Generally speaking, a Kage is safest within his own village—provided that none of the people close to him happen to be lunatics.
Among the Fourth Hokage's close circle, there just so happens to be one. Fortunately, that beloved disciple cannot show himself in Konohagakure; according to the official records, he is dead. At this moment, he is roaming the shinobi world cosplaying his own long-haired clan elder.
So for the time being, the Fourth Hokage is safe.
As for his Shadow Guard, the force protecting him from the shadows, they do not need to keep their nerves constantly on edge either.
Yes. After a week of initial training, Makoto and the other five successfully took up their posts, shedding their status as ordinary mission shinobi and becoming proud members of the ANBU.
In any case, the Hokage is unlikely to encounter danger within the village. And some things simply cannot be learned from written texts. Therefore, the best approach from here on out is to gain understanding gradually through practice.
At present, the six-person Shadow Guard remains divided into two groups.
Makoto's squad handles the morning shift, while Genma's squad handles the afternoon.
As for the night, protection duties are handed over to the Third Hokage's ANBU.
This arrangement was unanimously approved by the entirety of Konoha F4. Although Minato may not need protection himself, one must not forget that his wife is Konohagakure's Nine-Tails jinchūriki. In their youth, the elders of the Third Hokage's generation witnessed firsthand what the rampaging Nine-Tails was like. Without someone keeping watch, they would not be able to sleep at night.
The Nine-Tails, like Uchiha Madara, left an indelible shadow upon their young hearts.
That shadow was so immense that even the night surveillance involved more than just the ANBU; a squad from Root was also stationed there. As for whether that Root squad's mission was to protect the jinchūriki—or, at a critical moment, to control or eliminate the jinchūriki and extinguish the danger in advance—no one knows.
Before anyone realized it, time slipped into late January.
Makoto had also grown accustomed to life as a member of the Shadow Guard.
How should it be put? It was extremely leisurely—a job where one could idle from clock-in to clock-out.
But for Makoto, idling was impossible—never in this lifetime. When on duty, he would do his job properly; enjoyment was to be fully savored during leisure time.
If there was nothing to do while on duty, he could train. Fire and Lightning chakra nature transformation training, training in controlling the Yin–Yang ratio of chakra—these could all be done during working hours, conveniently passing the time.
However, only he could manage such a thing. Hayate and Yūgao, positioned at the other two vantage points, could not—because training would generate chakra fluctuations.
If there were constant chakra fluctuations around the leader of a village, that would be a sign of danger.
It would be like gunshots constantly sounding near a head of state—who could endure that? Is your head sensitive enough to catch every movement?
The reason Makoto could get away with it was that he could suppress those fluctuations. Apologies—when perception ability is that remarkable, one really can do whatever one wants.
In fact, Makoto and the other two were inside the Hokage's office.
Ninjas who have never done this job would never know the layout inside this office. There are several concealed little compartments here; if an ordinary shinobi isn't paying attention, it's easy to overlook them.
Besides the main door and the windows, there is also a hidden evacuation passage.
Inside those compartments, the ANBU stationed here keep constant watch on the Hokage's situation. The moment he gives a hand signal—or makes a subtle hint—they can immediately appear before him to receive orders.
The Hokage's work is, in fact, extremely boring.
Most of the time, he is basically a human rubber stamp. After preliminary review, all kinds of administrative documents from Konoha's directly governed territory, as well as intelligence from across the shinobi world, are gathered here.
How petty can these matters get? From big things like danger-level analyses for various high-level missions and requests for personnel assignments, down to small things like handling a dispute after Konohagakure villagers illegally occupied the road and clashed with members of the Military Police Force—everything is included, covering every angle.
After giving them a quick look, the Hokage only needs to complete the final process: stamping and signing to confirm.
When there are too many documents, he does not even need to read them—he can sign with his eyes closed, like a pen that automatically writes his name.
From the moment Minato started work in the morning, Nara Shikaku, acting as the Hokage's assistant, came in holding a pile of documents for him to approve.
And the Yellow Flash, who slaughtered his way across battlefields, sat there like a statue, rapidly skimming each one to make sure he did not miss any detail.
This tedious work completely made Makoto lose interest in the Hokage's seat—or rather, what kind of leader does things like this? Isn't this just being a pure workhorse?
If everything has to go through the Hokage, then what is the point of keeping so many clerical-type shinobi under him? To slaughter and eat during the New Year?
He had reason to believe the Third Hokage had gotten sick of this, which was why he chose to run away. In any case, he stepped down but did not truly leave; the village was still operating according to their ideals, and he no longer had to face piles and piles of documents every day—living in leisure.
There was not much official business today. Minato finished it in more than half the morning. With the remaining time, he stared blankly at a piece of ninjutsu material, seeming to be thinking about something of his own.
As noon approached, the sound of three people's footsteps rang out from outside. Then two of them stopped outside the office door, while the remaining one did not even greet anyone and directly pushed the door open and walked in.
Makoto had long since noticed that it was Danzō. Only he, relying on his seniority as a Hokage Advisor, could be so rude—showing little respect even to the newly appointed Hokage.
He could not even be bothered to maintain superficial courtesy. He was not even as restrained as Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu; at least in public settings, those two could still keep up basic etiquette.
However, he was still a Hokage Advisor and had the right to enter directly. The Shadow Guard had no authority to stop him.
At this moment, apart from having one blind eye, Danzō's hands were still intact. He was not leaning on a cane, and his bearing was far sharper than it would be more than a decade later.
The moment he entered, he demanded, "Fourth, why has part of Root's funding approval been cut this year? You did not even discuss it with this old man."
Since the other party was rude, Minato naturally would not be overly respectful either. "Advisor Danzō, I believe that with Root's current scale, it does not require such a large funding allocation. Is there a problem?"
"You have only just taken office. What do you know? Part of those funds are for the Konoha Orphanage."
"I am naturally aware. However, for that portion of funds, it would be better if they were directly allocated from my side. There is no need for them to pass through Root."
"Hmph. It has been done this way for many years. This was permitted when the Third was in office. There is no need for you to change it."
No matter how good-tempered Minato was, hearing this still made him somewhat angry. "Advisor Danzō, right now, I am the Hokage."
"Minato, you will—"
Danzō stopped halfway through his sentence, because he realized that the one sitting opposite him was no longer that monkey. The classic line no longer carried the same flavor, which left him quite displeased.
Danzō was too lazy to continue arguing with the new Hokage. He turned and left the Hokage's office, deciding to find his old classmate to settle the matter.
Only a Hokage can deal with a Hokage.
As he went out, he slammed the door hard as usual.
In the end, it was Mr. Door who silently bore all of the anger.
Watching Danzō's departing back, Minato let out a long sigh and glanced in the direction of Makoto.
That was the signal that a superior had something to discuss with you. In an instant, Makoto appeared before the desk.
"Hokage-sama, is there something you need me to do?"
"Nothing in particular, Makoto. Do you know about the department called Root?"
"Yes. Our sensei explained it to us in detail before."
"Is that so? Kumomi-jōnin is indeed a responsible sensei. In guiding students, he even does better than I do."
"So then, what is your view of the department called Root—and of Advisor Danzō as a person?"
"I am sorry, Minato-senpai. That is not something I am in a position to discuss."
"It's fine. Everyone here is one of our own. Speak freely—I want to hear your view. After all, Kumomi-jōnin and your father have both told me that you seem to have your own perspective on Konohagakure."
Makoto thought for a moment before saying, "The establishment of any department must have had positive significance within the environment of its time. Although I do not know what situation Konohagakure was facing when Root was founded, it was likely no exception."
"However, judging from Konohagakure's current situation, Root—and the person in charge of it—are clearly somewhat out of step with the times. Its functions overlap too much with the ANBU. Most importantly…"
"Most importantly what?"
"Such a powerful force not being under the Hokage's control—this is not a good thing for Konohagakure."
"Not under my control?"
"Not only that. Minato-senpai, if the Third could control it, then Advisor Danzō would not have appeared here today."
Minato's brows furrowed tightly. He had long been aware of this kind of issue. When he was not yet Hokage, he only felt it was inappropriate.
Now that he had become Hokage, he found it was far more than inappropriate—it was downright nauseating.
He tried asking, "Then, Makoto, do you have any good way to resolve it?"
Makoto answered bluntly, "No."
"Is it that you have none, or that you do not wish to say?"
"I truly have none."
"Why?"
"Because…" Makoto stared into Minato's clear blue eyes. "Because the Third Hokage is still here, and the other two advisors are still here as well. Minato-senpai, you are being somewhat too impatient."
"Is that so?" Sensing the dangerous implication within Makoto's words, Minato immediately ended the topic and restored his usual bright smile. "Ahahaha, alright, let's stop here for today. It's time to get off work. I'll head back first. You all go eat as well. Don't return this afternoon yet—I have something to discuss with you."
"No problem, Hokage-sama."
After hearing Makoto's reply, Minato's figure flashed and disappeared without a trace. It was not the Body Flicker Technique, but genuine spatial movement.
The Flying Thunder God Technique is truly remarkable. Instantaneous movement—it can practically be considered a superpower-tier ninjutsu.
Leaving aside its combat capabilities, at the very least this ninjutsu ensures that our Fourth does not have to spend time commuting to and from work. That way, he has more time to accompany his wife.
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