Naruto: Minato Namikaze, born evil

Chapter 11 Meeting

"As expected... truly a great force that pacified the Warring States period."

Konoha, Hokage's office building.

Inside the conference hall, four figures sat on either side of the tea table.

Sitting next to Hiruzen Sarutobi was Danzo Shimura, the current Hokage's assistant, and opposite him were two Hokage advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.

Their gazes fell on the crystal ball on the table, which reflected the situation inside the third training ground.

When they saw Minato display the power of Wood Release and easily change the growth of trees, the group couldn't help but recall the man known as the God of Shinobi.

"With two powerful bloodlines, it's no wonder that Lord Mito favored him. Judging from the abilities this child has shown, even if he grows up step by step, he can become the village's top combatant before the age of twenty."

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his tone somewhat wistful.

"I never expected to be taken as a disciple by Tsunade. Even I am envious of such talent..."

"He's a good kid, not arrogant or impatient, with a calm and composed personality, and is friendly and polite..."

Mitokado Yan looked at Minato's handsome face with admiration: "If we were the same age, this kid would be many times more outstanding than us."

"He's also more handsome than you old guys."

Koharu Utatane chuckled and delivered the final blow, then looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some hesitation.

"But this child actually became Tsunade's apprentice... I'm not questioning Tsunade's abilities, but that girl has such a fiery personality, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"This is Lord Mito's wish, and also Minato's own choice. I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the file containing Minato's information on the tea table: "I believe Tsunade has the ability to train him well, and this can be seen from Nawaki's cheerful personality."

"I see. So the child's parents have passed away?"

Koharu, who was turning the dorm, picked up the document and glanced at it. She looked enlightened and said, "In that case, someone who is like a 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 all surely haven't forgotten the Uchiha clan's rebellion, have you?"

Koharu, the girl in the dorm, frowned slightly: "What does this have to do with Minato?"

"Of course it's related."

Danzo Shimura slightly opened his narrowed eyes, his gaze solemn: "There aren't many powers in this world that can suppress tailed beasts. Apart from the Uzumaki clan, who are skilled in sealing, only the power of Wood Release and the Sharingan can effectively suppress tailed beasts."

"The last rebellion was enough to prove that the Uchiha are not trustworthy, and Lady Mito is getting old. Although it may be disrespectful to say this, if an unexpected situation really occurs, Wood Release is our only option to suppress the Nine-Tails. So, isn't our top priority to help him grow up as quickly as possible?"

"You've all seen this child's strength. Although he lacks combat experience, he already possesses the power to threaten Tsunade and the others. With a little training, he can become a combat force. Sending such a talented person to school would be a complete waste of time. It would be better to bring him to the Anbu for special training."

"This…"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance. It was undeniable that Danzo's words made some sense, although the reasons were not entirely convincing, there was indeed a potential problem in this regard.

"Danzo is right... Wood Release is indeed the only way to suppress the Nine-Tails at present, but that's precisely why this child has to go to school."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

If a young, powerful individual has no ties or worries, why would anyone stand up to protect them even if they encounter an accident?

Just because you look old?

You think you're shameless?

Or is it because of your dark and wicked mind?

The two advisors clearly understood this as well, and nodded silently without refutation.

"Speaking of which, after this child awakened Wood Release, the first thing he did wasn't to show off or tell me, the Hokage, but to choose to become Tsunade's apprentice. I suppose he was worried about something like what Danzo said happening, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced meaningfully at Danzo, then picked up his pipe and put it in his mouth.

"It's clear that this child is very opinionated. Of course, it also shows that in the eyes of some people in the village, we are not trustworthy, just like the Uchiha you mentioned, Danzo. This is not only my dereliction of duty as the Hokage, but also the dereliction of duty of everyone here."

"You're too naive, Hiruzen."

Danzo glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Ninjas shouldn't have a self."

"Yes, that's true, but how can a person not have a self? Even animals know the principle of seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and chuckled: "Especially Danzo, your self-awareness is the most pronounced among everyone here, but in my opinion, you are a rather outstanding ninja."

Danzo froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He never imagined that his best friend of childhood would one day say such harsh words!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi expressed himself very subtly, everyone could understand the meaning behind it.

Little did he know that Hiruzen Sarutobi was also helpless. Emotionally, he didn't want to say such harsh things, especially since Danzo was a friend he had grown up with.

Both of them aspired to become Hokage, grew up together, and fought side by side, until Tobirama-sensei chose him to succeed as Hokage…

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Danzo's resentment and jealousy, and knew his desire for the Hokage position.

That's why, out of trust, or perhaps out of guilt for taking away his friend's ideals, or maybe out of a lack of confidence in his own abilities, he chose to give Danzo some of the power that belonged to the Hokage, and even to give him a part of the Anbu to build his team.

But as the saying goes, what I give you is yours, and what I don't give you, you can't take away!

Minato is clearly such a thing.

For Konoha, which is more important, Wood Release or Danzo?

To put it bluntly, even a hundred Danzos stacked together wouldn't be qualified to touch this porcelain.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally didn't believe Danzo's nonsense. He might be soft-hearted and indulgent, but he was still very clear-headed about issues involving the core of power.

"Furthermore, the fastest growth period for a ninja's strength is after the age of twelve. Even if Minato is trained in advance, it will take at least ten years for him to reach the peak of his ninja career. Otherwise, even with Wood Release, it would be impossible for him to have the ability to suppress the Tailed Beasts during this period."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head: "The reason I've gathered everyone here today is to make one thing clear: for Konoha as it is now, Minato's existence is inviolable. Anyone who dares to harm him in any way will be considered a traitor!"

Upon hearing this, the two advisors exchanged a glance and nodded solemnly.

Danzo's face twitched slightly, and his eyes turned cold, but he suppressed his anger and nodded without saying anything more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is currently under forty years old, at the peak of his strength, and enjoys high prestige in the village.

His Root organization was only recently established, with only a handful of subordinates. While being the Hokage's assistant sounds prestigious, he was essentially just the Hokage's secretary, and even his power stemmed from the Hokage's position.

He lacked both military strength and political capital; in fact, if the two hadn't grown up together, he wouldn't even have had the right to question them.

The two advisors saw this very clearly, but Danzo never seemed to grasp it.

The other three people present could also see that Danzo was clueless, but no one pointed it out.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's teammates, the two advisors have always been his staunch supporters, and naturally they are aware of the twisted love-hate relationship between the two old guys over the years.

Whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was suitable to be Hokage was unclear to them, but they were certain that Danzo Shimura was definitely not suitable to be Hokage.

Given Hiruzen Sarutobi's indulgence of Danzo, they were too lazy to bother with the mess between the two. As long as Danzo didn't openly rebel, there was no need for the two of them to offend Danzo, since Hiruzen Sarutobi himself hadn't said anything.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, the reason he let Danzo go might also be due to some personal reasons.

He knew he was soft-hearted, prone to sentimentality, and too naive in his views. He did need someone to help him deal with some shady matters.

He admitted to being hypocritical and overly concerned with his reputation.

If you say he condoned Danzo's evil deeds, then he can accept that.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's unquestionable gaze, Danzo took a deep breath, knowing that the matter was settled and that any further action would only anger the other party.

but…

Yes!

Since Hiruzen wants to bind that child with the shackles of bonds, then I will choose those shackles for him…