And so Maya came into the ward with a bank of results and a box of puzzles for Naruto. After giving the puzzles to Naruto, she called Hiruzen with her and, stopping in an empty office, she poured tea and they began to discuss.
"Why, Maya-chan, did you call me in about Naruto's condition?"
"Yes."
Hiruzen, reading the test results, was increasingly dumbfounded that Naruto's chakra had not only awakened, but chakra channels had begun to grow. Naruto's chakra was huge and raging. After reading the report in its entirety, he found himself pondering. He was glad that his physical and mental state was normal. Maya was the first to speak.
"Hokage-sama, Naruto is a very good, kind, and bright boy. But why is all this happening to him? Why is life doing this to him? First they plan to put him in an orphanage, and then all this happens. Of course, I realize he's from the Uzumaki clan, but here in awakening chakra at 10 months old, this isn't even normal for him... I'm scared for him. He's become like a little brother to me. And I can't let anything happen to him."
Hiruzen was also of the same opinion, but a thought came to his mind. Maya had been looking after him for so many months now and she was very attached to him, and Naruto had a thing for her too. But he had to do something about that attachment, because in a year they would be separated. He had two choices, and both of them were terrible. Either tell her the truth about Kyubey, and she might hate the kid. Or let them go on like this, but then there would be bigger problems and Maya might get hurt and Naruto might get hysterical. Both of those choices were dangerous, but he decided to trust that she would accept the truth for what it was.
"Maya-chan, if you want me to tell you secret information, then swear to me that even on pain of your life you won't give away the secret?"
Maya was frightened, but decided that whatever the truth was, she would accept anything as long as Naruto wasn't hurt by it.
"Okay, Hokage-sama, I swear I won't divulge this secret."
Hiruzen, sighing, began the story.
"Maya-chan, tell me, what do you know about biju?"
"Hmm, I know that they are very powerful beings with a huge amount of chakra and unquenchable hatred. In every great country, there are people who carry them. These bearers are called jinchuriki."
"That's right! But what do you know about the biju of our village?"
Maya, remembering those terrible events, grimaced a little.
"The Nine-tailed Fox is the strongest biju of all. He attacked Konoha and caused terrible destruction and death. He was defeated by the Fourth Hokage, and his wife's aunt sealed him in a child at the cost of her life. And that child is locked away in a dungeon."
"That's all you've heard from others. But the truth is that only those of the Uzumaki clan can withstand the chakra power of a nine-tailed fox demon."
"Wait, so you're saying that Naruto is a carrier of this biju?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
Maya immediately lowered her eyes upon hearing "yes." She couldn't believe that all this had happened to Naruto. But she had to ask about it.
"If Naruto holds the biju's power within him, why should it remain a secret? Isn't he a hero?"
Hiruzen, hearing those words, was overjoyed. After all, everyone around him was angry at the kid for wearing a biju, and this was the only person who said these true words. It was up to Naruto to get Kyuubi released.
"Maya-chan, not many people think that way... I'd say there are almost none. But now do you understand why the village has planned his life this way?"
Seeing her nod, he continued.
"The council decided that Naruto would go to a nursery for civilians."
"What, but Satoshi-san didn't say anything."
"Calm down, Maya-chan, it won't be now, but in two months when the child is a year old."
"But what's he going to do there? He's head and shoulders above all of them put together, he's very smart for his age, and he'll be bored there, and Naruto doesn't like toys without meaning. He's not interested in playing with soldiers. He'd rather play games that are more challenging."
"Maya, I understand all that, but the council doesn't know his intellectual level. They still think the jinchuriki drools and roars. Let's keep it that way. Because if they find out that the jinchūriki is smart, they'll take an interest in him and experiment on him. And even I won't be able to help him. You don't want that, do you?"
Maya was startled and shook her head sharply.
"No, no way. Naruto doesn't deserve to be treated like this."
Hiruzen, putting a hand on her shoulder, continued.
"And that's why I didn't mind when I agreed to the nursery. And Naruto doesn't know that he'll have to go to the orphanage from you. He needs to get used to people. And I've been doing my part. I've asked you to be a caretaker there, too. You don't mind, do you? And you can keep an eye on Naruto since he'll have to go back to the ward anyway."
Maya hugged him and said, "Thank you, Hokage-sama, I won't let you down, you know how much I love children."
"Well, you have two months to prepare Naruto for society. And also, stop dragging Naruto around in the vicinity of pubs, he has too open a vocabulary for his age."
Maya, shamefaced at this, said, "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen was glad Naruto had gotten her. Back in the room, Hiruzen began.
"Well, Naruto, I must be going. Be good and don't make Mayu-chan angry, okay?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
With a salute, Naruto saluted the Hokage. Hiruzen took a book out of his pocket and gave it to him.
"Naruto, here, take this for you, ask Maya-chan to read it to you."
"What's this book about?"
"You'll find out."
With a sly smile, Hiruzen left the room. Naruto ran to his nanny and urged her to read. They lay down on the bed and started reading a book.
"So, what do we have here? The legend of the fearless ninja? Oh, look, the main character's name is Naruto, just like you! Well, let's get started."
She told it all with intonation, and Naruto, listening to the great accomplishments of this ninja, finally gave out.