Meeting

"Just as I thought... What a magnificent power, worthy of the man who brought the chaos of the Warring States Era to an end."

Konoha, Hokage Office Building.

Four figures sat on either side of a tea table in the meeting room.

Beside Hiruzen Sarutobi sat the current Hokage's aide, Shimura Danzō. Across from them were the two Hokage Advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Their gazes rested on the crystal ball on the table, which showed what was happening at the Third Training Ground.

When they saw Minato demonstrate the power of Wood Release, effortlessly changing the way the trees grew, they couldn't help thinking again of the man known as the God of Shinobi.

"Bearing two powerful bloodline abilities, it's no wonder Lady Mito took a liking to him. Judging by what this boy has shown, even if he simply grows at a steady pace, he'll become one of the village's top fighters before he turns twenty."

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his tone tinged with emotion.

"I just didn't expect Tsunade to take him on as her student. With talent like his, even I can't help but feel tempted..."

"He's a fine boy. Calm and composed, with a steady disposition, and friendly and courteous..."

Mitokado Homura studied Minato's handsome face, his expression appreciative. "At the same age, he's far more impressive than any of us were."

"He's also better-looking than you old men."

Utatane Koharu cheerfully drove the point home, then glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some hesitation.

"But the boy has taken Tsunade as his teacher... I'm not questioning Tsunade's ability, but that girl's so impulsive. Is she really the right fit?"

"It was Lady Mito's idea, and Minato chose it himself. I don't see anything wrong with it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nudged the file on the tea table, the one containing Minato's information. "I believe Tsunade can raise him well. Nawaki's cheerful personality is proof enough."

"I see. So the boy's parents have passed away?"

Utatane Koharu picked up the file and skimmed it, her expression dawning with understanding. "In that case, having someone who can be both a sister and a mother to him is indeed more suitable than a man. I have no objections."

"I do."

Shimura Danzō spoke up abruptly. "Have you all forgotten the Uchiha Clan's rebellion?"

Utatane Koharu furrowed her brow. "What does that have to do with Minato?"

"Everything."

Shimura Danzō's narrowed eyes opened slightly, his gaze stern. "There aren't many powers in this world capable of suppressing a Tailed Beast. Aside from the Uzumaki Clan, who specialize in sealing, only Wood Release and the Sharingan can effectively hold a Tailed Beast in check."

"The last rebellion was proof enough that the Uchiha can't be trusted. Lady Mito is advanced in years. It may be disrespectful to say this, but if something unexpected happens, Wood Release will be our only way to suppress the Nine-Tails. So shouldn't our most urgent priority be to help him grow as quickly as possible?"

"You've all seen his strength. He lacks combat experience, but he already has the power to threaten Tsunade and the others. With a little training, he could become an effective fighter. Sending someone with such talent to the Academy would be a complete waste of time. We should bring him into Anbu for special training instead."

"Well..."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance. They couldn't deny that Danzō had a point. His reasoning wasn't entirely convincing, but there was a real risk to consider.

"Danzō isn't wrong... Wood Release is indeed the only means we currently have to suppress the Nine-Tails. But that's exactly why this boy must go to the Academy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

A young fighter with no bonds and nothing to lose—if something really happened, what reason would he have to stand up and protect you?

Because you're old?

Because you're shameless?

Or because you're so dark-hearted?

The two advisors clearly understood the point as well. They nodded silently and said nothing.

"Come to think of it, after awakening Wood Release, the first thing the boy did wasn't show off or tell me, the Hokage. Instead, he chose to become Tsunade's student. I imagine he was worried that what Danzō described might happen."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzō a pointed glance, then put his pipe between his lips.

"It's clear the boy has a mind of his own. It's also clear that, in the eyes of some people in our village, we're just as untrustworthy as the Uchiha Danzō talks about. That's not only a failure on my part as Hokage, but a failure on the part of everyone here."

"You're too naïve, Hiruzen."

Danzō glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "A ninja shouldn't have a will of his own."

"That may be true, but how can people not have a will of their own? Even animals know to seek good fortune and avoid danger."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a wry smile. "And yet your sense of self is the strongest of anyone here, Danzō. But I still consider you an outstanding ninja."

Danzō froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He'd never imagined that the close friend he'd known since childhood would one day say something so cutting to him!

Hiruzen Sarutobi had phrased it tactfully, but anyone could understand what he meant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi himself felt helpless. On a personal level, he didn't want to speak so harshly, especially to Danzō, his childhood friend.

They had both once aspired to become Hokage. They had grown together and fought side by side, until Teacher Tobirama chose him as his successor...

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew how bitter and jealous Danzō felt, and how badly he wanted the Hokage Position.

That was why, out of trust—or perhaps guilt over taking away his friend's dream, and maybe even a lack of confidence in his own abilities—he'd given Danzō some of the Hokage's authority. He'd even assigned him part of Anbu to build his own faction.

But there's a saying: what I give you is yours, but what I don't give you, you're not allowed to take!

Minato was clearly one such case.

What mattered more to Konoha, Wood Release or Danzō?

To put it bluntly, even a hundred Danzōs piled together wouldn't come close.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally didn't believe Danzō's excuses. He might be softhearted and indulgent, but when it came to matters involving the heart of power, he knew exactly where he stood.

"Besides, a ninja's strength grows fastest after the age of twelve. Even if we start training Minato early, it'll take at least ten years for him to reach his peak. Even with Wood Release, he won't be able to suppress a Tailed Beast before then."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "I've called you all here today to make one thing clear: in Konoha's current situation, we cannot afford to lose Minato. Anyone who tries to harm him in any way will be treated as a traitor to the village!"

The two advisors exchanged a glance, then nodded solemnly.

Danzō's cheek twitched faintly, and his eyes turned cold, but he suppressed his anger and nodded without another word.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't even forty yet. He was in the prime of his strength, and his standing in the village was high.

Root had only recently been established, and he had barely a handful of subordinates. The title of Hokage's aide sounded impressive, but in the end, he was little more than the Hokage's secretary. Even his authority depended on the office of Hokage.

He had neither armed forces nor political clout. If he and Hiruzen hadn't been childhood friends, he wouldn't even have had the right to question him.

The two advisors understood this perfectly, but Danzō never seemed to get it.

The other three could all see that Danzō didn't understand his position, but none of them called him out on it.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's teammates, the two advisors had always been his steadfast supporters. They also knew all about the twisted, love-hate relationship between the two old friends, who had been at each other's throats for years.

They couldn't say whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was fit to be Hokage, but they were certain that Shimura Danzō absolutely wasn't.

Still, Hiruzen Sarutobi was so indulgent toward Danzō that they couldn't be bothered to meddle in their affairs. As long as Danzō didn't openly rebel, there was no reason to go out of their way to offend him. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself had never complained.

As for why Hiruzen Sarutobi let Danzō do as he pleased, personal reasons were likely part of it.

He knew he was softhearted and sentimental, and that he saw the world too simply. He really did need someone to take care of certain things that couldn't be done openly.

If people called him a hypocrite who cared too much about his reputation, he'd admit it.

If they said he was letting Danzō do evil, he could accept that too.

Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi's unyielding gaze, Danzō took a deep breath. He knew the matter was settled. If he tried anything now, he might truly incur Hiruzen's wrath.

Still...

Fine!

If you want to bind that boy with bonds, Hiruzen, then I'll be the one to choose those bonds for him...