Rule #25 of the Leaf's Ninja Code
A shinobi must never show their tears. A shinobi must never reveal their emotions. To reveal emotion is to display weakness. A shinobi must never show any weakness.
In recent years, your Village has known peace, and certain ninja had let this dull their blades. Hatake Kakashi, a man who had once been the most promising of ninja, who had risen to the rank of Jonin as a mere teenager of 13 had been content to stagnate, to rest in his accomplishments. Konoha no longer ignited fear in the heart of their rivals. Legends like Namikaze Minato, the Sannin, Hatake Sakumo no longer filled the ranks of Konoha shinobi.
Nowadays, their place was filled by others who hold the potential to equal them, but have not yet attained the right to stand side by side with these larger than life figures. Maito Gai had mastered the use of the Eight Gates and was revered as the Leaf's premier Taijutsu expert. Were he to unleash the Eight Gates, none would stand in his way. Hatake Kakashi, despite never fulfilling his potential, still stoked caution in the hearts of the Leaf's rivals. Recently, a new Jonin had arrived. Yuuhi Kurenai, a Genjutsu prodigy unrivalled within the village.
The shinobi of the Leaf had not yet recovered from the Third Shinobi War or the Kyubi Attack, but it would not be long until then. Another year and another 84 graduates from the Ninja Academy. Promising youngsters graduated and amongst this year's crop, three stood out.
"Your suggestion, Danzo?"
You look back to your old friend. He has grown old. Wrinkles adorn his face and he is tired. Thirteen years ago, he was forced to take upon the Hat again unexpectedly after his Successor died to save the Village. The Uchiha Massacre had aged him even further.
"Do you truly care for my suggestions, old friend?"
In the last five years, never has he followed one of your suggestions for team placements. You do not truly know why you are still here. Nevertheless, you release a sigh upon receiving after a beat of silence when the Hokage and the other two Advisors wait for your reply.
"Uchiha Sasuke, Satomura Daisuke and Yamanaka Ino under Hatake Kakashi." Eyebrows are furrowed and doubtful looks are directed at you. Still, you persist.
"I see no reason to persist with this notion of balancing our Genin teams. Should we not pair our brightest talents together, to allow them to grow at their own pace, rather than holding them back with those beneath them?" Honestly, pairing the Yamanaka heiress, with Nara Shikamaru? A slacker who ranked second to last would only force their teacher to focus his attention on him rather than the talented kunoichi.
"Yamanaka and Satomura are close friends, if Umino's reports are to be believed. Furthermore, Satomura is one of the few who Uchiha Sasuke respects and does not look down upon. Fostering the three of them in a team together would allow them to progress quickly to higher ranks and take part in this year's Chuunin Exams."
"Umino Iruka wishes to group Satomura with Inuzuka Kiba and Hyuuga Hinata. To be frank, I am willing to follow his recommendation."
You chafe under your Hokage's words. To place one of your most promising ninja with a heiress who is looked down upon within her own clan. The girl had yet to master the basics of the Gentle Fist and was according to reports, a shy wallflower more suited to a civilian life than that of a shinobi.
"To place Satomura with such teammates is to stifle his development. He must grow strong before the Land of Iron grows bold once more."
You rub your fingers against the grooves of your cane, allowing yourself some time to control your temper. Always, Sarutobi persists in grouping promising students with those who will hold them back. You do not shy away from his disbelieving stare.
"The Land of Iron would not be so bold to incur in our wrath again. It was not long ago that they defied us. To do so again would invite greater repercussions than merely a stern warning. They surely do not wish war upon us." Homura asserts. He lifts his bowl of tea and takes a sip, meeting your gaze, waiting. He knows you too well, aware that you mustn't have brought up the issue if you thought otherwise.
"Whenever you live, there will always be war. Peace is merely an illusion, a brief lull in hostilities, a time for each country to recover from their losses and prepare for the next conflict." This is an opinion you've made clear before, but is not shared by your leader.
"I received a report this morning. One of my agents was approached regarding the boy and offered five million if the boy met an unsuspicious death. A paltry sum to be sure, which leads me to believe this offer was not made by the Land's ruler or any lord of significant stature. However, it is still a matter that merits caution. The boy must be taught properly before the Land of Iron's more significant nobles take an interest in him once again."
You finish your delivery with a sharp clack of your cane hitting the floor to punctuate the utter belief you possess in your words. A thoughtful silence fills the room where none of the room's occupants dare meet each your eyes. Sarutobi releases a sigh and meets your gaze.
"You know nothing further about the persons behind this?" He enquires. You slowly shake your head and wait.
"I shall take your words under consideration."
It is as you expected. Sarutobi will discard your opinion as he has done so many times before. You ignore the rest of the conversation regarding the team selections. You hold no interest in them if your opinions shall not be heard. You rise sharply out of your chair once the matter has been solved and bow to Sarutobi before abruptly leaving the room.
The rhythmic tapping of your cane on the wooden floorboards brings a sense of calm to your mind and you halt upon sensing an approach.
"Danzo-sama. The report, as you requested."
The Root operative bows and delivers a thin report that must hold no more than ten pages into your hands. You quickly open it up and are greeted with a drawing of a short obese man, with balding hair and a scraggy greying beard. It seems the man who wishes Satomura Daisuke's death is nothing but a minor lordling in the north of the Land of Iron. Most likely he thought the boy's demise would bring him the favour of some of the more important nobles who shared his fear regarding the boy's threat.
"Date Retsutoka, what shall I do with you?"
While Sarutobi may be reluctant to instigate conflict with another country, he is your leader. He must always be above suspicion. He is the leaves bathing in the sun while you are the roots growing in the dark. You will do what you can to protect the Leaf. Should the day come where your Village's actions come to light, you shall be the sacrificial pawn. You shall shoulder the blame and Sarutobi shall remain the Village's Professor. A dutiful, kind old Grandfather who was led astray by the Shinobi of Darkness.
That time has yet to come. Right now, you have a problem to take care of.
