Chapter 42 - Preparations for war (1/2)
Minato received a notice, like all the other genin. The genin supply squad will finally be formed. In the beginning, it was handled by teams in form of missions, but the war will soon begin at full blast, so it's impossible to spare jonin teachers from going onto the battlefield anymore.
He was currently inside the Hokage office, summoned by the Sandaime.
Looking over the village through the window of his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke ”Minato, you know that I have big hopes for you. Not only you are talented, but your Will of Fire burns brightly too”
”Yes Hokage-sama”
”To tell you the truth, the fact that such a young genin appeared alerted the spies from the other villages in Konoha, and they already attempted to ȧssassinate you before you can grow”
Hearing that, Minato raised an eyebrow. He was not surprised by the fact the other villages were trying to kill him, it's a basic tactic of war, to kill a seedling before it can grow into a tree. What surprised him was the fact that he didn't detect those ȧssassinations at all. It means that his stalkers took care of it without any disturbance. And for that to happen, even Danzo Roots must have a hand in it. 'Well, he wants to control me, not to kill me. He has no reason to think that I have other things at heart than Konoha's best interest, because it's partially true. It would be a bother for me if Konoha were to fall, it's one of the best places to live on this continent, and if I become Hokage, I would control the most powerful village'
”What I want to say is that outside Konoha, I can't protect you. During the war, even Jiraya, your sensei, will not be here to protect you. You will have to depend on yourself. A shinobi true worth is shown on the battlefield. Don't disappoint me, Minato”
Minato understood the hidden meaning of those words. 'Even if you say that you will do anything for Konoha, if you act like a coward that wants to save his hide on the battlefield, it would prove that all of what you said was lies'
”Don't worry Hokage-sama, even if my strength is limited, I will give my all!” 'After all, instinct is forged on the battlefield. If I don't take those occasions to hone it, it will be my loss. Even if Kakashi was pretty weak, he became Hokage thanks to all the experience that he accumulated from his thousands of battles. An exhausted Kakashi could very well kill an exhausted Six Path Naruto.'
Seeing the determination in Minato's eyes, Hiruzen nodded his head, satisfied.
”Even if I should not do it, I will help you a bit. You are my only grand disciple, it will be my loss too if you were to die on the battlefield.” Saying so, Hiruzen stood up and beckoned Minato to follow him.
Not understanding what he wanted to show him, Minato shrugged his shoulders and followed the Sandaime outside of his office. They walked in the corridors for minutes, passing by a number of restricted rooms protecting Konoha's secrets, and finally stop before one of them.
”We're here” Saying so, Hiruzen put his hands on the door. A barrier seal activated, and upon seeing that, Mr. Sarutobi transfer some of his chakra into it.
Upon receiving the Hokage's chakra, the Fuuinjutsu kekkai receded, and he opened the door.