Hatake Sakumo left the Hokage Building somewhat dazed.
Various pieces of information echoed in his mind, and even with his composure, he could not digest them all at once.
"Sakumo- sama."
A gentle voice rang out, and a splash of yellow appeared before Sakumo's eyes.
"You are... Minato, right?"
Recalling the name Hiruzen Sarutobi had just told him, and the rumors circulating about him in the village recently, Hatake Sakumo smiled slightly, while subtly observing the other man.
"Yes, Lord Sakumo."
Minato was unaware of why Sakumo was there; he had only come after receiving a last-minute notification that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see him.
Sakumo became famous too early, and Minato learned about his deeds from Jiraiya.
Even if both parties know each other's names, they will have nothing to say when they actually meet.
After a brief farewell, Minato arrived at the room where Sakumo had just stayed and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was subconsciously taking out his pipe and putting it in his mouth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared much more relaxed when facing his grand-disciple.
"Minato, I've read the battle report from Kumogakure. You've really worked hard these past few days."
Faced with Hiruzen's elder-like tone, Minato lowered his head, behaving respectfully. "It's all for Konoha."
"I didn't call you here for anything else, I just wanted to ask if you have any plans to work for the Anbu."
Skipping over the unnecessary preamble, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked directly at Minato and asked him the question.
"Anbu?" Upon hearing this term, Minato immediately thought of the ninjas who monitored Kushina every day.
"Yes, the Anbu, those are the ninjas you're thinking of."
Hiruzen saw through Minato's thoughts at a glance and acknowledged them, while also explaining his reasons for this arrangement, "As you've probably heard, because of the Iwagakure incident, I've already submitted a request to the Daimyo to hand over Konoha to the Fourth Generation. As for the candidate..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment.
Minato immediately understood, recalling Sakumo he had just met, and realized in his heart. "It's Lord Sakumo, isn't it?"
"That's right." Hiruzen Sarutobi was very pleased.
The young man before me possesses not only ability and skill, but also an excellent mind.
If it weren't for his age and the fact that he wasn't as prestigious as Sakumo, he would really like to recommend him to the daimyo.
However, this would inevitably Danzo's opposition, shattering the fragile balance that the two had painstakingly built.
We can only ask the young man in front of us to make do.
"As the Fourth Hokage, Sakumo needs to cultivate his own team, including the Anbu. Therefore, I recommended you to him, hoping that you would serve as the leader of the Anbu."
Upon hearing this, Minato showed no negative emotions and accepted the "mission" after a brief moment of thought.
That way, I can better protect Kushina.
Minato Namikaze thought to himself.
"Minato Namikaze..."
Back home, Sakumo sat in a small room, reflecting on what Hiruzen had told him.
This was the first time he had learned that Minato Namikaze's lover was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Kushina's identity was well protected; apart from the higher-ups in Konoha, no one knew that this outgoing and generous girl was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Kushina Uzumaki, one of the last survivors of the Uzumaki Clan after their annihilation, was taken in by us as the successor to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki because she was born with enormous Chakra. She is the first person in Konoha that we need to pay close attention to."
"The Nine-Tails 'Chakra is so vast that only the late Mito-sama could perfectly control it; no one else could."
"However, as Kushina has grown older, the Nine-Tails hasn't gone berserk for some time now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression serious, recalled, "However, we still cannot be careless. Even now, a massive barrier remains in the village to suppress the Nine-Tails."
"The second thing to note is that Shimura Kazashiro."
Sakumo never expected to hear Kazashiro's name in that kind of setting.
"During this battle, Kazashiro was ambushed by an unknown Uchiha Clan and, by chance, seized the Three-Tails from Kirigakure. This information is currently classified as top secret, and very few people know about it."
After listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's story, Sakumo was shocked by Kazashiro's audacity, but after the shock, he felt very gratified.
That frail little fellow has grown into an extraordinary ninja.
"Kazashiro's surveillance is being handled by the Root led by Danzo. That being said, after this period of observation, no signs of him rebellion have been found."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words contained a great deal of information, informing Sakumo that an unknown Uchiha was roaming outside the village, and also indirectly demonstrating the immense power Danzo wielded.
These will be issues he needs to pay attention to after he becomes Hokage.
Internal stability is more worthy of vigilance than external enemies...
"The Uchiha Clan-- "
Sakumo clenched his fists instinctively.
Meanwhile, inside the tunnels at the Root.
Shisui, hailed as a genius, continued to serve as Kazashiro's bodyguard after returning to the village, and under Danzo's arrangement, he went into the tunnel to find out the reason why the light bulb was flickering.
Holding the work notes left by the previous worker, Shisui easily found the cause of the malfunction based on the records.
"This is truly a very useful notebook. If I have the chance, I hope to meet this senior named Yiku."
Looking at the altered signature on the notebook, Shisui carefully put it away, his mind involuntarily recalling the hostile expression on the face of a Root ninja when he handed the notebook to him.
Even after coming here, can't they shake off their prejudice against the Uchiha Clan?
It seems I still need to work harder to change their mindset.
Following the instructions in the notes, Shisui found the toolbox hidden in the secret compartment and began his work.
"However, this senior, Ichiku, is truly knowledgeable; he even knows about the Military Police Force's lighting systems..."
While troubleshooting the problem, Shisui marveled at the breadth of knowledge the other party possessed.
After Shisui had fixed all the problems and the light bulbs were back to their original brightness, he emerged from one of the tunnel entrances with a satisfied expression, just in time to run into Kazashiro, who was taking his child home.
What are you doing here?
Gently placing Yamato, who had fallen asleep on his back, onto the sofa, Kazashiro asked him in a low voice.
"Well..."
Shisui thought for a moment and figured that repairing the lighting system shouldn't be considered a top-secret mission. Just as she was about to tell Kazashiro the truth, she was interrupted by him.
"Never mind, none of that matters. You've come at the right time. Dad's not coming home today, so we'll have to make our own dinner. Why don't you come help me in the kitchen?"
After saying that, Kazashiro didn't wait for Shisui's reply and directly dragged him into the kitchen.
Itachi was left standing alone in the room, looking at the sleeping Yamato bewildered.