The next morning, Lin Ze put on a clean ANBU uniform, with Aoda Mask on his face, and came to Hokage Building.
As a member of ANBU, he has the right to directly request to see Hokage within certain authority without going through cumbersome layers of notifications.
The atmosphere in the building was solemn, and the Ninjas who came and went were in a hurry, and most of their faces had a solemn look unique to wartime.
Lin Ze didn't look sideways and went straight to the door of Hokage Office. He nodded to the two ANBU guards guarding the outside and said in a deep voice:
"ANBU Squad B-5, code name Aoda, I need to see Lord Hokage."
One of the guards obviously recognized him. After a brief confirmation, he turned around and knocked on the door and entered the office to report.
After a while, the guard came out and stepped aside to make way for the passage:
"Lord Hokage lets you in."
"Thank you."
Lin Ze whispered, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
The scene inside Hokage Office is not much different from the memory, with piles of documents, a faint smell of tobacco, and Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting behind a large desk, holding Pipe and puffing away smoke.
But this time Nara Luhong, who is Hiruzen Sarutobi's think tank, is not here. He is the only one in the office.
"Lord Hokage." Lin Ze walked to the desk and saluted respectfully.
"Oh, it's Aoda."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down Pipe, with a gentle smile on his face, like a kind elder:
"How's the situation with Gray Wolf?"
"Thank you Lord Hokage for your concern. Gray Wolf is out of danger and is recuperating in the hospital." Lin Ze replied formulaically.
"That's good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, leaned back slightly, and looked at Lin Ze:
"You came to me specifically for something important? Is it to report on the specific details of the last mission?"
"This is not a mission report."
Lin Ze paused for a moment, then said:
"My subordinate came here this time for a private matter, and I would like to ask Lord Hokage for permission."
"Private matter?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyebrows raised slightly, seeming to have aroused some interest:
"Tell me about it."
Lin Ze raised his head, met Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, and said directly:
"My subordinates kindly request Lord Hokage to allow Yumi and Ayumi, the children of Orphanage, to serve in relatively safe departments such as Medical Team or Intelligence Division after the Ninja Academy graduates, so as to avoid being sent directly to the frontline battlefield."
As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the office seemed to be stagnant for a moment.
The gentle smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face faded slightly. He did not answer immediately. Instead, he picked up Pipe, took a slow breath, and slowly exhaled the smoke. His cloudy eyes looked at Lin Ze behind the smoke, seeming to be examining his sudden request.
'Sure enough, I brought it up directly...'Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind turned slightly.
'Is it to repay Orphanage for his upbringing? Or, these children have become his important fetters and weaknesses?'
He was silent, tapping his fingers on the table unconsciously, making a soft sound.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi still had some doubts about whether Lin Ze had a real "bond" with Konoha before, these doubts have disappeared now--
For him, it is a good thing that Lin Ze has clear concerns.
This brief silence made Lin Ze's heart lift slightly.
Lin Ze had expected various reactions, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's deep silence was the most difficult to predict.
'Is he weighing? Is my value worth his opening? Or is he thinking of any reason to refuse? After all, on the surface, all children of Konoha should be equal.'
Lin Ze couldn't help but think of the time when he first came to Konoha. Because he was an orphan from another village, he was often shunned and Byakugan by other children in the village.
The so-called "fairness" has always been predicated.
Just like Asuma, the same is Genin, but which of his tasks has not been carefully selected? Even if he leaves the village, is there no master Guard secretly?
How could Hokage's son really be the same as the children of ordinary villagers?
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the silent Lin Ze in front of him and made a quick assessment in his mind.
Lin Ze's talent and growth rate are indeed astonishing, especially since he actually escaped from the six-man elite team of Kumogakure some time ago. He even speculated that Lin Ze already has the strength of Jōnin, and his overall strength has far surpassed Kakashi, who is one year younger than him.
In terms of potential alone, among the entire younger generation of Konoha, it is probably second only to Minato and Kushina who is Jinchūriki.
It's a pity that he is an orphan from another village after all. He has been discriminated against and ostracized by the children in the village since he was a child. Coupled with Lin Ze's precocious psychology, although Hiruzen Sarutobi treats everyone equally on the surface, he knows that there is always a trace of defense deep down in his heart.
But the more so, the importance Lin Ze shows to his companion Orphanage becomes even more precious.
This is an anchor point that can be firmly grasped, and it is also what he often talks about - the bond!
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, his voice was calm and there was no hint of emotion or anger:
"Yumi and Ayumi... I remember them. They are the children of Nonō and Orphanage, right? They should be in the second grade now."
"Yes." Lin Ze responded.
"During the war, every Konoha Ninja has the obligation to contribute to the village, and Genin is no exception."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone had a hint of unquestionable majesty, but then the topic changed and he became serious again:
"Konoha is a big family. In principle, all children should be treated fairly."
Lin Ze sneered in his heart.
'Fair? Yes, fair to be sent to the battlefield as cannon fodder?'
Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi's next words confirmed his thoughts:
"However, what you said makes sense. They are indeed young, and their talents are not particularly outstanding. If they are sent directly to the battlefield, the possibility of sacrifice is very high, and it is an unnecessary loss to the village."
"Medical Team is equally important as Intelligence Division. It does require more careful and stable people. The village also needs to retain the fire for the future."
He paused, seeming to be making an important decision, and finally nodded slowly, his tone becoming affirmative:
"Okay, I promise you. After they graduate, I will personally give instructions and assign them to study in the medical training department under Konoha Hospital. It is far away from the front line and is safe enough."
Lin Ze Hearing this, his heart suddenly relaxed, but what immediately surged up was not joy, but a trace of surprise and deeper vigilance.
'You just agreed? So simple? With a high-sounding reason like 'keep the fire'?'
This went smoothly beyond his expectations.
He had been prepared for cross-examination, and even mentally prepared for rejection or harsh conditions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the silent Lin Ze in front of him. Although he couldn't see the other person's expression, he could feel a trace of surprise under the mask.