"He came all the way to Konoha himself—most likely to commission a mission."
Minato said. With the Second Great Ninja War just concluded, various nations were now rebuilding their economic ties.
The wealthy merchant inside the oxcart was naturally an important figure in this reconstruction.
"You sure know a lot," Sakumo smiled lightly before turning to Minato. "This mission commission? Eight out of ten chances you'll be appointed team leader."
Minato raised his eyebrows slightly, shaking his head with a smile. "Me? My experience is still too shallow."
This type of mission, though not particularly difficult, was of high rank and great importance. Normally, only experienced Jonin like Sakumo would serve as team leader.
"The more senior Jonin in the village are already occupied with other tasks. And while others may underestimate your abilities, if I were the Third Hokage, I'd definitely assign you."
Sakumo chuckled. He had once infiltrated Sunagakure alongside Junko Watanabe and Minato, and even that complicated operation had been orchestrated by Minato himself. Compared to that, a simple protective assignment posed little challenge at all.
Anyone with clear sight could see who the Third Hokage valued most among Konoha's ninja.
Minato's capabilities were unquestionable—surpassing those of ordinary Jonin.
Minato smiled faintly. While he understood the truth in Sakumo's words, he didn't feel particularly enthusiastic about such assignments.
It would be better to just go along with the Third Hokage's arrangements.
"Come to think of it," Minato suddenly said, "I remember I still have some things to take care of at home. I'll go ahead first."
Without waiting for a reply from the two, he vanished in a flash of golden light.
Sakumo and Junko looked at each other, slightly startled.
Then, they both looked away from each other, their cheeks faintly flushed.
...
The "urgent matters at home" were naturally an excuse Minato made up on the spot. He definitely didn't want to be the third wheel for the two of them.
After grabbing a casual dinner at a random shop, Minato made his way straight home.
...
The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Minato stepped out of his house and froze in place.
In the next instant, a figure appeared before him—a uniformed ninja wearing a distinctive mask. Obviously one of the Anbu directly serving under the Hokage.
"Minato Namikaze, the Hokage wishes to see you."
Hearing this, Minato smiled faintly, thinking to himself, *Sakumo-senpai, you were right after all...*
Lifting his gaze to face the Anbu, he said, "Understood."
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared before the Anbu ninja, leaving the hidden face behind the mask somewhat astonished.
Although rumors of Minato's strength had spread throughout the village, witnessing it in person was still astonishing.
At only eleven years old, this boy's abilities were more than enough to earn him a position as a squad leader within the Anbu.
...
Inside the Hokage Office.
At the Third Hokage's desk sat a plump middle-aged man wearing luxurious robes. His small eyes gleamed with sharpness.
Standing beside him were two black-clad guards, one on each side.
"Tap tap!"
Suddenly, a knocking sound came from the door. The Third raised his gaze and said, "Come in."
As his voice fell, the office door opened and Minato walked in slowly.
"Hokage-sama, you summoned me?"
After glancing at the heavyset man, Minato walked straight to the Third's desk and bowed respectfully.
The Third smiled gently and said, "I have a mission for you. Please stand first."
Minato obeyed and stood up, then turned around under the Third's gaze to face the middle-aged man.
"Let me introduce," the Third said. "This is Fujihara Takumi-san, Vice President of the Fire Country State Commerce Association. The two men beside him are his personal bodyguards."
"He has been entrusted by the Fire Daimyo to commission our Konoha ninja to transport some invaluable cargo to the Land of Lightning."
As the Third spoke, the middle-aged man's eyes kept scrutinizing Minato.
"Fujihara-san, the young man before you is a Tokubetsu Jonin of Konoha, Minato Namikaze. He will serve as captain for this transport mission and ensure your cargo reaches its destination safely." The Third switched to introducing Minato.
When the Third finished speaking, Takumi Fujihara's expression suddenly turned angry. Staring at the Third, he sneered, "Hokage-sama, I'm representing the Fire Daimyo to commission tasks from your Konoha Village, but you send a child to fool me?"
"Let him be captain? Don't be ridiculous."
He showed no effort to hide his contempt for Minato. As a merchant, he didn't fully understand ninja ranks or the structure of the ninja world.
At least seeing Minato who looked too young and inexperienced before him, he felt that the Third clearly hadn't taken him seriously.
The Third's expression darkened slightly, but considering the other's identity, he continued explaining, "Although Minato is young, he is indeed an extremely outstanding ninja. Right now in Konoha, there aren't many shinobi more excellent than him."
"An outstanding ninja? Him?" Fujihara Takumi rose from his seat and looked at the Third while speaking, "Isn't your Konoha supposed to have someone known as Sakumo Hatake, the Legend of the White Fang? Could this kid possibly surpass him?"
Although he didn't fully understand ninja ranks or the structure of the ninja world, the name Sakumo Hatake was famous across all nations. Even this merchant had heard of it somewhat.
Fujihara Takumi spoke and acted without any respect for the Third Hokage. The latter's expression became increasingly gloomy.
Just at this moment, Minato, who had been silent until now, raised his eyes to look at the middle-aged man before him and said, "Naturally, I cannot be compared to Hatake Sakumo-san."
"Young man, it's not that I look down on you," Fujihara continued, "but the cargo I'm entrusting Konoha to transport this time is extremely valuable. Looking at your appearance, you don't seem capable enough to protect them properly."
"If anything happens to the cargo later, when the Daimyo gets angry, not only will I receive punishment, but it would also damage Konoha Ninja Village's honor, wouldn't it?"
He looked at The Third and said, "Then please, Hokage-sama, find me a ninja capable enough to undertake this transportation mission."
Takumi Fujihara let out a cold snort and sat down again, clearly displeased.
Minato glanced at The Third's expression behind him. There was no sign of anger on his face; rather, in his eyes seemed to be a silent wish to see how Minato would handle the matter.
Knowing The Third had high hopes for him, Minato couldn't afford to fail. Immediately, he spoke to Takumi Fujihara, "Since Hokage-sama has entrusted this mission to me, I will definitely complete it. I promise—I will ensure your cargo arrives safely in the Land of Lightning."
"Being young is no shame," Fujihara replied, his voice deepening slightly, "and confidence is admirable. But I cannot recognize your abilities."
Minato furrowed his brow just a little and asked, "Then what must I do for you to believe in my capabilities?"
Seeing that Minato wasn't willing to back down, Fujihara's fury nearly erupted. However, when he raised his gaze and met Minato's eyes, he saw not even a trace of disturbance in those clear blue pupils.
As a merchant, his ability to read people surpassed that of most people. In Minato's eyes, he saw calmness.
Still, judging purely by appearance, the boy before him didn't seem like much of a powerful ninja.
So, looking Minato straight in the eye, he said, "Fine then. Beat the two guards behind me, and I'll admit you've got skill. What do you say?"
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