Сhapter 40
- Hokage-sama. - The tall man said softly, falling on one knee in front of his boss, who didn't even seem to notice, continuing to sort out papers on his own desk. Without forgetting to light your own pipe, adding more and more portions of smoke to the surrounding space.
- Leopard. - Still bothering to look up at his own subordinate, he turned to the man Hokage… Even if there was no mask on that at the moment, but he was not going to address tom by a fictitious name. Not to mention the mention of the real name, the person bowing before him ... Secrecy has not been canceled even in the office of the Hokage. - How is the training of your Genin team going? The old man asked calmly, putting the documents aside…
For everything that somehow concerned one excessively young genin, Hokage watched with all care. He was definitely not going to lose sight of such a useful and promising frame. Moreover, the recent successes of Uzumaki have already been noticed by the leaders of the allied clans of Konoha ... Starting to carefully probe the ground and look for approaches to the current Jinchuriki. Everyone understands that the bearer of the nine-tailed beast of this generation can be a direct key to very, very great power…
A well–trained Jinchuriki, even if he cannot use the powers of his beast as a result, will become too important a political figure, despite even the wishes of the boy himself. Too many will want to win over the weapons of the last chance... or rather, they have already wanted to, they just don't have a suitable chance to realize their desire yet.
"Better than expected, Hokage-sama. Kids have a good potential. I think I will have time to pull those to the level of a good chunin in the stipulated time. - The special agent and instructor of the secret Shinobi unit reported, without even thinking to raise his head in the direction of his boss. - Clan kids justify their origin… And Uzumaki knows how to pleasantly surprise. - The teacher of the notorious team added, in a completely indifferent voice.
- It sounds quite promising ... - Hokage smiled contentedly when he heard the name of the genin most interesting to him personally. - Tell me about the success of jinchuriki, Leopard. - the old man ordered expectantly, leaning forward a little, and finally throwing recent reports and documents out of his head. The success of his ward worried much more than some papers and every-second affairs.
- Yes, Hokage-sama. - The man said meekly, mentally compiling the most accurate description of his student. - Jinchuriki of the current generation fully justifies his own surname. His physical form and chakra volumes significantly exceed those of his teammates. At the same time, he does not experience any special problems with control, being compared in it with the young Yamanaka. - The man calmly began his story, knowing perfectly well that the Hokage should have already known all this.
Another thing is that Hiruzen did not hurry his subordinate in any way, allowing him to voice his own assessment of the current Jinchuriki. In this regard, he preferred to first find out someone else's opinion about Uzumaki, and only then draw his own conclusions.…
- The boy has excellent learning ability and motivation to develop further. I would say that he is the most obviously of the three entrusted to me to strive for new knowledge and strength. This also implies his perseverance and methodicality in everything that is somehow connected with training and training… He is the only one from the team who calmly tolerates the set pace of training. Moreover, he is not against additional classes, and has already begun to slowly pull useful knowledge out of me beyond the given program. "Bars" continued the report, trying not to embellish, but also not to downplay other people's merits... and waiting for the Hokage's reaction to his words.
- Go on. - The old man calmly demanded, correctly interpreting the hitch of his subordinate. Hokage already had time to supplement his already existing mosaic named "Naruto Uzumaki". While not forgetting to compare the information received with the already available data and their own impressions of the boy… What turned out just fine, yet the words of the current teacher jinchuriki perfectly complemented the already existing picture and confirmed the previously known information.
- I would say that such people can achieve excellent success in their chosen field even without any help from outside. In addition, the boy understands and realizes the danger of his chosen profession better than many. This is felt ... and this also explains his craving for new knowledge and a responsible approach to his own learning. - Finished his speech, Bars, mentally noting that it is not worth dragging out this speech… Otherwise, it will become too similar to the usual praise of a talented genin.
- What about his loyalty? - The old man softly clarified, once again taking a drag from his own pipe… And asking, perhaps, the most important question of this whole meeting. Hokage knew too well another promising genin, whom he brought up personally… And that in the end he did not justify the hopes placed on him, becoming the main disgrace of the current Hokage and a dangerous enemy of his native village. Yes, Orochimaru left a really deep wound on the soul of his mentor, at the same time becoming the most obvious lesson for that. Why, a student who once betrayed still influences the decisions of his teacher, even without knowing about it.
- It's hard to say anything specific. Uzumaki is not exactly a true patriot of his village, but there are no alarm bells either. According to all the prerequisites, the new Jinchuriki should become an excellent shinobi of his village… Moderately loyal, moderately cynical and intelligent, moderately ready to sacrifice for the sake of their native village. - The man honestly voiced his thoughts, largely determining the future fate of his ward.
- Will you be able to complete your task? - After some hesitation, the old man abruptly changed the subject… Forcing his subordinate to strain a little, but no more. He never forgot about the main purpose of his assignment. Yes, and he treated his duties as a mentor, even if seriously, but still passed them through the prism of the task entrusted to him…
- There should be no problems with this. The character of jinchuriki is more than suitable for the role prepared for him. The main thing is to announce a decent price, and he will voluntarily take on all the necessary responsibilities. - The man answered clearly, taking into account all the features of his ward.
- Great. - Hokage nodded, getting up from his seat and turning towards the panoramic window, behind which there was just a great view of most of the village native to Hiruzen. "So I'm giving you permission to speed up the boy's education. The sooner he is ready for his role, the better… I would not like him to spend too long in geniny. The clans have already turned their attention to him, and he is definitely not immune from the honey trap. - The old man drawled dryly, noting with the very edge of his consciousness that he did not want to give such an order…
The half-dead conscience of an elderly Shinobi was against the chosen decision… But rationalism in the old politician still won, forcing him to put aside all doubts… In addition, the character of the boy is really suitable for the role prepared for him. And the price, as the Leopard said, he was ready to pay not a small one… After all, not only the clans were willing to go to great lengths to gain the loyalty of the current jinchuriki. The Hokage himself was not much different from them, having, perhaps, more power at the moment. Well, already having established relations with the strategic weapons of the village, which is also important…
- What about the other Genins entrusted to me? - The man quietly clarified, accepting the order of his superior… Although, he already knew the approximate answer of the Hokage. A couple of clan kids are unlikely to worry the leader of an entire village, especially since their development had someone to push off.
- Continue their training. It will be useful for Jinchuriki to work in a cohesive team… And the first blood on your own hands is much easier to experience in an already established team. Hiruzen said clearly. - And yes, let me know when your team is ready for the "baptism of blood", I will select the most suitable mission for this. - Quietly promised the old man, silently apologizing to the fourth Hokage ... and to him justifying the necessity and protection of his descendant.
Although, Hiruzen still admitted to himself that he had not kept his promise to Minato for a long time. And internally, I was ready to get in the face from the famous Konoha couple… But all this will happen later, when it's his turn to go to the pure world. Now he has too ambiguous a situation in the village. And the throne of the Hokage again began to wobble under the old man, because of which he simply could not lose such a trump card as the only jinchurki in the village…
After all, if he loses his post of Hokage, then his cap will instantly be lifted by his eternal friend and rival – Shimura Danzo. And this Hiruzen, despite his faith in an old friend, simply could not allow… Not in the next few years, when Jiraiya is away from the village, and is not going to return yet. And without his even purely symbolic presence, no one will simply be able to resist his old friend, who has been aiming for a comfortable Hokage chair for years…
So yes, then, in the afterlife, Hokage must answer for all his sins and transgressions. Well, until then, he must keep the peace in the village and patiently wait until at least one of his former students is ripe to take his post and take his burden on his own shoulders.… Otherwise, there was simply no way.