Konoha Ninja Academy.
Standing in the highest classroom, Makoto gazed through the window at the children on the playground, who were engaged in a ninja battle training under the guidance of their teacher.
Beside him stood the principal of the ninja school, an elderly man nearing fifty.
The principal said, "This batch of children doesn't have particularly high overall potential. There are a few who stand out, but I'm worried about whether they can successfully graduate."
Makoto pondered for a moment and said, "Is it because of the previous recruitment?"
The principal felt slightly awkward because the previous recruitment had been influenced by special instructions to accept more children from the village.
At that time, Makoto was not yet the Hokage.
He could only say, "The recruitment process for the ninja school has its own set of standards, and every year, a number of eligible children are eliminated."
Makoto nodded and said, "It seems I was too hasty back then. There's no need to lower the graduation assessment standards. If any child cannot graduate, we can allow them to retake the course or send them to a regular school outside the village to continue their studies. We'll communicate with the parents, and the village will cover all the expenses."
The principal nodded.
This was indeed a good solution, though it would require some work with the parents.
He then spoke again, "About Uchiha Itachi..."
Makoto's gaze was also focused on the black-haired boy on the playground.
The principal said, "His talent far surpasses that of ordinary people. Within just one year at the school, he already possesses the qualities needed to become a ninja. The teachers here all feel that it would be a waste of time to keep him in the academy."
Makoto calmly replied, "You mean graduating early?"
The principal said, "This child is exceptionally mature. Even the students in the graduating class don't have his level of composure. Becoming a ninja is absolutely no problem for him."
Early graduation is generally prohibited during times of peace.
Since the founding of Konoha, many exceptionally talented individuals have emerged, surpassing their peers by a wide margin at a very young age.
However, children are still children.
High talent does not necessarily equate to mental maturity.
Especially in times of peace, the village prefers to invest significant time in carefully nurturing and honing such individuals.
The village never minds those who achieve success later in life.
On the contrary, those who rise to fame at a young age are more likely to meet an early end.
But there are always exceptions.
Uchiha Itachi's talent has already made him incompatible with the ninja school, much like Kakashi in the past.
For such individuals, the village must carefully deliberate on how best to guide their future.
Makoto pondered the list of Jonin in the village, considering who would be suitable to mentor him.
However, all of his trusted subordinates were already in important positions and couldn't take on the role.
He asked, "Are there any girls in the graduating class with decent personalities? Preferably with ordinary parents."
The elderly principal thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes."
"Have her become Uchiha Itachi's teammate."
"And the other one?"
"I have my own arrangements."
After making arrangements for Itachi, Makoto went on to meet with several ministers from the Land of Fire to discuss important matters concerning the village and the nation.
Since becoming Hokage, Makoto had been interacting more frequently with these national officials, and they had become quite familiar with one another.
Matters worth discussing, aside from the Land of Fire's funding for Konoha, also included the many ways the Land of Fire relied on Konoha.
For matters such as trade and diplomacy requiring travel abroad, Konoha ninjas were called upon to escort missions.
They also assisted in suppressing mountain bandits, confiscating illegal properties, and quelling rebellions.
All of this was done without additional payment — or rather, the remuneration was supposedly covered in the one-time funding provided by the Land of Fire.
This time, the ministers' purpose for visiting was to request Konoha to dispatch ninjas to accompany the Land of Fire's envoy to the Land of Fields to escort its princess back.
Lord Minamoto, the daimyo of the Land of Fire, intended to take this princess as a concubine.
The Land of Fire wasn't concerned about potential troublemakers, as no one would likely dare disrupt the mission.
However, since it was a matter of national prestige, they hoped Makoto would send ninjas who could present a respectable image.
On a previous diplomatic mission, Makoto had sent Might Duy as the escort.
However, Duy's highly "distinctive" style left the Land of Fire's envoy embarrassed.
Upon returning, word spread about a Konoha ninja who loved wearing green spandex and had exceptionally thick eyebrows.
Duy became the target of resistance from the ministers, who were adamantly against having him as their escort.
The daimyo taking a princess from another country as a concubine...
Makoto pondered upon hearing the news.
The Land of Fire and the Land of Fields didn't share particularly close ties — why would they suddenly send their princess to become a concubine?
"Rest assured, Konoha will send ninjas who will meet the daimyo's expectations," Makoto said.
Kakashi was quite skilled at making a stylish impression; he would be a suitable choice.
Hopefully, the princess wouldn't fall in love with him and create a dramatic tale of romance between a princess and her bodyguard.
"Then we must trouble you, Lord Hokage," the ministers said politely.
At this point, Makoto suddenly added, "By the way, I heard that two of Lord Minamoto's guardian ninjas are reaching retirement age?"
The minister replied, "Yes, Lord Ise and Lord Terashima are both nearing fifty."
Makoto smiled, "Perfect. I happen to have a suitable candidate I'd like to recommend to Lord Minamoto."
The Twelve Guardian Ninja around the daimyo of the Land of Fire were mostly elite ninjas personally selected by the daimyo, though occasionally one or two came from Konoha.
The ministers exchanged glances. "Lord Minamoto already has suitable candidates, and Lord Seirengoku is still serving..."
Seirengoku was a ninja from Konoha.
Makoto's smile remained unchanged.
"Konoha is the best place in the entire ninja world for training ninjas. Those household ninjas or wandering mercenaries can never compare to us. I hope you can have a good discussion with Lord Minamoto when you return. The person I'm recommending will definitely not disappoint him."
"...We understand."
After the ministers from the Land of Fire left, Makoto summoned Kakashi and Might Guy to meet him.
First, he spoke to Kakashi about the mission to escort the princess from the Land of Fields, instructing him to select a few companions to carry out the task.
Kakashi had no objections; he had never been one to refuse a mission.
Makoto then turned to Guy and said, "Guy, I'm planning to send you somewhere for some serious training."
Guy was momentarily stunned. "Where?"
"The Guardian Twelve around the daimyo. Have you heard of them?"
The Guardian Twelve, as the name implied, were twelve elite ninjas tasked with protecting the daimyo.
Each was exceptionally skilled, meticulous, and highly experienced.
Kakashi, standing nearby, was visibly shocked. "Lord Hokage, you're sending Guy to become one of the Guardian Twelve?"
His surprise was understandable.
Guy, with his eccentric and over-the-top personality, seemed completely unsuited for such an important role.
Moreover, Kakashi was aware of Might Duy's infamous reputation among the ministers of the Land of Fire.
Makoto pondered for a moment and said, "Precisely because even you think it's unsuitable, that's why I want Guy to go. The title of 'ninja' doesn't just represent strength. Guy, now that you've obtained the Sage Mark and your strength ranks among the top in Konoha, you might be taking too big of strides. You need time to properly settle and refine yourself."
Guy listened thoughtfully.
Makoto smiled again. "Don't worry, you won't have to stay there forever. Two or three years at most — you can return anytime you want."
The political circle of the Land of Fire had always resisted Guy's father, Might Duy.
Yet here Makoto was, sending Guy to become a guardian for the daimyo.
One could only wonder what the daimyo would think when he met Guy — and whether he might feel the urge to beat Makoto, the Hokage, to death.
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