Chapter 23: I'm Your Role Model
After listening to Minato Namikaze's analysis, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought it made good sense.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe. After puffing out a cloud of smoke, he asked, "So, although that kid is an undercover agent, we can think of him as a discarded pawn of Sunagakure Village. That's exactly why he's not important, so he was sent by Kaito to be an undercover in Konoha.
After all, it's not uncommon for the five major ninja villages to send spies and undercover agents to each other. Even if we know that kid is an undercover agent, we can't directly get anything from Sunagakure Village through him."
Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah, besides, that kid doesn't know any intelligence about Sunagakure Village. And on the surface, this kid was the bargaining chip for the transaction between Sunagakure Village and Iwagakure. We intercepted him. Sunagakure Village definitely won't admit that he's an undercover agent. Maybe they'll unite with Iwagakure and use this kid as an excuse to cause trouble for us in Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned a bit solemn. "Then this kid seems to have become a hot potato. Ōnoki definitely won't be willing to let us take away this kid with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai. Maybe he's already gearing up to cause trouble for us. Minato, what do you think we should do with this kid?"
Minato Namikaze said seriously, "Third Hokage, I don't think this kid is a hot potato. In my view, Kamishiro is extremely valuable and precious to our Konoha.
First off, although this kid is an undercover agent, we already know that. And his ninja hawk can directly contact the Kazekage. We can give the Kazekage some false information and intelligence through this kid.
Secondly, Kamishiro has extremely high talent. When we were at Konoha's camp before, I sent Oishi and Kakashi to test Kamishiro. Kamishiro held his own in The Battle. I reckon Kamishiro should already have the strength of a jounin."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked surprised and asked in shock, "How old is that kid?"
Minato Namikaze replied, "I asked Kamishiro. He's ten years old, the same age as Kakashi and the others."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly.
Ten years old with jounin strength?
If he didn't know that Minato Namikaze was a very reliable guy, Hiruzen Sarutobi might have thought Minato Namikaze was just showing off.
"However..." Minato Namikaze changed the subject and said, "That kid is really scared of The Battle. It's obvious he hasn't been in actual combat. His mindset during The Battle isn't about beating the opponent. Even when he had a chance to seriously hurt the opponent, he was thinking about how to escape. As a result, although he's got a lot of strength, he can't really bring it out. He's just relying on brute force to fight."
Just thinking about Kamishiro's battle that day, Minato Namikaze found it hard to put into words.
If it were him, as long as he could get the upper hand on the opponent, he wouldn't give them a chance to catch their breath.
Minato Namikaze continued, "More importantly, that child doesn't have a strong sense of belonging to Sunagakure Village. Therefore, I believe we can make Kamishiro identify with Konoha and truly become a part of it by joining Konoha.
Therefore, Third Hokage, I hope you can let me take care of Kamishiro. I'll do my best to make Kamishiro embrace Konoha's ideology and become one of us. At the same time, I also want to change Kamishiro's fear of The Battle.
In this way, once Kamishiro starts to identify with Konoha, Konoha will gain a powerful ninja.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hesitate at all and agreed to Minato Namikaze, "Okay, Minato. I'll leave that child to you for guidance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to reject Minato Namikaze's proposal.
As long as Minato Namikaze succeeds, Konoha will have its first ninja with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai.
Moreover, after Kamishiro settled in Konoha, there might even be a clan of ninjas with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai in the future.
That would be amazing!
Thanks to the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure Village for providing this Kekkei Genkai!
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "Well, Minato, let that child come and see me."
Minato Namikaze nodded, "Sure, I'll call them up now."
After leaving the office, Minato Namikaze went to the hall of the Hokage Building and found Kamishiro and the others.
"Kamishiro, the Third Hokage wants to see you. Come with me. After you three, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, finish reporting and handing over the mission, you can go home and rest."
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara left to submit their mission reports.
Kamishiro nervously followed Minato Namikaze to the Hokage's office.
After entering the Hokage's office, Kamishiro finally saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, the top leader of Konoha.
The first impression Hiruzen Sarutobi gave to Kamishiro was that he seemed quite amiable, not very serious at all, and was looking at him with a smile.
Minato Namikaze introduced Kamishiro with a smile, "Kamishiro, this is the Hokage you admire."
Kamishiro stammered when greeting Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hello, Hokage - sama. I'm your idol? No, you're my idol... That doesn't seem right. Anyway, you're the one I admire!"
Minato Namikaze looked at Kamishiro with a black - lined face.
What nonsense is this guy talking about.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind at all and said cheerfully, "Kamishiro, Konoha welcomes you. When you're in Konoha, treat it like your own home. Don't be so uptight."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say it was like coming home, Kamishiro's eyes brightened a bit. "Hokage - sama, does that mean I've joined Konoha now? Can I stay here in Konoha?"
I guarantee that once I stay at Konoha, I'll work diligently. Hokage, you can assign me a scientific research job. Let me conduct some research on ninjutsu and secret techniques. It'd be great if you could allow me to study Konoha's existing scientific materials. I promise I'll take Konoha's technology to the next level in the future!
As for the salary, it doesn't have to be high. Just enough for me to enjoy three delicious meals a day. I don't have high requirements. If Hokage insists on giving me research funds, I can reluctantly accept them!"
Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Kamishiro in disbelief.
How thick - skinned must one be to say such things?
If this isn't a high - demand, then what is?
Doesn't he have any idea about his own situation?
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and said, "Kamishiro, I personally welcome you to join Konoha. But even though I'm the Hokage, I can't break the rules. We still have to follow the proper procedures. Next, you'll work with Minato Namikaze. When the time is right, I'll arrange for you to join Konoha."
Now it's Kamishiro's turn to stare in disbelief. So, when Hiruzen Sarutobi just said to treat Konoha as his home, he was just talking nice!