The young Kakashi stood silently behind Minato, his head slightly tilted toward the sofa where Danzo sat. Beneath his feline ANBU mask, his youthful face was filled with confusion.
"Why do I feel like I've been dragged into someone else's mess again…?"
He sighed inwardly, helpless.
Though he didn't know the full story, he had gathered enough from the earlier exchange between Danzo, the Third Hokage, and the others to understand the gist:
this "evaluation mission" Danzo had assigned him was clearly meant to stir up trouble with the Hyuga Clan.
Even with his position as both an ANBU operative and the Fourth Hokage's disciple, Kakashi still felt uneasy. No one enjoyed being used as a pawn—especially when it meant standing on the opposite side of one of Konoha's most powerful bloodline clans.
Worse still, Danzo had already "burned" him once in the past. And now, it seemed, he was being made into a weapon again.
But no one in the room cared what Kakashi thought. Even Minato, who knew his student well, sat in thoughtful silence, mulling over Danzo's proposal.
And to be fair—as much as Minato disliked Danzo's motives—the suggestion itself wasn't unreasonable.
No one understood better than Minato how difficult the Flying Thunder God Technique truly was. Its challenge didn't end with mastering the formula; even using it safely required reflexes bordering on superhuman.
space-time ninjutsu demanded a mind and body that could react faster than thought itself. Without the proper innate gift, attempting it could easily result in disaster—even death.
The Flying Thunder God was a thousand times more complex than Kakashi's own self-created Chidori. And even that jutsu, Kakashi had only truly mastered after obtaining Obito's Sharingan, which enhanced his perception to inhuman levels.
If a genius like Kakashi had failed to learn the Flying Thunder God, how could a five-year-old Hyuga child possibly hope to do it?
Minato's mind drifted briefly to the boy—Hyuga Satoru.
He remembered their first meeting: a polite, sharp-eyed child, calm beyond his years. Impressive, yes, but still… a child.
And when it came to something as dangerous as the Scroll of Seals, Minato couldn't afford to be careless.
If the boy truly lacked the potential to master the technique, perhaps letting him fail early—and lose interest—would be the kinder outcome.
"Watergate," came Hiruzen's quiet voice from the sofa, breaking his train of thought. "What do you think of Danzo's proposal?"
Minato's eyes flickered with understanding. Everyone here was a seasoned player in Konoha's political game—there was no need to speak too plainly. Hiruzen's question was essentially his way of approving Danzo's idea while keeping his own hands clean.
"I think Advisor Danzo makes a fair point," Minato said after a pause. "It's not just a matter of village security—it's also for young Satoru's own good."
"I agree with the elders' decision."
"I'll explain it to the Hyuga myself when they arrive."
He took the responsibility without hesitation. That was Minato's nature—to shoulder burdens, even when they weren't his to carry.
Kakashi turned his head slightly. "Sensei…"
But Minato merely shook his head, silencing him before he could speak.
As a member of the ANBU, Kakashi's role was clear—a silent tool, not a voice in council. Saying more would only make things worse.
And Minato had already decided: if the Hyuga took offense, he alone would bear the consequences.
The room fell into silence once again, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.
A few minutes later, a soft knock echoed from the office door.
At Minato's signal, Kakashi moved forward, opening the door.
Standing outside were two figures—one tall, one small.
Hyuga Hiashi and his son, Hyuga Satoru.
Kakashi recognized the clan head instantly and bowed slightly before his gaze fell on the boy beside him.
Satoru wore his long dark hair tied neatly behind him. His clear, pale-pale, pearly eyes—not the usual lavender of the Byakugan—gave him an almost ethereal look. His face, sharp yet delicate, held no childish smile. The boy's composure, his posture—everything about him mirrored his father's quiet authority.
Despite himself, Kakashi felt a subtle pressure emanating from the child—that innate air of command unique to those born in high places.
"Ah—pardon me," Kakashi murmured, realizing belatedly that he had frozen in place, blocking their path.
Both Hyugas glanced at him briefly—the father calm, the son curious—and Kakashi immediately stepped aside, letting them pass. Once they had entered, he quietly closed the door and resumed his place beside Minato.
"Did we come at a bad time?" Hiashi asked, his tone polite but guarded. His sharp eyes flicked briefly over the room—taking in Hiruzen, Danzo, and the other advisors seated on the sofa.
"So many esteemed guests… were you discussing something important?"
He offered a shallow bow to the Third Hokage and Minato. Outwardly, his face was calm, even smiling faintly—but inside, Hiashi's heart sank like a stone.
All these people gathered here for a simple borrowing of the Scroll of Seals? That was never a good sign.
The advisors—Danzo, Koharu, Homura—all turned their attention to Satoru.
Though the boy stood quietly, his posture respectful, the way their eyes lingered on him felt unpleasantly sharp. It wasn't quite mockery, but neither was it respect.
No, the feeling was clearer than that—it was disdain.
Satoru frowned slightly. For the first time in a long while, he felt irritation stir within him.
"Hiashi, you're here," Minato greeted lightly. "The advisors heard about your clan's request to borrow the Scroll of Seals and wanted to ensure everything was handled properly."
A perfectly diplomatic answer—and a subtle way of throwing all blame squarely on the elders' shoulders.
Hiashi's expression tightened. "…I see."
"Hiashi," Hiruzen said at last, "there's a small condition we need to make clear."
Minato hesitated briefly, then spoke up, his voice carefully measured.
"To ensure the proper handling of this matter, we've decided that Satoru will need to first prove his potential. Specifically…" He glanced toward the silver-haired ANBU standing beside him. "He must defeat Hatake Kakashi in combat."
Only after that, Minato explained, would the Hyuga heir be allowed access to the Scroll of Seals.
Hiashi blinked in disbelief. "You mean—Satoru must beat Kakashi… to prove his worth?!"
His voice hardened, incredulous.
He turned his eyes toward the masked ANBU at Minato's side—as if to confirm. A mask meant nothing to the Byakugan; Hiashi already knew who he was looking at.
"Hatake Kakashi," he said slowly. "The Copy Ninja. The Fourth's personal student."
Minato nodded, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "In short… yes. Of course, we'll give him all the time he needs. Five years, ten years—however long it takes."
"When he proves himself, the Scroll will be open to him."
Hiashi's jaw clenched. "I see," he said flatly. "So that's how it is."
He bowed stiffly, his face dark with barely restrained anger. "We've clearly overstepped, then. My apologies for the disturbance."
He turned sharply, taking his son's hand. "Come, Satoru. We're leaving."
But when he tugged, the boy didn't move.
"…Satoru?"
He glanced down, puzzled—and found his son staring up at him with a look of pure confusion.
"Father," Satoru said quietly, "where are we going?"
"Didn't they say all I have to do is defeat Hatake Kakashi?"
His clear, steady gaze turned toward the silver-haired ANBU.
"In that case…" Satoru said calmly, stepping forward until he stood before the Hokage's desk.
"…let's begin."
The words were spoken softly, almost politely—yet the still air of the office seemed to freeze in their wake.
Even behind his mask, Kakashi blinked in disbelief.
Was this kid… serious?
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