Inside the Hokage's office, smoke coiled in heavy rings. Hiruzen Sarutobi stared into the crystal ball at two boys—Sarutobi Reiji and Namikaze Minato—his expression unreadable.
Yamanaka Kiyoshi had just finished reporting Reiji's strange ability. Hiruzen finally murmured, "So that's how it is… an original kekkei genkai."
BANG!
The door slammed open. Shimura Danzō strode in, face as dark as the smoke. "Every time I come in here it's like walking into a smoke bomb. Try acting like a Hokage for once."
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, unbothered.
Danzō's eyes slid to the crystal ball, lingering on the boys. "Root's short on manpower. Send me a few more ANBU."
"It's normal to be short-handed after a reorganization," Hiruzen said evenly. "I'll assign one squad to support you."
"Then give me those two kids as well," Danzō added, still watching the scrying image. Hokage attention meant value; if they were worth taking, he'd take them.
"Impossible." Hiruzen's gaze cooled. "Those two are young leaves growing in the sunlight. They have no place in your Root."
Danzō's jaw tightened. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
"Enough." Hiruzen rose, the weight of the Ninjutsu Professor filling the room. "Danzō—I am the Hokage."
A cold snort. A turn. Bang. The door shut.
Hiruzen drew a long breath and looked down at the dossier on his desk.
Name: Sarutobi Reiji
Age: 6
Parents: Sarutobi Yuto, Sarutobi Shizuko
Record: From age 3—classified
He pictured the entrance ceremony—the bright eyes, the steady smile. "Another leaf born from the Will of Fire," he murmured. "I should meet that child myself."
Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy—
Sarutobi Reiji sat quietly, as if nothing at all had happened. He'd already chosen his path: the Duel Arena would not be hidden. Publicly, it would be framed as a harmless training space—a place to spar without injury. The deeper truths—combat buffs, chakra growth, the summoning system—would remain buried.
Letting the Hokage know meant protection. Safer than mystery.
Beside him, Inuzuka Ryo—who'd fainted in their last duel—finally woke. He stared at Reiji a long moment, awe and frustration warring.
"So… that's your special ability, huh? Fine! Once I master ninjutsu, your days are numbered!"
Reiji didn't bother replying. The afternoon's combat practice mattered more—real practice weapons this time. Those wooden kunai were embarrassing.
Days slid into rhythm: wake, class, train with Minato, Duel Arena at night.
"Minato, come with me to Uncle Hayata's after school," Reiji said one morning.
"Okay!" Minato nodded, then fumbled out a small wad of cash. "Here—5,000 ryō. I don't know the price, but this is all I have. If it's not enough, I'll pay you back."
Reiji rapped his forehead lightly and pushed it back. "Keep it. The metal is chakra-conductive. You couldn't afford it even if you sold yourself. I picked it up for free; Uncle Hayata said the scraps cover the fee."
"If it's that expensive, I can't just take it," Minato insisted, shoving the money into Reiji's hand. "I'll pay you back later. Promise."
Reiji sighed and pocketed it. "Fine. If you're ever short on food, eat at my place. If I have a meal, you have a meal."
Minato grinned.
"What a shame you're not a girl," Reiji deadpanned. "I'd marry you on the spot."
Minato froze… then instinctively scooted closer to Inuzuka Ryo.
"You two sure are close," came a lazy drawl—Nara Shikaku, chin on hand.
Reiji grinned back. "Says the guy glued to Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi."
"Touché," Shikaku smirked. Aburame Shibi adjusted his glasses a few rows up, wordless as ever.
"Wanna play shogi?" Shikaku produced a small box.
"Don't know shogi," Reiji said, "but I know a better game—Chinese chess." He outlined the rules.
"Huh. Interesting," Shikaku mused. "I'll have a set made tonight."
They were halfway through Chōza's chips when—
"Sarutobi Reiji! Nara Shikaku! Namikaze Minato! Akimichi Chōza!"
Four chalk sticks cracked across the room, pinging each forehead with surgical precision.
"Hallway. Now." Yamanaka Kiyoshi's roar shook the panes.
As the chalk dust settled, a wax seal stamped ROOT pulsed once beneath Reiji's desk… then went still—waiting for night.