"As expected... that's the great power that quelled the chaotic Warring States Period."
Location: The Leaf Village, Hokage Office Building.
Inside the meeting room, four figures sat on either side of a tea table.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat next to his assistant, Danzo Shimura. Opposite them were the two Hokage Advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
Their eyes were fixed on the crystal ball on the table, which was projecting the scene from Training Ground 3.
Seeing Minato demonstrate the power of Wood Style, easily manipulating the growth of trees, they couldn't help but recall the man known as the "God of Shinobi."
"Possessing two powerful Bloodline Limits... no wonder Lord Mito favors him. Judging by the ability this child has shown, even with standard growth, he'll be a top-tier asset for the village before he turns twenty."
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his tone filled with nostalgia.
"I just didn't expect Tsunade to take him as a student. With talent like that, even I'm tempted..."
"He's a good kid. Not arrogant or rash. Calm personality, friendly, and polite..."
Homura Mitokado examined Minato's handsome face with appreciation. "At the same age, this child is countless times more outstanding than we were."
"And much more handsome than you old geezers."
Koharu Utatane happily added a jab, then looked at Hiruzen with some hesitation.
"But... for him to become Tsunade's student... I'm not questioning Tsunade's ability, but that girl is so impulsive. Is she really suitable?"
"This was Lord Mito's idea, and Minato's own choice. I don't see anything inappropriate about it."
Hiruzen pushed the file containing Minato's information across the table. "I trust Tsunade has the ability to raise him well. You can see that from Nawaki cheerful personality."
"I see. So the child's parents have passed away?"
Koharu picked up the file and scanned it, realization dawning on her face. "In that case, a sister-mother figure is indeed more suitable than a man. I have no objections."
"I have an objection."
Danzo Shimura suddenly spoke up. "You haven't forgotten the recent Uchiha rebellion attempt, have you?"
Koharu frowned slightly. "What does that have to do with Minato?"
"Of course it's related."
Danzo's narrowed eyes opened slightly, his gaze sharp. "There are very few powers in this world that can suppress Tailed Beasts. aside from the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, only Wood Style and the Sharingan can effectively suppress them."
"The last rebellion proved that the Uchiha cannot be trusted. And Lord Mito is advanced in years. It may be disrespectful to say, but if something unexpected happens, Wood Style is our only option to suppress the Nine-Tails. Shouldn't our priority be to make him grow as fast as possible?"
"You saw the child's strength. Although he lacks combat experience, he already has the power to threaten Tsunade and the others. With a little training, he can become a combat asset. For a talent like this to go to the Academy is a waste of time. It would be better to bring him to the Root for special training."
"This..."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances. They couldn't deny that Danzo had a point. Although the reasoning wasn't fully sufficient, the potential threat was real.
"Danzo isn't wrong... Wood Style is indeed the only current means to suppress the Nine-Tails. However, that is exactly why this child must go to the Academy."
Hiruzen chuckled.
If a young powerhouse has no bonds and no attachments, why would he stand up to protect you if something happened?
Because you're old?
Because you're shameless?
Or because you have a dark heart?
The two advisors clearly understood this logic. They nodded silently and didn't argue.
"Speaking of which, after awakening Wood Style, the first thing this child did wasn't to show off, nor did he tell me, the Hokage. instead, he chose to become Tsunade's student. presumably, he was worried about exactly the kind of thing Danzo is suggesting, right?"
Hiruzen looked pointedly at Danzo and put his pipe back in his mouth.
"It shows the child has a mind of his own. Of course, it also shows that in the eyes of some people in the village, we aren't trustworthy either—just like the Uchiha you mentioned, Danzo. This is not only my failure as Hokage but also the failure of everyone here."
"You are too naive, Hiruzen."
Danzo glanced at Hiruzen. "A ninja should not have a 'self'."
"Yes, that's the saying. But how can a human being not have a self? Even animals know to seek fortune and avoid disaster."
Hiruzen shook his head and laughed. "Especially you, Danzo. Your sense of 'self' is the most distinct among everyone here. Yet, in my eyes, you are quite an outstanding ninja."
Danzo froze, disbelief filling his eyes.
He never thought his lifelong best friend would say something so cutting one day!
Although Hiruzen phrased it subtly, anyone could understand the meaning: You preach about ninjas having no self, yet you are the most selfish one here.
Unknown to him, Hiruzen felt helpless too. Emotionally, he didn't want to speak so harshly, especially since Danzo was his childhood friend.
They had both aimed for the title of Hokage, grown up together, and fought side by side, until their teacher Tobirama chose Hiruzen as his successor...
Hiruzen knew the unwillingness and jealousy in Danzo's heart, and his craving for the Hokage seat.
That was why, out of trust—or perhaps guilt for taking his friend's dream, or maybe lack of confidence in his own ability—he chose to give Danzo a portion of the Hokage's power, even splitting off part of the Anbu for him to build his own team.
But there's a saying: What I give you is yours. What I don't give you, you cannot take!
Minato was clearly in the "cannot take" category.
For the Leaf Village, which was more important: Wood Style or Danzo?
To put it bluntly, even a hundred Danzos stacked together weren't worth as much as Minato.
Hiruzen naturally didn't buy Danzo's nonsense. He might be soft-hearted and tolerant, but on core issues involving power, he was very clear-headed.
"Besides, a ninja's strength grows fastest after the age of twelve. Even if we train Minato early, it will take at least ten years for him to reach his prime. Even with Wood Style, he won't be able to suppress a Tailed Beast before then."
Hiruzen shook his head. "I called you all here today to make one thing clear: For the current Leaf Village, Minato's existence cannot be compromised. Anyone who dares to harm him in any way will be treated as a traitor to the village!"
Hearing this, the two advisors exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.
Danzo's face twitched slightly, his eyes cold. But he forced down his anger, nodded, and said nothing more.
Hiruzen was not yet forty, in his prime, and his reputation in the village was high.
Danzo's "Root" had only been established recently and had barely any members. The title "Hokage's Assistant" sounded impressive, but ultimately, he was just a secretary whose power derived from the Hokage.
He lacked both the military strength and political capital to challenge Hiruzen. If they weren't childhood friends, he wouldn't even have the right to question him.
The two advisors saw this clearly, but Danzo always failed to grasp his place.
The other three in the room could see Danzo's delusion, but no one pointed it out.
As Hiruzen's teammates, the two advisors had always been his staunch supporters. They knew about the twisted love-hate relationship between these two old frenemies.
Whether Hiruzen was fit to be Hokage, they weren't sure. But one thing was certain: Danzo Shimura was absolutely not fit to be Hokage.
But given Hiruzen's tolerance of Danzo, they couldn't be bothered to interfere in their mess. As long as Danzo didn't openly rebel, there was no need for them to offend him unnecessarily, especially since Hiruzen himself didn't say anything.
As for Hiruzen, his tolerance of Danzo likely had personal reasons.
He knew he was soft-hearted, sentimental, and too naive. He did need someone to handle the dirty work for him.
If people called him a hypocrite who cherished his reputation, he admitted it.
If they said he was enabling Danzo's evil, he could accept that, too.
Looking at Hiruzen's unquestionable gaze, Danzo took a deep breath. He knew the matter was settled. If he tried anything now, he would truly anger Hiruzen.
However...
Fine!
Since you want to shackle that child with bonds, Hiruzen... then I will choose those shackles for him...