*Konoha,Hokages's Office*
"So, you witnessed the Hero of the Land of Waves, Zabuza, being defeated with your own eyes?" Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the desk with one hand, his expression bewildered. "And the person who did it was wearing a breathing mask and looked... really old?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Yuto replied with utmost respect.
"How strange," Hiruzen muttered, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Based on Yuto's description, he quickly deduced who the perpetrator must be. An elderly face, a breathing mask, and the ability to dismantle a jonin level fighter like Momochi Zabuza in just a few moves there was only one person in the entire shinobi world who fit the bill, the so-called "Demigod," Hanzo the Salamander.
But this made no sense!
As the leader of Amegakure, why would he raid a transport company in the Land of Waves? Was the old man so bored at home that he decided to dabble in the logistics industry?
And let's not even get started on Momochi Zabuza, the infamous kiri shinobi who attempted to assassinate the Mizukage, somehow becoming the "Hero of the Land of Waves."
If not for the intel from his spies and the testimony of the boy before him, Hiruzen would've dismissed this as pure fantasy.
'Since when did the tiny Land of Waves become such a den of legends?!'
"I warned you to act quickly," Danzo, his face wrapped in bandages, sneered from the left side of the desk. "Now that old fool Hanzo has beaten us to it. As always, Hiruzen, your weakness costs us."
"We are Konoha, a village that values peace," Hiruzen retorted, subtly signaling with his eyes that there was a young shinobi present and some topics were best avoided. "We do not recklessly interfere in other nations' affairs."
"Hypocrite," Danzo scoffed, ignoring the hint entirely. "If not for my operatives in the Land of Waves and this boy's quick thinking, Konoha almost would've suffered a massive loss this time!"
Hiruzen blinked. 'Wait, what "loss"?'
He frowned. "You said 'almost'?"
"Show him," Danzo commanded, nodding at Yuto.
"Yes, Danzo-sama." Yuto pulled out a contract from his robes.
Hiruzen took it, scanned the contents, and his expression froze. "This... this is...?"
"My apologies, Hokage-sama," Yuto said with a respectful bow. "Lady Grey Feather and I took the liberty of using Konoha's name to secure a long-term contract with the Land of Waves' Umbrella Corporation. They've agreed to pay 40 million ryo annually for our protection services."
Lady Grey Feather was one of Danzo's planted agents in the Land of Waves and also one of Konoha's undercover operatives. Coincidentally, she happened to be a former protégé of Nono, trained since childhood, and the two shared a deep bond. After Nono removed her "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal," Grey Feather had fully defected to their side.
Of course, Danzo knew none of this nor did he even realize Nono was still alive. Watching his old friend's stunned face, he smirked in satisfaction. "There's no need to apologize. This benefits Konoha."
Hiruzen fell silent.
'Benefit Konoha? Absolutely!'
The contract didn't even require Konoha to station shinobi there, just provide emergency support if the Umbrella Corporation faced trouble.
'Essentially, free money for doing nothing!'
Given the annual 40 million ryo income, Hiruzen could easily overlook the minor insubordination from Yuto and Grey Feather.
But that wasn't what bothered him. What truly unsettled him was the sudden closeness between Yuto and Danzo.
'Since when were they so chummy?'
"There's one more thing, Hiruzen," Danzo added smugly, chin held high. "From now on, Hayashi Yuto will join Root."
"WHAT?!"
Hiruzen's eyes darted between Danzo and Yuto, who kept his head lowered. His brows furrowed, his expression darkening. "Danzo, he's still a student at the Academy!"
"Tch. At his age, you and I were already fighting on the battlefield under the Second Hokage!" Danzo scoffed. "Age is irrelevant. What matters is talent and this boy has it. His first mission was executed flawlessly!"
"I refuse," Hiruzen stated firmly. "Yuto must complete his education first. That's non-negotiable."
In his mind, Yuto had clearly been coerced; no sane person would willingly associate with Danzo otherwise!
'Damn it all!'
After years of nurturing Konoha's next generation, how could he let a promising seedling like this rot in Root's darkness?
As Hokage, he would not allow it!
"Hiruzen, you!" Danzo nearly erupted, but then, as if remembering something, he merely snorted. "Fine. Have it your way."
With that, he stormed out in a huff.
"If Danzo forces you into anything, come to me," Hiruzen said, guilt gnawing at him. He suspected his earlier private meeting with Yuto had sparked Danzo's interest.
"It's alright, Hokage-sama," Yuto said softly, as if reading his thoughts. "This was my choice."
But Hiruzen didn't miss the faint bitterness in his eyes.
'Definitely coerced.' His resentment toward Danzo grew. His old friend was crossing the line.
As Yuto left the Hokage's office and headed toward the southern training grounds, Danzo emerged from the shadows.
"What did the old man say to you?" he asked coldly.
"The Hokage told me to stay away from you," Yuto answered honestly.
"Tch. Still playing the saint," Danzo sneered. "Hayashi Yuto, you're a smart boy. And Root needs smart people."
"I understand, Danzo sama," Yuto replied respectfully.
Danzo nodded, satisfied. "I've decided to take you as my disciple. What do you say?"
This wasn't a spur of the moment decision. Danzo genuinely wanted an apprentice, one who could surpass Hiruzen's famed Sannin.
His old friend had three legendary students, while Danzo had none. Root had plenty of skilled shinobi, but none with the potential to reach that level.
Yuto, however, was different.
Defeating a chunin like Mizuki before even graduating? Sharp wit, quick adaptability? This boy had the makings of a prodigy one that could rival the Sannin themselves.
As Danzo finished speaking, a golden prompt flickered before Yuto's eyes.