The reason Sanada Kazama insisted on meeting the Third Hokage immediately was simple: he needed the Hokage's strength to protect his gravely injured parents and the few surviving clansmen of the Sanada.
Kazama himself had to focus entirely on cultivating his own power—so that one day, he could cut down Danzō with his own hands.
"A genius! An absolutely unprecedented genius!"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard not only that Kazama could wield the B-rank Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, but also that he had singlehandedly slain three Root operatives in succession, even he—the Hokage himself—couldn't help but marvel.
Even he, the man once hailed as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," hadn't been able to master a B-rank jutsu at Kazama's age.
Hiruzen understood all too well: in an age where talent was dwindling in Konoha, for a prodigy like Sanada Kazama to appear was a once-in-a-century, perhaps even once-in-a-millennium, miracle.
Such a genius had to be drawn close at all costs.
"It's my failure," the Hokage said with visible guilt. "Because my rescue came too late, your Sanada clan suffered grievous losses. But rest assured, I will personally deal with Danzō myself. I'll avenge the deaths of your clansmen!"
Kazama shook his head firmly."No. Danzō's life is mine to take."
"What!"
The Third Hokage was visibly stunned.
He hadn't expected Kazama to reject his offer and insist on facing Danzō alone. He knew better than anyone that Danzō was a formidable opponent—difficult to eliminate even for Hiruzen himself.
And yet this boy, so young, spoke with absolute confidence that he could defeat Danzō with his own strength.
Hiruzen felt his admiration for Kazama deepen further.
"I came here to ask you to save my parents and clan members, and to provide them with protection in the future," Kazama said steadily. "After all, my strength alone is still limited."
"Of course," the Hokage replied solemnly. "I swear on my life that they will be protected. In fact… I can even promote you directly into the Anbu. That way, you'll gain access to more resources and support for your battle against Danzō."
"What?!"
The surrounding Anbu gasped in shock.
Even Uchiha Itachi—hailed as a genius among geniuses—had only joined the Anbu at the age of eleven.
And yet Sanada Kazama was clearly even younger than Itachi had been back then.
Still, considering his accomplishment—defeating three Root operatives singlehandedly—Kazama undeniably possessed the qualifications. His record alone was enough to make seasoned Anbu stare in awe.
But Kazama only shook his head."Thank you for your offer, Lord Third. But I would prefer to start from the rank of genin."
"What?!"
Both the Hokage and the other Anbu were dumbfounded.
To reject the Anbu outright… to turn away from such prestige and power, only to request the life of a mere genin—it was unthinkable. To them, Kazama's choice was pure foolishness.
"If possible, I would also like to be placed in the same squad as Haruno Sakura once I graduate from the academy."
"…That's all?" Hiruzen gave a helpless smile. "You don't have a more difficult request than that?"
"No. As long as you can grant me this, Lord Hokage, I'll be satisfied."
"Very well. I'll make the arrangements with Iruka when the time comes."
"Thank you, Lord Third. My parents are still in the hospital, so I'll take my leave for now."
As Kazama walked away, the Hokage shook his head with a sigh.
He couldn't understand why someone would refuse an Anbu promotion to become a genin—and insist on being placed in the same team as Haruno Sakura, of all people.
But if that was the price to secure such a prodigy's loyalty, Hiruzen was willing to grant any condition.
Kazama's true aim, however, was not Sakura.
What he really wanted was to be placed in the same team as Naruto.
His plan was to seize the power of the Nine-Tails, then destroy Danzō.
But Naruto was a Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi, and Kazama knew he couldn't speak of this too openly. If he did, the Third Hokage would certainly grow suspicious.
That was why he used Sakura as the excuse.