Youth meant he could definitely outlive him. Then, once he inherited his political legacy, another uncontrollable political faction would likely emerge.
That was something the Third didn't want to see. For him, balance was his political creed.
Whether it was Danzo or White Fang, he was willing to sacrifice something to maintain the balance he believed in.
"In any case, congratulations on your promotion to Special Jonin—and by an unprecedented route, through Taijutsu, no less."
"I'm sure that with your abilities, becoming an Elite Jonin is only a matter of time."
"Thank you, Third Hokage."
Nara Dan bowed. You've made quite a promise, so naturally I'll observe all the proper courtesies.
"That's all thanks to your talent." The Third waved a hand.
"But, as is customary, every newly promoted Jonin has to lead a three-man squad. Your schedule's clear at the moment, so take care of this requirement."
"It'd be a shame if you didn't pass on your skills, wouldn't it?"
The Third smiled and produced a mission scroll he'd prepared earlier.
Nara Dan took it without hesitation and opened it.
"Hatake Kakashi?"
The first name on the three-man squad roster made Nara Dan frown.
"That's right."
The Third nodded, sounding a little troubled.
"Ever since his father died, the boy hasn't been himself. He's already been moved between several teams, but none of the other members are happy with him. Even the Jonin squad leaders have complained to me."
"You and White Fang were acquainted, Dan. I hope you can help Kakashi work through his problems."
Strictly speaking, White Fang's death had indeed been an accident. It was impossible that those outrageous rumors hadn't been fueled by someone behind the scenes.
But no one could have expected White Fang, a Kage Level shinobi, to take his own life over something like that.
Nara Dan could understand White Fang's thinking. He'd interacted with him enough to know that White Fang had been a perfect shinobi.
Patient, kind, obedient—he'd seemed to have no flaws.
But White Fang had also been too perfect, or perhaps too idealistic. He hadn't been ignorant of what was really going on.
He simply believed that the Will of Fire he stood by—the will to protect one's comrades—shouldn't be manipulated as a political tool.
He couldn't accept what had happened, to the point that he'd taken his own life to preserve his convictions.
The Third understood, too. White Fang's suicide had been meant to warn him: a Kage Level shinobi had died to remind the Hokage of the day that his so-called Will of Fire had become distorted.
But White Fang had overestimated his importance to Konoha—or underestimated the nature of politicians.
Politicians were called politicians precisely because they'd severed themselves completely from ordinary people.
Nara Dan had understood that deeply in his previous life.
So he understood White Fang, but didn't agree with him. In fact, he despised his actions. They'd been far too childish and irresponsible.
"I only ever exchanged a few words with Senior White Fang about training. I can't promise I'll be able to solve Kakashi's problems."
Nara Dan studied the information on the scroll, unwilling to make any guarantees.
"That's all right. Just do your best."
The Third nodded.
Explaining these complicated adult principles to a child who wasn't even ten would be difficult, so he intended to take a gentler, more understanding approach.
"But you don't have to be so modest, Dan. White Fang once said you were a genius who would surpass him sooner or later."
Nara Dan smiled without responding, then changed the subject.
"What about Senior Minato? I think he might be a better fit."
"Minato..."
The Third also thought that Minato, with his sunnier and gentler temperament, would be better suited to handling Kakashi's problems.
"He's on a secret mission in the Land of Wind right now, so he isn't available. That's why I came to you."
The Land of Wind...
Nara Dan fell silent, lost in thought.
"As for your Jonin paperwork, it should be ready by tomorrow at the latest. Then all I'll have to do is sign it."
The Third offered another clear sign of goodwill, interrupting Nara Dan's thoughts.
"Then thank you, Third Hokage."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Nara Dan gathered up the mission scroll and asked permission to go.
"Speaking of which..."
The Third seemed unwilling to let Nara Dan leave. His tone turned ambiguous.
"How far are you from that next step, Dan? Be honest with me."
Nara Dan glanced at the Third, somewhat surprised he'd asked so directly.
But on second thought, it made sense. War was coming, and every Kage Level shinobi—or anyone close to that level—was a strategic weapon.
Every additional Kage Level fighter who entered the fray would improve their odds.
"Half a step."
Nara Dan answered honestly. There was nothing to hide.
"I've been stuck at this point for a while, but I should be able to break through to a whole new level soon."
"But if it came to a straight fight, I'm not afraid of anyone."
"..."
The Third was speechless for a moment. As far as he knew, Nara Dan had been stuck at this so-called bottleneck for less than six months.
Many shinobi called geniuses had spent over a decade at that threshold. Quite a few never crossed it at all, even in their entire lives.
But this was the same freak who'd come to his attention a few years ago and then risen at a speed no one had seen coming.
The Third could only wave him away.
After leaving the Hokage Office, Nara Dan walked home.
His tall frame and status as a shinobi made the nearby villagers give him a wide berth.
The villagers knew that a shinobi wouldn't attack them, of course.
But Nara Dan was in a bad mood, and the pressure he radiated grew heavier. He pondered in silence, his face darkening.
He's really keeping a tight grip on it, isn't he? Third.
"You know I'm only one step away from breaking through my current limits."
"You know how much the Eight Inner Gates can empower a Taijutsu specialist."
Of course, politicians needed to keep a hold over their subordinates.
And for the Third, the Eight Inner Gates were clearly his means of controlling Nara Dan.
If something came too easily, how could anyone appreciate it? He had to make you bow three times and kowtow nine, put you through eighty-one trials, and only then, at the last possible moment, bestow upon you what you needed most.
Then you'd be grateful and willing to give your life for him.
Nara Dan silently scorned the Third's methods. Even Danzo knew to dangle a carrot in front of people.
But the Third didn't even offer empty promises. Did he really think his usual tricks of winning people over would work every time?
"Good thing I don't put all my eggs in one basket."
"Hm?!"
Just as Nara Dan was considering his plans for the future, he noticed something unusual happening on the street ahead.
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