Minato's Team Is Established

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, gazing over one Ninja Academy student roster after another in his hands.

Danzo sat on the sofa beside him with his eyes slightly narrowed. On the table before him lay a file on Chunin Kakashi.

The only sound in the office was the Third Hokage's pen tapping against the paper.

After a long while, Shimura Danzō rose to his feet.

"Hiruzen, Kakashi has clashed with members of several teams in succession, obstructing their missions.

"If this continues, it will certainly damage Konoha's reputation. Why not let Kakashi join my Root Organization?"

The Third Hokage glanced at Shimura Danzō, then lowered his head again to study the Ninja Academy students who were about to graduate.

"Danzo, did you come here personally just for Kakashi?"

Shimura Danzō fell silent for a moment before answering seriously.

"Yes. Kakashi is Hatake Sakumo's son. I have the ability to train him into a ninja no less capable than his father!"

At the mention of Hatake Sakumo, the Third Hokage's pen stopped.

"Root is not suitable for Kakashi."

At the words "not suitable," a flash of anger crossed Shimura Danzō's face.

Last time, Uchiha Shisui had been unsuitable. Now that it was Kakashi's turn, he was unsuitable again...

What exactly is the Third Hokage thinking?

"Since the recent upheaval in Sunagakure, many surrounding powers have been eyeing Sunagakure greedily.

"It would be one thing if those forces truly intended to deal with Sunagakure, but some have instead reached their hands toward Konoha..."

The Third Hokage was silent. He rose and walked to the window, where all of Konoha lay spread out before his eyes.

He naturally placed the pipe in his mouth and puffed on it.

He knew that the situation in the Ninja World was far too dire. A great war could break out at any moment.

"Use some force to deter them. Let them know Konoha is not to be provoked, but do not take things too far. Leave them a way out and avoid starting a war if possible. I'll leave this matter to you!"

"Fine!"

As Konoha's hawkish representative, Shimura Danzō was capable of handling all this.

However, Shimura Danzō had his own schemes.

Deterrence alone was hardly enough. The best course would be to start a war and reap political capital from it.

Danzo nodded.

A ruthless glint flashed through his eyes.

Who would not want to advance their position further?

His gaze shifted as he looked at the Third Hokage.

If another war breaks out, Hiruzen, you probably won't be able to keep your position as Third Hokage, will you?

Could I, as the Assistant Hokage, finally become the real thing?

"Hiruzen, if Kakashi is trained well, he will become one of Konoha's new generation of leaders.

"Will you reconsider and let me train him?"

The Third Hokage did not even turn around, still looking toward Hokage Rock in the distance.

Shimura Danzō's expression darkened. He knew that silence meant the rejection of his proposal.

Shimura Danzō stared at the Third Hokage's back.

He could not help but wonder whether Sarutobi Hiruzen had grown old. How had he lost all the passion of his youth?

He handled everything so timidly, with not a trace of ambition left.

Danzo's desire to stir up war grew even stronger.

If I were Hokage, how could I be as weak as you?

"Then do you have anyone from the Ninja Academy to assign to me?"

At the mention of the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage turned around.

"Recently, the number of people in your Root Organization has increased considerably. Are you planning to expand further?"

Shimura Danzō's face changed in shock at the Third Hokage's words.

His expansion of the Root Organization had been carried out in absolute secrecy.

He had thought it flawless, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen had exposed it so plainly today.

"Danzo, do your job well. There are some boundaries you would do well not to cross."

"At the end of the day, I am the Hokage. The Assistant Hokage is only the Assistant Hokage! You may not touch the Ninja Academy students!"

The Third Hokage regarded the Ninja Academy as Konoha's dedicated training ground. How could he possibly allow its students to become Root subordinates?

Shimura Danzō's face turned livid. He knew his goal for today could no longer be achieved.

He then snorted coldly and left the Hokage's Office.

The Third Hokage returned to his seat.

He still took the matter of Kakashi seriously.

After all, Kakashi's identity was quite special. He was the son of Hatake Sakumo, Konoha's White Fang, who had achieved illustrious military merits throughout the Ninja World during the Second Great Ninja War.

However, ever since Hatake Sakumo's death, nearly every team assigned to Kakashi had ended unhappily, and his teammates had lodged countless complaints against him.

If they continued carrying out missions together in the future, it would likely prove extremely difficult.

The Third Hokage had naturally noticed this situation.

"Looks like it's time to regroup Kakashi!"

After reviewing the files of the Genin and Chunin, the Third Hokage shook his head.

Most of these unaffiliated ninja did not get along with Kakashi.

He then selected several students from the Ninja Academy roster.

"Yufeng, Obito, Nohara Rin, Shizune, Might Guy..."

The Third Hokage fell into thought as he looked through their files one by one.

"Choose two teammates from among them. Kakashi is proficient in taijutsu and ninjutsu, quick-witted, and aggressive in battle. He needs a Medical Ninja to support him..."

The Third Hokage pulled out the files of Uchiha Yufeng, Nohara Rin, and Kato Shizune.

"Yufeng won't do. His taijutsu is good; using him solely as Kakashi's backup would be a waste!"

Looking at the two remaining student files, he pondered for a moment.

"Then Nohara Rin. They have been close since childhood!"

As he spoke, he wrote Nohara Rin's and Hatake Kakashi's names on a sheet of paper beside him.

"So that Kakashi can get back on track..."

The Third Hokage flipped through more files before finally settling his gaze on Uchiha Obito.

"Uchiha Obito may be somewhat weaker, but he is extremely warmhearted. In the future, he will surely inherit the Will of Fire and kill foreign enemies for Konoha."

Having settled on the three, the Third Hokage's thoughts stirred.

"This team has a civilian ninja, the son of the White Fang whose reputation spread far and wide during the Second Great Ninja War, and a member of the Uchiha Clan..."

The Third Hokage thought of Jiraiya's disciple, a sunny and dependable blond youth.

"I'll leave them to Minato!"

After writing down this team, the Third Hokage looked over the Ninja Academy students' files.

"Then I'll assign them all in advance today!"

With that thought, the Third Hokage's gaze landed on Uchiha Yufeng.

"Uchiha Yufeng?"

He murmured softly, hesitation in his eyes.

"Yufeng, can you truly inherit Kagami Uchiha's will now?"

Thinking of his former teammate Kagami Uchiha, guilt appeared in the Third Hokage's eyes.

"Sigh, the Uchiha Clan should still be carefully watched. Should I let Tsunade lead him?"

Thinking of Tsunade's temperament, the Third Hokage could not help shaking his head.

"Tsunade, when will your hemophobia finally get better..."

The Third Hokage let out a heavy sigh.

He no longer had the mood to continue assigning teams. Looking out the window at Konoha's scenery, he was overcome with melancholy.