Kaede laughed inwardly; she could tell the old folly was only stirring trouble between his clan and the Hokage.
"I will take him in," Shinku Yūhi said. He would never allow that boy to end up like his mother, and this was the best opportunity to separate them.
"Huh?" Hiruzen, who had been searching for someone to train Megumi, felt his stomach turn at Shinku stepping forward.
"Shinku, I know you once taught this boy's father, but you cannot have this child. I'm sorry," Hiruzen said.
"Forgive my behavior, Lord Third," Shinku replied, wincing as Kaede smirked, as if this were a game to her.
Why did she not argue? Did she know the Hokage would refuse to hand the child over in the first place?
"I think the boy should live on his own for now. In the meantime we will sort out his case," Homaru suggested.
"I agree."
"That is the best solution."
Minato had been sitting quietly, not speaking a single word. Resting his chin on his hand, he replayed his conversation with Shikaku from the day before. Shikaku had explained that the boy might look ordinary but possessed a kekkei genkai.
Minato had been told that the one who attacked the clan forest was his cousin, and that his father had done similar things in his youth. With the small statue, the attacker was likely Megumi. Shikaku wanted Minato to help free the boy from prison; the confinement would have a negative impact. Minato could not bear to see his cousin turn to the path of a rogue ninja.
What disturbed Minato most was that the boy showed no sign of injury; he had seen the masked man bleeding after being struck by a rasengan. How had the boy formed a contract with the toad from Mount Myōboku
"I will take him in."
Every eye turned to Minato after he made the biggest decision of his life.
Even Kaede was shocked. Danzo clenched his jaw. Sarutobi was taken aback that Minato had just announced his choice and was now bringing power with him. Shikaku looked as if he wanted to cry. Shinku was relieved; it was better for the child to be with the Hokage than to be left like an orphan.
"What is your reason, Minato?" Hiruzen demanded, anger rising at the thought that Minato was consolidating influence.
"Him staying with me, as the Hokage who was once an orphan, can help teach him the Will of Fire," Minato replied.
Sarutobi was stunned by Minato's reasoning. So you are trying to develop your own support base, he thought.
Danzo burst out immediately. "What about your wife, Minato? I cannot allow the boy to be close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
The other advisors looked to Sarutobi, wanting him to intervene, but Sarutobi did not want to expose himself in front of Shikaku and especially Kaede, who was still grinning.
"Danzo, the Hokage has made his decision. It is final."
"You will regret this, Sarutobi!"
"He is the Hokage, not you."
Danzo stormed out of the room and slammed the door.
"Do not worry about him," Sarutobi said, trying to regain face for the next generation in his office.
You can fool everyone in this room, but you cannot fool me, Lord Third, Kaede muttered inwardly.
"Alright, now that this matter is resolved," Sarutobi said as he dismissed everyone.
...
Inside a dark room, Danzo paced. "Damn that Sarutobi. He is always soft. Now his puppet is getting out of hand," he said.
By his side stood two of his trusted Root ninja.
"We will carry out the plan," he told them, and they nodded.