( Still yesterday )
Hiruzen's next words pulled her back from her spiraling thoughts. "Hmm, I have selected your next team member," he said, placing a file on the table with a deliberate thud.
Mikoto had anticipated that her summons today would be about a new recruit, though she hadn't guessed who it might be. She reached for the file, flipping it open, her eyes scanning over the details. Suddenly, her gaze froze, shock stretching across her expression as the implications sank in. Her hand gripped the folder a bit tighter, and she looked up at Hiruzen, searching his face for any sign he might have taken leave of his senses.
A five-year-old child? Was she really being asked to take on such a young recruit? It felt almost insulting, as if she were being tasked with babysitting rather than leading.
Clearing her throat, she carefully chose her words. "Hokage-sama," she began, leveling her gaze with his. "Don't you think... Kakashi Hatake might be too young for active duty? Even if he is talented, he's still a child." Her voice held a mixture of disbelief and the faintest edge of challenge, her brows drawing together in incredulity and concern.
Despite his reputation and skills, Kakashi was, after all, just a child. Mikoto's thoughts whirled as she imagined the battlefield—its harsh realities, its unforgiving trials. She knew all too well that talent alone wouldn't be enough to survive out there. To be a shinobi required more than just skill; it demanded an unflinching resolve, a willingness to confront danger, even death, without hesitation. How could a child so young—who had barely glimpsed the world—be expected to survive in it?
Perhaps White Fang had trained him well, she thought, feeling frustration stir within her. But age was her real concern. Even most academy graduates required time to build resilience and learn to manage physical and mental stress. How could a child—barely five—be expected to handle that?
"Isn't it better to just kill him outright rather than subject him to all this torture?" she muttered, almost to herself.
Hiruzen's expression remained as calm as the stillness before a storm. "I understand your concerns, Mikoto, but Kakashi isn't like other children. His talent is... remarkable." He paused, choosing his next words with precision. "And more importantly, he wants this." He knew all about Kakashi's tireless dedication—reports came in regularly about his relentless training. If Kakashi faltered, it would simply confirm what many believed: that genius alone wasn't enough to survive the harsh life of a shinobi.
Either way, Hiruzen considered it a win. If Kakashi thrived, he'd receive praise for his decision. And if the boy failed, it would serve as a sobering example for others, reminding them that bravery and talent needed to be tempered by hard experience.
Hiruzen's gaze turned inward, considering Mikoto's placement as Kakashi's mentor. When he had first agreed to the boy's request to join the field, he'd grappled with finding the right placement. Few jōnin were qualified to manage both Kakashi's talent and temperament. Placing him in just any team wasn't an option—especially after Sakumo's death, with many scrutinizing his every choice. Kakashi needed to be in an environment where he could genuinely grow and learn.
Then he had thought of Team 5. Recently struck by loss and still recovering from injuries, they were temporarily out of rotation. Mikoto, a skilled jōnin with the rank and patience needed, was uniquely suited to give Kakashi the guidance he required.
Assigning the White Fang's son to an Uchiha team could also be seen as a subtle message, Hiruzen mused—a demonstration of his trust in the Uchiha clan, or even a sign of favor toward them.
"Besides," he added, lighting his pipe thoughtfully, "if he can't handle the stress, it will deter others who might consider pushing for early graduation."
For a moment, her lips parted, an unspoken protest rising to the surface, but she swallowed it. She had experienced both as a student and teacher, and understood the true meaning of responsibility. If she refused, it would be a slight not only against Hiruzen but also against her own honor as a member of the Uchiha. She lowered her gaze, conceding, her voice steady but tinged with resignation. "I'll do as you ask, Hokage-sama. I'll guide him."
A small nod of approval was Hiruzen's only visible response, though his eyes softened as if expressing a silent gratitude. "Thank you, Mikoto," he said simply. "I know you will be an excellent mentor for him."
Mikoto's fingers tightened briefly on the file, an instinctive show of the weight of responsibility settling in her hands. She returned his nod, then dipped into a respectful bow, acknowledging the solemnity of her new role. Turning on her heel, she took her leave, her footsteps echoing as she walked down the corridor, each step a reminder of the task she'd accepted.
As the door closed, Hiruzen rose from his chair, moving to the window. His gaze drifted to the Hokage Rock, his eyes tracing the stony faces of past leaders etched into the mountain. His thoughts turned inward as he murmured under his breath, "Uzumaki, Senju, Uchiha..." The names rolled off his tongue, each representing legacies of strength and sacrifice.
"The Uzumaki and Senju couldn't survive the Second Ninja War," he muttered softly, a bitter edge in his tone. "One clan destroyed, the other drained of vitality. Only the Uchiha remain."
His gaze settled on the face of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, his expression weighted with a blend of reverence and determination. "I'm following your path, Sensei," he whispered, the quiet words barely audible in the empty office. "Though there must be sacrifices, I will protect this village... whatever the cost."
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Author's pov
Questions
1. Should mikoto fall for mc ?
2.some plot twist ideas
3.Things should be added/change given its au.
4. Should mc take mikoto after 9 sasuke birth or before that don't worry about Itachi and sasuke their birth will happen just change parents.