It took six months before I got the chance to meet the Hokage. Six months where I was a good little civilian shinobi student. I did my homework, made it to class on time, followed the curriculum to the letter. Due to the previous life I had experienced, academics were my obvious forte, I was however not a slacker in the more physical aspects of shinobi training. Again, my previous life's history of being a gym enjoyer giving me quite the advantage when it comes to knowing how to maximize my gains.
"Miyazaki-san? The Hokage will see you now."
My thoughts interrupted by the secretary, who had been sneaking me curious glances since I arrived. A six year old meeting the Hokage alone isn't exactly a daily occurrence
"Thank you."
My walk to meet the man himself full of trepidation, I don't imagine that my request will be either ignored nor denied. I'm not asking for forbidden things after all, and since I'm a civilian with the amount of chakra normal for my genetics I.E almost nothing, this path is the only one available to me.
"Miyazaki Taka, academy student, six years of age. I apologize for the wait, six months is a long time, thank you for your patience. What can I do for you?"
"Hello sir, I'm not going to take up much of your time. As a civilian I'm quite obviously at a disadvantage compared to my clan colleagues. So I've decided to play to my strengths. Could I please be taught every non-clan chakra control method the village has?"
for an unnecessarily long moment which in reality was probably about 5 seconds, there is complete silence as Sarutobi contemplates my request. His, as currently, young ish face scrunching up minutely in thought.
"What do you need such advanced training methods for? You are only 6 months into the academy, surely you can follow your classmates pace?"
"Normally yes, but I would like to learn the mystic-palm jutsu, healing is a ridiculously powerful skill to have and we both know I'm never going to have the large chakra reserves needed to throw cool jutsus around. I just want to get started early on my specialization. Not to mention that learning chakra control is a far safer thing to learn than some other alternatives."
"Hmm..."
He's thinking about it, I can see that he at least is entertaining my request. Again it's not something incredibly unreasonable, all of these methods of developing chakra control are open to the public, only some of them are hidden behind rank. Not because it's dangerous to learn, but simply due to the thought that kids aren't going to focus on that level of control until much later in their careers.
"I don't truly see why not, young Miyazaki. none of the methods are particularly dangerous, chakra exhaustion is very simple to notice when training in control, and the kunai spin is no more dangerous than learning to throw a kunai..."
He goes silent again, leaning back in his chair while taking a puff of his newly lit pipe. The Air taking on the smell of the tobacco he's inhaling. He might be young compare to when we get to know him in the anime but I can still see the beginnings of the wrinkles that he will be recognized for.
"I will allow it, on a caveat."
"Name it sir."
my response comes out with little fear, he is negotiating with a six year old after all, whatever his condition may be it shouldn't be unreasonable.
"Good, you are eager. I will grant this on the condition that you learn them one at a time, return to me once you have mastered each method and I will personally teach you the next one. On top of this you will have to read and memorize all of the medical theory behind the mystic-palm justu. Is that agreeable?"
Bro... personal instruction from the Sandaime himself? Not to mention the theory I need to know to do the justu I had in mind? I'm basically being handed everything I need on a silver platter.
"Yes sir it is very agreeable."
"Perfect! Can you use your chakra?"
"Yes sir, learned to do so about a week ago."
"So you're instructor has already started you on the leaf sticking exercise?"
"yes sir."
I feel like a broken record player.
"Return to me once you can indefinitely hold fives leaves, one on the back of each hand, the top of each foot and one on your forehead, and I will teach you the next exercise."
I couldn't help the grin that split my face practically in half, I decided to have a little fun. A reference he wouldn't get but... worth it.
"Yes sir, Right away sir!"
I blurted out with my high pitched six year old voice, it's a literal miracle he took me seriously when I'm this young. Then again with all the geniuses this village produces, one six year old with the vocabulary rivaling Calvins isn't that attention grabbing.
He smiles openly to my response, then looks at me with the look of a military leader, though I can still see the mirth in his eyes.
"Dismissed"
I march out of the room in typical clone trooper fashion, all while chanting the opening verse to Vode'an. Hopefully nobody bothers to ask me what language that was. Either way it's time for the grind to start.
HIRUZEN POV:
We both watched from the window as Taka-kun made his way down the street in a march, that strange chant still being recited as he went.
"You postponed our talk for that child?"
"Yes Danzo, I was curious. When has a child ever requested an audience with the Hokage?"
Danzo having melted out of the wall to my left the moment the boy had left my office.
"And the personal attention to his training?"
"I saw something I didn't think I would ever see again."
"Oh?"
He wasn't able to completely hide his own curiosity from me.
"Remember when sensei would get all excited? You know, when he had this new justu in mind that he just had to try out?"
"So the boy reminded you of sensei whenever he had a brain wave?"
"Not just any brain wave Danzo, the game changing kind. The Ideas that changed how we view the world, how we do business. I saw that same look in Taka-kuns eyes."
"Do you have an idea what he's thinking? Some medical revolution perhaps? As unlikely as it is"
"No idea... whatever it is, his dive into medical knowledge ends with the mystic-palm jutsu, of that I'm certain. He treated it as a means to an end."
A strange silence stretched as I waited for Danzo to make some kind of remark. Eventually he decides to change the topic to the original point of his visit.
"My spies in Kumo and Iwa report an increase in troop movement... nothing aggressive... yet. I'm sure I don't need to convince you that it's only a matter of time."
True, war is never far away. The question is, how long before the next one? Hashirama's vision causing nothing but jealousy in the minds of the other nations.
"Are we their focus or are there any other possible aggressors in their minds?"
"Historical patterns heavily suggest yes, I could make another aggressor. A couple implications, a well targeted assassination. Some specific jutsus..."
His statement driving my contemplation. If we could split their focus... could alleviate some possible future pressure from the front lines, split their attention.
"Do it, nothing decisive yet. Read the currents, escalate as tensions rise. Keep it tame for now, a couple sightings along their borders, abandoned campsites. Make Iwa think that Hanzo's planning to remove surveillance around his borders, give Kumo reason to believe Kiri has interests in Frost, and try to make Iwa think that Suna is planning to take Grass. Once the rumors come in through the official channels I will inform Shikaku and Dragon of that possibility and have them mobilize surveillance patrols around our border with Grass and Suna."
"There isn't much of interest in Frost."
Which is true... they do have their technology, I hear they're working on something called a train.
"Make something up, Frost is known for their technological developments, the daimyo being obsessed with bringing spring to his country. There must be something of value inside that ambition."
"As you wish... On another topic, I'm in need of more recruits for ROOT if I'm going to be heading these countermeasures... The orphanages are quite full a couple children going missing won't tur-..."
"No! Forceful recruitment from the village is prohibited!"
"Hiruze-"
"I will naturally ignore any false rumors from among the agricultural villages. Especially those from outside the land of fire..."
His retort dies in his throat as he immediately understands my implication. Naturally I don't think he will keep to the limits placed on him what so ever, however framing it this way gives me plausible deniability. It is an unfortunate fact that this vile practice benefits Konoha, and with war on the horizon I don't have much choice but to be silent on this moral breach. Hashirama would be rolling in his grave if he could see this. The thought ties a knot in my heart, my throat going dry, if only his ideals weren't simply naiveté... if only the world could mind it's own business.
"I believe I have work to do."
He dismisses himself, despite my ability to hide my thoughts and emotions from everyone else, Danzo is on of only two still alive who knows me well enough to see through it. Oh Biwako, how will I hide my anguish from you.
"Yes, I leave this in your hands."
He leaves without a word.