"I understand that. The Anbu belongs to the Hokage and the village." Kazuki nodded slightly.
"I just plan to add Mikoto, Rinka, and Nawaki to my squad."
"Mikoto, Rinka, and Nawaki?" Hiruzen's eyelids twitched slightly.
He hadn't expected Kazuki to provide such a list.
The entry requirements for Anbu were not as high as imagine, many people were actually just Chunin.
The main thing was that these individuals had to be trustworthy and someone he could rely on.
The three people Kazuki mentioned, although from three different clans, were all disciples of Tsunade or Orochimaru. They hadn't been going out on missions because Tsunade and the others were on the front line, which was to protect their safety.
If no one was leading them, Hiruzen would absolutely not feel at ease letting them go out.
But if it was Kazuki, it would be different. Although Kazuki was a bit young, his strength was not inferior to his own, and he also knew the Flying Thunder God Technique. If even Kazuki couldn't protect them, then no one could.
This squad didn't seem impossible.
It was not impossible for this squad to rival the Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru squad in the future.
The only concern was that these people would become Kazuki's foundation in the future, giving Kazuki the capital to compete for Hokage.
After some hesitation, Hiruzen still chose to agree.
Even if he prevented them from joining Kazuki, would their relationship with Kazuki worsen?
It was better to do them a favor and also promote their growth. Konoha needed these people to grow up as quickly as possible.
"Alright, I agree. When Kushina graduates in the future, there's no problem with her joining your squad as well."
Hiruzen thought for a moment and then added, "I remember your relationship with Minato is quite good."
Compared to Kazuki, Minato was actually the one Hiruzen admired more at the moment.
Born a civilian, with excellent talent and good character, he was practically a second Orochimaru.
No, to be precise, Minato had one aspect that was even better than Orochimaru. He was more optimistic than Orochimaru, which made it easier for people to like him.
Hiruzen favored Minato to become the Hokage after Orochimaru. Of course, this would depend on the specific circumstances at that time.
If Kazuki possessed strength comparable to Madara, then if he wanted to compete for the position of Hokage, he would have to be appeased. Otherwise, if he acted like Madara, Konoha wouldn't have a second Hashirama to counter Kazuki.
Kazuki was definitely not some pushover. He had to at least be given fairness and justice on the surface, otherwise, he would definitely flip the table.
"Yes, our relationship was very good when we were in school, and recently we've occasionally trained together." Kazuki nodded slightly.
He had roughly guessed what Hiruzen meant.
"That scoundrel Jiraiya is messing around in the Land of Rain and has abandoned his own disciple. I will arrange for Minato to graduate early, and he will also join your squad. I hope you can help guide him."
Hiruzen paused and then added, "Once his strength is sufficient, I hope you can teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique."
It was difficult to prevent Kazuki from becoming the Fifth Hokage, so he would try to interfere with the Sixth Hokage.
Minato would become Kazuki's subordinate, and it would depend on whether Kazuki would nurture Minato later.
"Alright." Kazuki thought for a moment and then agreed.
Kazuki held no ill will towards Minato. He didn't even think Minato would have any impact on him.
If anything, he was the one who had stolen Minato's spotlight.
Of course, it was also because he himself was already outstanding enough.
He understood Minato, he was definitely not the type to be ungrateful. In the future, if he were to become Hokage, given Minato's personality, it would be difficult for him to compete with him.
Perhaps in the minds of others, he was competing for the position of Fifth Hokage, but in reality, Kazuki was competing for the Fourth Hokage.
If Minato in the original history could become the Fourth Hokage, why couldn't he?
He could do it even better than Minato.
"Hmm." Hiruzen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
That scoundrel Jiraiya's mess still had to be resolved by him. Kazuki was the most suitable person to teach Minato at the moment.
Thinking about Konoha in the future, when Minato, Mikoto, Nawaki, and Rinka had grown up, Hiruzen felt a surge of delight.
"Alright, you are now a Jonin. It's time to take on some responsibilities and not evade them as you did before."
Following that, Hiruzen hinted, "I hope you can guide the Uchiha clan back onto the right path."
Although he was very reluctant, he didn't have many options.
From the perspective of Konoha and the Hokage, if Kazuki could solve the Uchiha clan's problem, then this achievement would be enough for Kazuki to become Hokage.
But from the perspective of the Sarutobi clan, he did not wish for the Uchiha clan to rise completely.
Forget it, he was still young. All of this was twenty years in the future, no rush. He still had many opportunities to maneuver for the Sarutobi clan.
At worst, he would sacrifice some of the Shimura clan's interests. Anyway, Danzo didn't care about his own clan, so he believed Danzo would understand him.
Normally, Danzo dedicated his time and energy to developing Root, rarely even paying attention to the Shimura vlan. It was out of consideration for Danzo that they gave the Shimura clan extra care. Currently, the main force joining Root was the Shimura clan.
Danzo had genuinely given up on his clan!
"Grandma Mito, I'm back."
After leaving the Hokage Office, Kazuki went directly to Mito's residence. As usual, Kushina and the others were receiving instruction from Mito.
However, Kazuki also clearly sensed something different, such as the hint of admiration in Rinka's gaze towards him, more than usual.
Mito, with a benevolent expression, gestured for Kazuki to sit down. She was aware of the matters on the front line, and she also knew about Kazuki's deeds. This child was even more outstanding than she had imagined.