The Veigar Contest

Vega, now wearing his ninja headband, endured another round of Hiruzen Sarutobi's Will of Fire propaganda.

Pfft!

Wrong words, let me start over...

After a Will of Fire promotional speech, under the gaze of many teachers and students, he slowly walked out of the Ninja Academy.

Back home, Vega, exhausted from the great battle, lay sprawled on his bed in a big "da" shape.

Having achieved his wish and become a Konoha reserve ninja, Vega only wanted to sleep well.

But since he still needed to head to the Hokage Building in the afternoon for ninja registration and officially become a Konoha Genin, he didn't dare sleep too deeply, afraid he'd oversleep.

Just as Vega was drifting off into a daze, in the Hokage's Office at the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi was speaking to Minato Namikaze standing before him: "Minato, that kid Vega is also being handed over to you. It just so happens that your team currently only has Kakashi as a member."

Minato Namikaze replied seriously, "Yes, Third Lord."

"I will do my utmost to train him into an outstanding ninja."

At this point, after Vega registered and was recorded as a Genin, his squad leader being Minato Namikaze was basically a done deal.

In fact, Minato Namikaze had predicted he might become Vega's squad leader—he wasn't a fool, after all, and could think things through.

Just yesterday, after returning from a mission with Kakashi Hatake, Hiruzen Sarutobi had told him about Vega and also appointed him as the Chief Examiner for Vega's Early Graduation exam, even arranging Kakashi Hatake as Vega's opponent for that exam.

From various signs, it was clear Hiruzen Sarutobi intended for Vega to become the second student under his command.

After a moment of thought, Minato Namikaze also figured out the reasons Hiruzen Sarutobi was handing Vega over to him.

First, because Vega's talent was outstanding enough—he'd been called a genius since childhood—and combined with Minato's own status and faction, he became the most suitable person to be Vega's squad leader.

Second, because he currently only had Kakashi Hatake as a student, Vega could fill out the team's personnel.

Third, because Kakashi Hatake was also a genius, and the rivalry between geniuses often produced good results, spurring both to grow quickly.

However, someone just had to stick their nose in at this moment, and that person was the Hokage's Assistant, Shimura Danzō.

"I object."

Still outside the door, Shimura Danzō's voice carried into the office, and only then did he push the door open and slowly walk in.

At this time, Shimura Danzō was the same age as Hiruzen Sarutobi, his strength still at its peak's tail end, and he hadn't yet wrapped thick bandages around his right hand from transplanting Hashirama's Cells, though his right eye was already covered in bandages.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze looked over, and Minato Namikaze bowed his head in greeting: "Lord Danzō."

Shimura Danzō only glanced briefly at Minato Namikaze, then walked up to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Hiruzen, I oppose Jonin Minato becoming Vega Koshima's squad leader."

"I hope you can hand him over to me for training in Root. In the future, he will be the sharpest blade in Konoha's hands."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could respond, Minato Namikaze was already anxious. As a Jonin in the village and the famous Little Sun, Minato Namikaze had some understanding of "Root," this Anbu training division.

Though he only knew fragments, he strongly disliked Root's existence.

So Minato Namikaze jumped in and quickly said, "No."

"Third Lord, that kid Vega is not suited for Root's training. He should grow up in the sunlight of Konoha, becoming a pillar of the village."

Minato Namikaze knew well that objecting to Shimura Danzō directly was useless; only Hiruzen Sarutobi could decide Vega's fate, so his words were directed at him.

Watching the anxious Minato Namikaze, Shimura Danzō remained unhurried and said very calmly, "Only Konoha's roots are the most suitable place for Vega Koshima to grow."

"So, hand him over to me, Hiruzen."

Puff, puff!

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi smoke his pipe, as the one who knew him best, Shimura Danzō could tell Hiruzen Sarutobi had already made a decision in his heart.

The choking smoke was slowly exhaled from Hiruzen Sarutobi's lungs, and then Minato Namikaze and Shimura Danzō, waiting for his decision, heard him say, "Danzō."

"Vega Koshima is not suited for Root."

"His future is not as a root buried deep underground, silently providing nutrients for Konoha, but as one of the most important trunks of Konoha under the sunlight, protecting the village."

At these words, Shimura Danzō's face instantly turned iron-blue, and he said angrily and resentfully, "Hiruzen, you will regret today's decision."

"Vega Koshima is the most suitable candidate for 'Root' and will be the next leader of Root."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Shimura Danzō's eyes, burning with anger yet filled with stubbornness and seriousness, and still shook his head unwaveringly: "Vega Koshima will not be handed over to you."

Rejected again, Shimura Danzō was like a gambler who'd lost everything. He slammed both hands heavily on the desk, leaned over, and stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "What if I'm willing to hand over the authority of 'Root' right now and let Vega become the second leader of Root?"

Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi jerked his head up, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Shimura Danzō and said, "Danzō, do you know what you're saying?"

Shimura Danzō restrained his displayed emotions and said calmly, "I know very well what I'm saying."

"Vega Koshima is the second 'Root' leader I've identified."

After speaking, Shimura Danzō shifted his tone again, sighing slightly as he said, "Hiruzen, we have to admit it—we're both old now. 'Root' also needs an outstanding successor."

"In every aspect, I believe Vega Koshima is the most suitable one."

Minato Namikaze present was undoubtedly the most awkward. The card Shimura Danzō played to get Vega was something Minato Namikaze simply couldn't handle.

Or rather, this matter wasn't something he could participate in now.

After all, it involved the succession of the village's top-tier power. Even if he tried to intervene, he wouldn't know what to do.

Hiruzen Sarutobi regained his calm expression and didn't speak, just puffing on the dry tobacco in his hand, one drag after another.