My Techniques are a bit off

One Week Later, Hokage's Office

"Lord Third."

Link entered the office, offering a slight bow out of respect. As for the two advisors flanking the Third Hokage, they were technically only jonin like him, so he saw no need to acknowledge them. His respect for the Third Hokage came from admiration, not formality. With no prior interaction or camaraderie with the advisors, he didn't even spare them a glance.

The Third Hokage smiled warmly. "Link, the village has a mission for you."

"I'm listening," Link replied.

Although he worked in the Medical Corps, his promotion to Special Jonin wasn't due to his medical skills. He had little authority to refuse a mission assigned by the village.

"This is an S-rank mission," the Hokage began. "The village has decided to assign you to monitor the jinchūriki from Sunagakure."

Because I subdued Gaara and the other two during the Chūnin Exams?

Link nodded. "What form will this take?"

This was important—it determined his official role. Surely, they weren't planning to put him directly into the Anbu, right?

"Special Jonin Link," Koharu Utatane spoke up, "starting today, you are no longer a member of the Medical Corps. As a newly promoted Special Jonin, you're qualified to become a supervising jonin. You will lead a team of genin sent from Sunagakure."

Seriously? I'm only ten years old.

Link's expression remained calm, though he had already guessed the arrangement. Leading Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro on missions?

His first thought was that this would interrupt his training. The inclusion of Sunagakure's genin in Konoha's system was likely a term in the new treaty, and he hadn't considered that he might be chosen to lead them. This wasn't just about babysitting; it was a political move. Gradually influencing the next generation of Sunagakure to align with Konoha's values was clearly part of the plan.

Despite his age and limited experience, this arrangement could work to his advantage. Training with Gaara would allow him to tap into the jinchūriki's immense potential and secure a highly capable ally.

"You can meet them now at the Ninja Academy," the Third Hokage said with a smile. "Your team is waiting for you in Room 201."

"Special Jonin Link," Homura Mitokado interjected, "remember, your role is not just as their leader but as their supervisor."

"The village has reinforced the seal on the jinchūriki," Koharu Utatane added bluntly. "If necessary, you have the authority to eliminate him."

The directness of her words hung heavily in the air.

The Third Hokage's smile disappeared, his brows furrowing slightly in disapproval. However, he chose not to publicly contradict his old friends.

"Understood," Link said calmly before leaving.

After he was gone, the Third Hokage turned to his advisors. "Koharu, Homura—you've gone too far."

"Come now, Hiruzen," Koharu said, glancing at him. "He's not like the other kids. You've already decided to make him a Special Jonin. Do you want him to live in a naive bubble?"

Homura shook his head. "That rejuvenation jutsu of his—"

"Trust in the younger generation, especially those who serve the village," the Third Hokage interrupted firmly.

The debate wasn't new. Link's abilities—summoning the dead, breaking barriers, and the rejuvenation jutsu—were undeniably powerful, capable of changing the outcome of a war.

Abilities like these, even if tied to a bloodline, should ideally be recorded, preserved, and controlled.

Even though they had kept his abilities under wraps after the Chūnin Exams, internal consensus within the village was far from settled.

"I agree with trusting the younger generation," Koharu said as she stood, "but we should control the jinchūriki directly rather than assigning someone to monitor him."

She didn't single out Gaara, instead lumping him in with Naruto Uzumaki, who had also been given a free rein.

Homura rose as well. "Ebizō from Sunagakure personally requested Link as their supervisor. He might be after the village's Kekkei Genkai."

It had now gone from being "Link's Kekkei Genkai" to "the village's Kekkei Genkai."

"Enough," the Third Hokage said, knocking on the table for emphasis. "I trust that Link will become a bridge between Konoha and Sunagakure."

Having set the tone, the advisors refrained from further argument and left, just as their plans to interrogate Link had been repeatedly delayed.

Alone in the office, the Third Hokage removed his hat and walked to the balcony, gazing at the bustling village below.

He had met with Sasuke Uchiha, whose dark, hate-filled demeanor had been completely transformed. Although the boy still harbored some resentment toward the village, he had not taken an extreme path.

Link was gradually mending the mistakes the village had made. His trust was well-placed.

Koharu and Homura would never understand this. Perhaps no one would. But it didn't matter.

The essence of the Will of Fire was that the old would sacrifice themselves for the young. He was proud that he had avoided war and ensured the children of the village didn't have to suffer.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the clear blue sky and the warm sun, smiling.

…

Shimura Residence

"The daimyo is very pleased with your plan."

The Land of Fire minister sat across from Danzo, saying, "Proceed as planned, Danzo."

"If all goes well, we will support you as the next Hokage."

"Thank you very much," Danzo said with a humble smile, showing no trace of his usual ominous demeanor.

"Well then, it's time for me to take my leave. Good luck."

"Good luck to you as well," Danzo replied, escorting the minister out.

Standing at his door, Danzo's face slowly broke into a smile.

What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Hiruzen's weakness had allowed him to climb out of obscurity, and the ambitious new daimyo shared his drive.

He needed this opportunity to become Hokage. Likewise, the daimyo needed a decisive moment to distinguish himself from his father.

With Sunagakure's economy, its jinchūriki, and its high-ranking ninja all in their grasp, Konoha could have demanded far more. Yet, the new treaty fell short of satisfying most people.

By appearing to defer and not directly opposing the Hokage, Danzo had garnered widespread support.

Hiruzen, it seems I'm finally going to win.

~~~

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