The God War Part 8
Three weeks later. Remember, this is about thirty years before canon. In canon, they are three decades older and wiser and with three decades more experience overall. The Sandaime specifically is fairly new to his position.
(-)
"It's a pleasant surprise to see you here, Hokage-san, would you like to join us for breakfast?" Masao greeted politely when he recognized their visitor.
"I came here too—"
"Come inside, there's a bit of extra food," Masao laid a hand on Minato's head as the boy latched on to his leg. "Mina-chan, go sit with your mother, please."
"No! He's an evil shadow!" The boy pointed to a spot on the wall.
Under the scrutiny of several high-level ninja, the ANBU's disguise faltered before he renewed it, fading completely out of sight and changing positions.
Minato's eyes followed him angrily.
"It's not very nice to call someone evil, Mina-chan."
"But they are!"
"Excuse us for a moment, Hokage-san," Masao jerked Minato into his arms and carried him out of the room while Kotone smoothly diverted the attention.
Minato gasped as Masao placed the boy on his feet just outside the room the small family shared.
"What is going on, Minato? You always listen, why aren't you now?"
"That man at the scary place with the mask people."
"His name was Danzo, what does he have to do with anything?"
"The evil shadows listen to him. Not Hokage-san."
"I already know that, Mina-chan. I'm asking why you aren't listening."
Minato fidgeted, refusing to answer.
Confused, Masao knelt down to the boy's level to see his face better.
"He said he'd do mean things when you gone."
"Pardon me for a moment—" Kotone said, entering the hall as Masao picked up his trembling son and the boy clung to his neck, wrapping his legs around Masao's waist.
"Namikaze-san—" The Hokage interrupted.
"You have a very young child, correct, Hokage-san?" Kotone said sharply.
"How—"
"And that child will come before anything else, correct?" Her voice turned icy, "Please extend me the same courtesy you expect for yourself. Now, as I'm sure you've noticed, the only people here who are armed in any way is yourself and your guards. I'm still unsure of many of the customs here, but it is polite to lay down visible arms when entering someone else's home. Finally, if a four-year-old can pick up on the fact you have men guarding you whose allegiance is to someone else, I think it's time for a reevaluation of your security."
"I came here to request that you and your immediate family appear in my office at nineteen-hundred hours tonight," the Hokage replied neutrally.
"Thank you for the message, Hokage-san. Is that all?"
"Yes."
"We will be there."
The Hokage turned and left as Kotone entered the room. I thought we proved our loyalty to that man. What more could he want? She signed, shrouding her hands in a sphere of chakra so Minato could not sense her motions.
"Loyalty may be proven, but trust must be earned. Minato's asleep," Masao responded evenly.
"It was a rhetorical question," Kotone scowled and fell down on the thin mattress in the corner of the room. "What's wrong with Minato? Why did he act out like that?"
"He's scared of something he doesn't know how to say. For the life of me I have no idea what."
Masao's words hung in the air.