Chapter 5: Reporting
Not long after Akira left, Minato appeared in front of the Hokage Building.
On the office building, the Third Hokage immediately noticed this talented young man with golden hair, always wearing a gentle smile on his face.
The Third was well aware of Minato's talents.
He was a genius ninja with abilities comparable to his disciple Orochimaru.
So, the Third had always paid attention to Minato. At this moment, he was curious why the boy wasn't going home after school but instead coming to him.
Could it be to pay him a visit?
Hehe... The Third thought with a smile.
"Young man, is there something you need?" Before Minato could approach, the middle-aged ninja on duty at the entrance of the Hokage Building smiled and asked.
Minato glanced subconsciously towards his friend's house, then took a few steps forward, his expression somewhat serious as he quietly said, "Uncle Domoto, my name is Minato. I'm a student from Class 1, Year 2 at the Academy. I have something important and I'd like to see Hokage-sama. Is that possible?"
Minato spoke clearly and quickly explained his identity and purpose, even mentioning the name of the ninja on duty.
"How do you know me?" Domoto asked in surprise, his mind also becoming somewhat alert. He wasn't a renowned ninja, so it was unusual for a child to know about him.
"I often hear Kogure talking about you, saying you're a very strong ninja. I've also seen you a few times at school picking up Kogure," Minato patiently explained. He knew that suddenly requesting to see Hokage-sama would make Uncle Domoto cautious.
But it was true that he was classmates with Domoto's son, Kogure.
"Oh, it's you," Domoto responded.
Domoto pretended to suddenly realize, though in truth, he was usually quite busy and had only gone to the school twice to pick up his own child. Moreover, each time was rushed, and he had never noticed the child standing before him.
However, Minato's words eased some of his caution.
"What business do you have with Hokage-sama?" Domoto asked with a smile, still not allowing Minato inside. Not just anyone could meet the Hokage at will; there were security concerns, such as the risk of assassination.
Even though Minato was his son's classmate and looked very young, Domoto still couldn't let him see Hokage-sama. Especially for non-ninjas, seeing the Hokage required special permission or being escorted by a familiar ninja.
Minato felt anxious upon hearing this. He knew the protocol for meeting the Hokage, but he couldn't wait to find an elder to take him. He was certain that his friend, Kimura Akira, was in trouble. Any delay could jeopardize his friend's safety. He had to quickly inform Hokage-sama of the situation so that the Hokage could intervene and ensure his friend's safety.
Therefore, he had to quickly meet with Hokage-sama.
After a moment of thought, Minato suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Uncle Domoto, my good friend and also our classmate, Kimura Akira, I'm certain he's being controlled by an unknown ninja."
"Hmm..." Domoto's expression turned serious upon hearing this. Looking at Minato's earnest face, which didn't seem like a joke, he also became solemn and said seriously, "Minato, you know this is not something to joke about. If there are spies in the village, it's not a trivial matter."
Minato explained, "I'm serious. I have a Chakra Sensing ability that detects changes in Chakra Temperature. This morning, I noticed a change in Akira's Chakra Temperature, coupled with some changes in his daily habits. So, I concluded that Akira has been controlled by someone."
"A Chakra Sensing ability!" Domoto was astonished to hear this. Looking at young Minato, he couldn't hide his shock. To possess such a refined Chakra Sensing ability at such a young age indicated just how strong the boy's Chakra Control talent was.
In the future... Wait!
Now is not the time to admire the little guy's talent.
If the little guy's talent is real, then that brat named Kimura Akira isn't just being controlled, but he might have completely changed.
Because if it's just control, the Chakra Temperature wouldn't change.
In other words, a spy has really infiltrated Konoha.
And this spy very likely killed a child from Konoha.
Thinking of this, Domoto's killing intent surged instantly, then receded, as he stood up and intended to report the situation to Hokage-sama.
Shoo!
At this moment, an ANBU Ninja with a white and red fox mask appeared instantly, moving so fast it seemed like teleportation.
Domoto didn't even notice.
Only Minato reacted in that instant, his body responding swiftly, legs slightly crouched, hands near his pockets, prepared to leap and draw a kunai for battle at any moment.
"No wonder he's a genius valued by Hokage-sama!"
The ANBU Ninja with the fox mask, seeing Minato's instantaneous reaction, narrowed his eyes slightly impressed by Minato's quick reflexes.
The ANBU Ninja was internally shaken, silently praising Hokage-sama's judgment. With such reaction speed, Minato Namikaze had surpassed most ANBU members.
You see, ANBU are constantly in life-or-death situations, where slow reaction speeds mean certain death. Being faster than many ANBU in reaction speed showed just how talented Minato Namikaze was.
This also made the appearing ANBU Ninja believe Minato's words to some extent.
"Come with me, Hokage-sama wants to see you."
The ANBU Ninja finished speaking, giving Minato a deep look, then disappeared with the Body Flicker Jutsu.
"Go ahead, Minato-kun."
Domoto said, understanding from the ANBU Ninja's words that Hokage-sama already knew everything that had just transpired, showing no surprise.
Hokage-sama always had ANBU guards around him. Their exact numbers were unknown, but their sensing abilities were undoubtedly strong. They were already close to the Hokage Building, and when Minato arrived, it was likely that ANBU were already monitoring the area.
"Thank you, Uncle Domoto," Minato said as he walked into the building.
"Follow me." A well-proportioned female ninja emerged from the Hokage Building, leading Minato to meet with Hokage-sama.
Minato followed the female ninja. Soon, they arrived at the second-floor door of the Hokage's office.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!" After knocking on the door, the female ninja called out, "Hokage-sama."
"Come in." A magnetic voice, powerful though indeterminate in age, resounded from inside the room.
The female ninja pushed the door open, and Minato followed her inside.
"Hokage-sama, the person is here."
"Mm, you can leave now." Third waved his hand, and the female ninja exited, closing the door behind her.
She needed to avoid the ensuing conversation.
Inside the office, Third had resumed his seat in the Hokage's chair. Flanking him stood two ANBU ninjas with masks and swords strapped to their backs, one of whom was the ANBU with the fox mask who had just summoned Minato.
"Hokage-sama..."
Minato clenched his fists and tightened his grip on his clothes, suddenly feeling nervous and uneasy.
This was his first formal encounter with Hokage-sama.
He felt that the current Hokage-sama was much more imposing than the one he had seen at the Academy entrance ceremony, making him stutter for a moment.
"No rush, take your time," Third said with a gentle smile, his composed demeanor easing Minato's nervousness.
Exhaling deeply, Minato proceeded to explain everything about his interactions with his friend today and how he had deduced that his friend was being controlled.
As Minato spoke, Third's gaze grew sharper, with a hint of murderous intent swirling in his heart.
Kimura Akira's parents were personally chosen by Third to join ANBU, serving Konoha diligently for the past decade. Now, only a few days after their sacrifice in a mission, someone dared to target their son. It was unforgivable!
"Hokage-sama, please hurry and save Akira," Minato pleaded anxiously after finishing his explanation.
"How strong is your Chakra Sensing ability?"
Third didn't respond to Minato's plea but instead wanted to gauge the strength of Minato's Chakra Sensing ability. He deliberately asked, "Can you sense how many Ninja are in the Hokage Building right now?"
"Twelve," Minato blurted out.
There were six ANBU guards around the Hokage, two on duty downstairs, three in the secretary's office on the second floor, and one at the entrance to the archives, totaling twelve. As long as he was near the Hokage Building, Minato could sense the Chakra emanating from these individuals.