The Hokage Building — Year 73 After the Founding of Konoha.
The door closed softly behind Homura and Koharu.
Their footsteps faded down the hall, leaving the office heavy and hollow.
For a moment, the room seemed larger.
Quieter.
Only Tsunade, Shizune, and Genji remained.
The young man was still kneeling — one knee to the floor, head lowered. It wasn't formality; it was habit, carved deep by training.
Tsunade watched him in silence. The sunlight from the wide window cut across his figure — brown hair, pale skin, faint war paint under his eyes. A soldier's stillness.
"You may rise, Genji," she said at last.
Her voice softened, almost relieved.
He obeyed, rising with fluid precision.
"I was half expecting those old fossils to shove one of Danzō's puppets into this mission," Tsunade said, exhaling as she leaned back on the edge of her desk.
A faint smirk touched her lips.
"I've never been so grateful to suck at gambling."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened again, fixing on Genji.
"I know we haven't spoken much," she said, "but you're one of the few people I can trust for this."
She opened a drawer, pulled a worn personnel file, and began to read aloud.
"Sarutobi Genji. Nineteen years of age.
Graduated the Academy at ten.
Promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin at fourteen.
Assigned to the ANBU Black Ops in the same year."
Her eyes skimmed further down.
"Three years deployed in the Land of Earth, surveillance on the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki — Rōshi of the Lava Release.
Upon return, transferred to the Torture and Interrogation Division under Morino Ibiki."
She closed the folder slowly.
Her voice lowered.
"Nephew of the late Third Hokage… Hiruzen Sarutobi, The Professor."
Genji didn't move.
He Just stood there silent.
Tsunade studied him for another heartbeat.
"…You've done well," she said quietly. "Better than most could've asked of you."
She straightened, tone sharpening again.
"As of this moment, you're one of the most capable shinobi I can deploy."
"But before I sign this, I need to know something."
Genji already knew what was coming.
"Orochimaru," Tsunade said. "Will he be a problem?"
"No, Hokage-sama."
No hesitation. No change in tone.
Tsunade's eyes lingered on him. Searching.
But there was nothing to read.
"…Good," she said at last.
She picked up her brush. The sound of ink scratching across paper filled the quiet.
"Tokubetsu Jōnin Sarutobi Genji. Effective immediately — transferred to Team Kakashi."
A sharp thud as she pressed the Hokage's seal.
"You'll report to the village gates at 0600. Your team will be waiting."
"Hai," Genji replied, bowing once.
He turned and left without another word.
The door clicked shut behind him.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
Tsunade stood slowly and crossed to the window.
Below her, Konoha stretched wide and bright — roofs gleaming, children running in the sun. The village had never looked more fragile.
"…Tenzō," she said.
A ripple of chakra brushed the air.
The floor behind her shifted.
An ANBU agent rose from the shadow — mask pale against the light.
"Hokage-sama."
"Have you memorized all mission parameters?" she asked.
"Yes. Substituting for Kakashi-senpai. I'm honored."
"This isn't an ANBU assignment," Tsunade said. "You can remove the mask."
He hesitated for half a breath — then did as ordered.
From this moment forward," Tsunade said, "you'll go by the name Yamato."
He bowed. "Understood."
She faced him fully now.
"As you heard, your team will include a former ANBU operative," Tsunade said.
"Codename: Saru."
Yamato's eyes widened slightly.
"So… he's the Saru from the Intelligence and Torture Division," he murmured.
Within ANBU, names were rarely shared. Faces even less so.
But that codename carried weight.
Infamy.
Prisoners sent to Saru were never processed again.
"I need you to keep an eye on him," Tsunade said plainly.
That surprised Yamato.
"Orochimaru was responsible for Sarutobi-sensei's death," she continued.
"Psychological evaluations indicate… instability when missions involve the Sound Village or Orochimaru."
"You're worried he'll act on his own," Yamato said.
"I'm not worried," Tsunade replied.
"I'm certain he will."
Yamato frowned slightly. "Don't you think you're being overly cautious?"
There was a long pause.
Tsunade stared out at the village again.
"…Maybe."
She turned back to him.
"Go. Tomorrow, you meet your new team."
Yamato nodded.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
As he vanished, Tsunade remained by the window . alone with the weight of her decision.
Her disciple.
Two ANBU.
One unstable Jinchūriki.
"This is so going to bite me back."