Apprentice Part 2

Three days later

(-)

"You asked to see me, Hokage-san?" Minato said as he entered the meeting room in the Hokage's tower. Minato nodded politely to the council, Jiraiya, Sakumo, and the head Jōnin, who sat around the table. He recognized his Jōnin file laid out on the table.

"You signed up to take a Genin team, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir, I fulfill all the requirements to be a Jōnin-sensei."

"You passed up an opportunity to become a part of ANBU, why?"

Minato shrugged. "There are plenty of ANBU, all of whom are very skilled and do their job admirably well; however, there is a chronic shortage of Jōnin willing and capable of taking on a Genin team to pass on their skills as ninja. Since I am capable of joining a majority of the divisions within the Konoha shinobi forces, I made my decision based on which role I was most needed in."

"The sensor corps could use extra help," the Hokage pointed out.

"The sensor corps is capable of fulfilling their role in the village and on missions. There are not enough Jōnin-senseis to take on the current class of graduating students."

"Did Hatake Kakashi's placement have anything to do with this decision?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Kakashi isn't set to graduate with the current class."

The group studied him thoughtfully.

Minato stood straight with his hands clasped against the small of his back, slightly uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

"I'll allow it," the Hokage decided.

Sakumo smiled, satisfied, while Jiraiya stood up and walked towards the door.

"Allow what?"

"Congratulations, gaki, you just got an apprentice," Jiraiya slapped him on the back, hard enough to send him crashing against the table had he not been expecting it. Even so, Minato stumbled forward a step. "Sound like a familiar situation?" Jiraiya asked as he left.

"An apprentice?"

The Hokage slid a file across the table. "To be joined by two members to complete a Genin team at the next graduation. He is graduating young and it seems best to give him a sensei to help him accomplish more than he would be able to by spending another school year at the Academy."

Minato opened the file. "You're joking right? You want me to teach Kakashi?"

"It's not a joke. Normally senseis are only assigned if the student doesn't know their elder. Taking into consideration the boy's personality, it would be best to pair him with someone he already knows and respects."

Minato nodded at the Hokage respectfully. "Is this my copy of his file?"

"Correct, that is all; you may leave, but please refrain from mentioning this to Kakashi-kun."

"Understood," Minato turned and left with the folder in hand.

Sakumo nodded to the others before following him out the door.

"If I could be so bold to say this, that boy is going to go far," the Hyuuga head Jōnin commented.

"I don't trust him," Koharu snapped.

"Why not?" Sarutobi asked.

"He makes his own rules. He's unpredictable. He's too talented. He seems too perfect to be real."

"He's unblooded," Danzo added.

"You can't be more wrong," the Hyuuga mused, leaning back in his chair. "His 'rules' as you call them, are far beyond our comprehension. He follows them to the letter. His talent is surprising, but pale when compared to the other Jōnin, and he is far from perfect, no matter how it seems."

"And he has lost as much as anyone here, despite his age," Sarutobi continued cryptically.