Inside the Hokage's office, sunlight spilled through the wide windows, painting the room in a warm orange hue. Scrolls, maps, and mission reports were neatly stacked across the desk, but all attention was on the silver-haired man standing before the Hokage.
Sakumo Hatake rarely made personal requests. So when he spoke, even Hiruzen looked up with genuine curiosity.
"Hokage-sama," Sakumo began respectfully, his tone steady. "I know it may seem presumptuous, but I would like to make a request."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, folding his hands beneath his chin. "Between us, Sakumo, there is nothing presumptuous. Speak freely."
Sakumo nodded slightly. "Very well then. I wish for Minato Namikaze to join the Anbu. Furthermore, I request permission to take him under my personal supervision—if he accepts, of course."
For a moment, silence settled in the room. Hiruzen didn't answer immediately, his pipe resting forgotten in the ashtray. He was considering the weight of Sakumo's words. Minato was a prodigy—young, disciplined, and already displaying tactical brilliance. The idea of him joining the Anbu wasn't far-fetched. But before Hiruzen could respond—
A sharp voice interrupted.
"No." Danzo's tone sliced through the air like a kunai. "Hiruzen, I asked for him first. The boy should join Root. Our organization is newly structured—we can shape him properly, discipline him, mold him into a true tool of the village."
His single visible eye narrowed, cold and calculating.
Sakumo's own eyes hardened. "Danzo-sama, if Minato joins the Anbu, I will personally take responsibility for him. You and I both know what that means."
No one in the room needed clarification. Even without his later fame as the White Fang, Sakumo's power and reputation were already well known. Konoha's strength didn't rest solely on Hiruzen's shoulders anymore—Sakumo's presence was a pillar in itself.
Danzo's jaw tightened. "How dare you—"
"That's enough, Danzo," Hiruzen cut in calmly but firmly. "Even for early graduates, the rule stands: they must go through the genin system—three genin under one jōnin. But since Minato's potential is so... exceptional, I see no harm in asking for his opinion."
"What he wants is irrelevant," Danzo said coldly. "The will of the Hokage—"
"Enough," Hiruzen's voice sharpened this time. The pipe was set down with a soft clack. "We will hear from Minato."
The young blonde stood near the doorway beside Shanks, unsure of what to say. He could feel Danzo's gaze pressing down on him like a weight. Shanks, meanwhile, was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed and a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
When Hiruzen turned to Minato, he could already sense something brewing between those two behind him.
"Minato," Hiruzen began. "As you can see, Danzo wants you to join Root—a subdivision meant to train elite operatives. Sakumo, on the other hand, wishes to bring you directly into the Anbu and train you personally. The decision is yours."
Minato hesitated, glancing at Shanks. His mentor noticed immediately and chuckled softly.
"Go ahead, blondie," Shanks said, waving his hand. "You can pick whoever you want. I only made sure you got the opportunity. But between you and me…" His grin faded slightly. "I don't like that Danzo fellow. And something tells me the feeling's mutual."
"I wasn't going to choose him anyway," Minato said honestly.
Shanks' grin returned. "Then why not pick Uncle Sakumo? Or if you're still unsure, take the normal route—go through the genin program. No shame in that."
Minato shook his head. "It's not that. It's just… Sakumo-sama is a legend for us younger ninja. Seeing him here, offering to train me—it feels like a dream."
Shanks raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Oh, he's fangirling. Great." Then with a lazy smirk, he added, "He trained me when I was a kid, y'know. Nothing special. Just don't let him work you too hard—he's nice but strict."
Minato smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "That doesn't make it any less amazing."
"So, Minato," Hiruzen said, leaning back slightly. "What is your choice?"
"I choose to join Sakumo-sama," Minato said clearly.
A flicker of irritation crossed Danzo's face. His cane tapped the floor once. "A foolish decision," he muttered, then louder: "Do you understand what you're turning down, boy? The Root could have made you strong—unbreakable. Under Sakumo, you'll learn sentiment and weakness."
Shanks' eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone."
Danzo's single eye shifted to him, cold as steel. "This is between higher ups of Konoha. A kid should mind their place."
"Kid, huh?" Shanks said, his voice low but sharp. "You talk a lot about loyalty for someone who treats people like tools. Funny—your name fits your personality. A root—buried underground, away from sunlight."
Danzo's lips thinned. "You would do well to remember your position."
"And you'd do well to remember yours," Shanks shot back, his calm demeanor cracking just slightly. "You can intimidate a boy, but not me. If you ever threaten him again, I'll make sure to turn your life a living hell."
The air grew tense. Even Hiruzen frowned, setting down his pipe completely.
"Enough!" the Hokage ordered, voice carrying the authority of decades. "Both of you!"
The tension lingered for a moment longer—Danzo glaring at Shanks, Shanks smirking in quiet defiance—before Hiruzen spoke again.
"The decision stands. Minato will join the Anbu under Sakumo's supervision. Danzo, you will stand down."
Danzo's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more. He turned sharply, cloak swaying as he left the office, his silence heavy with unspoken resentment.
When the door closed, Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh and rubbed his temples. "You really know how to attract trouble, Shanks."
Shanks shrugged. "Hey, I didn't start it. He just doesn't like my face."
"That makes two of you," Hiruzen muttered.
Sakumo chuckled under his breath before bowing slightly. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I'll make sure Minato's potential doesn't go to waste."
As Sakumo and Minato left the room, Shanks lingered for a moment longer, glancing at Hiruzen with his usual half-smile. "You know, old man, you should really keep a tighter leash on that one."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "That's easier said than done."
Shanks nodded, then turned to leave, his red hair catching the late sunlight as the office door closed behind him.