"As expected... it truly is a great power, worthy of having pacified the chaotic Warring States Period."
Konoha, Hokage Office Building.
Inside the conference hall, four figures sat on either side of a tea table.
Seated beside Hiruzen Sarutobi was the current Hokage Assistant, Danzo Shimura, and opposite them were the two Hokage Advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
The group's gaze fell upon a crystal ball on the table, which projected the situation inside the Third Training Ground.
As they watched Minato demonstrate the power of Wood Release, easily manipulating the growth of trees, they couldn't help but recall the man who held the title of God of Shinobi.
"Possessing two powerful Kekkei Genkai, it's no wonder he caught Lady Mito's eye. Judging by the abilities this child has shown, even with standard growth, he could become one of the village's top combatants before the age of twenty."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his tone tinged with emotion.
"I just didn't expect him to be taken in as a disciple by Tsunade. With such talent, even I am quite tempted..."
"He's a good child—not arrogant or impetuous, with a steady personality, and he is both friendly and polite..."
Homura Mitokado studied Minato's handsome face, showing his appreciation.
"At the same age, this child is many times more outstanding than we were."
"He's also much more handsome than you old fogies."
Koharu Utatane added a playful jab before looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a hint of hesitation.
"However, for this child to take Tsunade as his master... I'm not questioning Tsunade's ability, but that girl has such a fiery personality. Will it really be appropriate?"
"This was Lady Mito's intention and Minato's own choice; I don't see anything inappropriate about it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the file containing Minato's information across the tea table.
"I believe Tsunade has the ability to train him well. One can see that much from Nawaki's cheerful personality."
"I see. Have this child's parents already passed away?"
Koharu Utatane picked up the file and scanned it, a look of realization dawning on her face.
"In that case, a presence like an elder sister or a mother is indeed more suitable than a man. I have no objection."
"I have an objection."
Danzo Shimura suddenly spoke up.
"You haven't forgotten the Uchiha Clan's previous rebellion, have you?"
Koharu Utatane's brow furrowed slightly.
"What does that have to do with Minato's matter?"
"It has everything to do with it."
Danzo Shimura's squinted eyes opened slightly, his gaze solemn.
"There aren't many powers in this world that can suppress a Tailed Beast. Aside from the Uzumaki Clan, who excel at Fūinjutsu, only the power of Wood Release and the Sharingan can effectively suppress a Tailed Beast."
"The last rebellion was enough to prove that the Uchiha cannot be trusted. Lady Mito is also advanced in years. Though it may sound disrespectful, if an accident were truly to occur, Wood Release would be our only option to suppress the Nine-Tails. Therefore, isn't the urgent priority to let him grow as quickly as possible?"
"You've seen the child's strength. Although he lacks combat experience, he already possesses power that can threaten the likes of Tsunade. With a little training, he can become a viable combat force. Sending such talent to the Academy is a complete waste of time; it would be better to bring him to Root for special training."
"This..."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged a glance.
It was undeniable that Danzo had a point.
While the reasoning wasn't entirely sufficient, such hidden dangers did indeed exist.
"What Danzo says isn't wrong... Wood Release is indeed the only current means to suppress the Nine-Tails. However, it is precisely because of this that the child must enter the Academy."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a light chuckle.
If a young powerhouse has no bonds and no attachments, why would he stand up to protect you if an accident really happened?
Because you're old?
Because you're shameless?
Or because of your dark intentions?
The two Advisors clearly understood this logic and nodded silently without refuting him.
"Speaking of which, after this child awakened Wood Release, his first instinct wasn't to show off, nor was it to inform me, the Hokage. Instead, he chose to take Tsunade as his master. He must have been worried about the very thing Danzo mentioned happening, right?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzo a meaningful look and put his pipe back in his mouth.
"It's clear this child is very independent. It's also clear that in the eyes of some people in the village, we are equally untrustworthy—just like the Uchiha you speak of, Danzo. This is not only a failure of mine as Hokage, but also a failure of everyone sitting here."
"You are too naive, Hiruzen."
Danzo glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"A shinobi should not possess a sense of self."
"Yes, that's what they say, but how can a human not have a self? Even animals know to seek fortune and avoid disaster."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a laugh.
"Especially you, Danzo—your sense of self is the most distinct among everyone present. Yet, in my eyes, you are quite an excellent shinobi."
Danzo suddenly froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He never thought his lifelong friend would one day speak such biting words!
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi expressed it subtly, anyone could hear the underlying meaning.
Little did he know, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also feeling helpless.
Emotionally, he didn't want to speak so harshly, especially since Danzo was a friend he had grown up with.
Both had aimed for the position of Hokage, growing up together and fighting side by side until Teacher Tobirama chose him to succeed as Hokage...
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the resentment and jealousy in Danzo's heart, and he knew the man's desire for the Hokage seat.
That was why, out of trust—or perhaps out of guilt for taking his friend's dream, and maybe even out of a lack of confidence in his own abilities—he chose to give Danzo a portion of the Hokage's power, even splitting off a part of the Anbu for him to form his own group.
But as the saying goes: what I give you is yours; what I don't give, you cannot take!
Minato was clearly such a case.
To Konoha, which was more important: Wood Release or Danzo?
To put it bluntly, even a hundred Danzos stacked together wouldn't be qualified to compare.
Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally wouldn't believe Danzo's nonsense.
Soft-heartedness was one thing, and indulgence was another, but he remained very clear-headed regarding issues involving the core of power.
"Furthermore, the stage where a shinobi's strength grows the fastest is after the age of twelve. Even if we start training Minato early, it will take at least ten years for him to reach his peak. Otherwise, even with Wood Release, it's impossible for him to meet the conditions to suppress a Tailed Beast in the meantime."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.
"I have gathered you all today to make one thing clear. For the current Konoha, Minato's existence must not be compromised. Anyone who dares to act against him in any form will be treated as committing treason against the village!"
Hearing this, the two Advisors exchanged looks and nodded with serious expressions.
Danzo's face twitched slightly, his eyes turning cold, but he suppressed the anger in his heart and nodded without saying anything more.
The current Hiruzen Sarutobi was not yet forty, in his peak years of strength, and held high prestige in the village.
His Root organization had only recently been established with just a few members.
"Hokage Assistant" sounded impressive, but in the end, it was just the Hokage's secretary; even the source of his power was dependent on the position of the Hokage.
Whether in terms of armed force or political capital, he possessed neither.
In fact, if the two 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 it.
The other three present could also see that Danzo didn't understand his place, but no one moved to point it out.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi's teammates, the two Advisors had always been his firm supporters.
Naturally, they knew the twisted, love-hate relationship these two old men had shared for so many years.
Whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was fit to be Hokage, they weren't sure, but what they were certain of was that Danzo Shimura was absolutely unfit for the role.
Given Hiruzen Sarutobi's indulgence of Danzo, they didn't care to bother with the mess between them.
As long as Danzo didn't openly rebel, there was no need for them to go out of their way to offend him, especially since Hiruzen Sarutobi himself hadn't said anything.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, his reasons for letting Danzo be didn't exclude personal ones.
He knew he was soft-hearted, prone to nostalgia, and too naive in his views.
He indeed needed someone to help him handle things that couldn't see the light of day.
If people called him a hypocrite who cherished his reputation, he would admit it.
If they said he was indulging Danzo's evil deeds, he could accept that too.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's unquestionable gaze, Danzo took a deep breath, knowing the matter was settled.
If he tried to make any more moves, he might truly enrage the other man.
But... fine!
"Since you want to place the shackles of bonds on that child, Hiruzen, then I shall be the one to choose those shackles for him..."