After listening to Minato Namikaze's analysis, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt it was quite reasonable.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and then asked, "So, although that child is an undercover agent, he can be considered an abandoned pawn of the Hidden Sand Village, and precisely because of his unimportance, Kuto sent him to Konoha as an undercover agent.
After all, it's not uncommon for the Five Great Shinobi Countries to send spies to each other. Even if we know that child is an undercover agent, we can't directly gain anything from the Hidden Sand Village through him."
Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement, "Yes, moreover, this child doesn't know any information about the Hidden Sand Village, and ostensibly, this child was a bargaining chip in a deal between the Hidden Sand Village and Iwagakure, which we intercepted. The Hidden Sand Village definitely won't admit this child is an undercover agent, and they might even unite with Iwagakure to use this child as an opportunity to make trouble for us Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became slightly grave: "Then this child seems to have become a hot potato. That Ōnoki guy definitely won't be content with this child, who possesses the Magnet Release Bloodline Limit, being taken by us so easily. He might already be preparing to make trouble for us. Minato, what do you think we should do with this child?"
Minato Namikaze said seriously and directly, "Third Hokage, I don't think this child is a hot potato. In my opinion, Shindai is very valuable and precious to us Konoha.
First, although this child is an undercover agent, we already know he is one, and his Ren'ying can directly contact the Kazekage. We can use this child to give the Kazekage some false information and intelligence.
Secondly, Shindai's talent is extremely high. Earlier, at the Konoha Garrison, I sent Daishi and Kakashi to test Shindai, and Shindai's combat was in no way inferior. I suspect Shindai already has the strength of a Jonin."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked surprised and asked in astonishment, "How old is that child?"
Minato Namikaze replied, "I asked Shindai, he is ten years old, the same age as Kakashi and the others."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly.
Ten years old, Jonin strength?
If he didn't know Minato Namikaze was a very meticulous person, Hiruzen Sarutobi might have thought Minato Namikaze was boasting.
"However…" Minato Namikaze changed the subject, "That child is very afraid of fighting and clearly hasn't experienced actual combat. His thought during battle isn't to defeat the opponent; even when opportunities to severely injure the opponent are created, he thinks about how to escape. As a result, despite having strength, he can't fully utilize it, fighting purely based on raw power."
Minato Namikaze felt it was hard to describe when he thought of Shindai's battle that day.
If it were him, as long as he could suppress the opponent, he would consider it his loss if he gave the opponent a chance to breathe.
Minato Namikaze continued, "More importantly, that child doesn't have a strong sense of belonging to the Hidden Sand Village. Therefore, I believe we can make Shindai identify with Konoha, allowing Shindai to truly join Konoha and become a part of Konoha.
So, Third Hokage, I hope to take Shindai under my wing. I will do my best to make Shindai identify with Konoha's ideals and become a part of Konoha. At the same time, I also want to change Shindai's fear of combat.
This way, once the day comes when Shindai identifies with Konoha, our Konoha will also possess a powerful Ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to Minato Namikaze without hesitation: "Alright, Minato, that child will be entrusted to you for guidance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to refuse Minato Namikaze's proposal.
If Minato Namikaze succeeded, Konoha would have its first Magnet Release Bloodline Limit Ninja.
Not only that, after Shindai settled down in Konoha, he might even develop a Magnet Release Bloodline Limit Ninja clan in the future.
That would be truly wonderful!
Thanks to the Third Kazekage of Hidden Sand Village for sending the Bloodline Limit!
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "Then, Minato, let that child come and see me."
Minato Namikaze nodded, "Alright, I'll call them up now."
After Minato Namikaze left the office, he went to the lobby of the Hokage Building and found Shindai and the others.
"Shindai, the Third Hokage wants to see you, come up with me. Kakashi, you can go home and rest after you finish reporting and handing over your mission."
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara left to turn in their mission.
Meanwhile, Shindai, feeling nervous, followed behind Minato Namikaze to the Hokage Office.
Upon entering the Hokage Office, Shindai finally met Konoha's highest leader, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's first impression on Shindai was that he seemed quite amiable, not very serious, and was looking at him with a smile.
Minato Namikaze smiled and introduced Shindai, "Shindai, this is Hokage-sama, whom you admire."
Shindai stammered as he greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hokage-sama, hello, I am your idol, no, your idol is me… that doesn't seem right either. In short, you are my admirer, that's it!"
Minato Namikaze watched Shindai with a face full of black lines.
What nonsense is he spouting?
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind, and said cheerfully, "Shindai, Konoha welcomes your arrival. Coming to Konoha is like coming home, no need to be reserved."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say it was like coming home, Shindai's eyes lit up slightly: "Hokage-sama, does this mean I've already joined Konoha? Can I stay in Konoha?
I promise, once I stay in Konoha, I will work diligently. Hokage-sama, you can arrange a research job for me, letting me research Ninjutsu, secret techniques, and the like. But it would be best if I could learn Konoha's existing technological data; I guarantee that Konoha's technology will reach a new level in the future!
My salary doesn't need to be too high, just enough for me to have three delicious meals a day. My demands are not high. If Hokage-sama insists on giving me research funds, I can reluctantly accept it!"
Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Shindai, dumbfounded.
How thick-skinned must one be to say such words?
And he says his demands aren't high? What would be considered high demands then?
Does he truly have no idea about his own situation?
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and said, "Shindai, I personally welcome you to Konoha, but even though I am the Hokage, I cannot break the rules. The necessary procedures must still be followed. You will act with Minato for now, and when the time is right, I will arrange for you to join Konoha."
Now it was Shindai's turn to be dumbfounded; it turned out that what Hiruzen Sarutobi said about treating Konoha as his home was just empty words!
Extra chapter avilable in PATREON
patreon.com/Achilles_Stein
patreon.com/Achilles_Stein