Hokage Office Building
"Hokage-sama."
Minato Namikaze, a Chunin, respectfully handed back the intelligence scroll he had just read. Seated at the desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, regarded him with a satisfied smile.
"Minato, I'm very pleased with your performance so far," Hiruzen said warmly.
"You've read through the intelligence, so I won't waste words. Starting today, you will be part of a new team."
As Hiruzen spoke, he tapped the desk lightly. In response, an ANBU stationed outside opened the door, and a figure slowly erged from the shadows.
"Ku…"
The mont Minato saw the figure, surprise flashed across his deep blue eyes. The unmistakable red hair reminded him of Kushina Uzumaki.
But as the figure fully stepped into the light, Minato realized that, while the hair was the sa, the face was unfamiliar.
"Hokage-sama," the red-haired kunoichi greeted, bowing respectfully. Her expression was devoid of emotion, and her movents were so precise and chanical that they felt unnatural. Her voice was flat—cold, even—devoid of any hint of feeling.
What unsettled Minato the most were her eyes. They were lifeless, like those of a doll.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm gaze lingered on her for a mont before he spoke.
"Minato, your teammate is also from the Uzumaki Clan. However, as you may have guessed, she was raised in Root, where emotional detachnt is the norm. I believe in your Will of Fire, Minato. Use it to warm her heart."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Minato took a deep breath, his gaze steady with resolve.
"Thank you for your trust, Hokage-sama," he said, bowing deeply.
Seeing Minato's serious response, Hiruzen's smile widened with approval.
"Take so ti to get to know your new teammate, Minato," Hiruzen instructed.
"Don't neglect your training during this period. And as a reward for your contributions in the last mission…"
He slid a ninjutsu scroll across the desk.
Minato's eyes widened in surprise as he accepted it.
"Hokage-sama, I…"
Minato trailed off, glancing down at the scroll.
It was rare for a ninja of his rank to receive such a generous reward. After all, he had only fulfilled his duties as a shinobi of the village.
"Minato," Hiruzen said, his eyes kind but firm, "your devotion to Konoha has not gone unnoticed. I hope this gift will help you grow stronger so you can better protect the village."
The Hokage leaned forward, his gaze sharp with intent.
"This scroll contains detailed insights into the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God technique."
Minato's eyes widened with shock.
The Flying Thunder God technique?!
He clutched the scroll as if it were a priceless treasure.
"Understood! Thank you, Hokage-sama!" he said with a firm nod.
Not one to overthink things, Minato respectfully accepted the scroll, his heart filled with gratitude and excitent. Together with his new teammate, he left the office.
As the two disappeared from view, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze lingered on them. His eyes narrowed in thought, but a subtle smile played on his lips.
Under the influence of the Will of Fire, a new generation was already on the rise.
"Stop hiding and co in."
The words were spoken calmly but with authority.
"Haha, sharp as ever, old man," ca a loud, familiar voice.
"Caught again, huh?"
With a burst of hearty laughter, Jiraiya climbed in through the window. Hiruzen didn't even glance his way—he was far too used to his student's antics.
"Still as reckless as ever," Hiruzen muttered with an amused sigh.
But as Jiraiya gazed out the window at the two figures walking away, his carefree deanor shifted to one of seriousness.
"Red hair, huh?"
Jiraiya muttered, his eyes narrowing.
"Old man, is this the one you've chosen?"
His gaze remained fixed on the red-haired kunoichi as she disappeared from view.
"Yes," Hiruzen replied calmly.
"Minato's Will of Fire will fill the void in her heart. Lady Mito once said that only those who know love can truly wield this power."
Jiraiya's expression darkened. He folded his arms, his fingers tapping against his bicep.
"So, she's… the next one, huh?"
Hiruzen nodded, his gaze unwavering.
A heavy silence settled between them.
"Minato probably won't be coming with to the frontlines, then," Jiraiya said, letting out a slow breath.
It was clear to both n what this ant. A ninja trained to be a tool of war, one whose emotions had been stripped away, was now expected to embrace love and wield a power of unparalleled magnitude. It wasn't sothing that could be rushed.
"Don't worry, Jiraiya," Hiruzen reassured him.
"Minato is one of the successors of the Will of Fire. While you're away, I'll make sure he is properly guided."
Hearing this, Jiraiya's lips curled into a grin.
Minato was his first disciple—the one in whom he had placed his greatest hopes.
"Alright, old man. I'm counting on you," Jiraiya said, his usual grin returning.
With a playful salute, Jiraiya prepared to leave.
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen called out, his voice suddenly serious.
Jiraiya glanced back.
"This mission is critical. Orochimaru has already taken an elite force to the frontlines."
The playful grin on Jiraiya's face faded. He gave a solemn nod.
"Don't worry, old man. This war will be over soon," he declared, his eyes filled with steely resolve.
Without another word, Jiraiya vaulted out the window and vanished.
Watching him leave, Hiruzen's face softened into a proud smile.
"The most unreliable Jiraiya… quietly growing into soone we can all depend on."
With a deep sigh, Hiruzen turned his gaze toward the Hokage Rock outside the window. His eyes lingered on the faces of Konoha's past leaders—his face included.
His smile faded, replaced by a look of unshakable determination.
"This war… Konoha will erge victorious."
He had no doubt. His three disciples were all extraordinary.
Orochimaru, with his genius intellect and unmatched tactical mind, had already led an elite force to the frontlines.
Jiraiya, once reckless and wild, was now a pillar of strength—a man others could rely on in the heat of battle.
And then there was Tsunade…
Hiruzen's brows furrowed at the thought of her.
Her situation was different. She had always been more distant. As a mber of the prestigious Senju Clan, she had never lacked resources or training. She was born with power, and that made her path different from the others.
"Tsunade…"
Hiruzen muttered to himself, his voice laced with concern.
"I just hope the Uchiha don't cause any trouble while you're watching over them."
The frontlines in the Land of Rain were already ablaze. Orochimaru and Jiraiya had gone ahead to lead Konoha's forces.
anwhile, the Uchiha Clan had thrown themselves into the war effort, drawing heavily from their police force. Their absence had left the Konoha Police Force understaffed, forcing them to recruit new mbers from other clans—and even civilians.
For the first ti, non-Uchiha shinobi were being allowed to join the police force. The Senju Clan had agreed to support the effort, further strengthening the fragile alliance between the two clans.
These changes were all docunted in a report now lying on Hiruzen's desk.
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