Chapter 34: Grouping Teams, Danzo's Ploy
Note: Root is a covert division of Konoha's ANBU under Danzo. Jinchuriki are humans with tailed beasts sealed inside them, granting massive chakra and unique abilities.
Once the final exam results were in, the list of genin graduates and their scores landed on the Hokage's desk. The next step? Team formation. That job fell to Sarutobi Hiruzen and his two advisors: Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Team leaders would also be chosen now. Weak genin squads usually got chunin leaders. But if you showed real promise? You'd get a jonin. Homura handed over a thick stack of report cards and began sorting the rookies by skill set and compatibility.
"Ino-Shika-Cho gets grouped as always," Homura said, casually flicking three files to Koharu like he'd done this a thousand times.
Koharu skimmed them, matching them to a suitable leader with her usual clinical efficiency. Meanwhile, Hiruzen sat puffing on his pipe like a wartime philosopher, eyes narrowed as he focused on two specific report cards.
Homura noticed and asked, "Sarutobi-sama, how are you planning to place the two prodigies who graduated early?"
Koharu perked up too.
After a thoughtful puff, Hiruzen exhaled a ring of smoke and muttered, "Just group them together."
Homura blinked. "We still need a third for the team."
"Leave them as a pair for now," Hiruzen said, setting down his pipe. "Kakashi and Tonan are both near chunin level. Tonan's a little weaker physically, but with the Sharingan, his genjutsu can suppress two chunin for a short time. His taijutsu and ninjutsu are behind, but that actually complements Kakashi's strengths."
Koharu gave a small nod. "Any ideas for their team leader?"
Before Hiruzen could reply, the office doors swung open.
Shimura Danzo stepped in like he owned the place. "Hiruzen. How's the team allocation going?"
Hiruzen's face stiffened. "Why do you want to know?"
Danzo marched up, arms folded behind his back, wearing that smug Root face. "As the guardian of Konoha's shadows, can't I take an interest in our next generation?"
Hiruzen gestured to the advisors. "We're still finalizing."
Danzo's eyes drifted to the two report cards on Hiruzen's desk, then narrowed. "I heard Kakashi and that Uchiha brat both graduated ahead of schedule."
Hiruzen, unfazed, calmly slid the report cards into his drawer and nodded. "Yes. I've grouped them."
Danzo didn't like that. His voice dipped into that usual gravelly menace. "Have you decided on their leader?"
"Still in consideration."
"No need," Danzo said flatly. "I've got the perfect candidate. Aburame Ryosuke — a seasoned jonin."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. Ryosuke was qualified on paper — a war vet from the Aburame clan. But something about this smelled like Danzo had already picked out a leash. Hiruzen shook his head. "That won't work."
Danzo's tone sharpened. "Why not? Kakashi's inherited the White Fang's blade style. He's deadly with ninjutsu. The Uchiha kid's unlocked the Sharingan and is a genjutsu prodigy. They're nearly flawless. But what they don't have… is a medical-nin."
That made Hiruzen pause.
Medical-nin? Since when was Ryosuke a medic? Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"And Ryosuke knows medical ninjutsu?" he asked flatly.
Danzo smirked. "His latest kikaichu breed is special. They detoxify poison and even secrete a bio-agent that can save lives. Revolutionary."
Hiruzen silently took another puff. Smoke curled past his eyes as memories of Ryosuke floated up — background quiet, behavior colder than your average Aburame, and just so happened to be Torune's cousin… Torune of Root. Coincidence? Yeah, right.
Even if Ryosuke wasn't formally Root, the signs were screaming.
So who should lead this powerhouse duo?
Kakashi had guidance from Sakumo — the White Fang himself. He didn't need hand-holding. Tonan, though… he was a wild card. Powerful, but unstable. The kid had already gone through too much trauma for someone his age. What he needed wasn't a tactical genius — he needed someone who radiated the Will of Fire. Someone who could drag him toward the light if he started leaning toward the dark.
A sunny, warm smile popped into Hiruzen's mind. He made his decision.
"It's decided."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "I assume you're refusing my recommendation?"
"I've chosen someone else."
Danzo's lips twitched. He slammed the desk. "What's the meaning of this, Hiruzen? You think I'm plotting something?"
"Danzo, calm down," Koharu urged.
"Let's not get heated over this," Homura added quickly.
Hiruzen's hand rose, silencing them. He stared Danzo down and said, "The team will be led by Namikaze Minato."
Silence. Then disbelief.
"Minato? That brat? The jinchuriki's boyfriend?" Danzo scoffed. "He just became a jonin. Are you trying to sabotage the future of Konoha's two finest?"
Hiruzen's face hardened. He set his pipe aside.
"Watch your tongue. I'm the Hokage."
They stared each other down, silence thick as tension filled the room.
Finally, Danzo scoffed and muttered, "You'll regret this."
He stormed out of the office and walked straight to Root. As he passed through the shadows of the underground facility, his expression shifted — rage vanishing like mist — until it was calm and cold again.
"What kind of genjutsu did that little devil use on you, Hiruzen?" Danzo muttered. "You think I'm the threat? Everything I do is for Konoha."
Beside him, Root handler Aburame Ryohei stood silently.
Danzo turned. "How are Orochimaru's experiments going?"
Ryohei shook his head. "Poorly. The last pair of Sharingan were destroyed."
Danzo's voice dropped lower. "What did Orochimaru say?"
"He believes the life force in the host cells overwhelmed the Sharingan. He says he needs more samples — ideally higher-quality eyes."
Danzo rubbed his chin. "I see… That cousin of yours — Ryosuke. Is he still willing to join Root?"
"Yes."
"Bring him in. I've got a mission for him. If he pulls it off, he stays. If not…"
Danzo's voice dropped into a hiss.
"He'll be disposed of, like any failed experiment."