ANBU, those were the ninjas wearing animal masks.
Its full name was Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai (Special Assassination and Tactical Squad), directly subordinate to the Hokage. Their daily work mostly involved spying, guarding, assassination, etc. Each member was a master carefully selected from Konoha.
'An elite unit specializing in dirty work?'
Otonashi pondered for a moment, knowing what joining the ANBU meant.
Harsher challenges, more exaggerated power, and the mark of 'Hokage's trusted subordinate' planted on the body.
It was undoubtedly a promotion. After being transferred out of the ANBU, one would directly rise to the upper echelons of Konoha. But Otonashi still hesitated. He didn't want to rashly approach Konoha's core, nor did he want contact with Shimura Danzo.
Politics was really too troublesome. But the Third Hokage had just given him a notebook; he couldn't just spit it back out, could he?
Truly, taking someone's things makes you indebted.
"You still want to consider it?" From across the desk, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly spoke.
"I just don't want to transfer out of Team 17 yet. Having lived and died together with everyone for so long, leaving precisely at a critical time..." Otonashi sighed, his words fitting his persona perfectly, yet it was an excuse to carefully consider.
The teenager surely cherishes his companions, treasures his teacher. Of course, this was also partly his true thoughts.
"In any unit, you contribute to Konoha. But I understand." Hiruzen had come through this age himself, understanding that a ninja team was more like a home. "Then go back and consider it. Don't worry, I won't ask for back the things I gave you."
"Yes, I will give you an answer tomorrow." Otonashi breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and quickly left. The matter was significant; he needed to go back and think clearly.
Just as Otonashi reached the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly said, "By the way, perhaps I will retire soon."
Seemingly unrelated, the teenager paused, nodded, and then gripped the doorknob.
Opening the door, Otonashi froze for a moment, because a man with his face covered in gauze was standing right at the doorway. It was Shimura Danzo.
The two looked at each other expressionlessly, seemingly forgetting past conflicts. Otonashi bowed and walked past him, not saying a word from beginning to end.
Shimura Danzo glanced at the other's departing back and walked into the office without showing any expression.
"Sarutobi, did you need Hanyu Otonashi for something just now?" He glanced at his old friend who was approving documents and asked casually.
"Yes, I plan to have him join the ANBU." Sarutobi Hiruzen also replied casually, but the warning in his tone was very clear.
He already knew about the previous incident. It was as if warning his old friend not to mess around, not to forget who was protecting Otonashi.
The two pairs of aged eyes met, a small clash between factions. Yet the tone of the two old foxes still sounded like casual chat.
"So what was his answer?"
"Said he needs to consider it. Anyway, whether he comes or not is up to him."
"Sarutobi, sometimes you are too gentle."
"Towards this kind of genius, it's better to be gentle. I don't want to spend effort dealing with a rogue ninja with limitless potential."
Onlookers might think it was two old friends reminiscing, but in reality, they had clearly revealed their respective stances. After pausing for a moment, they concluded this topic.
The Third Hokage lit his pipe again and asked amidst the swirling smoke, "How are things in the Land of Grass?"
"That mountain has completely collapsed. Even excavation will have to wait until after the war."
It turned out Danzo had just returned from the battlefield of the Kannabi Bridge battle. Based on Kakashi and others' reports, he went to that mountain. Unfortunately, the collapse was too severe; there was no way to find clues in the short term.
"Is that so..." Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe. After receiving the intelligence, he had attached great importance to it, because he always felt something was very wrong there.
"Underground ruins, white monsters. Danzo, what do you think those things are?"
"Perhaps some predecessor's research facility. I don't know the specifics either." Danzo replied casually. Anyway, Orochimaru was quite interested, but he wouldn't tell him so easily.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment. It seemed that figuring out what monsters were underground had nothing to do with this war, so he put it on the secondary issues list. Konoha had no spare time to excavate mountains now.
"I'll leave the matter of the Land of Rain to you. Besides preventing the Iwa-nin from sneaking around like in the Land of Grass, also pay more attention to the attitude of that 'Demigod'."
Both countries wanted to open a new front, but unfortunately, the master wasn't weak. That Hidden Rain Village also had a master named Hanzo of the Salamander, known as the 'Demigod'.
However, this country was already chaotic like a pot of porridge, and Hanzo always flew the banner of 'fighting for peace'. Even if they didn't believe it, no one dared to act rashly.
"Hanzo of the Salamander's attitude will affect the direction of the western front. If he joins the Land of Earth's side, our Konoha is doomed to lose!" Danzo said seriously.
"Then what do you plan to do?" Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his throbbing temples. This was also a headache for him.
Seeing his helpless old friend, Danzo said with some satisfaction, "An organization has appeared in the Land of Rain now. They might be able to break the deadlock."
"Organization? Which side do they lean towards?" The Third Hokage immediately became interested. This was truly a rare occurrence.
"Just naive brats who don't participate on either side,妄圖 (vainly attempting/delusionally trying) to achieve peace with their own strength. But their strength is quite decent. Here is the relevant intelligence."
A stack of documents was placed on the desk. Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly flipped through them. Reaching the last page, his brow furrowed slightly, and he muttered to himself:
"Is it related to Jiraiya?"
........
Otonashi walked on the street, his mind repeatedly considering the previous conversation.
The Third Hokage's 'retirement' remark was very meaningful. Others might only care about the topic itself, but Otonashi cared more about the meaning revealed within.
'Is he hinting that this is my last chance to get on his train? But joining the ANBU is also extremely dangerous. Thinking carefully, there seem to be many benefits too.'
Otonashi was somewhat hesitant because he had long known that Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't as simple as he appeared on the surface. Or rather, how could a simple person become Hokage?
Politicians always appeared clean on the surface but were dirty underneath. Kindness was certainly real, but if you truly believed he was only kind, then prepare to be utterly screwed.
"This person is very dangerous, but because of certain things, he has goodwill towards me, and there's a hint of making up for the past in it." Otonashi had already guessed the Third Hokage's thoughts, and also guessed the relationship between him and Shimura Danzo.
It's just one in the light, one in the dark. Said to be protecting me, yet didn't act to make Danzo look bad.
For the village, things outside the principles can be indulged. Or rather, he needs Danzo to do some dirty work.
"Konoha is really not simple. I was still a bit naive."
Otonashi looked at the spring day and sighed. Before he could crush others underfoot, he shouldn't think about revenge. He had originally planned to use the Third Hokage to take revenge.
But seeing the Third had no intention of standing up for him, frankly, he was very disappointed.
A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.
Stabilizing his mind, he prepared to go home and read the Third's ninjutsu notebook. But on the way, Otonashi saw another white-haired teenager walking towards him.
He was covered in the dust of travel, his mood not too good. Upon seeing Otonashi, his lifeless pupils contracted slightly.
Hatake Kakashi had returned from the eastern front...