Rebellion
Hiruzen Sarutobi left Danzo's office and returned to where the ANBU and Root operatives were facing off.
"Then hand over Yamato, Danzo," Hiruzen demanded calmly.
Danzo's one visible eye narrowed, but after a reluctant pause, he signaled a Root operative.
Moments later, a young boy was brought out—silent, expressionless, his presence more like a shadow than a child.
Danzo's voice carried a rare trace of regret as he told him, "From today onwards, you are no longer a member of Root."
The boy—known only by a code—answered flatly, "Yes." His tone betrayed no emotion, no hesitation.
"From this moment," Hiruzen said firmly, his voice softening as he looked at the boy, "you belong to the ANBU directly under the Hokage. Come with me."
Without looking back at Danzo, Hiruzen led Yamato out of the Root base, followed closely by his ANBU escort.
Kakashi, who had accompanied them, was about to leave as well when Hiruzen stopped him.
"Kakashi. Come to my office. There's something I need to discuss with you."
Kakashi's brows furrowed slightly, but he replied with quiet obedience. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
---
Inside the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was lighter than the suffocating darkness of Root. Hiruzen sat at his desk, pipe in hand, while Yamato and Kakashi stood before him.
"From this day forth," Hiruzen said kindly to the boy, "you are a member of the ANBU. Tell me, do you have a name?"
The boy shook his head. "No."
Hiruzen's eyes softened. "Then I shall give you one. From now on, you will be called Yamato. Do you like this name?"
The question seemed to puzzle him. Do I like it? Yamato had never been asked such a thing. In Root, orders were absolute; opinions did not exist. He stood in silence, unsure how to respond.
Hiruzen, understanding, smiled gently. "There is no need to answer right now. Just remember—from today on, you are Yamato."
This time, the boy finally replied, "Yes."
"Good. Within ANBU, your codename will be Tenzō. An ANBU will take you to the headquarters shortly. For now, you may leave."
Yamato bowed and departed.
As the door closed behind him, Hiruzen exhaled deeply. Though Yamato was still little more than a tool shaped by Root's merciless training, Hiruzen believed that with time, emotions would take root. And once they did, Yamato would become a loyal protector of Konoha. A wielder of Wood Release was no ordinary asset—he was a potential pillar for the village.
Kakashi, however, remained silent, his single visible eye unreadable.
Turning to him, Hiruzen said, "Kakashi, I would also like you to join the ANBU."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I have no intention of joining the ANBU."
"Don't refuse so quickly," Hiruzen said, waving his pipe. "Think carefully. You trained under Chi Yu, and though he has guided you, his path diverges from ours. He is nearly at odds with the village itself. Kakashi… you must remember your duty. You are not bound to any one man. You are a shinobi of Konoha. You inherit the Will of Fire. Your loyalty is to this village."
Kakashi's fists tightened.
Hiruzen's voice softened with age and memory. "Your father, Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang—was a man who embodied that will. His devotion to the village was unparalleled, and his loss remains my greatest regret. As his son, you must carry on that spirit, protect Konoha, and walk the right path."
The mention of Sakumo lit a fire of anger inside Kakashi. This man dares…
Kakashi's voice was cold. "Hokage-sama, how did my father truly die?"
Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, his expression heavy. "Kakashi… I know you have long struggled with Sakumo's death. The era was chaotic, and I was forced to prioritize the greater picture. In doing so, I neglected your father's plight. By the time I sought to act, it was too late…"
Kakashi's gaze hardened. He saw through the words instantly. It was Konoha's high council, its so-called leaders, who had stripped his father of his honor. Their hypocrisy had driven Sakumo to despair.
And now this same man dared use Sakumo's name to turn him against Chi Yu.
Hiruzen continued, his tone almost paternal. "It is because of that regret that I have always kept watch over you. Seeing you grow has been a source of pride for me. You truly resemble Sakumo in so many ways. Originally, I believed Chi Yu to be a good mentor for you… but it seems I was mistaken. Kakashi, you are gifted—strong, perceptive, and capable. I want to train you as my successor."
Kakashi's voice was steady, though confusion flickered within. "I am honored, Hokage-sama… but why do you say my master is not worthy?"
Wordlessly, Hiruzen pushed a folder across the desk. Documents filled with evidence—compiled by Danzo—of Chi Yu's supposed crimes.
"Kakashi, see for yourself."
This had been Hiruzen's true aim from the beginning. Today's mission was not just to reclaim Yamato, but to test Kakashi. To show him how the Hokage valued talent, unlike Root. And with Danzo's intelligence on Chi Yu, the chance was perfect.
Hiruzen's sharp eyes never left Kakashi, reading every flicker of emotion.
Kakashi picked up the documents and scanned them. His visible pupil contracted sharply, disbelief flashing across his face.
Hiruzen took another puff of his pipe, satisfaction hidden behind his calm facade. Kakashi had not known of these matters. That ignorance made him moldable.
But Hiruzen was too seasoned to draw conclusions too soon. He would continue to watch.
For now, the game had only begun.
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