand on Kiri's shoulder like a wise grandfather.

"I noticed in your ninja school records — your dream was to become Hokage, right?"

"It's young men like you who are the true future of Konoha."

Kiri couldn't hold it in anymore.

His lips trembled. He fought to keep the corners of his mouth from rising.

His voice wavered — raw with long-suppressed emotion:

"Yes… Lord Third!"

What a perfect display of the Will of Fire.

Compassion. Gratitude. Unity.

Sakumo Hatake quietly watched, eyes shining with emotion.

Uchiha Yayoi exhaled deeply, relieved.

Danzo and Orochimaru… remained unmoved, their expressions unreadable.

Only Minato…

He watched the man before him — trembling with emotion, eyes shining with devotion — and couldn't help but recall the battlefield.

That terrifying moment, that overwhelming pressure.

Minato knew his talent.

He was confident in his mind, his strength, and his instincts.

And yet…

Kiri had hidden his power right under his nose for years, without leaving a trace.

Was this really who he appeared to be?

Minato's heart whispered an uneasy question.

Later

As the others left the office — even Orochimaru — the door shut quietly behind them.

Sarutobi's warm expression vanished in an instant.

He turned toward Danzo, face cold and stern.

"Danzo. Nothing to say?"

Danzo replied calmly:

"It's not like I spent the money on myself.

It was all… necessary sacrifices for the village."

Sarutobi snapped.

"You bastard!"

"I gave you orphanage funds — not so you could funnel them into Root!"

Danzo didn't flinch. He even raised his voice:

"And what would you have me do?

Give money to kids with no discipline?

Even if they had it, they'd waste it! It brings no value to the village!"

"Only by choosing the talented ones for Root can we gather intel, build foreign bases, and protect the village from the shadows!"

"Do you think Root's overseas accomplishments happen by magic?!"

Sarutobi's fury deepened.

"No value?

Minato Namikaze.

Saharu Kiri.

Two geniuses of the same generation!

How many more like them have been buried by your systems?!"

Danzo sneered:

"They're outliers — rare exceptions."

"Since Konoha was founded, how many Jiraiyas or Orochimarus have there ever been?"

Root is what truly protects this village.

Sarutobi's voice dropped into a cold, heavy tone.

Then listen well: the Saharu Kiri case must be resolved immediately.

From now on, the financial and personnel systems of the orphanages are under ANBU control.

You want to recruit someone? File a request with ANBU first.

Also — bring me Root's financial controller. They'll be handling this now.

Danzo stiffened, stunned.

He hadn't expected Sarutobi to make such a big deal over one orphan's complaint.

Just one kid, he thought.

Sarutobi noticed the hesitation and spoke with chilling clarity:

You didn't hear me?

Danzo said nothing.

He turned and walked to the door.

Just before exiting, he paused — his voice low and bitter:

Hiruzen… you'll regret this.

Sarutobi didn't flinch.

Danzo, I'm the Hokage.