Hiruzen Sarutobi

Uchiha Makoto sighed to himself. His life as a ninja had officially begun.

Inside Hiruzen Sarutobi's office in the Hokage Building.

The door was pushed open without so much as a knock, and three people walked in.

Leading them was a one-eyed old man with bandages wrapped around half his face. He leaned on a cane, his gaze dark and sinister.

Shimura Danzō.

Two elderly people followed him, a man and a woman. The man was expressionless, while the woman's brow was tightly furrowed.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Konoha's two senior advisers.

"Hiruzen," Danzo began, his voice raspy. "I have something to say about Uchiha Makoto's team assignment."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained unchanged. He merely set down his pipe. "Danzo, Homura, Koharu, you're here. Have a seat."

Danzo did not sit.

He stood where he was, his lone eye fixed on Uchiha Makoto as though he were inspecting an object.

"Uchiha Makoto, seven years old, graduating early, exceptionally gifted," Danzo said slowly. "But he belongs to the Uchiha Clan. And lately, the Uchiha Clan has been... restless."

"Therefore, I propose," Danzo continued, "that Uchiha Makoto be assigned to Root and personally instructed by a jonin under my command. That would ensure his safety and also... allow us to nurture him better."

The Third Hokage's expression remained calm.

"Danzo, Cheng is already Orochimaru's student," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "According to the rules, he should join Orochimaru's team."

"Orochimaru?" Danzo snorted. "Can a jonin who spends most of his time outside the village properly teach a student? Besides, entrusting someone as talented as Uchiha Makoto to Orochimaru would be a waste."

"A waste?" Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. "You think Orochimaru can't teach him properly?"

"It's not a question of ability. He's unsuitable." Danzo refused to budge. "What Uchiha Makoto needs is strict discipline and instruction in loyalty, not Orochimaru's... do-as-you-please approach."

The atmosphere in the office suddenly grew tense.

The two advisers said nothing, merely watching the show.

Just as the two sides reached an impasse, the office window suddenly opened.

Then a figure appeared inside the office without a sound.

Orochimaru.

"Oh? Discussing my teaching methods?" Orochimaru's voice carried its distinctive rasp and mockery. "Do you have some objection to me, Elder Danzo?"

Danzo's lone eye snapped toward Orochimaru.

The loathing in his gaze was undisguised.

"Orochimaru, this is the Hokage's office, not somewhere you can come and go as you please."

"Is that so?" Orochimaru smiled. "But I heard someone was discussing my student. As his teacher, surely it isn't unreasonable for me to listen?"

"Cheng is already my student." Orochimaru looked at Danzo. "Naturally, his team assignment is for me to decide."

Danzo's face visibly darkened, but he did not lash out.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi stood behind Orochimaru.

"Enough." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke at just the right moment, interrupting their silent confrontation. "Since Orochimaru is here, let's hear his opinion. Orochimaru, how do you think Cheng's team should be arranged?"

Orochimaru withdrew his hand and licked his lips.

"Very simple. A three-person team, with me as its jonin instructor. As for the members... Cheng will be one, and the other two can be chosen from this graduating class."

"No," Danzo objected immediately. "Uchiha Makoto must join Root."

"Then how about this?" Orochimaru seemed to have expected Danzo's objection and spoke unhurriedly. "We can put someone from Root on the team. That should put Elder Danzo at ease."

Danzo narrowed his eye, seemingly weighing the offer.

"Acceptable," he finally conceded. "But it must be a graduate carefully trained by Root."

"No problem," Orochimaru agreed readily. "In exchange, however, the final member of the team will be chosen by my teacher."

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed. I'll arrange for the final member."

Danzo had known all along that Uchiha Makoto would not be joining Root. His only aim this time had been to place a Root ninja on Orochimaru's team.

Having achieved his goal, Danzo said nothing more.

"Then it's settled," the Third Hokage declared. "Uchiha Makoto will join Orochimaru's team. Its members will include one Root graduate and one other graduate, with Orochimaru as their jonin instructor. The specific candidates will be decided later."

The contest was over, and the dust had settled.

Danzo snorted coldly, turned, and left.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu followed him out.

Only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru remained in the office.

At the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Makoto was still standing in the Training Ground after completing his graduation assessment.

"All right, stop standing around." Teacher Nakamura composed himself. "Come with me. Lord Hokage wants to see you."

"The Hokage?" Uchiha Makoto was taken aback.

"You're graduating early, and a jonin personally assessed and passed you. Of course Lord Hokage needs to review it," Teacher Nakamura said, lowering his voice.

He followed Teacher Nakamura toward the Hokage Building, his mind racing.

The two had just reached the entrance to the Hokage Building.

A figure appeared soundlessly in front of them.

Silver hair, a mask, a forehead protector tilted to cover his left eye, and standard Anbu attire.

Uchiha Makoto recognized him at a glance.

Kakashi Hatate.

The future Sixth Hokage, a current Anbu elite, Konoha's foremost technician, and... a devoted reader of Icha Icha Paradise.

Kakashi!

Kakashi, in the flesh!

Although he was still young and had yet to become the laid-back jonin who was always late and forever had his nose in a dirty book, the affair involving Hatake Sakumo had left him looking rather cold.

Cheng only took one extra look before following Nakamura to the Hokage's office.

"Come in." The Third Hokage's aged but steady voice came from inside.

The two pushed open the door, and Teacher Nakamura and Uchiha Makoto walked in.

Smoke hung thick in the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, holding a pipe as he read a document. Hearing the door open, he looked up with a gentle smile.

"You're here? Have a seat."

Teacher Nakamura led Uchiha Makoto to a chair in front of the desk and had him sit, while he stood to one side.

Cheng saw that Orochimaru was also in the office, giving him that trademark false smile.

Cheng did not know whether he should return it.

"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Makoto's early graduation assessment is complete. His examiner, Jonin Shinku Yuhi, awarded him a pass," Teacher Nakamura reported respectfully.

"Yes, Shinku has already reported to me." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his gaze settling on Uchiha Makoto. "Seven years old, and you managed to last three minutes against Shinku. Good. Very good."

Uchiha Makoto lowered his head. "You flatter me, Lord Hokage."

"It isn't flattery." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe. "You truly did well. Konoha hasn't produced a genius like you in a long time."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words.

"Cheng, about your arrangements after graduation... do you have any thoughts?"