On the road connecting the Hokage Building to the ANBU headquarters, Minato Namikaze walked side by side with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Behind them followed Danzō, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.
The street was bustling and prosperous. Crowds of people moved back and forth along the road, and quite a few women were shopping at the stalls.
Yet none of them seemed to notice that the five most powerful figures in Konoha were walking among them.
They continued doing whatever they pleased. The scene appeared harmonious and peaceful.
But the five leaders themselves felt little of that harmony.
Especially Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzō Shimura—each of them had their own thoughts.
"Fourth," Hiruzen suddenly asked calmly as they walked, "what are your thoughts on this ANBU division commander selection?"
"Lord Third, I think it's best to let things take their natural course," Minato replied with a gentle smile, warm like the rising sun. "Everyone participating this time is qualified. No matter who is chosen, it wouldn't be surprising."
"Qualified?" Danzō scoffed from behind them. "Others may not be a problem, but can you explain what's going on with that Nightingale?"
"Nightingale is naturally qualified as well," Minato replied evenly, clearly unwilling to elaborate further.
He didn't like Danzō. That wasn't much of a secret.
In fact, there were few in Konoha who liked Danzō at all. Minato's attitude was perfectly normal for a Konoha shinobi.
But as Hokage, he couldn't openly display his dislike.
Moreover, he understood that although he didn't approve of Root's existence, it did serve a certain necessity.
It was just that this "necessity" had gone too far. And he had no way of interfering. The secrets of Root were completely beyond his reach.
Danzō, seeing Minato's attitude, felt extreme dissatisfaction.
He knew that all his arrangements within the ANBU had vanished with Kusunoki's death.
And Hiruzen clearly had no intention of letting him interfere again, which only deepened his resentment.
What he hadn't expected, however, was that while he himself was barred from intervening in the ANBU, Minato had used his authority as Hokage to forcibly insert someone into the selection.
And Hiruzen had ultimately compromised and agreed to it.
To Danzō, this felt like outright betrayal.
But he knew that no matter what he said, it would change nothing.
Hiruzen was Hokage.
Minato was Hokage as well.
Hokage—this was the title Danzō longed for in his heart.
Countless times he had wondered: if he had been just one second faster back then, wouldn't the Hokage position have been his?
But time does not reverse itself. What was lost could never return.
"Nightingale does indeed have the qualifications," Hiruzen said calmly, casting a brief glance at his old friend before turning his gaze back to Minato. "He has sufficient experience and adequate strength."
"However, his shortcomings are obvious. He's too young—he may struggle to command authority. And his chakra, isn't that also a problem?"
"Though Nightingale is young, I believe he has the ability to earn others' willingness to follow his command," Minato said calmly and firmly.
"As for his chakra, it likely has something to do with his age. But his potential—I believe that speaks for itself, doesn't it, Lord Third?"
"Indeed, his potential is remarkable," Hiruzen replied lightly. "But this examination is not something just anyone can pass."
He glanced at Minato again, then slowly shook his head.
"However, since you, Fourth, wish to give it a try, then let him try. After all, it's being done through the proper procedures, so it doesn't violate Konoha's rules.
"If he succeeds, that's naturally good. If he fails, it will still serve as a valuable experience for the child."
"Of course," Minato Namikaze replied with a smile and a nod. "Regardless of the outcome, it will be a worthwhile experience."
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato's exchange sounded calm and casual, as if they were discussing something utterly ordinary.
Yet Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, walking behind them, couldn't help but sigh softly. Though the conversation appeared mundane, it was in fact sharp and probing beneath the surface.
The "Nightingale" they mentioned—if there were no surprises—was that boy, Senju Natsuhiko.
A descendant of the Senju clan taking over an ANBU division commander position—such a thing had never crossed their minds.
Nor had they imagined that Minato would have any connection to a descendant of the Senju clan.
Of course, they knew this connection was essentially akin to a master–disciple relationship.
At the same time, it could also be seen as Minato building his own faction.
Unfortunately, the Senju clan was no longer what it once had been. In their eyes, Minato's actions were nothing more than a desperate gamble.
Forcibly inserting Senju Natsuhiko into the ANBU division commander selection would achieve little besides increasing dissatisfaction within the ANBU.
The reason Hiruzen had agreed was partly because he intended to let Minato learn a lesson.
But more importantly, he also had no desire to allow Danzō Shimura to interfere in the ANBU again.
Both of them clearly understood Danzō's ambitions—and both knew those ambitions would never come to fruition.
Moreover, Hiruzen and Minato harbored similar thoughts.
Ever since Hiruzen had spoken that word—"future"—a subtle distance had grown between them.
Although Minato remained outwardly respectful, his decision to nominate Natsuhiko spoke volumes.
Even so, the two of them maintained a tacit understanding in excluding Danzō.
It was obvious neither of them would allow Danzō to get his way.
At this thought, Koharu and Homura glanced at Danzō, then exchanged a silent shake of their heads.
Danzō was far too lost in his own delusions. No one could persuade him. He would never succeed.
"All right, we're almost there," Hiruzen said calmly as he looked ahead. "Let's see how they perform."
"Yes, now all we can do is watch their performance," Minato said with a gentle smile. "I believe Nightingale will perform quite well. He has learned quite a bit from me."
"Oh? Your instruction?" Hiruzen asked with mild curiosity. "Are you planning to take that boy as your disciple?"
"Perhaps," Minato replied warmly. "As for the future—who can say?"
Indeed. Who could predict the future?
Hiruzen nodded and did not press further.
As they continued forward and disappeared into a building, the once-bustling street suddenly grew quiet.
The noisy crowd gradually dispersed, leaving behind only a few street vendors.