Meeting

"Truly... it is worthy of being the great power that pacified the chaos of the Warring States period."

Konoha, Hokage Office Building.

Inside the conference room, four figures sat on opposite sides of a tea table.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat beside the current Hokage advisor, Shimura Danzō, while across from them sat the two other Hokage advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Their gazes were fixed on the crystal ball on the table, which projected the situation inside the Third Training Ground.

When they saw Minato display the power of Wood Release, effortlessly altering the growth state of the trees, they could not help but recall the man who held the title of God of Shinobi.

"Possessing two powerful bloodlines, it is no wonder he received the favor of Lady Mito. Judging by the abilities this child has shown, even with steady, step-by-step growth, he could become a top-tier combat force for the village before the age of twenty."

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

"I just didn't expect him to be taken as a disciple by Tsunade. With such talent, even I am moved..."

"He is a fine child—neither arrogant nor rash, with a calm temperament and a polite, approachable nature..."

Mitokado Homura examined Minato's handsome face, his expression one of appreciation: "At the same age, this child is far more outstanding than we ever were."

"He's also better looking than you old fogies."

Utatane Koharu chuckled, adding a playful jab before looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some hesitation.

"But for this child to apprentice under Tsunade... I don't mean to question Tsunade's ability, but that girl is so hot-headed and impulsive; wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"This was Lady Mito's wish, and it was Minato's own choice as well. I don't see anything inappropriate about it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the file containing Minato's records across the tea table: "I trust that Tsunade has the ability to raise him well. One only needs to look at the cheerful personality of Nawaki to see that."

"I see. So, this child's parents have already passed away?"

Utatane Koharu picked up the file and scanned it, her expression turning to one of realization: "In that case, a presence like an older sister or a mother is indeed more suitable than a man. I have no objections."

"I have an objection."

Shimura Danzō suddenly spoke up: "You all haven't forgotten the Uchiha Clan's rebellion from before, have you?"

Utatane Koharu frowned slightly: "What does that have to do with Minato?"

"It has everything to do with it."

Shimura Danzō opened his narrowed eyes slightly, his gaze stern: "There are few powers in this world capable of suppressing the Nine-Tails. Aside from the Uzumaki Clan, who excel in sealing, only the power of Wood Release and the Sharingan can effectively suppress it."

"The last rebellion was proof enough that the Uchiha cannot be trusted. Lady Mito is advanced in age, and though it is disrespectful to say so, if an unexpected situation were to occur, Wood Release is our only option to suppress the Nine-Tails. Therefore, shouldn't our top priority be to have him grow as quickly as possible?"

"You have all seen this child's strength. Although he lacks combat experience, he already possesses the power to threaten even Tsunade and her peers. With a little training, he could become a formidable force. With such talent, wasting time in the academy is a loss; it would be better to bring him into the Anbu for specialized training."

"This..."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a look. It was undeniable that Danzō had a point. While his reasoning wasn't entirely sufficient, the potential threat he mentioned did exist.

"Danzō is not wrong... Wood Release is indeed the only means we currently have to suppress the Nine-Tails. However, it is precisely for that reason that this child must attend the academy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed softly.

A young powerhouse with no bonds and no attachments—if an accident were to happen, why would he step up to protect you?

Because you're old?

Because you're shameless?

Or because you're dark-hearted?

The two advisors clearly understood this logic, nodding silently without further argument.

"Come to think of it, after this child awakened Wood Release, his first instinct wasn't to show off or even to inform me, the Hokage. Instead, he chose to apprentice under Tsunade. I imagine he was worried about exactly the kind of thing Danzō is suggesting."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked pointedly at Danzō, then put his pipe back in his mouth.

"It is clear this child has a mind of his own. Of course, it also shows that in the eyes of some in this village, we are equally untrustworthy—just like the Uchiha you mentioned, Danzō. This is not only a dereliction of duty on my part as Hokage, but also on the part of everyone sitting here."

"You are too naive, Hiruzen."

Danzō glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi: "A ninja should not possess a 'self'."

"Yes, that is what they say, but how can a person not have a 'self'? Even a beast knows the instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and chuckled: "Especially you, Danzō—your sense of self is the most distinct among everyone here. Yet, in my eyes, you are still an outstanding ninja."

Danzō froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He never imagined that his close friend since childhood would one day say something so biting!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had expressed it subtly, anyone could understand the underlying meaning.

Little did they know, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt helpless as well. Emotionally, he did not want to speak so harshly, especially since Danzō was a friend he had grown up with.

Both had once aimed for the position of Hokage, growing together and fighting side-by-side, until Master Tobirama chose him to succeed as Hokage...

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew of the resentment and jealousy in Danzō's heart, and he knew of his desire for the Hokage's seat.

That was why, out of trust—or perhaps out of guilt for taking away his friend's ideal, and perhaps even out of a lack of confidence in his own abilities—he chose to grant Danzō a portion of the Hokage's authority, even allowing him to form his own faction within the Anbu.

But as the saying goes: what I give you is yours, but what I do not give, you must not snatch!

Minato was clearly such an existence.

To Konoha, which weighed more: Wood Release or Danzō?

To put it bluntly, even a hundred Danzōs stacked together wouldn't have the qualifications to compare.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally wouldn't believe Danzō's nonsense; while he might be soft-hearted and indulgent, he remained perfectly clear-headed when it came to matters involving the core of power.

"Furthermore, the stage of a ninja's most rapid growth occurs after the age of twelve. Even if we were to begin cultivating Minato early, it would take at least ten years for him to reach his peak as a ninja. Otherwise, even with Wood Release, it would be impossible for him to possess the conditions to suppress a Tailed Beast during this period."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "I have summoned you all today to make one thing clear: for the Konoha of today, Minato's existence must not be compromised. Anyone who dares to act against him in any form will be treated as a traitor to the village!"

Hearing this, the two advisors exchanged a glance and nodded with solemn expressions.

Danzō's face twitched slightly, his eyes turning cold, but he suppressed the anger in his heart and nodded without saying anything further.

The current Hiruzen Sarutobi was not yet forty years old, currently at the peak of his strength, and held immense prestige within the village.

Meanwhile, his Root organization had only been established recently, with only a handful of subordinates. While the title of Hokage's Assistant sounded impressive, in the end, he was merely the Hokage's secretary, and his source of power was entirely dependent on the position of the Hokage itself.

He possessed neither the armed forces nor the political capital; if the two of them hadn't been friends who grew up together, he wouldn't even have the qualifications to question him.

The two advisors saw this clearly, yet Danzō remained unable to grasp it.

The other three present could also see that Danzō was failing to grasp the situation, but no one bothered to point it out.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's teammates, the two advisors had always been his staunch supporters, and they naturally understood the twisted, love-hate relationship these two old men had maintained for so many years.

Whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was suited to be Hokage was something they weren't entirely sure of, but they were certain of one thing: Shimura Danzō was absolutely unfit to be Hokage.

However, given Hiruzen Sarutobi's indulgence toward Danzō, they couldn't be bothered to manage the messy affairs between the two. As long as Danzō didn't openly rebel, there was no need for them to go out of their way to offend him—after all, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself hadn't said anything.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, the reason he allowed Danzō such leeway did not exclude certain personal reasons.

He was well aware that he was soft-hearted, prone to nostalgia, and perhaps too naive in his outlook on things; he truly needed someone to handle the matters that couldn't see the light of day.

If people called him hypocritical or obsessed with his own reputation, he would admit it.

If they said he was indulging Danzō's evil deeds, he could accept that as well.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's unquestionable gaze, Danzō took a deep breath, knowing that the matter was settled. If he tried to make any more moves, he feared he would truly provoke the other man.

However...

Very well!

Since you, Hiruzen, wish to shackle that child with bonds, then let me be the one to choose those shackles for him...