Chapter 213: Ominous Premonitions
Minato Namikaze sat in his office, staring at the towering stack of documents on his desk. He sighed, a hint of helplessness in his breath.
Since assuming the role of Hokage, Konoha had not changed significantly.
Many things were beyond Minato's control; there were countless matters he simply could not alter.
At the highest level of the village, there remained a council of elders—four men in total—each wielding the power to veto his decisions.
His proposals regarding the Uchiha clan were repeatedly rejected, investigations into Orochimaru stalled, and even the ANBU, the organization technically under the Hokage's command, was beyond his direct control.
It struck Minato with a grim realization: the fear he had once harbored had indeed come true.
The Third Hokage had never fully relinquished his authority.
Using the excuse that "Minato is too young and inexperienced to govern a village of this scale," he and his old classmates maintained a firm grip on power.
Minato was reduced to a puppet: signing off on resolutions they approved, seeing his own proposals dismissed, and constantly deferring to the Third Hokage to secure his position.
He had considered his circumstances. After all, he was only twenty-four, newly appointed Hokage, and despite his famed "Yellow Flash" reputation, some of Konoha's great clans were not entirely convinced of his authority.
Sensitive issues often still required the Third Hokage's mediation to keep order.
But matters like the ANBU and his repeated attempts to reform the Uchiha clan made him painfully aware of a truth he could not ignore: he was, in many ways, still a puppet.
"And Danzo… and Root… I never imagined Konoha was so entangled internally. I never expected the Hokage to be like this," he muttered, staring blankly at the files before him.
He maintained caution. He knew better than to provoke Danzo's faction recklessly—he had no authority to do so.
Danzo was an entrenched force in Konoha. Even under the Third Hokage, he had only been limited in certain ways—likely intentionally.
Now, with the Third Hokage retired, Root had become a tool for maintaining their own interests, drawing allied factions to their side rather than serving the Hokage's direct command.
It was early March. Spring had begun to warm the air, yet a chill still lingered.
Sitting in the Hokage's office, Minato felt little physical cold. The chill he sensed most acutely came from his own heart.
His once-burning enthusiasm seemed to fade—a signal he did not want to face.
At that moment, a knock on the office door pulled him from his thoughts.
His student, Kakashi Hatake, entered.
Kakashi's condition had improved. He no longer resembled the hollow, zombie-like figure of months before. Instead, he exuded the vitality of a living person and the firmness of resolve.
Minato did not know exactly what had caused the change, but he knew that everything had been orchestrated by Uchiha Kei.
This filled Minato with gratitude toward Kei. Placing Kakashi in the ANBU earlier had been a strategic masterstroke.
Kakashi was now Minato's trusted confidant within the ANBU—a core pillar that could help stabilize his position as Hokage.
Though Minato's current standing remained precarious, being a newcomer, he recognized the potential of Kakashi. With effort and the right guidance, Kakashi could one day play a pivotal role—though the timing of that "future" remained uncertain.
"Sensei, here's the mission report," Kakashi said, reverting to the familiarity of a student-teacher tone rather than addressing him formally as Hokage.
"Good work, Kakashi. You've recovered well too," Minato said, briefly scanning the report before shaking his head.
"The war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure has just ended. The great nations are weary. Iwagakure has signed a ceasefire with us, but we cannot let our guard down.
"This is my first year as Hokage. I will not allow chaos to erupt.
"Konoha's safety is paramount. All dangers must be quelled at their inception. Understood?"
"Yes, Sensei! I'll inform them right away," Kakashi replied, nodding.
Though still young, Kakashi sensed the subtle distance between Minato and the ANBU. There seemed to be an invisible barrier preventing direct interaction.
Because of his unique status, Kakashi had become a bridge between the ANBU and the Hokage.
He had joined the ANBU before Minato's appointment and had earned their trust, while simultaneously being a disciple of the Fourth Hokage, earning Minato's trust.
"Very well. You may leave for now," Minato said, satisfied. "Spend more time with your comrades. You're much improved."
Kakashi bowed and left, but shortly afterward, Minato noticed he had not actually departed. Puzzled, he looked up.
"Is there something else, Kakashi?"
Kakashi hesitated, then said, "Sensei, I think I've noticed something about the ANBU and your—"
"Don't worry about that, Kakashi," Minato interrupted gently. "Some things…"
He paused, contemplating.
Minato was not a man to resign himself to fate.
He had dreamed of becoming Hokage, of using the office to share his ideals, of gaining acceptance for both his and his teacher's vision.
He had partnered with Uchiha Kei and others to pursue that dream, refusing to disappoint his mentor.
His current circumstances were difficult, even disheartening, yet he had no intention of giving up.
Kakashi's performance in the ANBU was promising, and thanks to Kei, he had recovered to full strength, gaining friends and allies within the organization.
This perfect positioning and unique status could not be ignored.
Having experienced the battlefield and negotiated between Konoha and Iwagakure himself, Minato knew all too well the harsh realities awaiting them.
Minato knew that some things simply had to be done, and he was not one to let morality bind his decisions.
"Kakashi, some matters are complicated… far more than you can imagine," he said, pausing briefly to collect his thoughts. Then, with quiet determination, he continued, "I'm afraid I'm going to need your help, Kakashi."
"Of course, Sensei," Kakashi replied, bowing his head respectfully.
"I'm sure you've sensed it too. There are those within the ANBU obstructing me." Minato's voice grew low and serious. "I know who they are. Some within the ANBU are likely aligned with them. I want you to find out who these people are—and confirm whose side they're really on."
"I understand, Sensei," Kakashi said, his own voice dropping into a serious tone. "I'll investigate. You are the true Fourth Hokage."
Without hesitation, Kakashi pledged his loyalty. He understood the danger: he was stepping into the middle of a power struggle between his teacher and certain factions.
Yet he did not waver. Minato had been one of the people who had helped him the most. If he had to choose, Kakashi would stand by his teacher.
Perhaps the most crucial factor was Kakashi's memory of his father's death—a constant reminder of the importance of standing for what was right.
"I understand, Kakashi," Minato nodded.
"But you must remember: if you are discovered, stop immediately. Your safety comes first. Right now, you're my only student."
"I understand, Sensei," Kakashi said with solemn determination.
"I could ask for help from others, too. Kei is talented in many ways—and now that he's the head of the Police Department, I'm sure he can provide me with valuable information."
"Kei, you say?" Minato paused, then nodded. "I see… Kei is indeed an exceptional person."
Minato suddenly realized: why hadn't he consulted Uchiha Kei earlier?
After all, his position as Hokage was the result of the combined efforts of him and Fugaku.
And Kei had long predicted that Minato might become a puppet under the Third Hokage.
If that were true, then perhaps they had anticipated this and prepared accordingly.
Minato suddenly understood: he had a reliable ally, someone who supported him—a true partner.
The awkward position of the Uchiha clan, combined with Minato's own prior conduct, had drawn them together.
If his position were weak, it would be a poor signal for Kei and the others.
And Kei was incredibly smart. The fact that Fugaku entrusted the entire Department to him revealed much about Kei's abilities.
Whether compelled or otherwise, it proved his talent.
"By the way, Sensei, there's one more thing I want to tell you," Kakashi said, pausing as he prepared to leave. But then he hesitated, deciding to speak.
"What is it?" Minato asked, feeling a bit lighter now that some things had become clearer.
"Sensei, during the Spring Festival Night Ceremony—just the day after you became Hokage—I visited the graves of Obito and Rin, placing lilies at their headstones.
"Recently, I went to visit again and noticed that someone else had been there… specifically at Rin's grave. It's not a major issue, but for some reason, I felt uneasy. I thought I should tell you."
"Kakashi, vigilance is a good habit for a shinobi, but you don't need to be overly anxious. Rin and Obito were heroes who sacrificed themselves for the village. It's natural for someone to pay respects during the New Year. There's no need to overthink it."
"But…"
"But I can't shake this sense of foreboding, Sensei," Kakashi admitted quietly.
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