Persuasion
> "A six-year-old Chūnin? The son of the White Fang—and the orphan adopted by Duy?"
Danzo Shimura narrowed his eyes as he flipped through the latest intelligence scroll, which detailed the results of the recent Chūnin Exams.
Two names were circled in red ink—Hatake Kakashi and Bai Ye. Both were standouts, considered extraordinary even by Konoha's high standards.
> "Kakashi's a lost cause—firmly under Hiruzen's wing. But Bai Ye... he might be persuaded."
Danzo tapped his finger against his chin thoughtfully.
Kakashi, a prodigy who graduated at age five and became a Chūnin at six, had long since been identified with the Third Hokage's faction. Danzo had little hope of influencing him. In fact, he regretted not moving sooner—perhaps back when White Fang fell from grace due to internal politics. Danzo had played a role in that downfall, and Kakashi would never forget.
By contrast, Bai Ye was a neutral. An orphan, no clan ties, raised by Might Duy of all people—someone Danzo had long written off as a footnote in Konoha's annals. But clearly, something had been overlooked.
> "Root," he ordered, turning to a subordinate. "Compile deeper intelligence on Bai Ye. Every detail."
Moments later, a figure clad in the garb of Root—a long coat, dark glasses, and a suppressive silence—handed him a second scroll.
Danzo's expression soured.
> "Orochimaru already made his move?"
Somehow, Root had intercepted a hidden report: Orochimaru had already set his sights on the boy. Given the alliance—however tense—between Danzo and Orochimaru at this stage, Danzo decided not to compete directly.
> "Foolish of him. He's already claimed a disciple, and now he's recommended someone from the Hyūga main house to Tsunade..."
Danzo scowled.
He had long kept tabs on Yuyan, a prodigious girl of the Hyūga clan with dangerous ideals—most notably her quiet but unwavering intent to dismantle the caged bird system. Hiruzen's constant oversight made it hard for Danzo to act against her directly. But if Tsunade took her in, she'd become practically untouchable, frequently on the move, beyond surveillance.
> "I won't let such instability survive," he muttered. "She needs to be rooted out—before she becomes a threat."
He turned to the Root member.
> "Find a way to sway Kazuhiko," he commanded.
Kazuhiko, though not as exceptional as Kakashi or Bai Ye, was still promising. If Danzo couldn't have the best, he would mold what he could. He wouldn't handle the task himself—this assignment didn't warrant his full attention.
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, smoking his pipe as Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya stood before him.
> "You're certain these are the Genin you want to take on?" Hiruzen asked, voice even but laced with concern.
Orochimaru had first submitted his request after the exams. Now, with his teammates present, he hoped to finalize matters.
> "You can't just walk up to Hizashi and say, 'I'll take your pupil,'" he added dryly.
Tensions in the Hyūga clan were high enough. Mishandling this could ignite internal conflict.
Tsunade, for once serious, nodded.
> "I've been traveling with Shizune for years. It's time I found her a proper teammate—and I want to train Yuyan as well. Personally."
> "You realize Yuyan isn't just any student," Hiruzen warned. "She's of the main family—and has made enemies. Can you truly protect her, Tsunade? In your condition?"
He didn't say it aloud, but everyone in the room knew he referred to her hemophobia—the debilitating trauma triggered by the sight of blood since her brother and lover's deaths.
> "I'll be fine if I stay within the Land of Fire," she said curtly. "I'm not reckless."
Jiraiya, sensing her irritation, piped up.
> "Old man, don't be so rigid. The village isn't as safe as you think—foreign shinobi sneak in all the time."
Orochimaru added smoothly, "Tsunade's movements are hard to track. Even I had to search long and hard to find her."
Orochimaru, of course, had other motives. He had long observed Bai Ye, and he knew the boy was anything but emotionally distant. His bond with Yuyan and another teammate was strong. If Orochimaru didn't find a place for them as well, he risked being rejected by Bai Ye.
And so, even with Bai Ye already in mind, Orochimaru made backup plans—"insurance." The teammates were the appetizer. The real persuasion was still coming.
After a long silence, Hiruzen exhaled deeply.
> "Very well. But I expect regular reports. Don't test my patience."
> "You're so strict~" Tsunade said, finally smiling. "Let's celebrate with drinks—we haven't done that in years."
> "I still need to convince Hizashi. Just when I thought I'd convinced him to take a proper post, now I have to beg him for permission again..."
Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his neck. Retirement felt further away than ever.
---
Later that evening, Tsunade and her two teammates found Bai Ye and the others at Barbecue Q, where the Genin team was holding a modest celebration.
> "Hey! You're all here too? Great timing. Drinks are on us!" Tsunade declared, sweeping up a bottle of shōchū and inviting herself into the party.
The Genin were surprised but thrilled. Few civilians—let alone young shinobi—ever shared drinks with the Sannin. The atmosphere quickly turned lively.
> "Cheers!"
Even the underaged shinobi, caught up in the moment, sipped at the sake. Predictably, most were immediately knocked flat, faces flushed and speech slurred. Even boasting, "I can drink more!" became a slurred joke.
Only Bai Ye remained standing, matching Tsunade cup for cup—his unusual constitution, a blend of chakra control and physical resilience, keeping him conscious.
By the time Hiruzen arrived, he was greeted by the sight of his former students—drunk and leaning on each other—and several unconscious children scattered across the floor.
He sighed again.
> "Just one peaceful evening, is that too much to ask...?"
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