After the examination ended, the roster and grades of this year's graduates were promptly sent to the Hokage's office.
Next, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two Hokage Advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, needed to decide the Genin team assignments.
As well as the instructor for each team.
Weak Genin teams were usually led by Chunin.
Only Genin teams with immense potential qualified for a Jonin instructor.
Holding a stack of graduate records, Mitokado Homura began assigning teams according to each graduate's strengths.
"Keep Ino-Shika-Cho together in one team, as usual."
As he spoke, Mitokado Homura placed three report cards together and handed them to Utatane Koharu.
Utatane Koharu then considered every aspect before matching them with an instructor.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, puffing on his pipe as he stared thoughtfully at the two report cards before him.
Mitokado Homura glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked,
"Sarutobi, how are you planning to assign the two geniuses who graduated early this time?"
At the same time, Utatane Koharu turned her attentive gaze toward him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a ring of smoke and said after a moment of thought,
"Put them on the same team."
Mitokado Homura asked in confusion, "Then won't they be one person short?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi set his pipe on the desk and considered it for a moment.
"Just the two of them. Kakashi and Tunan are nearly at Chunin level.
"Tunan may be a little weaker, but with his Sharingan genjutsu, he can already restrain two Chunin for a short time.
"His taijutsu and ninjutsu are somewhat lacking, which happens to complement Kakashi's strengths."
Utatane Koharu nodded, then asked after thinking it over, "Which instructor are you planning to assign them?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. Clearly, he had not decided yet.
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was pushed open, and Danzo walked in.
"Hiruzen, how are this year's Genin team assignments coming along?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Why are you asking about that?"
Shimura Danzō walked up to Hiruzen Sarutobi with an expression as if it were only natural.
"As the Root that protects Konoha, what's wrong with showing concern for the younger generation?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. "They're still being assigned."
Shimura Danzō turned and glanced at the report cards in Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's hands, then narrowed his eyes at the two report cards in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I heard that Kakashi and that Uchiha Clan genius both graduated early."
Without drawing attention to it, Hiruzen Sarutobi placed the two report cards in a drawer and nodded.
"Yes. I intend to put the two of them on the same team."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's action irritated Shimura Danzō. He asked in a low voice, "Have you chosen an instructor?"
"I'm still considering it."
"No need to consider it. I have a suitable candidate."
"Who?"
"Aburame Clan Jonin, Aburame Ryosuke."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shimura Danzō a surprised look, then considered the suggestion carefully.
Aburame Ryosuke was a veteran Jonin. In theory, teaching Kakashi and Uchiha Tunan would be more than within his capabilities.
Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed that something was off about Shimura Danzō and immediately shook his head in refusal.
"He's unsuitable."
Shimura Danzō snorted coldly.
"How is he unsuitable? Kakashi should have inherited the White Fang's swordsmanship, and his ninjutsu is also exceptional.
"That Uchiha brat awakened the Sharingan and excels at genjutsu.
"The two of them together have virtually no weaknesses.
"But their team lacks one of the most important members.
"A medical ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze slightly at that. After thinking for a long while, he could not recall Aburame Ryosuke ever showing talent for medical arts.
He immediately fixed Shimura Danzō with a suspicious gaze.
"Aburame Ryosuke knows Medical Ninjutsu?"
Shimura Danzō replied leisurely,
"The insects he recently hatched are quite special. Not only can they detoxify poison, but they can also produce special life factors for emergency treatment."
After hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and began smoking.
The drifting smoke seemed to enter Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, making him narrow them slightly.
Information about Aburame Ryosuke surfaced in his mind.
A Jonin of the Aburame Clan, he had always been practically invisible.
But he seemed to be a cousin of Root captain Aburame Shikuroo.
Although Aburame Ryosuke did not belong to Root, every indication suggested he had already gravitated toward Danzo.
But if he did not use Aburame Ryosuke, who would be the most suitable choice?
What did this two-man team need most?
Kakashi had been taught by the White Fang. It seemed no instructor could offer him much greater help.
As for Tunan...
With the Three Tomoe Sharingan, even if his taijutsu and ninjutsu had not caught up yet,
his dynamic vision would allow his taijutsu to steadily improve and surpass those of his age.
And with the Sharingan, he would not learn ninjutsu slowly.
So strength could not be the deciding factor. He needed to consider personality instead.
Tunan had gone through too many upheavals lately, and I could not keep an eye on him at all times.
He needed someone sunny and cheerful, someone with the Will of Fire, to guide him and keep him from straying down the wrong path.
Suddenly, a bright, sunlit smile appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
He's the one.
Hiruzen Sarutobi made his decision on the spot and decisively refused Danzo. "No, I've already decided on someone."
Danzo, who had thought victory was assured, could no longer hold back. He slapped the desk angrily and demanded of Hiruzen Sarutobi,
"Hiruzen, what do you mean?
"Do you think I have ulterior motives?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu hurriedly tried to calm him down.
"Danzo, calm down."
"Whatever it is, talk it over properly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, his expression resolute.
"Enough. I've decided to have Namikaze Minato serve as their team's instructor."
Shimura Danzō was stunned and asked in disbelief,
"Namikaze Minato? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's little boyfriend?
"Hiruzen, what are you thinking? That brat only just became a Jonin. Are you planning to ruin two geniuses in his hands?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was angered as well. His face instantly turned cold as he set his pipe aside and said frostily,
"Watch your attitude. I am the Hokage."
Shimura Danzō stared directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Hiruzen Sarutobi refused to yield.
The two stared at each other for several seconds. Shimura Danzō's face turned exceptionally ugly. He snorted coldly, turned, and walked out.
"Hmph. You'll regret this."
Shimura Danzō stormed toward Root in a fury.
Yet the moment he arrived at Root's headquarters, the anger on Shimura Danzō's face vanished, replaced by calm.
"What kind of genjutsu did that evil brat cast on you that you guard against me like this?
"What bad intentions could I possibly have? Everything I do is for Konoha."
He then asked Root captain Aburame Shikuroo at his side, "How is Orochimaru's experiment progressing?"
"The situation is not ideal. The last pair of Sharingan has been destroyed."
"What did Orochimaru say?"
"Lord Orochimaru said the energy contained within the Sharingan was insufficient to offset the vigorous life force of the cells.
"He suggested that you find several more pairs of Sharingan, preferably of higher quality."
"I understand."
"Isn't that cousin of yours willing to join Root?
"Go recruit him now. Once you've made the arrangements, bring him before me. I have a mission for him.
"If he handles it well, he'll become a member of Root. If he doesn't..."
Before you continue