Early the next morning, Advisor Danzo personally came to the Hokage's office to "offer advice."
That alone surprised Minato.
Since becoming Hokage, Minato had met with Danzo only a handful of times. In his experience, unless something truly critical was at stake, Danzo rarely appeared before him—something Minato had actually taken as a sign of tact.
But last night's incident—the Hyuga Clan being attacked—hardly counted as a crisis that required the personal attention of Konoha's shadowy advisor. Danzo's sudden "concern" for the Hyuga struck Minato as… unusual.
"Advisor Danzo," Minato greeted with his usual composure, "to what do I owe the honor? Would you care for some tea?"
Minato might have been young, but years in office had refined his calm demeanor. He didn't answer Danzo's unspoken demand directly, instead rising and moving toward the tea table, as if this were just another polite visit.
"Hm?"
"Fourth Hokage, we should discuss serious matters," Danzo said, momentarily thrown off by the casual invitation.
"This is a new batch of tea from the Land of Tea," Minato continued evenly. "Please, have a taste."
He retrieved the tea set from beneath the table, washing the cups with deliberate care. Perhaps due to his frequent visits to the Hyuga household in recent years, Minato had gradually grown accustomed to the rituals of tea.
He didn't particularly enjoy drinking it—but the process gave him time to think.
And right now, he needed that clarity.
Danzo's sudden appearance couldn't be without purpose. His "suggestion" to send ANBU to "protect" the Hyuga was suspect enough already, and Minato wanted time to understand the man's angle before saying too much.
Danzo was no simple bureaucrat. Unlike the Hyuga elders, who still viewed him as a respected veteran, Minato understood perfectly well that he and Danzo stood on opposite sides of the political field.
After all, Danzo had once supported Orochimaru as his candidate for the Fourth Hokage, and the two had grown increasingly close over the years.
Minato had every reason to stay cautious.
Seeing Minato's measured, almost ceremonial way of hosting, Danzo's eyes flickered with a brief flash of awareness. He coughed lightly, masking his irritation, then sat down across from Minato, waiting in silence as the Hokage finished brewing the tea.
The two men sat facing one another. Neither spoke. The quiet in the office grew heavy.
At last, after a round of tea, Minato set down his cup and spoke first, his tone polite but firm.
"Advisor Danzo, may I ask what brings you here today?" he said apologetically. "Forgive me—I was lost in thought and didn't catch your earlier words."
The phrasing was deliberate. From the very start, Minato seized control of the conversation, reminding Danzo—subtly but unmistakably—to mind his place.
He might call him "Danzo-sama," but it was clear who sat in the Hokage's chair.
"He's grown into it…" Danzo thought grimly.
Though the young Hokage's actual authority was still limited—thanks to the conservative grip of Hiruzen and himself—Minato had matured rapidly over the past few years.
The once headstrong prodigy, strong but naive, had learned how to wield both words and power.
He hadn't yet built a strong inner circle to rival the influence of Hiruzen and Danzo, but that was only a matter of time.
Among the rising generation, talents like Kakashi and Might Guy were Minato's protégés. Among the established clans, figures like Shibi Aburame and Choza Akimichi were his old comrades.
Give it a few more years, and those men would become the new leaders of their respective clans.
By then, Minato would command not just the title of Hokage—but the village itself.
Compared to Minato's expanding network, Danzo's own alliances—built mostly through Root and his ties to Orochimaru—were starting to look thin.
Feeling that shift in power, Danzo exhaled softly and adjusted his tone.
"Fourth Hokage," he began in a gentler voice, "I heard the Hyuga Clan was attacked by a Mist ninja last night. We mustn't take such matters lightly."
"The Byakugan is an irreplaceable asset to Konoha. With Hiashi away on the front lines, only an elder and two youths remain to protect the Main Family. We have a duty—no, an obligation—to safeguard them."
"I recommend dispatching protection to the Hyuga compound immediately. We can't afford negligence here."
His tone was calm, even reasonable—full of apparent concern for the clan's safety. To Minato, it didn't sound out of place. From his perspective, Danzo's argument even made sense: Hiashi was gone, and the Hyuga were vulnerable.
But still…
"You're right," Minato nodded. "We should ensure the Hyuga's protection while Hiashi's away. However…"
He looked up, his tone still mild but his words careful.
"…the Hyuga haven't requested any assistance. I think it's best that we first consult their Main Family directly, and act according to their wishes."
Minato had always been gentle in both nature and policy. He preferred to seek consensus before acting, especially when it concerned a major clan's autonomy.
Danzo's brow furrowed. His tone hardened.
"You're the Hokage. Why should you need their permission to make a decision?"
"This is for their own good! If the Byakugan were to fall into enemy hands, can you imagine the consequences?"
"Now is not the time for hesitation, Fourth Hokage. Issue the order!"
"If the ANBU are too busy, I can deploy a Root squad to protect the Hyuga myself."
And there it was—the dagger finally unsheathed.
Minato's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly as he raised his teacup and smiled.
"Please, Danzo-sama," he said lightly. "Have another cup. There's no need to rush."
"Even if we do assign protection, I don't think Root is… suited for that kind of work."
"I trust Root's efficiency in assassination and infiltration," Minato said with deliberate calm. "But for protection—perhaps it's better left to others."
"I appreciate your advice, and I'll consider it carefully. But if that's all, I must return to my duties."
He drank the last of his tea, setting the empty cup down neatly—a courteous dismissal.
Then, without another glance, he walked back to his desk and began reviewing documents.
Danzo sat still for a long moment, his expression shifting through light and shadow. He understood perfectly well what the Hokage meant by "you may go."
After a brief pause, he rose wordlessly and left.
Minato Namikaze was no longer the naive upstart he'd once been. Inserting spies under his nose was no longer so simple.
Danzo could feel it—the young Hokage's growing grasp of power. And that realization brought with it an unfamiliar weight of resignation.
Perhaps… his generation truly was nearing its end.
But as he reached the office door, that heaviness turned to steel.
"Such a minor decision," he muttered bitterly, "and he still hesitates—still needs to ask permission."
"Minato Namikaze… too soft."
"Unfit to be Hokage!"
"Hiruzen… Minato… none of them are worthy!"
"Only I can protect Konoha!"
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