Musashi tried his best to maintain his "Will of Fire" persona.
"But Lord Hokage, although I can't wait to join the Anbu, I still have to stay in the hospital for a while. This might..."
"That doesn't matter," Hiruzen said. "Rest and recover with peace of mind. We'll talk about what happens next when you're completely healed. For now, I'm just transferring your affiliation to the Anbu. When the time comes, you will be under Kakashi's charge."
Musashi finally understood what he meant.
Whether he could work right now wasn't important; what mattered was branding him as the Hokage's man.
A ninja capable of stopping Susanoo at a critical moment was worth such attention.
"What about the original squad? Will Izumi and Daiki get new teammates?" Musashi asked with concern.
"I haven't thought about that yet. Musashi, do you have any ideas?" Hiruzen asked.
Knowing this was a tactic to win hearts, Musashi thought for a moment and said, "Let Izumi join the Medical Corps."
"After experiencing something like this, Izumi's state of mind isn't suitable for field missions anymore."
"Besides, Izumi has great talent as a medical ninja. Now that she and her sister are the only Uchiha left, Lord Hokage, I hope Izumi can receive guidance from a Jonin in the Medical Corps."
"Is that so?" Hiruzen pondered, then nodded. "A very good suggestion. Izumi, is that what you want as well?"
"Huh?" Izumi hadn't expected the topic to shift to her. Just as she wanted to say she hadn't decided yet, she saw Musashi's unquestionable gaze.
"Yes... yes, Lord Hokage. I want to go to the Medical Corps."
"Then it's settled. Rest well for now, and when you're ready, go study in the Medical Corps. Becoming an excellent medical ninja is also a way to protect the village."
"Musashi, any other thoughts?"
"No, Lord Hokage," Musashi quit while he was ahead.
"Good. Recover well, Musashi. You must get better quickly. Konoha would be much dimmer without a vibrant young man like you."
"I will."
After Hiruzen left, Izumi asked Musashi, "Why did you suddenly decide for me and send me to the Medical Corps?"
Musashi replied, "I think the Medical Corps suits you. It's not too dangerous, and you can learn things."
"It's not about whether it suits me or not. It's too sudden. I wasn't ready, and you decided for me..."
"It's not too late to back out," Musashi interrupted her.
"You can go tell Lord Hokage you want to continue doing missions, change teammates, and keep fighting constantly."
"If you don't encounter danger, you'll live every day in fear of Itachi. If you do encounter danger, you can die sooner."
"Is that the life you want?"
He stared into Izumi's eyes.
"What's wrong with the Medical Corps? No mission pressure, and you can save lives. Or do you want to pursue the power in your eyes like that guy?"
Do you want to pilot a Gundam and dance too?
For the current Izumi, making a decision and choosing a goal for her would actually help her shake off the negative emotions faster.
If left to choose for herself, she might have walked into a dead end.
"Go, learn medical ninjutsu. That way, if I get injured on a mission later, you can still try to save me."
"Learning medical ninjutsu helps me. Then I can protect you two sisters."
"The once-mighty Uchiha clan is now reduced to two or three kittens. You don't think life will be easy from now on, do you?"
"Izumi, be a medical ninja. Without missions, you can take better care of Aoi. Don't think about that guy anymore; stick with me."
"I'll protect you from now on."
"You don't want Aoi to be unprotected either, right?"
"You jerk!" Izumi, who had just resolved herself because of "you can help me if I get injured," was exasperated by Musashi's increasingly outrageous words and couldn't help but punch him.
Seeing him grimace in pain, she immediately worried if she had hit him too hard.
Musashi recovered peacefully in the Konoha Hospital.
Whatever happened yesterday would definitely be locked down by the higher-ups, so not many people would come to disturb him. Might Guy and Kakashi were out on missions.
He had Daiki tell Ayame that he was also out on a mission so she wouldn't worry.
In a private office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane sat together.
As the four people who truly held power in Konoha, they naturally weren't ignorant of the Uchiha affair.
They severely reprimanded Danzo for his "unauthorized action."
Finally, Hiruzen announced Danzo's punishment.
Root would temporarily cease activities, and Danzo's movements would be restricted.
Danzo was naturally unwilling to accept such a punishment.
"Hiruzen! My decision was not wrong! It was precisely because of my preemptive action that Konoha avoided massive bloodshed."
Hiruzen: "Danzo, you've gone too far! You cannot make such decisions without my permission!"
"Hmph! Hiruzen, you are too indecisive. With such a character, you cannot be a qualified Hokage. History will prove that my decision was correct."
Hiruzen naturally didn't take the other's words to heart.
Joke's on you. I've been Hokage for decades; do I need you to teach me how to be Hokage?
Hiruzen: "This matter ends here. From now on, Itachi will become an S-rank rogue ninja of Konoha, listed in the Bingo Book for pursuit. Of course, the ninjas sent must recognize their own strength to avoid needless casualties."
"Hiruzen, I have another matter," Danzo interjected.
"What is it?"
"Regarding yesterday's Taijutsu ninja, Musashi Ryomiya."
"My men told me that he also broke into the Uchiha district yesterday and fought Itachi Uchiha, correct?"
Hiruzen didn't deny it. "Correct."
"Not only did he fight Itachi, but he also successfully rescued two Uchiha clan members." Danzo's words surprised Koharu and Homura.
"Hiruzen, you know Itachi's strength. Do you know what it means to save people from his hands?"
"Of course I know," Hiruzen nodded. "It means Konoha has another extremely talented ninja. Someone willing to risk their life and suffer serious injuries to save a comrade—such a person is Konoha's future."
"Hiruzen!" Danzo said angrily. "That's not what I'm talking about. I originally thought he was just an ordinary ninja with good Taijutsu, so I didn't pay much attention. But for a ninja to stop Itachi Uchiha, things aren't that simple."
"Moreover, he has a connection with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Such a person..."
"Such a person should naturally be kept close, right?" Hiruzen said. "Danzo, I've already thought of all this. I have transferred Musashi to the Anbu. From now on, he is under my direct command."
Danzo: "..."
"That's not what I meant."
"Musashi Ryomiya is a talent cultivated by the 'Green Leaf Project.' He should have been in the Anbu..."
"Enough, Danzo. I will consider these matters carefully. You have been banned from further activities, so don't overthink these things."
"After all, I am the Hokage."
"...Hiruzen, you will regret this!"
Danzo stormed out of the meeting, his retreating figure looking like a defeated dog.
Koharu and Homura naturally had no objections.
Although surprised by the strength of this Musashi Ryomiya, since Hiruzen had already placed him by his side, there was no need to worry too much.
They still acknowledged their old partner's ability to handle people.