Silence engulfed the office for a brief moment before Kakashi spoke up.
"I was the captain of the team, I decided to follow Kazuo's suggestion, it is my responsibility to bear the aftermath of it," Kakashi said as he took a step forward.
Danzo's face had scrunched up slightly as he looked at the two young shinobi.
Hiruzen finally changed his blank expression.
His lips curled upwards as he gave Kazuo a smile that almost seemed to reflect sadness.
"I am glad to see that we have shinobi who follow the ideals of the first Hokage. What happened on the battlefield to Obito Uchiha was a misfortunate event however you made the right choice and im sure he too would agree to my words." Hiruzen said as he got up from his chair.
'Did I become a potential chess piece in his eyes?' Kazuo wondered inside as he watched the man come to stand in front of him and pat his shoulder.
"What you did was what every shinobi in the leaf should do, you are doing the mission for your village, for your comrades so that you can keep them safe. The life of someone like that is always more important. I am very pleased with your choice Chunnin Kazuo." Hiruzen said giving Kazuo a soft pat on the shoulder.
Kazuo's expression changed as he looked at the man, it clearly showed the hesitance and pain that he was experiencing as well as the relief at hearing those words.
Of course, it was all fake, Kazuo however had replicated it to such a perfection that no one would be able to notice.
The combination of having B rank on both intelligence and Charisma allowed for Kazuo to become one of the best actors to exist.
"Thank you, lord Hokage," Kazuo said as he lifted his head which he had lowered in shame to gaze at the man, his eyes shining as if clearly displaying the newly ignited hope that Hiruzen had instilled in him.
Seeing his reaction, Hiruzen nodded his head, the smile still on his lips.
Clearly pleased at Kazuo's reaction.
"With that, the entire report is finished." Minato Namikaze interjected as he said politely.
"I see, the others besides Minato are dismissed. Make sure to take a good rest."
Nodding their heads, the three kids, Kazuo included gave their goodbyes politely before excusing themselves out of the office.
Once outside, the expressions of Kakashi and Rin immediately got much worse, it was clear that as every second passed, the death of Obito was only becoming more real, more tangible than it had been, his missing presence growing larger in their minds.
It was at this moment that Kakashi turned to face Kazuo.
"You had no need to do that."
"It was only right, It was my suggestion and I have to stand by what I did. If there is anyone was to suffer for that decision then it is me." Kazuo said as he gave the gray-haired kid a small smile.
Kakashi merely looked at him for a moment before nodding his head, muttering a single word.
Kazuo didn't respond merely giving both him and Nohara Rin a wave and heading toward the stairs.
It was at this moment that he heard Kakashi say something else.
Something quite pleasing to hear.
"You completed the mission, I'll make sure Minato Sensei makes it so that you get the appropriate recognition and rewards."
"It's all for the village," Kazuo replied as his figure disappeared from view.
Inside the Hokage office, the three men had yet to utter a single word.
They had been clearly listening to the conversation right outside of the office door.
"That kid's got a good heart," Hiruzen uttered as he took out a smoking pipe and lit it up before taking a slow puff of the tobacco.
"He does, he's been quite the center of attention recently, let's hope that this doesn't affect him badly," Minato replied with a smile as he thought back to the kid who he had met inside a commander's tent in the front lines.
"He's suspicious," Danzo said as he gave a light sneer.
His words caused Minato and Hiruzen to turn their heads to face the man.
"His records show nothing of his combat prowess or his intelligence, it's quite similar to an undercover spy," Danzo said.
"Do you think I wouldn't have already searched his background thoroughly before allowing him to head into such an important mission Danzo?" Hiruzen asked as his eyes narrowed, his aura immediately flared up as he looked at the man who had practically challenged his intelligence.
Danzo immediately took a step back before stopping himself.
"Im just telling my own observations."
Hiruzen turned his head away from the man to face Minato once more.
"It is suspicious how he managed to pass through his entire life until now hidden, his talents undiscovered by either the academy or the orphanage. That's why as a last measure of probing, I'll be putting him under your direct command Minato." Hiruzen said as he took another puff of the tobacco, releasing it out and filling the room with its smokey fragrance.
Minato nodded his head immediately, his expression serious as he faced the Hokage.
"Yes sir, I'll make sure to keep a close eye on him and if he isn't what Danzo suspects him to be then I'll raise him to be a pillar of the village," Minato announced.
"That would be preferable. Now onto other matters..." Hiruzen said changing the direction of the conversation.
Outside of the Hokage tower, Kazuo channeled his chakra and instantly disappeared.
Using the Body Flicker Jutsu, Kazuo arrived at his run-down apartment and headed inside.
It was time for a good rest, the last two days hadn't been easy on his mind or body.
His expression however didn't show tiredness, in fact, it displayed a smile.
'Closer, I've managed to get closer to the Hokage faction even if only slightly, with this my chances of rising higher are increased tremendously. Soon enough, I'll manage to get my hands on that A-rank Library.' Kazuo thought.
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Here's the daily chapter.
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Kazuo joins Minato's team, becoming part of the Hokage Faction though he still doesn't know this.
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