The dim glow of lantern light flickered across the polished wooden floor of the Hokage's office. The air was tense, thick with an unspoken battle of wills as two of Konoha's most powerful figures sat across from each other.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, rested his hands calmly atop his desk, his expression neutral but firm. Opposite him, cloaked in shadows, sat Danzo Shimura, his one visible eye cold and calculating.
"I assume you've called this meeting because of the boy," Hiruzen said, watching the other man carefully.
Danzo didn't bother to hide his knowledge. "One of my Root operatives reported the presence of a new arrival, a threat that possesses Wood Style," he said, his voice low and measured. "You can imagine why I'd have concerns about it having such an ability, especially with how sudden it appeared."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, seeing where this conversation was leading before it had even truly begun. "Yes, as am I. Which is why I've allowed him to stay in the village for now. This way, we can keep tabs on him while we gather information on his origins and motives."
Danzo grunted and continued. "You are also aware, of course, that this is an opportunity for us. Wood Style is an ability only one shinobi in history has wielded and that was the First Hokage himself. And now, it has reappeared in the hands of an untrained, unknown boy. Someone who can still be trained and put to work for the village."
Hiruzen said nothing, allowing Danzo, his friend and right-hand man since their academy days, to articulate his thoughts.
Danzo leaned forward slightly, his one good eye gleaming. "Surely you see the danger in leaving such a powerful bloodline ability relatively unchecked in the care of Minato and the village's Jinchūriki. You have no idea where he came from, who he truly is, or where his allegiances lie."
Hiruzen sighed internally. He had expected this conversation, but Danzo's persistence could be grating, especially on matters concerning the village's safety.
"You're suggesting, I presume, that I place him under your care?" Hiruzen asked, keeping his voice level.
Danzo nodded without hesitation. "It's the logical choice. If trained properly, he could become an invaluable asset to the village. Root would ensure his loyalty is absolute and that his abilities are honed and shaped into something useful. We cannot risk allowing him to become another rogue element."
Hiruzen's eyes hardened. "Normally, I'd agree with you, Danzo. An anomaly like this is something we can't ignore, especially during these turbulent times. However, Minato brought him in and believes trusting the boy is the right course of action."
Danzo's expression remained impassive. "Hiruzen, you can't seriously believe Minato is better suited to train an outsider than I am. You said it yourself, I would make him loyal, strong, controlled. Someone who would be an S-rank threat for our village."
Hiruzen straightened in his chair, his presence suddenly heavier, as if the very room itself had shifted in his favor. "That will not be happening."
Danzo's lips thinned slightly. "You cannot expect a fifteen-year-old to—"
"He is under Minato's care," Hiruzen interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And for the time being, that is where he will stay. Besides, for all we know, he could be the true heir to the Senju clan. How else would he possess the ability to use Wood Style?"
Danzo's eye narrowed at Hiruzen's words. He wanted to dismiss that notion, especially given Orochimaru's experiments, but he couldn't do so without incurring genuine consequences. Instead, he shifted his focus to Minato's character.
"Minato is soft. He lacks the conviction to make the hard choices. If the boy remains with him, he will become nothing more than another reckless, undisciplined shinobi, like Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara, who nearly got our best young ninja killed. He needs training, security, and, most importantly, a firm hand to ensure his loyalty to the village if he's staying here long term."
Hiruzen's expression didn't change, but the sharp edge to his gaze deepened. "And you believe Root is the best place for him? Over one of the brightest minds in the village? Someone who gave both our villagers and us hope during the final stretch of the Third Ninja War?"
Danzo didn't hesitate. "Without a doubt. Root has trained some of the most capable shinobi in during the third war. Discipline. Obedience. Sacrifice. These are the things a shinobi must learn if they are to truly serve the village."
Hiruzen closed his eyes and let out a smoke-filled breath. He had allowed Danzo to operate in the shadows for years, understanding that some missions, some tasks, required a different kind of approach and shinobi.
However, this was a different situation. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the boy, Minato had vouched for him. And when Hiruzen questioned the boy himself, his trained eyes and senses had detected no deception. Therefore, he would allow Minato to take the reins on this matter. It would be good practice for the next phase of his life, the path Hiruzen was already preparing for him.
"I have already made my decision," Hiruzen said, his voice edged with finality. "The boy stays with Minato."
Danzo's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something beneath the surface. Displeasure, maybe frustration? Hiruzen was being stubborn over a powerful outsider they knew nothing about.
Hiruzen leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "And I will warn you now Danzo, if I find that any of your operatives attempt to interfere with him, there will be consequences. Not a gentle slap on the wrist, but the possible dissolution of Root."
A long, heavy silence filled the office.
Then, after a beat, Danzo stood.
His movements were slow, deliberate, his hands disappearing into the folds of his robe. "Very well," he said, his tone giving nothing away. "But when this decision comes back to bite you, remember that you had the chance to do what was necessary."
Hiruzen didn't flinch. "I have spent my life making difficult choices for the good of this village, Danzo. And this is no different, I trust Minato, and I trust that this decision will shape the village for the better."
Danzo gave a single, slow nod. Then, without another word, he turned and strode toward the exit, his presence lingering in the room even after he was gone.
Before long the office was quiet again.
Hiruzen let out a slow breath, closing his eyes for a moment before rubbing his temples. He had expected this battle, but he knew it wasn't over. Danzo didn't like to lose. He didn't accept being denied something he saw as necessary.
There would be more attempts to assert his will, more pressure. But as long as they remained subtle, there wouldn't be much of a problem. After all, if Minato was going to take over as Hokage next year, he would have to learn how to handle Danzo's influence and the role he played within the village.
Hiruzen exhaled, leaning back in his chair as he thought of the young blond shinobi.
Minato had a way of making people believe. He saw things in others that most overlooked. If anyone could help Arashi become loyal to the village and uncover the truth about his bloodline, it was Minato.
And yet, another thought spun through Hiruzen's mind, one that made him stroke his beard in quiet contemplation.
Minato's team had suffered greatly in the past year. The Kanabi Bridge mission had been one of Konoha's most significant victories, but it had come at a terrible cost. The loss of Obito had weighed heavily on both Kakashi and Rin, but with Rin's death, Kakashi had yet to recover.
Having lost two of his teammates, both dying before his eyes, Kakashi was not improving. If anything, he was getting worse. He had completely withdrawn from his peers, throwing himself into relentless training and taking on Jonin missions with reckless abandon. Hiruzen worried that he was becoming too much of a weapon at too young an age.
Perhaps having Arashi around could be a good thing for Kakashi?
Kakashi had been forced to grow up too fast. His world had been shaped by war, loss, and impossible choices. He carried the weight of a shinobi far older than his years.
Maybe, just maybe, someone as wild and unpredictable as Arashi could force Kakashi to break free from the strict, hardened soldier he was becoming.
Hiruzen sighed, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips.
He had made the right call in leaving the boy in Minato's hands. He was sure of it.