Chapter 5: The Report
Not long after Li Yao left, Minato appeared in front of the Hokage building.
From the upper floor of the office, the Third Hokage immediately noticed the golden-haired boy who always wore a gentle smile—this talented young man.
Hiruzen was well aware of Minato's potential.
He was a genius ninja with talent not inferior to that of Orochimaru, his own disciple.
So Hiruzen had been keeping a close eye on him. Right now, he was quite curious why the child hadn't gone home after school and instead came to the Hokage's office.
Was he here to admire him?
Heh… the Third smiled to himself at the thought.
"Little one, is something the matter?"
Before Minato could approach, a middle-aged ninja on duty at the entrance of the building smiled and asked him.
Minato instinctively glanced in the direction of his friend's home, then stepped forward a few paces, speaking in a low, serious voice: "Uncle Dōmoto, my name is Minato. I'm a student from Class 3, Year 2 at the Ninja Academy. I need to speak with the Hokage-sama—can I?"
His words were clear and direct. He immediately stated his identity and purpose, and even called the guard by name.
"You know who I am?" Dōmoto asked, surprised, a trace of caution rising in his heart. He wasn't a famous ninja—no regular child should know his name.
"I've heard my classmate Komura mention that you're a strong ninja. And I saw you a few times when you came to pick him up from school," Minato patiently explained. He knew his sudden request to see the Hokage would raise suspicions.
But it was true—he was classmates with Dōmoto's son.
"Oh, it's you." Dōmoto pretended to realize. In truth, he had only picked up his son from school twice due to his busy schedule and had never noticed Minato.
Still, hearing Minato speak with such clarity and familiarity made him lower his guard.
"So, what do you want with the Hokage-sama?" Dōmoto asked with a smile, but did not move aside.
Not just anyone could meet the Hokage. What if it was an assassination attempt?
So even if this boy was his son's classmate and clearly very young, Dōmoto still wouldn't let him through.
Especially for civilians or students—it required a special permit or escort by a known ninja to gain access to the Hokage.
Minato grew anxious. He knew the formal procedures but didn't have time to find a proper escort.
He was now certain—something was wrong with Kimura Yō. Even a slight delay could result in something terrible happening to his friend. He had to report it now—only the Hokage could help.
He had no choice but to try.
Lowering his voice, Minato said, "Uncle Dōmoto, my friend—he's also my classmate—Kimura Yō, I'm sure he's being controlled by an unknown ninja."
"Hm…" Dōmoto's expression hardened. Looking at Minato's serious face, he sensed the boy wasn't lying, and his own expression turned grave.
"Minato, you know this isn't something to joke about. If there's a spy in the village, it's not a small matter."
"I know. I'm serious. I have a chakra temperature sensing ability. This morning, I sensed a change in Yō's chakra temperature. Combined with changes in his daily habits, I'm certain—he's been taken over."
Chakra sensing ability!?
Dōmoto was startled. He looked at the blond boy in front of him, clearly shocked. To have such refined chakra sensing at his age meant his chakra control talent was extraordinary.
In the future… Wait!
This wasn't the time to marvel at a child's talent.
If what the child said was true, then that Kimura Yō kid might not just be controlled—but entirely replaced.
Because if it was only mind control, the chakra temperature wouldn't change.
Which meant… someone had really infiltrated Konoha.
And this infiltrator had likely already killed a Konoha child.
Thinking this, Dōmoto's killing intent briefly flared before being suppressed. He stood up, ready to report directly to the Hokage.
Whoosh!
Just then, an ANBU ninja wearing a red-and-white fox mask appeared in an instant, his movement like teleportation.
Dōmoto hadn't even sensed his presence.
Only Minato reacted in that brief moment, lowering his stance, knees bent, hands moving toward his pocket, prepared to leap back and draw a kunai if needed.
"As expected of the Hokage's chosen genius."
The masked ANBU's eyes narrowed slightly at Minato's lightning-fast reaction. He had actually kept up with his body flicker. What incredible reflexes.
The ANBU was genuinely shocked, quietly impressed by the Hokage's discerning eye. Minato's reaction speed was already beyond that of most ANBU.
And ANBU were trained to survive on the edge of life and death—if your reflexes weren't fast enough, you didn't live long.
So the fact that this kid surpassed most ANBU in reaction speed showed just how remarkable his talent was.
That also made the ANBU more inclined to believe Minato's words.
"Come with me. The Hokage-sama wishes to see you."
After speaking, the masked ANBU gave Minato a deep look and vanished with a body flicker.
"Go on, little Minato."
Dōmoto nodded. Hearing the ANBU's words, he knew the Hokage had already been listening to everything. He wasn't surprised.
The Hokage always had ANBU guards around him.
No one knew exactly how many, but they were undoubtedly skilled in sensory abilities.
Since they were standing right in front of the Hokage building, the ANBU probably locked onto Minato the moment he arrived.
"Thank you, Uncle Dōmoto." Minato said and walked into the building.
"Follow me." A shapely kunoichi emerged from within the building and led Minato toward the Hokage's office.
Minato followed her. They quickly reached the door to the second-floor office.
Knock knock! Knock!
The woman knocked, then called, "Hokage-sama."
"Come in."
A deep, magnetic male voice came from inside the room—impossible to tell if it was young or old, but undeniably strong.
The kunoichi pushed the door open, and Minato followed her inside.
"Hokage-sama, I've brought him."
"Very good. You may leave."
The Third Hokage waved his hand, and the woman respectfully exited the room, closing the door behind her.
She was not meant to stay for the coming discussion.
Inside the office, the Third had already returned to his chair. On either side behind him stood two ANBU wearing masks and carrying swords on their backs. One of them was the fox-masked ninja who had summoned Minato.
"Hokage-sama…"
Minato clenched his fists tightly, gripping the corners of his clothes, suddenly feeling nervous.
This was the first time he was facing the Hokage in such an official capacity.
He immediately felt that the Hokage now was far more imposing than during the entrance ceremony at the Ninja Academy. He stammered a bit from the pressure.
"No rush. Speak slowly."
The Third wore a gentle smile. His composed and reassuring demeanor helped Minato calm his nerves.
Hoo… Taking a deep breath, Minato recounted everything about his interactions with Yō that day and the reasons why he believed his friend had been taken over.
As Minato spoke, the Third's eyes grew sharper, a cold murderous intent rising in his heart.
Kimura Yō's parents had been handpicked by him to join the ANBU. For ten years, they'd served Konoha faithfully.
And now, just days after they were killed on a mission, someone dared target their child?
Unforgivable.
"Hokage-sama, please—save Yō quickly," Minato pleaded anxiously after finishing his report.
"How strong is your chakra sensing ability?" the Third asked instead, not directly responding to the request. He wanted to verify the strength of Minato's ability. "Can you tell how many ninja are currently inside the Hokage building?"
"Twelve," Minato answered without hesitation.
Six ANBU bodyguards, two guards on rotating duty downstairs, three secretaries on the second floor, and one at the archive room door.
He had sensed all twelve chakra signatures the moment he approached the building.
(END CHAPTER)