At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not pondering whether he should hand Veigar Koshima over to Danzo Shimura for training, but rather questioning the truth behind Danzo's words.
Would Danzo Shimura truly relinquish his position as the leader of Root?
Danzo knew Hiruzen Sarutobi better than most, and the reverse was just as true.
From the establishment of Root to its gradual drift beyond his control, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as though he had hoisted a rock only to drop it on his own foot.
Back then, it was due to his trust in Danzo that he had permitted the creation of the ANBU Training Division within his direct command—later known as Konoha's "Root"—and placed it under Danzo's authority.
But now?
Did Root even recognize him as the Hokage anymore?
At this point, not even he, the leader of the village, could discern the true state of Root's internal affairs. The only person it obeyed was Danzo Shimura.
The "ANBU Training Division" was now nothing more than an empty title. Danzo did occasionally return trained operatives to his service, but they were always the least gifted, the weakest—more like discarded remnants than true shinobi.
Danzo's power had grown too great. Though Root's full strength had yet to be exposed, Hiruzen had a creeping feeling that if things continued this way, it could one day threaten Konoha's stability.
For now, he still sat in the Hokage's seat and could suppress Danzo. But what about the Fourth Hokage? The Fifth?
Did he want Danzo to relinquish his command of Root?
Yes.
But he couldn't allow it.
First, because he had yet to find someone he deemed more suitable than Danzo to lead Root.
Second, because many matters required covert execution—tasks that only Danzo could handle.
For these reasons, Danzo Shimura could not yet be stripped of his command over Root.
Setting down his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Danzo and spoke: "You may take him."
"But not yet."
Upon hearing the first half of Hiruzen's sentence, Danzo felt a surge of satisfaction, but the latter half was like a bucket of cold water dousing his hopes.
Then, he heard Hiruzen continue: "Root may be independent, but it still answers to the Hokage."
"If you believe Veigar Koshima is the most suitable candidate to be Root's second-in-command, then I agree in principle."
"But as the leader of the village, I must consider the next Hokage as well."
"Because the force that represents Konoha's foundation—Root—must ultimately be handed over to the next Hokage."
"I will first evaluate Veigar Koshima myself. When the time is right, I will recruit him into ANBU and then entrust him to you."
"As you said, after all—we are getting old."
Danzo immediately recognized the veiled warning in Hiruzen's words. The message was clear: he was still the Hokage, and Root did not yet need a second-in-command. That was a decision for the next Hokage.
Moreover, in selecting a successor for Root, Danzo only had the right to recommend—Hiruzen retained the final say.
Danzo understood that this was the greatest concession Hiruzen was willing to make at this time.
Additionally, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still at his peak—his prowess as a shinobi remained undiminished. He was not yet the aged, weary "Bear of the Shinobi" he would become in the future.
And Root's influence had not yet spread into every corner of Konoha. There was still a limit to how much Danzo could pressure him.
Though he hadn't achieved the best outcome, at the very least, he now had a chance to acquire Veigar Koshima.
Hiruzen's plan was obvious—he wanted to plant a spy within Root, perhaps even reclaim control over it entirely.
But as long as Veigar entered Root, Danzo was confident that he could turn Hiruzen's efforts into nothing more than wasted breath.
Veigar Koshima would, sooner or later, become one of his sharpest blades.
Staring directly into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Danzo said, "If that's the case, then I can wait."
"There are matters in Root that require my attention. I'll be taking my leave, Hiruzen."
With that, Danzo turned to leave. As he did, Hiruzen called after him: "Withdraw your men from their surveillance. He doesn't need to be watched."
Danzo did not stop, merely nodding in acknowledgment before vanishing from Hiruzen's sight.
The "he" in question was, of course, Veigar Koshima.
Had this been a few years later, when Danzo's power had grown even further, he might not have agreed so easily. He might have simply feigned compliance while seizing Veigar into Root regardless.
The Root operative codenamed "Dove," who had been assigned to monitor Veigar, was skilled enough to evade detection—even from most Jonin. But in Hiruzen Sarutobi's sensory perception, Dove was as conspicuous as a firefly in the dark.
So distinct. So glaringly bright.
Once Danzo had departed, Hiruzen turned to Minato Namikaze and said, "Minato, what you just overheard—forget it."
Minato responded solemnly, "Understood, Lord Third."
Then Hiruzen continued, "Now then, Veigar Koshima is in your hands, Minato."
The shift in Hiruzen's manner of addressing Minato reflected his growing regard for the young shinobi.
Meanwhile, still resting at home, Veigar had no idea that, in the span of a single conversation, multiple figures had vied over his fate.
Following Danzo's new orders, Dove swiftly withdrew with two subordinates, abandoning their surveillance of Veigar.
That afternoon, Veigar awoke from his nap. Checking the time, he quickly rushed toward the Hokage Residence.
Click.
With the press of a camera shutter, a photograph was taken, marking the completion of Veigar's official registration as a Konoha genin.
Ninja Registration Number: 009917.
Shortly after, Veigar was once again led into the Hokage's office, where he came face-to-face with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jonin Minato Namikaze.
Upon entering, Veigar respectfully addressed Hiruzen: "Lord Third."
Hiruzen carefully examined the young shinobi, his forehead protector gleaming with the symbol of Konoha, and smiled. "Veigar, from today onward, you are a genin of this village. I hope you uphold the Will of Fire and dedicate yourself to Konoha's protection."
Veigar bowed his head and responded firmly, "Yes, Lord Third."
"I will do my utmost to safeguard the village."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly before continuing: "From now on, your instructor will be the man beside me—Jonin Minato Namikaze."
"I trust that he will train you into an exceptional shinobi."
At this moment, Minato turned to Veigar with a warm smile and said, "I am Minato Namikaze, and from today onward, I will be your teacher."
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