Escorting the Third Hokage

Inside the Hokage Office, Minato Namikaze looked at the three people before him, his gaze lingering on Kakashi for a moment.

Ever since the Rin Nohara Incident, there had always been an unshakable gloom in Kakashi's eyes.

It was rare to see the vibrant spark he displayed today.

Watching him, Might Guy, and Yatsuhashi after their playful scuffle, Minato felt a long-lost sense of relief.

Perhaps this was the miraculous power of friendship.

"Kakashi, Yatsuhashi."

Minato gathered his thoughts and said sternly, "The nature of this mission is special."

He unfurled a scroll, his tone steady: "Might Guy is to escort the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to the Land of Fire Daimyo Palace for an audience with the Daimyo.

The two of you are responsible for providing covert protection along the way."

"Is Guy the only one responsible for the escort?"

Yatsuhashi asked, his tone devoid of doubt regarding Might Guy's strength, purely out of curiosity.

"Yes." Minato nodded.

"Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, members of Guy's team, have already been dispatched by me to the Land of Water for other secret missions."

Although Kirigakure had imposed an extremely strict blockade on external intelligence due to the "Bloody Mist Regime,"

recently, a spy planted there by the village had sent back a top-secret report

regarding Uchiha Obito.

Rumor had it that Uchiha Obito had appeared in the Land of Water, and had even activated the Mangekyo Sharingan during a confrontation with Karatachi Yagura.

This forced Minato to treat the matter with high priority.

After all, Uchiha Obito was confirmed to have perished at Kannabi Bridge;

the village had even erected a cenotaph for him.

To prevent this from being false intelligence released by Kirigakure, Minato Namikaze chose not to inform Kakashi immediately.

Instead, he had dispatched a team to the Land of Water to meet with the spy.

Thinking of that name, Minato's eyes dimmed for a fleeting moment.

He looked at Kakashi, then at Yatsuhashi.

"Therefore, this escort cannot suffer the slightest mishap.

In addition to you, the Anbu Captain Ao will also lead a team to protect the Third Hokage."

Minato looked at Might Guy: "Guy, do you need additional teammates?"

Just as Might Guy was about to refuse, Yatsuhashi suddenly spoke up, "I suggest bringing Uchiha Itachi along."

The reason for choosing to bring Uchiha Itachi

was that he was uneasy about his parents remaining in the village, fearing that Uchiha Fugaku might take some radical action.

By taking Uchiha Itachi with them, Yatsuhashi could leave the village with peace of mind.

It was also a signal to Uchiha Fugaku, warning him not to act rashly.

The air in the room froze for an instant.

"Oh?"

Minato's eyes brightened.

Yatsuhashi's move aligned perfectly with his own intentions.

Minato had already intended to recruit Uchiha Itachi into the Anbu, and this was an excellent opportunity to observe him.

Since it was Yatsuhashi's suggestion, Might Guy had no reason to object.

He responded readily, "Since it was recommended by Yatsuhashi, I have no objections!"

"Good." Minato made the decision immediately, "Then let Uchiha Itachi join Might Guy's team."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Uchiha Itachi was also pleased to agree to this arrangement.

After all, this was a special mission assigned by the Hokage.

It also represented the village's recognition of the Uchiha Clan.

And an acknowledgment of his own strength.

It was just that as Uchiha Itachi looked at Might Guy, who was dressed in green and full of enthusiasm, he felt a strange, indescribable sensation in his heart.

He even mentally labeled him as the strange thick-browed teacher.

Guy threw an arm around Itachi, who had just arrived after receiving the notification, "Let's go, Itachi! Let us use the pace of youth to present the most passionate escort for the Third Hokage!"

Uchiha Itachi felt a bit awkward being held by Guy, but he still nodded politely: "Yes, Senior Guy."

The next morning, on the road leading to the Land of Fire Daimyo Palace.

A simple carriage moved forward slowly.

On the carriage shaft, the driver was an Anbu ninja wearing a monkey mask with sharp eyes, and he was none other than the Anbu captain, Ao.

Even just sitting there quietly, Ao gave off an invisible sense of pressure.

Inside the carriage, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, eyes closed in composure as he rested.

In front of the carriage, two figures cleared the path.

On the left was Might Guy, wearing a green bodysuit with thick brows and large eyes, and on the right was a small figure, Uchiha Itachi.

Although Uchiha Itachi was only six or seven years old and had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, the little guy displayed a maturity far beyond his years.

Unlike the vigorous Might Guy, his steps were steady, and he scanned his surroundings with constant vigilance.

"Itachi! Come and keep up with my passionate pace, and truly grasp the meaning of youth!"

Guy shouted loudly while doing stretching exercises.

Itachi looked at Guy's bright bodysuit and exaggerated movements, and although he didn't understand it, he still began to imitate him in earnest.

After all, Might Guy was the leader of this mission.

Itachi felt that Senior Guy must have his reasons for doing this.

Consequently, Itachi's mood was stirred up by Guy along the way.

The two of them performed various passionate movements as they advanced toward the Daimyo Palace.

Meanwhile, in the shade and shadows on both sides of the road, two figures followed closely like ghosts.

Kakashi followed the carriage languidly, and behind him, the figure of Yatsuhashi almost merged with the shadows of the forest, alert to every rustle in the surroundings.

This mission was far less simple than he had imagined.

Because besides the two of them, there were dozens of Anbu members following around the carriage.

This was clearly evident from their mission, as they were responsible for protecting Might Guy in front and the newly joined Uchiha Itachi in the back, rather than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, inside the carriage.

At the same time, inside the magnificent main hall of the Land of Fire Daimyo Palace, several Root ninjas

had already leaked the whereabouts and intelligence of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Daimyo.

Danzo attempted to use this to trade for the Daimyo's support.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi could gain the Daimyo's support to become Hokage back then, he, Danzo, could do the same.

Danzo even unilaterally promised.

That if he became Hokage, he would have the village cooperate with the Guardian Shinobi.

Together, they would shoulder the responsibility for the security of the Land of Fire.

On the main throne of the great hall, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire braced his bloated body, a blatant, overbearing smile hanging on his face.

"Hehehe... Danzo, oh Danzo, you really are a born old fox."

What he wanted was never to replace one Hokage with another, but to completely abolish the Hokage system and reclaim control over the ninjas.

"Kazuma!"

Standing behind the Daimyo, Kazuma's eyes were sinister.

Upon receiving the Daimyo's order, a few flashes of cold light streaked through the air, and those Root ninjas didn't even have time to react before they were decapitated.

Fresh blood splattered onto the polished marble floor, forming a bizarre contrast with the Daimyo's magnificent robes embroidered with gold thread.

"Hmph, Danzo still wants to be Hokage?"

Kazuma sneered, wiping the blood off his Four-Bladed Iron Claw.

"A country can only have one voice, and that is the Daimyo!"

The Daimyo nodded in satisfaction, the fat on his face trembling as he did so.

"Kazuma, well done."

"That old thing Danzo actually dared to try and negotiate terms with me? How laughable."

"Go, clean up all those annoying bugs."

The Daimyo waved his hand lazily, "Don't let Hiruzen Sarutobi come and ruin my good mood!"

"As you command."

Kazuma bowed slightly, "The era of Konoha ninjas should come to an end."