"Take charge of the ANBU for me."
As Hokage, saying something so shocking to a child at this moment—such a scene...
Yugito, standing beside him, was clearly startled.
This boy was indeed exceptional. And his fierce, aggressive temperament made him a perfect fit for the ANBU. But how old was he? He was still just a child—how could someone like that lead the ANBU?
Yet the Hokage's tone carried absolute certainty. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakably real.
Minato Namikaze—the Yellow Flash of Konoha. He truly was someone different.
After a few seconds of silence, Hakken looked somewhat surprised.
The position of ANBU Commander had remained vacant ever since Sakumo Hatake's suicide. It had been temporarily managed by Kurenai Yūhi's father, Shinku Yūhi. And now, Minato actually wanted to give that position to him.
The meaning behind it was clear. He wanted to completely tie Hakken to Konoha.
Becoming the ANBU Commander meant stepping into the very core of the village's power. The ANBU were the Hokage's direct assassination unit. It was clear that, from then on, Hakken would become Minato's true right hand.
"Don't rush to refuse."
Seeing Hakken stay silent, Minato gave a wry smile.
Perhaps what happened at the village gate today had shaken his sense of belonging. But Minato believed that, with time, he could still guide this boy back onto the right path.
"I've already ordered the dissolution of Danzō's Root division."
"From now on, the only organization operating under the sunlight of Konoha to protect the village will be the ANBU."
"I'll place my full trust in you, giving you complete authority over the ANBU."
In this, Minato had already done all he could. And his sincerity made Hakken see him in a new light.
The Yellow Flash actually went head-to-head with Danzō? That was something that never happened in the original timeline.
Hakken rubbed his chin, looking at Minato in surprise.
"As Hokage, I'm constantly analyzing the village's situation," Minato said. "I've always tried to turn flawed systems toward something better."
"But Hakken, when you truly try to change a village, you realize just how powerless you are."
Minato sighed, his expression full of bitterness.
Becoming the Fourth Hokage—from his early passion to his current helplessness—who could truly understand what he'd been through?
Konoha's condition was far from good. There wasn't a single person under him he could fully rely on or trust.
If he had to name one, perhaps Kakashi—but even then, Kakashi was still lost in grief over Rin and Obito's deaths.
But Hakken's arrival had reignited the flame in Minato's heart! That was why he had grown more resolute lately.
When you feel powerless, you tend to settle for stability—just avoid mistakes, quietly protect what you can. But now, a chance had appeared. The opportunity for change rested in this boy!
He was different—daring, unyielding, unafraid to confront Konoha's flaws, and willing to strike back when threatened without hesitation.
Especially that line at the village gate—it completely changed Minato's perception of Hakken.
"The ninjas who gave their lives on the battlefield have far greater merit than the old fools who rest on their laurels in the village!"
It seemed this trip to the Land of Lightning had helped the boy before him grow a lot.
Minato's eyes shone with satisfaction as he reached out and laid a hand on Hakken's shoulder.
"Until you grow strong enough to protect Konoha and stop this rotten system from dragging the village past the point of no return—"
"Then, when you've grown and gained the power to change everything, I'll hand this village to you."
"Entrusting dreams to the next generation and then dying with a clear conscience—that's what I once believed."
"But now, I've changed my mind."
A smile as warm as sunlight spread across Minato's face. Yellow Flash—his name suited him perfectly.
"If you want to change things, why not start right now?"
"Entrusting beliefs to the next generation is right, but if I don't fight myself, what meaning does my existence as Hokage have?"
"Use our own hands to make the village better, then after we've tried our hardest, pass the dream to the next generation—that's the best decision, isn't it?"
Did Hakken get it?
He just stood there, stunned.
In the world of shinobi, there were always people who said they would entrust their dreams and convictions to the next generation—Hashirama Senju had said it, and Minato had said it too. On his deathbed Minato pinned immense hope on his son, convinced the child could change everything. In practice, Naruto—blessed with protagonist luck—did achieve it, but it was still incomplete, much like Hashirama's approach. When Naruto dies, war might erupt again, waiting for the next incarnation of Ashura.
To Hakken, people who piled all their dreams onto future generations were shirking responsibility—no different from parents who expect their kids to be perfect — to grow up and become something extraordinary. They'd forgotten the simple rule: don't ask of others what you wouldn't do yourself. You haven't done it, so how can you demand others do it?
One thing was clear. Today, Minato had prepared himself and spoken honestly without reserve. He wanted to be a true Hokage—reform the system, change Konoha, and protect what the previous Hokage had fought to preserve. He'd opened his heart to Hakken and spoken plainly.
But a one-sided confession always felt awkward.
Up to now Hakken hadn't said a single word. He'd simply stood there watching Minato. Had Minato talked too much? Was it too much for a child to grasp?
Minato gave a bitter smile. In a daze he suddenly remembered that this disciple before him was still a child. Was it too early to view him through adult eyes?
Yugito, standing beside them, rolled her eyes. All the lofty talk—touching as it sounded—was it simply preaching to the choir? Charming, but the wrong audience. After all, he was still just a kid.
The atmosphere grew a little awkward.
Minato didn't know what else to say. He'd already told Hakken everything—what he wanted to do, indirectly revealing that the fire burning in his own heart was the same fire he hoped to pass on. He was the shadow of that flame.
"Danzō won't disband the ANBU," Hakken finally said after a long silence.
He reached out and the Zanpakutō embedded in the ground flew into his hand.
"Minato-sensei wants change," Hakken continued. "But he still isn't ruthless enough."
"To completely eradicate the threat of Root, there's only one way—"
Clang!
Hakken rose to his feet, blade in hand, and a smile curved his lips.
"That is to cut them all down!"
"..."
...
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