Far from the towering peaks of Iwagakure and Kumogakure, nestled deep within the heart of the Land of Fire—territory safely under Konoha's control—stood the prestigious Hokage Residence.Inside its time-worn walls, cloaked in the warmth of burning incense and the ever-present scent of tobacco, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat silently on his chair. His gaze, sharpened by years of war and leadership, was fixed upon the man standing across from him.
The mood was tense. Papers lay scattered across the desk, maps dotted with markers showing warfronts and patrol routes. Smoke lazily curled from Hiruzen's pipe, coiling in the still air.
"Sending such a skilled shinobi to another front... especially after we've just managed to halt Kumo's advance thanks to him?" Hiruzen muttered, more to himself than to the man before him. His brows furrowed as he mulled over the proposal.
The man before him, Danzo Shimura, gave a slight scoff. His eyes, as cold and calculating as ever, didn't flicker.
"Kumo no longer matters. They're weakened—our elite can hold the line. What we need is to dispatch this prodigy to secure the border against Iwa."
There was confidence—no, certainty—in Danzo's tone. He believed only he saw the whole picture, the true scope of the war.
Hiruzen leaned back slightly, intrigued but cautious. "You speak as if Iwa had already made its move."
"They will," Danzo said coldly. "My Root operatives have confirmed it. They're gathering strength near the border."
The Third Hokage's expression darkened.
Danzo stepped closer, unflinching. "This new generation—especially the Yellow Flash—you know as well as I do that he's more than capable. If we want to survive, we must use every resource wisely."
Hiruzen was surprised—for once, Danzo wasn't proposing something morally gray or utterly reckless. There was logic in his words not hate.
"…Your proposition has merit," Hiruzen finally admitted, puffing on his pipe. "But before I decide, I must speak with Minato."
Danzo's lips thinned into a frown. "Still so cautious... even in the midst of war."
One Week Later
The dirt road winding through the forests around Konoha was quiet, the sound of chirping birds broken only by the soft crunch of footsteps.
"Sensei, are we there yet?" whined a young voice.
Obito Uchiha, a genin with goggles pushed up over his messy black hair, looked up at the man leading the group.
Beside him, another young shinobi—Kakashi Hatake—scowled. His silver hair swayed as he walked.
"Tch. Be quiet and stay alert. We're still in a potential combat zone, idiot."
Obito pouted but didn't respond. From behind, a gentle giggle broke the tension.
Rin, the team's medical ninja, smiled at her teammates' usual antics. They were home. And despite the bickering… it felt good.
"Kakashi's right," came a calm voice from the front. "But we're close to Konoha now. The chances of an ambush are low. Still... always be ready."
It was Minato Namikaze, their sensei. His warm smile radiated calmness and confidence.
Soon, the towering gates of Konohagakure loomed into view. The great walls stood proud, a testament to the village's strength.
After confirming their identities at the gate, the group was allowed through.
"Alright, team, you're dismissed. Go home, get some rest. If anything important comes up, I'll let you know. I have a meeting to attend." Minato waved, then disappeared in a blur of yellow.
Later That Day – Inside the Hokage's Office
The room was dimly lit, filled with scrolls and the faint aroma of tobacco. Minato, now clad in his standard jonin uniform with his iconic yellow hair glowing faintly under the sunlight filtering through the blinds, knelt respectfully before the Third Hokage.
Across from him, Hiruzen sat with a calm but thoughtful demeanor, puffing gently on his cigar.
"Minato," the old Hokage began, "I have something important to discuss with you."
Minato lifted his head slightly, focused.
"Your actions on the Kumo front were exemplary. Thanks to you, we've pushed them back and gained breathing room. You've shown not only strength, but wisdom and compassion… traits befitting a Hokage."
Minato blinked, surprised.
"Is he… suggesting I could become Hokage someday?" he thought, stunned by the subtle praise.
But Hiruzen's tone quickly shifted, serious once more.
"Unfortunately, peace is still far off. Intelligence from our operatives suggests that Iwagakure is planning a direct assault."
Minato frowned. "Isn't our Iwa border already reinforced?"
Hiruzen sighed deeply and leaned forward. "I had hoped you knew… but it seems you don't understand the full picture. Let me explain."
And so, the Third Hokage laid out the grim reality:
Suna, once an ally, had betrayed their pact. They deemed fighting Iwa too costly, choosing instead to stand down. Iwa, meanwhile, had suffered fewer losses than previously believed. Rumors of their heavy casualties at the hands of Kumo were misleading, perhaps even deliberate disinformation. The truth? They were gathering their forces.
Kiri and Kumo were still being held off—but barely. Suna, though slowed by the high death toll, continued to encroach from the west. And Konoha… they were stretched thin, caught between all four enemy nations.
Minato listened intently, the weight of the war pressing down upon his shoulders.
When Hiruzen finally finished, Minato's voice was steady.
"I understand, Lord Hokage. I'll lead my team to the Iwa front as soon as possible."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, then chuckled lightly.
"Ah yes, your team of genin…" he mused, "If they turn out anything like you, we'll win this war in no time."
He coughed suddenly, then waved his hand.
"No need to rush. You've just returned from the Kumo front. Rest for a week—train your team. Maybe teach them a new jutsu or two. I'll send you more information about Iwa when it's ready. For now, enjoy your time in Konoha."
Minato gave a nod. "Yes, Lord Hokage. I'll do as you say."
And in a flash of yellow light, he was gone.