Hi! This chapter's main focus is Minato, so text in bold are his direct thoughts.

Thank you for reading the story :) It is my first time writing, I'm not joking, so feel free to give me your thoughts.

xx

Minato stood quietly, watching the interaction between Kakashi with a mix off surprise and a little admiration for the girl. He had seen Kakashi in every kind of situation imaginable—leading missions, making impossible decisions, and surviving more loss than anyone should endure. But this... this side of Kakashi? Gentle isn't exactly the word that comes to mind when people think of him.

The moment the girl had woken in a panic, it was Kakashi who moved first, instinctively reaching out to calm her. That doesn't surprise me. Beneath all the stoicism and sharp edges, Kakashi had always had a deeply protective nature, even if it was buried under layers of indifference and duty. But then… the girl had backed away as though Kakashi was just another danger. And that… that had hurt him. He could see it in the way his shoulder had tensed.

When she crawled toward Minato, something clenched in his chest, not for himself, but for Kakashi. And yet, Kakashi hadn't let it show. What truly surprised Minato was how Kakashi handled it after that. He didn't withdraw, didn't shut down like he might've done in the past. He didn't let the rejection crush him. Instead, he stayed close, waiting, watching, giving her the space she needed but never giving up. When did he get this patient?

Kakashi didn't try to take over when she came to Minato for comfort. He simply let her, staying nearby, ready, as though knowing she would need him eventually. And yet, Minato could see the way Kakashi was hurting beneath that mask. This… this is more than just compassion now.

It made sense to him. Kakashi had spent his whole life watching people he cared about slip through his fingers—Obito, Rin, Sakumo. They all trusted him. They all needed him, and in his mind, he failed them. And now this girl, small and fragile, felt betrayed by him and was pulling away. Minato's chest tightened at the thought. He's carrying them all— Obito, Rin, his father. This girl has become another reminder of what Kakashi fears the most: failing to protect the people he cares about.

Minato could see it so clearly now—Kakashi's determination to reach the girl wasn't just about her. It was about trying to make amends for the past. He's trying to atone for all the people he thinks he failed. But there was something more. As Minato watched Kakashi, he realised that it wasn't just guilt driving him. He genuinely wants to connect with her.

It was obvious when he…purred. I'll admit, that surprised me. Kakashi, the proud, solitary figure who had always seemed so distant and aloof, was here now willing to show vulnerability, to connect with another person on a deeper level, was purring like one of his ninken, all to reach a scared, confused girl. If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it. The thought almost made him smile, but the situation was too delicate for humour.

Still…it had worked. Kakashi had always been good at understanding things—whether it was jutsu, strategies, or complex theories. He could break them down effortlessly, mastering them with the kind of focus that made him a natural genius. But understanding people? I never really expected that to translate. And yet, now that Minato thought about it, it kind of made sense.

The problem was, Kakashi often forgot to show the same understanding to himself. Kakashi had a way of seeing through the surface of things, and now here he is, purring in front of ANBU, trying to show this girl that it's safe. I bet he didn't expect that in his ANBU career review.

Minato wondered if this was a new side of Kakashi that had always been there, hidden beneath his tough exterior. Or perhaps it was a result of his experiences, of the pain and loss he had endured. Whatever the reason, it was clear that Kakashi was changing, growing.

As Minato watched Kakashi interact with the girl, he felt a sense of hope. Perhaps there was still a chance for healing. Perhaps Kakashi could finally find peace. Perhaps this girl could help him.

Minato remained kneeling beside the girl, his calm blue eyes flicking between her and Kakashi. The girl was trembling, on the verge of breaking down, and as much as Minato wanted to offer her comfort, he knew there was only so much he could do.

How did it come to this? Minato wondered, his gaze flickering over the masked ANBU operatives, his patience wearing thin. This should've never gone this far.

Minato let out a slow breath, anger simmering beneath the surface. How could this happen under my watch? He hadn't even known the girl existed until Kakashi stumbled upon her. His ANBU, his village, had failed to inform him of the situation, and now a frightened child was caught in the crossfire, her trembling figure still tucked against Shiba.

Minato clenched his fists subtly at his sides. ANBU should've reported everything to me immediately. He was Hokage, after all. Every major decision, especially those involving potential threats to the village, should have passed through his hands. His sharp blue eyes darted toward the interrogator standing awkwardly to the side. And what was T thinking?

…Or is this more than just negligence? Minato's mind raced as he pieced together the oddities of the situation. Keeping me out of the loop, it feels deliberate. The only reason he even knew about her was because Kakashi had randomly encountered her in the streets. If not for that chance meeting, what would have happened with her?

Root… The thought struck him with a cold clarity. Could Danzō have something to do with this? The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Danzō'd do anything if he thought it served the village—or more accurately, his twisted version of what was best for it. If Danzō's involved…

Minato's gaze flicked to Tiger, who remained stoic, his stance just a little too rigid. Tiger's one of the more experienced ANBU, but his demeanour… And the interrogator, who hadn't met Minato's eyes once, was looking more and more uncomfortable as the seconds ticked by. This two…

He slowly stood up, his voice was quiet but laced with a calm, controlled anger. "This situation has been mishandled from the start. I should have been informed the moment she was brought into custody."

Fox and Hawk exchanged glances, clearly uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Tiger remained stoic, but Minato didn't miss the subtle shift in his posture—tense, defensive.

His eyes hardened as they landed on the interrogator, who still had the nerve to look indifferent, as though nothing was wrong. "And you. Protocol or not, you overstepped. This is not how we treat people—especially not children."

The interrogator stiffened but said nothing, his face pale beneath Minato's scrutiny. He knows this is not protocol, he was taking orders.

If Root is involved… Minato's suspicion deepened, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together in his mind. They have agents mixed with the normal troops. Agents that will not listen to me.

With a steady breath, Minato straightened, his expression once again calm and resolute. "We're done here for tonight. The girl will be relocated immediately."

Minato turned to the others. "I want a full report by morning. Everything—how she got here, who gave the orders, and every single decision made from the moment she was brought in. I want the truth on my desk. From each of you. Is that clear?"

As one everyone in the room answered "Yes, Hokage-sama."

He straightened, his authority undeniable. "She's under my protection from here on out. For tonight, she stays with me."

Fox and Hawk exchanged a quick glance, clearly surprised by the decision, but neither objected. Even Tiger, who had been the most resistant, remained silent. It was clear that once the Hokage had spoken, the matter was settled.

Minato turned back to Kakashi, he had already been staying at his home, keeping watch over Kushina during her pregnancy as part of his ANBU duties. "You still have a mission, Kakashi. You'll be staying with me, as planned. You'll keep an eye on her as well."

Kakashi straightened, his gaze locking with Minato's. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

Though his answer was immediate and professional, Minato could see the flicker of relief in Kakashi's eye. He could understand that relief—this whole situation with the girl felt off, and knowing these weren't his ANBU, he couldn't shake the nagging worry about what they might have already done to her. Had Root already sunk their claws into her?

Minato's curiosity was now tinged with a growing fury. What has been done to this child? What secrets were being hidden from him? He needed answers, and he needed them now.

"Before we leave," Minato said, "I want to see where she was first held."

The interrogator visibly flinched at his words, his gaze darting nervously to the ground. Fox and Hawk both stiffened as well, but it was Tiger who spoke up, his tone even but cautious. "Hokage-sama, I don't think—"

"You weren't asked to think," Minato interrupted, his voice sharp but controlled. "I want to see the place myself. Now," his tone sharp enough to cut through steel.