Year 73 After the Founding of Konoha
The Hokage Building.
A heavy silence filled the circular office. The faint rustle of papers on Tsunade's desk was the only sound. Beyond the open window, sunlight spilled over the roofs of Konoha — calm, deceptive, and fragile.
Tsunade sat with her arms folded, golden hair falling over her shoulders. Her eyes, sharp and tired, were fixed on the two elders before her.
"Unacceptable," she said.
The word cut through the air like a blade.
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses, his face unreadable. Beside him, Koharu Utatane remained silent, her old eyes watching Tsunade carefully.
They were all veterans of different wars, but the one between them now was quieter… and colder.
"Tsunade," Homura began, his voice calm, "Naruto is no ordinary child. You know this."
Tsunade didn't respond.
"He's a Jinchūriki," Homura continued. "Normally, we should not allow him to leave the village. I assure you, we are already making concessions."
The Fifth Hokage leaned forward slightly, her elbows resting on the desk.
"I am in favor of a four-man team," she said. "But restricting his movements… that's too much."
Her tone was steady, but there was steel in it.
"Even if Naruto remains in the village, the Akatsuki will still pursue him. Just like what just happened in Sunagakure."
The name of the Sand Village hung in the air like a wound.
"If that were to happen," Tsunade continued, "Konoha would still be in danger. But if Naruto is on the move… they'll be more hard-pressed trying to find him."
Shizune stood silently to the side, her hands clasped, eyes lowered. She could feel the weight in Tsunade's voice.
Tsunade looked toward the light spilling through the window.
"...Naruto has always had a special ability," she said quietly. "He will grow to become a great power for Konoha."
Homura's eyes narrowed.
"You're being flippant, Tsunade. Speak like a Hokage!"
That hit a nerve.
Tsunade's hand slammed down on the desk — the shock rippled through the floor, rattling the bookshelves.
"I am making concessions here!"
Her voice thundered through the chamber. For a moment, even the portraits of the past Hokage seemed to tremble.
Homura didn't flinch. "Then can you guarantee that Naruto won't be taken by Akatsuki?"
"If the Akatsuki takes him, they'll become an even greater threat to the village," he pressed. "You know that!"
Tsunade met his gaze, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
The image of the boy standing before her , eyes full of promise.
'I'll get that stupid necklace!'
A faint, bitter smile touched her lips.
"...Naruto will not be taken," she said softly, conviction filling her voice.
"I Know that."
Koharu finally spoke. Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
"And if that belief is mistaken?"
Tsunade turned toward her.
"What will you do," Koharu continued, "if your trust in him endangers Konoha itself?"
Tsunade didn't look away.
"I'll abdicate," she said. "And pass the Hokage Mantle."
The elders exchanged a long look. For a moment, only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard.
Homura exhaled. "Understood. If you're that convinced…"
He paused. "However, we will choose a member to add to the four-man team."
Tsunade's gaze dropped. Her jaw tightened.
Koharu adjusted her robes and spoke again.
"Originally, Danzō requested that a member of Root be placed on the team," she said.
Tsunade's expression hardened. "I expected as much."
"He submitted a detailed candidate profile," Koharu continued. "A young operative. Effective, obedient, trained from childhood for covert missions."
Homura nodded slightly. "By all accounts, his record was… impressive. Dozens of successful assassinations, no confirmed failures."
Tsunade tapped her fingers against the armrest of her chair, listening without a word.
"However," Koharu said, lowering her eyes, "Root's expertise lies in silent elimination and infiltration. This operative specializes in assassination techniques — suited for shadows, not for the open field."
Homura's voice deepened. "The Akatsuki are not common targets. They are S-rank monsters. Even Root's best would not last long against them."
He paused, letting that truth hang between them.
"Our surveillance of the organization's movements suggests that brute efficiency will not be enough,"
Homura continued, as if they had rehearsed the exchange.
"With Kakashi incapacitated, and most other elite jōnin engaged in other operations, our options are limited. There is only one candidate who matches the minimum requirements...Hiruzen's Legacy."
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean…?"
Koharu turned toward the door. "Enter."
The door opened with a faint creak, and the young man stepped inside.
Brown hair, pale skin, streaks of war paint across his nose. The uniform of the Torture and Interrogation Division rustled as he moved.
He stopped before the Hokage's desk, knee dropping to the floor in a clean, deliberate motion.
"Sarutobi Genji, reporting for duty, Hokage-sama."
[Image]
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