Chapter 223: Kyosuke's Decision
After hearing Kyosuke's analysis, a thoughtful silence fell over the office. Everyone, except for Hyuga Saori, was lost in their own contemplations.
Hiruzen looked at the young man sitting quietly before him, a newfound appreciation growing in his heart. The blindness, a consequence of the war, combined with his "correct" assessment of the political landscape, solidified the decision that had been forming in his mind.
"Kyosuke," Hiruzen said, his voice grave, "with your accomplishments and your strength, an ordinary position would be a waste of your talents. The Anbu is currently in need of a new director for the intelligence division. I would like you to take the position."
At his words, Danzo's head, which had been bowed, snapped up. He opened his mouth to speak, but no objection came out. He had always appreciated certain aspects of Kyosuke's character. Now that the potential threat he posed was gone, a directorship was a fitting reward for his service. And, if he were to one day become Hokage himself, he was confident that their shared ideologies would make Kyosuke a powerful ally. And so, he remained silent.
With no objection from Danzo, Koharu and Homura were not about to go against the Hokage's proposal.
Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, Kyosuke spoke up.
"Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage, but..." He hesitated, a look of reluctance on his face.
Hiruzen was taken aback. He knew Kyosuke was intelligent enough to understand the significance of a directorship in the Anbu. His refusal was unexpected. "What is it?" he asked.
"After years of fighting, my body is exhausted," Kyosuke said, reciting his prepared excuse. "I will need a long time to recover."
"That's not a problem," Koharu said. "You can take up the position after you've recovered."
"There is... another issue," Kyosuke said, raising a hand to his eyes. "Ever since I awakened my Mangekyo, my mind has been filled with... negative emotions. There are times when I can't even control my own actions. The Anbu is a high-pressure environment. I don't think..."
"I see. I had not considered that," Hiruzen said, a look of understanding on his face. He had read his master's notes on the Uchiha clan. It was a well-documented fact that the awakening of the Sharingan, especially the Mangekyo, often led to emotional instability, pushing many Uchiha to extremes. For Kyosuke to admit this himself showed a remarkable level of self-awareness. It was a perfectly valid reason to decline the position.
While he was pleased with Kyosuke's introspection, it did leave him with a dilemma. A young genius with such an outstanding war record had to be rewarded. To do otherwise would invite criticism and sow seeds of instability within the village.
Just then, Kyosuke made another request, one that was just as surprising as his refusal.
"Lord Hokage, I would like to apply to be a Jonin team leader," he said, his voice firm.
"A team leader?" Hiruzen was initially confused, but then he remembered what Kyosuke had said about his emotional state. It made a certain kind of sense. Working with genin, leading them on various missions... it would be a good way to heal the wounds of war.
With that thought, Hiruzen agreed.
"Uh, I have one more request," Kyosuke said, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Of course. Speak freely," Hiruzen said with a smile.
"As a teacher, I would like to choose my own students."
"Hahaha! A small matter," Hiruzen said with a teasing smile. "I'm sure there isn't a single clan that would refuse to have you as their child's teacher."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Kyosuke said, his goal achieved, a bright smile spreading across his face.
Becoming a team leader was his new method for gaining experience. Compared to the constant surveillance of the Anbu, leading a team on missions would give him a much greater degree of freedom. He could not only gain experience, but also leave the village for his own, secret purposes.
"There's no rush. Focus on your recovery first," Hiruzen said. "I'll keep the directorship open for you. You can take up the position whenever you feel ready."
"Yes, I understand," Kyosuke replied respectfully.
After a bit more small talk, Kyosuke and Saori took their leave.
After they had gone, Hiruzen turned to the others. "What do you think of that boy, Kyosuke?"
"From his words and actions, he is certainly different from the other Uchiha," Koharu said after a moment of thought. "To refuse a position of such power... I can see why you value him so highly."
"Of course he's different," Danzo chimed in. "But Hiruzen, to let him become a genin instructor... it's a waste of talent."
"Ahaha, calm down, Danzo," Hiruzen said with a placating smile. "As he said, he needs time to heal. You know what happened with the Second Elder. It must have been a terrible blow to him. We need to show him some compassion."
"...Fine. So be it," Danzo sighed, defeated.
His objection wasn't entirely out of concern for Kyosuke's "wasted potential." He was worried that as a team leader, Kyosuke would no longer have time to assist him with his research. The study of the Hashirama cells had been at a complete standstill since Kyosuke left for the front. He had been eagerly awaiting his return, only to be met with this new development.
For a moment, Danzo was at a complete loss for words.
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