"Is it a graduation request?" Hiruzen asked, letting a puff of smoke escape from his lips.
If someone who didn't know him saw him now, they might believe he was the best smoker in the world.
"Yes," Sarutobi Masaru replied calmly. He didn't think his uncle was unaware of the matter. After all, for a ninja, information is everything. As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen held near-absolute control over Konoha. There were very few things that escaped his notice.
And indeed, from the very moment Aizen and Kakashi began using Shadow Clones to attend classes, Hiruzen had been fully informed. Initially, he had prepared a long, heavy-handed lecture about the Will of Fire. But then he discovered something that changed his mind.
Though the clones went to the Academy, the real Aizen and Kakashi were training atop the Hokage Rock.
He received detailed ANBU reports and even occasionally used his telescope technique to spy on them, only to find the two boys diligently training every single time.
After seeing this repeatedly, Hiruzen came to a conclusion: both Aizen and Kakashi were geniuses.
He'd seen their mock battles, their rapid improvement, and the way they handled even basic jutsu with precision. They weren't simply talented. They were genin-level already.
Yes, many children, especially those from clans, could perform basic jutsu. But few had mastered them with such discipline. Most younger shinobi treated them as stepping stones to flashy, high-level techniques. Not these two. They practiced foundational skills over and over.
It reminded Hiruzen of how true shinobi used to be. And it impressed him.
He should have been happy. The village had gained two prodigies. And he would be, if it were only Kakashi.
After all, Kakashi was the son of Sakumo Hatake, the ANBU commander, a man loyal to both the village and to Hiruzen himself.
But Aizen was different. He was an Uchiha.
The very clan that his own sensei, the Second Hokage, feared. The clan that, despite helping found Konoha, was still distrusted and discriminated against.
People whispered about the possibility of another Madara rising. And if that happened… who could stop it? The First Hokage was gone. His line, the Senju clan, had all but vanished. Even his grandson had died young.
The thought darkened Hiruzen's expression.
Should I stop them? he wondered.
But if he allowed only Kakashi to graduate, it would look like blatant favouritism.
Yet it was true. They were ready.
He couldn't afford to let his fear cloud his judgment. Not now, not with the Third Ninja War on the horizon. Letting them stay in the Academy would be a waste of their talent. They'd end up on the battlefield anyway. Better to prepare them now.
His face turning thoughtful, Hiruzen leaned forward and asked his nephew, "Tell me, Masaru, what do you think of Aizen?"
Masaru understood the question was serious. After a brief pause, he closed his eyes and began:
"Hokage-sama, Aizen is... different from others. He's polite to everyone, doesn't cause trouble, and even stops others from stirring chaos. He truly believes in the Will of Fire and trains constantly, saying he wants to grow strong and protect the village. Despite being an Uchiha, he never looks down on civilians. He helps them. The whole Academy respects him. Some even say... he's the perfect child."
Hiruzen nodded and closed his eyes.
He knew all of this already. Sometimes, he even wondered if Aizen was truly an Uchiha. He had doubted the boy before, wondered if it was all an act. But how could a five-year-old keep up such a perfect façade?
No. It only meant the child had a pure soul.
[BANG]
The door swung open.
"Hiruzen! Did you hear that evil Uchiha brat wants to graduate early? Leave him to me. I'll make him into a perfect tool for the village."
Danzo.
Hiruzen shot him a sharp look, his single visible eye clearly saying: Can't you control your damn mouth?
As usual, Danzo had entered without permission. But Hiruzen tolerated it, barely. Unless he was truly angry, he overlooked Danzo's small insubordinations. The man thought of himself as equal to the Hokage.
Danzo snorted and stepped forward.
"You have to give me one of them."
He'd clearly just received the report and rushed over, fully aware of Hiruzen's tendency to hesitate.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said firmly, "Aizen is a part of the village. He believes in the Will of Fire. Don't try anything."
Danzo's face twisted with frustration, veins visible on his forehead.
"Your cowardice will destroy this village!"
SLAM!
Hiruzen smashed his palm on the desk.
"Shut up, Danzo! I am the Hokage."
The words rang through the room with finality.
In that moment, Hiruzen felt his decision harden. Aizen's very existence was a miracle. A child like that, born into the Uchiha clan? He wasn't a threat. He was a gift and should be used perfectly. And now Danzo wanted to turn him into some emotionless puppet?
Tch... No wonder you never became Hokage, Hiruzen thought, his eyes gleaming as he looked at his old rival.
Danzo's heart sank. Every time Hiruzen said something like that, it reminded him of his greatest failure—missing his chance to lead the village. Bitterness welled up in his chest.
"Sensei made a mistake picking you..." he muttered internally. "It should've been me. And someday, it will be."
Aloud, he said, "You are the light of the village, and I am its shadow. The Root protects the village from behind the scenes. But we need fresh blood, especially with the Third War coming."
Hiruzen's eyes softened slightly. Yes, Danzo had done dirty work for the village. For him. He couldn't leave his old friend empty-handed.
"Fine. You may recruit from some other clans. Give me a list and I'll approve it. But forget about Aizen and Kakashi. The Uchiha won't allow their genius to join Root, and Sakumo won't accept your methods either."
His tone left no room for argument. They are mine.
Danzo understood.
He turned toward the door, fuming.
"You'll regret this!" he spat before slamming the door behind him.
[BANG]
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Danzo, Danzo... You can't even control your emotions. And you wanted to be Hokage?"
He then turned to Masaru, who had been completely ignored during the entire conversation.
"Tell them they'll have to pass a test before they can graduate."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Masaru replied promptly.
As for everything he'd just heard?
What are you talking about? He didn't hear a thing. Nope. He only came to report. Danzo? Who's that? Didn't hear anything, Hokage-sama!
Hiruzen waved him off and turned back to his crystal ball.
Time to do a little research.
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