The earliest ancestors of the Kujo Clan were lost to time, but in the records that could be traced, the clan had once held considerable fame in the history of the shinobi world.
That fame didn't come from their current mastery of Yang Release Taijutsu, but from a long-lost kekkei genkai—Secret Art: Chakra Spiral.
This unique technique possessed remarkable healing properties, and during that era, the Kujo Clan was once hailed as the premier medical clan of the shinobi world.
But as the years passed, the technique gradually vanished. Not a single member of the Kujo Clan had awakened the kekkei genkai again. By the time they joined Konohagakure during its founding, the Chakra Spiral was already a forgotten art.
Like many ancient jutsu and bloodline limits of the past, it had simply faded into obscurity.
The Third Hokage quickly skimmed these parts—he had already looked into all of it when Ishiki Kujo's unusual traits had first come to his attention.
He'd found nothing conclusive about the so-called Chakra Spiral.
But the investigations at least confirmed that the Kujo Clan had once known prosperity. It wasn't so unbelievable that Ishiki might have inherited some rare jutsu or secret arts.
In fact, Hiruzen even suspected that Ishiki had reawakened the Kujo Clan's long-lost kekkei genkai.
However, as he read further, some anomalies began to emerge.
The deeper reports covered Ishiki's early life—interviews with neighbors and childhood companions.
"Ishiki was always sharp. By age three, he'd already mastered the Shadow Clone Technique. No kid could ever catch him in hide-and-seek," praised one old neighbor.
"But when he was five, he hit his head—real bad, too, bleeding everywhere. Everyone thought he'd die. Somehow, he survived, but after that, forget Shadow Clones, he didn't even know how to use chakra anymore," another woman said with a sigh.
"I remember that. It was a big deal back then. Young Renge even went to confront Ishiki's dad, Ryuichi. Left deep craters in the wall from hitting him. That's how furious she was."
"Mhm, I remember too. She was only eleven at the time, right? That kind of power in a kid, no wonder she ended up working at the Konoha Hospital," another woman chimed in enviously.
"Those two were close since childhood. Still are, really. Now that Ishiki's showing talent again, maybe Ryuichi can finally rest easy," one of them added, with the air of someone recounting every detail of a familiar family story.
"Ryuichi's a decent man, but after Ishiki's accident, his attitude changed. Treated both kids a lot better. Before that, Ishiki used to get beaten all the time."
"Well, he stopped being so mischievous after that. Otherwise, who knows how many more beatings Ryuichi would've handed out," one of them joked.
"Now that you say it… it's true. That boy was a real menace before the accident. My granddaughter used to cry nonstop because of him."
"Exactly! It's like he became a completely different person after he hit his head."
…
"Ishiki Kujo? He's a good guy. If not for him, I'd probably be dead from the Nine-Tails' attack," said Chika thoughtfully. "He seemed to grow up overnight after that night. He became calmer, more composed… warmer too. Though he did get a bit distant with us."
"But he got stronger," she added.
"I've watched that boy grow up," said Might Guy, flashing his brilliant white teeth. "After the Nine-Tails, Ishiki became more driven, more dependable, stronger, more passionate—and kind!"
"Ishiki, huh? He used to be a good kid, but after that night, he really seemed like a different person. Works hard at the hospital, always diligent, polite to everyone. The patients love him," said a young nurse.
"He's matured," said his sister, Kujo Renge. "Maybe what he went through changed him. He's become someone you can rely on."
"Ishiki Kujo? Oh, I know him," said an old lady who often visited the hospital. "Before the Nine-Tails attack, he was fine, but always had that bratty, unreliable vibe. Afterward though? It was like he grew up in a single night. He even treats old ladies like me with such patience. That's what a real man looks like!"
…
There were more reports like this, but what stood out most to the Third Hokage was this recurring line:
"He seemed like a different person after the Nine-Tails Night."
And again, at age five—after hitting his head—he seemed like a different person.
Hiruzen shook his head, closing the folder.
What did it prove?
That he'd actually been replaced?
Impossible. No one could take over a body and perfectly inherit someone's memories.
At least, in all his dealings with Ishiki, Hiruzen had only ever seen a young man tempered by experience, growing more mature with time.
Just like Kakashi.
No… not quite.
Kakashi still struggled with his grief. If only he could embrace change the way Ishiki had—that would've been a blessing.
After all, Hiruzen had high hopes for the White Fang's son, the Fourth's student.
He swept aside his turbulent thoughts.
As far as he was concerned, Danzō had lost his mind.
Why was he so convinced that Kujo Ishiki was a threat?
At present, Ishiki had:
Done nothing to harm the village;
Contributed greatly to its defense;
Not retaliated against Danzō for slandering him, instead accepting the village's decisions calmly.
That kind of ninja—loyal, selfless, steadfast—what more could Hiruzen ask for?
He truly didn't understand what Danzō was thinking. And if you're going to accuse someone, shouldn't you have evidence?
Take the case of the "vanished abilities" incident. If they wanted to pin it on Ishiki, they needed a missing Sharingan or Byakugan at minimum. Without that, it was all hearsay.
As for the killing of Cloud's jōnin, Troy—was that even a problem?
If Ishiki really had done it, the village would commend him, not punish him. Why would he bother hiding it?
Then there was the "electric creature" incident.
After the secret Root labs were destroyed, Hiruzen no longer believed Ishiki had anything to do with it. Only Danzō could've bred such twisted monstrosities.
Even the so-called dirt on Orochimaru… after seeing Danzō's attempts to smear Ishiki, it all seemed like a ploy.
Maybe Danzō had caught wind of Orochimaru's betrayal and lashed out in anger.
Hiruzen still remembered—before any of this happened, Danzō had actually tried to push Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage.