A/N: This is where canon divergences will start and the canon timeline will be modified. Major events will stay the same, though it depends on how you define major :)

"With all due respect, Sandaime-sama, this is my decision," Minato says firmly as his brush continues over another form. Sitting on the window ledge beside him in silent watchfulness is a whole gallery of ghosts: Sakumo, Rin, Kagami and Kara.

To the other side of the desk, the previous Hokage leans back against his chair. His feet are neatly crossed at the ankles and his eyes closed as he takes another puff of his pipe. "Of course, Minato." Even without his voluminous Hokage robes to augment his small stature, he cuts an imposing figure of restrained power.

"I have already contacted the Akatsuki through Jiraiya-sensei."

Hiruzen's eyes crack open at that. "You have been prepared."

Minato's brush stills, though his gaze remains fixed on the words before him. "I deemed it necessary."

"May I ask after your choice of personnel?" The scent of tobacco is cloying.

"She will be here soon."

"Snake, I suppose."

Minato makes a vague noise in his throat and Hiruzen's expression tightens almost imperceptibly. The moment of tension is quickly broken when an ANBU enters, wearing a familiar mask. She kneels on one knee, her head respectfully bowed. "Hokage-sama, Sandaime-sama."

Turning to the low shelf behind him, Minato retrieves a scroll and holds it out. "Snake-taichou. S-rank mission to Ame, have a read."

Rising, she takes the scroll and breaks the wax seal, unrolling it and skimming it quickly. The ghosts float over to read over her shoulder and immediately a name jumps out at Sakumo.

Hanzou. Sanshouuo no Hanzou*, the erstwhile dictator of Ame who had named the Sannin. The mission's objective is to gather information on Hanzou's activities and investigate possible unauthorised interference in Ame affairs by Konoha-nin. The mission deserves it's S-class ranking — not only does Hanzou's fighting ability outstrip the average jounin several times over, he has grown increasingly paranoid over the years. Even the best ANBU might end up concluding their careers (and their lives) with a mission of this risk. Sakumo swallows heavily.

"Accepted, Hokage-sama," Snake declares calmly, lowering the scroll. "This is a two person mission — does Hokage-sama have any preferences regarding this...?"

Minato steeples his fingers before him, his lively face unusually solemn. "You know your team best. Who would you recommend?"

The ANBU straightens. "Hound, Hokage-sama." Minato eyes widen slightly and dread squeezes at Sakumo's throat. "Given that Ame is currently on the verge of civil war, the risk of direct confrontation with enemy-nin is high. Maximizing the strength of the team will increase the chances of mission success. I am confident in Hounds abilities both in infiltration and otherwise. The experience will do him good."

Minato's lips are thin with consternation when he turns to the stone wolf paperweight on his desk. "Hound."

Immediately, the palm-sized paperweight transforms into Kakashi, his sandalled feet planted firmly on top of the stack of papers. "My apologies, Hokage-sama," he says as he hops off the desk light and comes to stand at attention before Minato.

Snake hands Kakashi the mission scroll and he begins to reads it quickly.

The Sandaime sits up in his sofa chair. "Minato, did you not wish to put Hound on Kushina-san's protection detail?"

There's concern in Minato's eyes as he looks at Kakashi, whose head is still bent over the scroll. "Yes, I did," he says quietly. It is a nice, safe mission within the village and one Sakumo will choose for Kakashi if he can. He can't though, not since Kakashi became a genin and a soldier, but a parent can dream.

"Snake-taichou, who else would you recommend?" Kakashi looks up, his shadowed gaze unreadable behind his mask.

"Rabbit or Lynx. However, the psychological profile of the cover does not fit their original personalities well and will increase the risk of discovery."

Minato visibly vacillates between his choices but he turns to Kakashi eventually and Sakumo's heart sinks. Minato is the Hokage after all — he cannot make decisions based on personal interest, lest he be denounced of favouritism. "It's estimated to be a five month long mission barring any exigencies." It'll be the longest mission Kakashi has ever been on, excluding the war. Minato's smile seems strained. "Since Kushina is about four months along now... You'll be back before she gives birth. What do you say, Hound?"

Kakashi bows his head. "Accepted, Hokage-sama."

The worry-lines bracketing the young Hokage's mouth deepen. "The day after tomorrow at six, report to me once more at the gate before the two of you depart."

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

Kagami turns to Sakumo and Rin once Kakashi returns to being a wolf paperweight and both Snake and Hiruzen excuse themselves. "You'll be glad to know that I fully support the two of you following Kakashi on this particular mission. The near civil war between the living extends to the afterlife as well, so I'll be sending Hyaku along with the two of you to be Kakashi and Snake's protection detail."

Sakumo and Rin nod gravely and Kagami gives them a tiny smile. "Don't engage unless you're threatened—"

"—which you probably will be," Kara quips.

"—but Hyaku will know what to do," Kagami sighs.

"And do help us send our regards to the ex-leader of the Akatsuki," adds Kara. "If you need any help, Yahiko's the guy."

"...I'll be sure to remember that," Sakumo assures.

Rin catches his eye and nods confidently. "Don't worry, the three of us will make a great team!"

*Hanzou of the Salamander

A/N: At this point in time, Konoha is still in contact with the remaining Ame orphans through Jiraiya (which is a canon-divergence, I think). Only later will they break off contact and pretend to have died. It's around 2.5 to 3 years after the 3rd Shinobi World War during which Yahiko died, so Akatsuki is still the original Ame orphan version. Nagato doesn't have his Pain puppets yet and Akatsuki is in a very weak position vis-a-vis Hanzou.