You might never believe this, Orihime. You might never believe what happened to me, to Tsubaki, and to Ayame. You might think I went insane after our parents' death; after all, it was abrupt. You probably don't remember our father at all; you were only a few months old. You have only heard stories we've told about amazing abilities; he was the fourth Hokage. Just as I am the sixth. You know of one reality, Konoha as it is now; you probably don't remember the destruction and ruin it went through. You probably don't remember my classmates, the old man, or the showdown with Akatsuki.
I have come of old age, Orihime. This is why I am writing this to you. In case my end comes soon, just as fast as it came to the third, I want you to know about the history of Konoha, of us. Many people want the power of Kyuubi, of me. Don't ever think of yourself, or your sisters, as the reason I am leaving Konoha. I love all three of you very much, but it is also the Hokage's duty to protect the village.
If I die, promise me one thing, don't blame yourself.
If I have learned one thing over my years, I have learned to 'never blame yourself'. Guilt sticks to you like glue. And, like gum in your hair, takes forever to get rid of. So don't blame yourself.
In death, I will take the Nine-tails with me. I imagine most of the village is cheering for this reason; after all, I have caused them so much worry. When I was younger, I was like a sitting time bomb. No one knew if, or when, I might change into the Nine-tails. I had to prove myself.
So I became a Jounin at 9.
This is how the story of Konoha begins.