Recruitment × the Third

The most conspicuous structure in Konoha was naturally the Hokage Rock. Beneath it lay the very core of Konoha's power: the Hokage Office.

At this moment, the Hokage Office was still perpetually wreathed in smoke, naturally thanks to the longest-serving and strongest Hokage.

--

The Third Hokage.

Yet the Third Hokage was currently frowning over a document, his feelings a complicated mix.

The document was an application from his son, Sarutobi Asuma, requesting to serve as the Daimyo's Guardian Ninja in the Capital of the Land of Fire.

"Ah..."

The Third sighed, and a few more wrinkles appeared on his already aged face.

With the scent of war hanging so heavily over the Ninja World on the eve of another conflict, how could the Third, who had lived through two great ninja wars, fail to recognize war's approach?

It had originally been the Third himself who suggested sending his younger son, Sarutobi Asuma, to serve as the Daimyo's Guardian Ninja. It had been for Asuma's protection.

Their family truly could not endure the upheaval of another war. His son and daughter-in-law had both died, and Sarutobi Asuma was the Third's only remaining blood relative.

But even the most impartial official could not settle family matters. Naturally, the Hokage's household had its share of troubles as well. Sarutobi Asuma was not an obedient child; he believed this was running away from a ninja's responsibility and adamantly refused to go.

The matter had originally caused a falling-out between them, but the Third had never expected Sarutobi Asuma to now request a transfer to the Capital of the Land of Fire himself.

Given the Third's control over the village, how could he not know why Sarutobi Asuma wanted to flee Konoha?

As for Asuma's feelings for Kurenai Yuhi, the Third had initially approved. After all, Asuma was quite talented and had inherited his charm as well. Unfortunately, Nara Dan had stepped in.

A Taijutsu Jonin.

It truly was unprecedented.

"Because of a woman... I don't know whether that's good or bad."

The Third silently signed Asuma's application and stamped it with the Hokage's seal. The Third, once a Shinobi Hero who had roamed the Ninja World, now felt somewhat powerless as well.

"Is it time for me to retire?"

The Third pondered silently. Perhaps after winning this war, he could bring his Hokage career to a satisfactory close and consider the matter of the next Hokage.

In terms of achievements, while the Third himself could not compare to the First's world-shaking accomplishments, he could still be considered a leader who had revitalized the village.

And Konoha had always been fortunate enough to never lack geniuses.

All things considered, Tsunade was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate. Whether it was strength, prestige, status, or personality, she was the best choice.

But Tsunade's Hemophobia had doomed her to withdraw from Konoha's political stage. A Hokage who could not bear the sight of blood would become a laughingstock.

Jiraiya, meanwhile, spent every day either gathering material for his novels or searching for the so-called Child of Prophecy. He had no desire to inherit the position at all.

Furthermore, Jiraiya was carefree by nature. He could complete ordinary missions perfectly, but in politics, he lacked decisiveness.

"Orochimaru."

Deep concern filled the Third's eyes. Originally, this was the disciple he had thought most highly of, the one who could inherit all his teachings.

But lately, he could sense that something was wrong with Orochimaru's state of mind. He had thrown himself wholly into Forbidden Techniques and Secret Techniques, and his fanaticism was far from normal.

"Perhaps I can consider some outstanding juniors."

"Nara..."

The Third had no particular reservations about Nara Dan. He offered support and sought to recruit every sufficiently outstanding young ninja.

What he truly feared was the Nara name. If the Nara Clan were really to rise to power, then the Yamanaka Clan and Akimichi Clan, long bound to the Nara, would undoubtedly rise with them. By then, they might unleash a political monster.

The power of three deeply entrenched great ninja clans was not something any single ninja clan could rival. Once the Third died, perhaps no one would be able to restrain them.

"Summon Nara Dan to see me."

The Third suddenly gave an order to the Anbu at his side.

"Yes!"

The Anbu accepted the order and vanished.

Before long, heavy footsteps unlike those of an ordinary ninja sounded outside the office.

"Dan, is that you? Come in."

The Third wore a smile, appearing extremely kind, as though he were addressing an outstanding junior. His earlier wariness had vanished completely, as if it had never existed.

Nara Dan gave a slight nod and stepped into this center of Konoha's power.

The door closed at the right moment, leaving only Nara Dan and the Third in the room.

"Third-sama, did you wish to see me?"

Nara Dan studied the figure behind the desk. This strongest Hokage, the Third, was nearly fifty years old. Though age had left some traces upon him,

for a ninja, he was still at his peak. Though he was not as physically imposing as Nara Dan, the aura of a Shinobi Hero did not lose out to him.

That was right. Although the erosion of time meant that his physical reaction speed and Chakra intensity were no longer at their lifetime peak, his accumulated experience and skill were enough to compensate for those shortcomings.

Of course, this also depended on a ninja's specialization. It was especially true for ninjas who did not focus on Taijutsu.

"Dan, now that you've been promoted to Jonin, do you have any plans?"

The Third appeared extremely cordial, as if they were simply making small talk.

"Not for now. Recently, I've felt the bottleneck that has held me back for so long beginning to loosen. For the time being, I want to focus on training and press the advantage."

Nara Dan remained calm and unruffled, refusing to play along. They were both old foxes—what was the point of putting on an act?

The Third's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly as he was secretly startled.

He's reached that stage so quickly?

This boy's potential runs even deeper than we estimated.

"Then would you be interested in trying out a new department?"

The Third likewise sought to recruit Nara Dan, using a consultative tone.

Naturally, a ninja of Nara Dan's caliber could not be treated like an ordinary ninja. Everything basically had to be discussed with him first. Both the Third and Danzo understood this well.

"How about taking a position in my Anbu?"

Nara Dan weighed it in his heart. Had word of Danzo meeting him somehow reached the Third? Why did everyone want to recruit him into some department?

Naturally, Nara Dan also understood the unspoken implication. The Anbu were the Hokage's direct subordinates. Joining the Anbu would undoubtedly mark him as the Third's man, a label he could never remove.

"I have no such plans for the time being. I still wish to focus on cultivation."

Nara Dan wore the expression of someone unconcerned with worldly affairs and decisively rejected the Third's proposal.

Right now, he had no desire to get caught in Konoha's political whirlpool. Didn't people who played politics with those scheming old bastards always come to a bad end?

Besides, even Danzo knew to promise some benefits. The Third wanted him to take his side by playing nothing but the emotional card? There was no way he could take advantage of him like that.

"I see."

The Third looked somewhat disappointed, though inwardly, he also felt relieved. Or perhaps he felt both.

Having a young genius like Nara Dan take his side would naturally be good, whether as a blade or as a king.

But he also had to consider the possibility of a subordinate growing too powerful. Moreover, Nara Dan's greatest flaw was—

He was too young.

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