The man standing before the Third appeared to be about the same age, yet unlike the Third's gentle aura concealing immense power, this man had piercing eyes like a hawk.
He exuded a menacing presence...
The Third didn't seem surprised at his arrival. He lifted his head and said, "Discipline? How exactly do you want me to discipline him? He's just a student at the Ninja Academy."
The man clearly wouldn't back down so easily because of such reasoning. Smirking coldly, he replied, "I think it's not that you can't discipline him—it's because he's your grandstudent, and you simply can't bear to act against him, right?"
Upon hearing this, the Third's face darkened slightly with anger. After all, allowing Jiraiya to train Minato was outside his jurisdiction.
"Danzo, don't you think you're overstepping?" The Third's voice gradually grew colder.
Yet the man called Danzo remained unfazed as he spoke. "Any matter concerning the village must be reported to me. That child's actions have already jeopardized the village's interests."
At those words, the Third suddenly slammed his palms onto the desk in front of him, making all the papers tremble.
"Minato is also part of Konoha. You actually consider him a threat?" Naturally, he couldn't accept Danzo's stance.
"He deceived the Anbu and took the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki without authorization! Such behavior deserves judgment!" Danzo sneered.
"I am the Hokage of Konoha. Determining who is guilty is my decision—not yours!"
The Third snapped furiously. Though Danzo criticized Minato's actions now, in truth, his accusations were aimed directly at the Hokage himself.
"Heh, Sarutobi, you're too indecisive. Konoha doesn't need a Hokage like you anymore!" Danzo was deeply dissatisfied with the Third's current attitude, believing that his approach to governance was far too lenient.
"And yet, it's still me who holds this position—not you…" the Third said slowly. "Even you have no authority to judge the Hokage."
The meaning behind his words was clear—he was still the supreme authority in the village, beyond question.
After hearing this, Danzo's expression turned grim for a moment.
"Fine," he said, "I won't press other matters today. But Minato Namikaze shows great promise. If you allow him into Root, I guarantee I can mold him into our finest spy!"
Putting aside Minato's recent misconduct, this nine-year-old had managed to fool the Anbu. Someone with such talent was rare indeed.
Not a chance!" The Third snapped. He would never let that child fall under Danzo's control.
Leaving aside the fact that he had such a gentle disposition toward everyone—completely unsuited for a place as cold and ruthless as Root—
not to mention, with Jiraiya still away from the village, he couldn't possibly hand his student over to someone else while he was gone.
Moreover, Danzo's recent actions have grown increasingly excessive, laced with his own personal motives.
They couldn't allow him to treat Minato as a mere tool. That would be terrifying for both Konoha and the Third.
This child's potential is immeasurable!
Danzo glared, but the Third had already rejected his intentions.
Without another word, he turned to leave, only to hear the Third's voice behind him.
"Call back all the people you've placed around Minato. It's pointless and a wasteful use of manpower."
The Third understood this man all too well. Since he had set his sights on Minato, he would certainly take certain measures.
Danzo gave a cold snort and walked out of the Hokage's office.
The Third sat back in his chair, took out his pipe, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly. A smile gradually appeared on his face.
He truly looked forward to what surprises this young man might have in store.
...
Minato slowly made his way home, outwardly relaxed yet highly alert beneath the surface.
From his assessment, he determined that whoever followed him could not possibly belong to the Third's faction.
From Master Jiraiya, he had learned that in Konoha, the Third Hokage wasn't the only one who held power.
There were other high-ranking officials within the village who wielded immense influence as well.
His act of taking Kushina away today had certainly violated some kind of taboo within Konoha. And it wasn't impossible that among these powerful figures, someone had set their sights on him.
However, they didn't seem hostile, so Minato slowly loosened the tension in his body.
Just as he neared his home, those secretly watching him quietly disappeared.
He wasn't entirely clear about the reason behind this situation, but had considered several possibilities.
Originally, there had been basic training and hand seal practice after school, but all those plans were postponed due to the series of events.
He didn't really feel like doing anything after returning to his room, just kept thinking about his conversation with the Third.
Minato could clearly see that, just as Master Jiraiya had said, the Third held him in extremely high regard. Perhaps partly because of Jiraiya's influence, some of the arrogant things he said—those little tricks he played—were forgiven.
Some of the words spoken and actions taken today did indeed overstep his bounds.
But when Kushina asked him to teach her personally, his heart ached involuntarily.
He could no longer remain indifferent to Kushina's loneliness.
Therefore, no matter what, he needed the Third's approval.
...
In some corner of Konoha, several masked ninja knelt before Danzo.
"How did it go?" he asked.
One of them responded without emotion, like a machine reciting facts: "Lord, the boy is indeed very sharp. He became aware of us not long after leaving the Hokage Tower."
His tone carried no feeling, only mechanical repetition.
"I see," Danzo's sharp gaze flickered slightly, showing the faintest change in expression.
The Third Hokage understood him well, so how could he not understand the Third's thoughts and actions?
This was just a test of Minato Namikaze's abilities.
"Should I keep monitoring him?" the man asked again.
Danzo stared into the night ahead and smiled faintly. "No need. I want to see how far he'll go protecting that brat."
"In war… no matter how much of a genius someone is, they can still be cut down before reaching their full potential…"
His smile turned icy, like the cold wind cutting through the night.
...
...
i will definitely make it up to you.
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