"Hokage-sama, there's something you may not know…"
Minato's expression darkened.
With his sharp perception, how could he not see through the situation in front of him? It was clear that the three elders had already colluded and were waiting for his return—waiting to trap him with an official decision they had orchestrated behind closed doors.
He was just about to explain when Kakashi interrupted, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
"Haha, that's a great point. Everything is for the village, right?"
Kakashi's voice dripped with sarcasm. His gaze swept across the room, settling momentarily on each of the village elders.
"Then tell me, when a group of us—just 11 or 12 years old—were sent to the battlefield, where were you?"
"The Third Raikage personally held off 7,000 enemy ninja to cover his army's retreat."
"The Fourth Kazekage led from the front lines to protect the Sand Village."
"Even the Fourth Mizukage faced Obito alone trying to reclaim the Three Tails, ultimately sacrificing his life in the process."
He turned his sharp eyes toward the Hokage.
"Oh, my respected Hokage-sama," Kakashi said with a mock bow. "No offense intended, of course. You've worked tirelessly for the village and contributed greatly. You've stabilized the rear and maintained the home front. You are the pillar of Konoha."
"But," his tone turned cold, "why didn't you ever join Danzo-sama on the battlefield? Why didn't Mitokado Homura or Utatane Koharu lift a finger in the war?"
"If your excuse is that they're too old, then tell me—were they older than the Third Raikage or Chiyo the Elder?"
Each word struck like a blade. His voice echoed in the silent meeting hall.
"Hokage-sama, I still remember the Will of Fire you once taught us so passionately."
"The burning leaves represent the heroic sacrifices of the older generation. And the new leaves—the young—carry the future of the village."
"The essence of the Will of Fire is that the older generation must protect and trust the younger, even at the cost of their lives."
"But what have I seen instead? I see children dying on the battlefield while adults sit in safe offices, watching from the sidelines."
"Is that the Will of Fire you claim to uphold? Sacrificing young lives to keep the old comfortable?"
"Presumptuous!"
Utatane Koharu finally lost her patience, her voice rising sharply.
"Minato! Control your student! This is a high-level strategy meeting. Does he not understand the rules?"
Mitokado Homura snorted in disdain, clearly disgusted. To them, they were the elders of Konoha—second only to Hiruzen Sarutobi himself. Why should they take lectures from a mere boy who had just become a Jōnin?
But Sarutobi Hiruzen remained quiet.
Kakashi's words echoed in his heart like a bell toll. Sharp. Unforgiving. But not wrong.
Yes, Kakashi had inherited the true Will of Fire. His words were harsh, but their core held truth. If not for the sacrifice of the Second Hokage, who laid down his life for his comrades, none of them—Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, or Homura—would be here today.
He thought of his three old comrades. Friends who had helped him ascend to Hokage. Koharu and Homura had once been powerful Jōnin, but now, they were barely holding on to the strength of Special Jōnin.
Sending them to the battlefield now? That would be the same as sending them to their deaths.
But… was that fair to the younger generation?
Hiruzen had always loved to reason. In the silence of his mind, he often wrestled with philosophy and morality. But rarely had someone dared to call him out so bluntly. Now, Kakashi had shattered the carefully maintained illusion, confronting him with words that left no room for denial.
He couldn't bring himself to refute it. Not when it was the truth.
"I apologize for this outburst," Minato finally spoke, his voice calm and measured.
"Kakashi and Rin were close. His emotions got the better of him. Please, I ask the three elders to forgive his harsh words."
Minato bowed respectfully, though the fire in his eyes said otherwise.
"Now, if that's settled," he continued, "I will take responsibility for Nohara Rin."
Danzo's expression remained unreadable. He didn't seem shaken by Kakashi's accusations or Minato's tone.
Hmph. Where there is light, there must be shadow. I am that shadow—the Root that supports the Tree of Konoha.
Kakashi's youthful idealism was laughable to him. He had no idea of the weight and responsibility Danzo carried. One day, when he saw the bigger picture, he would understand. In time, Danzo would personally induct him into Root. Then Kakashi would truly grasp the meaning of self-sacrifice.
He'd already been rejected by Kakashi twice.
Once, twice… but never a third time.
When all this is over, Danzo would offer the invitation again. And this time, Kakashi had better not refuse.
"But Rin is my student," Minato said firmly. "I won't hand her over to Root."
"You—Minato!" Koharu snapped, shocked by his audacity. "Do you even understand what you're saying?"
"The first rule of a ninja is to follow orders. Respect for superiors is absolute."
"Kakashi is young and emotional. That's expected. But you—you're the Hokage!"
"Hokage-sama, I have my reasons for refusing."
Minato turned to face them fully. His eyes no longer carried hesitation—only unshakable resolve.
"Rin has become a perfect Jinchūriki."
"She no longer needs to be restrained. She doesn't need Root's supervision."
Silence.
Pure, stunned silence.
"What?!" Homura finally blurted out.
"That's impossible!"
"She's only had the Three Tails sealed in her for a short time! How could she have become perfect already?!"
Minato stood tall, unaffected by their disbelief.
"I would not say this lightly. As you know, I have a close relationship with Kushina, who was also a Jinchūriki. I've studied the nature of tailed beasts, and I've seen Rin's synchronization with Isobu myself."
"She has achieved spiritual communion with the Three Tails. The kind of balance that even most experienced Jinchūriki fail to reach."
Hiruzen's breath caught.
He stared at Minato, his heart pounding with realization. Minato was not one to speak without thought. If he said Rin had become a perfect Jinchūriki, then it had to be true.
A perfect Jinchūriki… someone who could use the full power of their tailed beast without losing control. A living weapon, a protector, a deterrent.
Such people were rarer than S-rank shinobi.
If what Minato said was true, then Konoha had just gained an asset that could shift the balance of power among the Five Great Nations.
"I see…" Hiruzen said slowly, a smile forming on his face. "This is… excellent news."
"A perfect Jinchūriki… Minato, do you understand what this means?"
"I do," Minato replied. "And that's why Rin must not be hidden away or treated like a tool. She is one of us, and I will protect her with everything I have."
Danzo's eye twitched slightly. So, the situation had changed.
For now.
But he was patient. He always had been. Even the sun sets eventually—and when it did, the shadows would rise again.
patreon (Obito_uchiha)