After returning to the village, the group of five quickly arrived at the Hokage Residence, where Minato submitted their completed mission.
With the reward in hand and two more A-rank missions added to his record, Veigar Koshima returned home shortly after.
At the same time, just as Veigar stepped through his front door, someone had already reported his return to Danzo.
That night.
Konohagakure – Hokage Residence.
Having just returned from a mission, Minato gave his mission report to Hiruzen, then was summoned again later that night by the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen, who had just finished signing a document, looked up at Minato, who had been waiting for a while, and said:
"Minato, I asked you here tonight because I want your opinion on something."
Minato smiled and responded, "Lord Third, what is it you'd like to discuss?"
Setting aside his brush, Hiruzen spoke slowly:
"I want to transfer your subordinates—Veigar and Shōgetsu—into the Anbu, and assign you two new genin fresh out of the Academy."
At those words, Minato was visibly surprised. "Lord Third, this—"
He instinctively wanted to object, but before he could finish, Hiruzen raised his hand to silence him.
"Don't be so quick to refuse. Just hear me out first."
Minato gave a nod and stood quietly, signaling that he was ready to listen.
Hiruzen continued:
"The village is in a precarious state—troubled from both within and without."
"My primary reason for transferring Shōgetsu to the Anbu is to stabilize our relationship with the Uchiha Clan. In these turbulent times, their strength is crucial."
"And as for Veigar… Danzo has long wanted to bring him into Root for training. I've consistently opposed that."
"By placing both Shōgetsu and Veigar in the Anbu, not only can we protect Veigar from Danzo's influence, but we also send a clear message to the Uchiha Clan about the village's stance."
"Moreover, with a wave of newly graduated shinobi, we need experienced jonin to guide them."
"You, Minato, are especially suited to be a mentor."
"For the future of the village, I hope you'll agree to this arrangement."
Minato immediately grasped the true intent behind Hiruzen's words: he was being asked to take on a new team of students.
As for Shōgetsu and Veigar—
Shōgetsu would serve as the bridge between the Uchiha and the village. But Veigar… Minato couldn't quite read the Third Hokage's true intentions there.
After some thought, Minato realized that although Hiruzen presented this as a discussion, he wasn't really being given a choice.
"…Very well, Lord Third. I accept. But this decision also depends on whether Shōgetsu and Veigar are willing."
At that moment, as Hiruzen met with Minato—
Elsewhere in the village, Danzo, the shadowy head of Root, was altering his plans for Veigar.
Fueled by his ambition to become the Fourth Hokage, Danzo had begun to step out from the shadows.
Accompanied by two Root operatives, he appeared at the front door of Veigar's home.
"Knock," he said calmly.
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
The masked operative standing to Danzo's right stepped forward without hesitation and knocked lightly on the door.
Knock knock knock knock knock.
Inside, Veigar—fresh from a bath, having washed away the fatigue of the mission—looked toward the door in surprise and called out:
"Who's there?"
But no one responded.
Growing wary, Veigar activated his chakra sensory technique.
In an instant, he detected three chakra signatures at the door—and twenty-one more stealthily positioned around his home.
A flicker of alarm crossed his face.
"…Who the hell is outside?"
Knock knock knock knock knock.
The knocking came again, snapping Veigar out of his daze.
He moved toward the door slowly.
He understood—if they meant harm, they wouldn't have knocked. They'd have forced their way in.
Given the circumstances, opening the door seemed like his only option.
As he opened it, he saw a man with one eye bandaged—Danzo Shimura—flanked by two masked Root agents.
Veigar was startled, but kept his composure.
"Lord… Danzo!"
Although he had never met Danzo in person, he had seen his photo enough times to recognize him on sight.
"Lord Danzo, what brings you here?"
Veigar knew this visit couldn't mean anything good—but he still forced the words out politely.
Danzo gazed at him in silence for a moment before finally speaking:
"Won't you invite an old man in to sit for a while?"
Startled, Veigar stepped aside respectfully. "Please, Lord Danzo, come in."
Danzo entered the house with his two bodyguards.
Veigar led them to the living room, quickly poured a cup of hot water, then knelt across from Danzo and asked once more:
"Lord Danzo, may I ask what brings you here?"
He didn't believe for a second that Danzo would show up for no reason.
In fact, he already had a guess as to why.
Danzo studied Veigar for a long moment, his silence unsettling.
At last, he spoke in a calm tone:
"Veigar Koshima, Ninja ID 009917. Skilled in swordsmanship and Wind Release techniques. Currently ranked chūnin of Konohagakure."
"I came tonight to invite you… to join my division of the Anbu."
The moment the words left Danzo's mouth, Veigar's suspicions were confirmed.
"As expected."
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