Chapter 22: A Path of His Own
"Oh? There's more to it than that?" Kamikawa Hiraoka asked, feigning a thoughtful interest. He maintained a respectful facade, but internally he was on high alert. This was the classic Konoha indoctrination.
Sarutobi Hiruzen met his gaze, his expression one of deep, almost paternal solemnity. "Wherever the leaves flutter, the fire of the Will burns brightly. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and cause the new leaves to sprout." He spoke the words like a sacred mantra, watching Hiraoka closely for a sign of understanding or acceptance.
Hiraoka kept his face carefully neutral, offering only a look of polite confusion. Internally, he was unmoved. Pretty words to dress up a system that grinds down its tools. You won't recruit me with poetry, old man.
"With all due respect, Hokage-sama," Hiraoka said, steering the conversation back to practical matters. "I believe my current strength, while adequate for a genin, is not yet worthy of the ANBU. I would benefit more from gaining experience through standard missions first."
The door to the office creaked open before Hiruzen could reply. Shimura Danzo stood there, his lone eye sweeping over the scene before landing on Hiraoka.
"If it is missions you seek, you will find more... substantial assignments at my foundation," Danzo stated, his voice a dry rasp. He had heard everything from the hallway.
Hiraoka's blood ran cold. Speak of the devil. A thousand curses ran through his mind. Joining Root was a one-way ticket to becoming a brainwashed puppet or a corpse. Every mission was a dirty secret, and disposable assets were their specialty.
He kept his composure, offering a slight, deferential bow. "Your offer is generous, Danzo-sama. However, I fear my skills are still too unrefined for the demanding work of the Foundation. I would be a liability. I should start with simpler D-ranks to build my foundation."
Danzo's eye narrowed slightly. "The Foundation specializes in building foundations. Our tasks are tailored to forge strength from raw potential."
The refusal was clear, and Danzo could feel the boy's resistance. It only made him want to secure this asset more.
"Danzo," Hiruzen interjected, his voice firm and final. "If he does not wish to join the ANBU or the Foundation, we will not force him. The choice is his."
Danzo's jaw tightened. He shot a final, lingering look at Hiraoka—a look that promised this was not over—before turning to leave. "You will come to regret this leniency, Hiruzen," he muttered.
"I am the Hokage," Sarutobi replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. The title was a shield and a weapon.
With a last, silent glance, Danzo departed.
"Since you are set on your path, I will not press further," Hiruzen said, turning back to Hiraoka. "You are dismissed."
Hiraoka didn't need to be told twice. He offered a quick bow and practically fled the office, the weight of the two leaders' gazes lifting from his shoulders the moment he stepped into the hallway.
He knew the history. He knew about the dark compromises and the bodies buried to maintain the village's peace. Sarutobi's inaction during the Uchiha massacre and his tacit allowance for Danzo's grotesque collection of Sharingan were not the acts of a benevolent grandfather, but of a pragmatic politician. Konoha, for all its talk of "Will," was a machine that chewed up its heroes and spat out rebels.
Forget the Will of Fire, Hiraoka thought, striding onto the sunlit streets. My will is my own. I'll get strong, I'll live comfortably, and I'll enjoy the company of the people I choose. If Pain flattens this village one day, that's Konoha's problem, not mine.
Back in the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the boy disappear into the crowd. He then pulled three files from a drawer and handed them to a masked ANBU. "Fetch Hatake Kakashi. Immediately."
Minutes later, the copy ninja appeared in a soft puff of smoke. "Hokage-sama. You called for me?"
"I have your new team," Hiruzen stated, passing the files over. "They will be your students, starting tomorrow."
Kakashi lazily opened the first file. "Naruto Uzumaki... Minato-sensei's son." He opened the second. "Sasuke Uchiha... the last of his clan." He opened the third, and his visible eyebrow rose slightly. "And Kamikawa Hiraoka. Top of his class. Iruka's reports indicate his skills are already at chunin level."
"Precisely," Hiruzen said, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Hiraoka is a prodigy, but one with... independent inclinations. Uchiha Sasuke requires a teacher who understands the weight of the Sharingan. And Naruto..." He paused, his gaze softening. "He is your sensei's legacy. There is no one better to guide him."
Kakashi looked at the three faces staring up from the files. A container of the Nine-Tails, an avenger, and a wildcard prodigy. "What a interesting team," he mused, tucking the files under his arm. "I'll see them at the training ground tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Hiraoka's thoughts were far from the political machinations of the Hokage Tower. He was envisioning his future team assignments. A slow smile spread across his face as he imagined being placed on a team with Hinata and Ino.
Now that would be the perfect arrangement, he thought, his mood lifting considerably. Going on missions with two beautiful kunoichi by my side. Endless opportunities for... camaraderie. The prospect of a future filled with flirting, casual touches, and thrilling adventures was a far more appealing future than any "Will of Fire" could ever offer.
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There is not a single well written female character in Naruto. Even Sakura who is part of the main team has little to no development.
Anyways, Drop some stones for me