The Hokage's office was quiet in the early morning.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows overlooking the village, casting long beams across the polished wooden floor. The mountain beyond stood silent, the stone faces watching over the village like ancient guardians.
At the desk sat the newly appointed Fourth Hokage.
Minato Namikaze.
He had been in the office for less than an hour.
Already there were three stacks of paperwork waiting for him.
Minato stared at them.
Then sighed.
Behind him, two figures stood near the window.
One leaned against the wall with casual ease, arms folded loosely across his chest.
The other stood straight with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe.
Jiraiya chuckled.
"You look like you're reconsidering the promotion."
Minato rubbed his forehead.
"I led battalions during the war."
"Yes."
"I coordinated entire battlefields."
"Also true."
Minato gestured helplessly at the mountain of papers.
"None of that prepared me for this."
Jiraiya laughed loudly.
"Welcome to leadership, kid."
Behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled gently.
"You will adjust."
Minato looked back at them.
"I'm glad you both stayed."
Jiraiya shrugged.
"You asked."
"And someone needs to keep an eye on you."
Hiruzen nodded quietly.
"The transition will take time."
Minato stood.
"Well then."
He walked toward the door.
"Let's begin."
He gave a small nod to the ANBU guard stationed outside.
"Send them in."
Moments later the office window opened silently.
Four masked figures stepped into the room.
Each wore the porcelain mask of ANBU.
Ox.
Dog.
Crow.
Monkey.
They landed in perfect formation before the Hokage's desk.
The leader stepped forward.
Ibiki Morino bowed slightly.
"Team Ox reporting, Hokage-sama."
Minato smiled faintly.
"Relax."
The four figures hesitated.
Minato gestured casually.
"Masks off."
There was a brief pause.
Then porcelain masks came away.
Ibiki's scarred face appeared first.
Next came the silver-haired figure of Kakashi Hatake.
Then the calm eyes of Shisui Uchiha.
Finally the sharp gaze of Shinji Uchiha.
Minato smiled wider.
"Much better."
Kakashi's visible eye curved slightly.
"You wanted to see us, Hokage-sama?"
Minato walked around the desk.
"Kakashi."
"Yes, sensei."
The old title slipped out naturally.
Minato chuckled.
"You never did stop calling me that."
Kakashi shrugged.
"You never stopped being my teacher."
Jiraiya grinned behind them.
"Kid trained monsters."
Minato ignored him.
Instead he turned toward Ibiki.
"Captain Morino."
Ibiki bowed slightly.
"Hokage."
"Your team has an excellent reputation."
"Thank you."
Minato looked at the other two.
"Shisui."
Shisui nodded casually.
"Hokage."
"And Shinji."
Shinji inclined his head.
"Congratulations on the promotion."
Minato laughed softly.
"Promotion?"
"That's what we're calling it now?"
Shinji shrugged.
"You outrank everyone in the village."
"That sounds like a promotion."
Minato shook his head, smiling.
"You two have grown since the last time we worked together."
Shisui raised an eyebrow.
"You remember that mission?"
Minato leaned against the desk.
"Of course."
Kakashi spoke quietly.
"The border escort."
"Yes."
Minato nodded.
"My team was assigned to coordinate support."
He glanced between them.
"You three were genin then."
Shinji smirked slightly.
"So were you."
Jiraiya coughed behind them.
Minato ignored him again.
He continued.
"I remember Shikaku complaining the entire time."
Kakashi nodded.
"That sounds like him."
Minato looked at Shisui.
"You were faster than most chunin already."
Shisui grinned.
"Still am."
Minato turned to Shinji.
"And you."
Shinji raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"You spent most of that mission arguing strategy with Shikaku."
Shinji shrugged.
"He started it."
Jiraiya laughed loudly.
"I like this one."
Minato shook his head.
"That was the moment I realized the next generation would surpass ours."
The room grew quieter.
Minato looked at Ibiki again.
"Captain Morino."
"Yes."
"Team Ox has served with distinction."
Ibiki nodded once.
"We do our duty."
Minato folded his arms.
"And you've done it well."
He paused.
"But that team structure ends today."
The four ANBU straightened slightly.
Ibiki spoke carefully.
"You are disbanding the unit."
"Yes."
Ibiki did not question it.
"Understood."
Minato gestured toward Kakashi, Shisui, and Shinji.
"These three will remain in ANBU."
Kakashi tilted his head slightly.
"And me?"
"You too."
Ibiki waited.
"But they will no longer serve under Team Ox."
Minato stepped forward.
"They will serve directly under me."
The room grew very still.
Shisui raised an eyebrow.
"As what?"
Minato smiled.
"My personal guard."
Kakashi blinked once.
Shinji frowned slightly.
"You're creating a Hokage guard unit."
"Yes."
Shisui crossed his arms.
"Why us?"
Minato answered simply.
"Because I trust you."
He looked at Kakashi first.
"You were my student."
Kakashi remained silent.
Then Minato turned to Shisui.
"You're one of the most talented shinobi of your generation."
Shisui grinned slightly.
"Flattery works on me."
Finally Minato looked at Shinji.
"And you understand both the political and military sides of the village."
Shinji studied him carefully.
"That makes me useful."
"Yes."
Minato nodded.
"Very."
Ibiki spoke quietly.
"What about me?"
Minato looked at him.
"You will remain ANBU."
"Understood."
"But not in the field as often."
Ibiki raised an eyebrow.
"You want me behind a desk."
"I want you overseeing interrogation and intelligence."
Ibiki nodded slowly.
"That's acceptable."
Minato smiled.
"Good."
He walked back toward the desk.
"One more thing."
He signaled the ANBU guard outside.
"Send them in."
Moments later the office door opened.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane entered.
Both elders looked slightly surprised to see the ANBU team present.
"Hokage-sama," Homura said.
Minato nodded politely.
"Thank you for coming."
Koharu folded her arms.
"What is this about?"
Minato gestured toward the center of the room.
"I wanted to discuss the advisory council."
Homura frowned slightly.
"What about it?"
Minato spoke calmly.
"I believe the council needs new perspective."
The elders exchanged a glance.
Koharu narrowed her eyes.
"Explain."
Minato didn't hesitate.
"You have both served the village for decades."
"Yes," Homura said carefully.
"And your experience is valuable."
Koharu nodded.
"But?"
Minato smiled politely.
"But the world is changing."
The room was silent.
Minato continued.
"The village needs advisors who can adapt to that change."
Homura's expression hardened slightly.
"You are replacing us."
Minato nodded.
"Yes."
The words landed like a stone.
Koharu's voice sharpened.
"You cannot simply dismiss the council."
Minato gestured behind him.
Two figures stepped forward.
Jiraiya stretched lazily.
"Actually…"
He grinned.
"He can."
Hiruzen stood beside him calmly.
The elders stared.
"Hiruzen?" Homura said.
The former Hokage nodded.
"It is time for the next generation to lead."
Koharu looked between them.
"You support this?"
"Yes."
Minato spoke again.
"My new advisory council will consist of these two."
He gestured behind him.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"And Jiraiya."
Jiraiya waved casually.
"Try not to look so shocked."
The room remained silent.
Finally Homura sighed.
"Well."
Koharu shook her head slowly.
"The village truly has changed."
Minato bowed slightly.
"Your service will always be respected."
The elders turned toward the door.
Before leaving, Homura spoke quietly.
"Do not squander the peace we built."
Minato nodded.
"I won't."
The door closed behind them.
Jiraiya whistled.
"Well that was dramatic."
Kakashi muttered quietly.
"You just removed two of the most powerful political figures in the village."
Minato shrugged.
"First day."
Shisui grinned.
"I like your style."