The village of Konoha was a colossal machine, one that never stopped moving. With every decision made, with every decree issued, its gears spun faster, driving the shinobi world forward. And now, with Souta Kazuki at the helm as Hokage, Konoha was experiencing an unprecedented transformation.
One of his latest initiatives was the creation of a specialized Hokage Guard Force—an elite unit tasked with directly protecting the Hokage and carrying out special assignments when necessary. It would be known as the Shadow Guard, an apt name for those who stood between Konoha's leader and the unseen dangers lurking in the dark.
The first recruits for this newly established force were none other than the Twelve Little Strongmen—Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten. Though most of them were only at the level of Chunin—aside from Naruto and Sasuke, who possessed strength beyond their rank—there was no doubt in Souta's mind that these twelve would grow into formidable warriors, capable of standing at the peak of the shinobi world.
A future where twelve Kage-level shinobi stood as his personal guard? Now that was luxury.
However, for now, their focus was on training, not guarding. They had much to learn before they could take on such a crucial role. The decree had barely left Souta's desk when the massive engine that was Konoha began to roar with life. Departments adjusted, shinobi prepared, and missions were set in motion.
Jiraiya's Resistance
Just as Souta was reviewing another stack of paperwork—seriously, why was there so much paperwork?—the office door slammed open with an audible bang.
Jiraiya stormed in, his wild white hair slightly disheveled, and his forehead creased with frustration.
"Souta—I mean, Hokage-sama!" Jiraiya corrected himself hastily.
Souta arched an eyebrow, setting down his brush. "What's wrong, Senior Jiraiya?"
"I can't do this! I can't be the Minister of Education!"
Souta sighed. "And why is that?"
"Because… because I have another mission! I'm supposed to find the legendary Child of Prophecy!" Jiraiya declared dramatically, his expression a mix of determination and desperation.
Souta didn't respond immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted toward the twelve young shinobi currently stuffing their faces with food right inside his office. More specifically, toward Naruto Uzumaki, who was inhaling a ridiculous amount of chive dumplings.
Naruto noticed the attention on him and, with his mouth full, mumbled, "Mmmm? Wmmm?"
Souta exhaled through his nose, trying to hold back the amusement. "So, you're looking for the Child of Prophecy, huh?"
Jiraiya nodded solemnly. "That's right! It's my duty—"
"Well, you're not going to find them," Souta interrupted.
Jiraiya blinked. "What?"
"Because he's right here." Souta gestured toward Naruto.
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy, who was currently trying (and failing) to talk with his mouth full.
"Wmmm! Mmmm—gah, I'm choking! Hokage-sama, what are you talking about?! What Child of Prophecy? Can I eat it?"
Jiraiya's mouth hung open. "That… that can't be."
Souta leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger against the desk. "The blond boy laughed and called the names of the nine beasts…" he quoted cryptically.
Jiraiya paled. His throat went dry. "That… that's the prophecy the Great Toad Sage spoke of! How do you know that?"
Souta ignored his question, instead turning his attention back to Naruto. "Naruto, show him your eyes. Show him your hair. And most importantly, show him your Nine-Tails."
Naruto still looked confused, but he followed orders. He reached up and tapped his stomach.
"Kurama! Souta wants you to come out for a second!"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, in a swirl of chakra, a miniature version of the Nine-Tailed Fox appeared in Naruto's hand, looking thoroughly unamused.
The tiny fox crossed its paws, its tails twitching irritably. "Damn it, Naruto! Why are you always summoning me for trivial things?! And you, Souta—what do you want now?"
Souta didn't even blink. His Mangekyō Sharingan activated in an instant, causing Kurama's entire body to stiffen.
"You were saying something, Kurama?" Souta asked, his voice calm but laced with clear authority.
The mini-fox let out a nervous chuckle. "Hahahahaha… I, uh… just wanted to say that you're an esteemed and wise Hokage! A very, very capable leader! The best, even!"
Satisfied, Souta deactivated his Sharingan and turned back to Jiraiya. "Well? Do you believe me now?"
Jiraiya felt his head spinning. He had spent years traveling the world, searching for this supposed child, and it turned out the answer had been in Konoha all along.
He clenched his fists. "Naruto Uzumaki…"
Naruto swallowed his food. "Yeah? What's up, Pervy Sage?"
Jiraiya twitched. "I told you—I'm not a Pervy Sage! I'm the Toad Sage!"
Naruto grinned mischievously. "Right, right. If you're a toad, then I'm the King of Ramen!"
Jiraiya groaned. "Enough! That doesn't matter! The important thing is—you are the Child of Prophecy! So from today onward, you will be my disciple!"
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
"You heard me! I, the great Jiraiya, shall take you under my wing and train you personally! You will become stronger than ever before!"
Naruto scratched his head. "Wait, wait… can you beat Uncle Second?"
Jiraiya hesitated. "Uncle Second? You mean…" His face suddenly went pale. "You mean… Senju Tobirama?"
Naruto nodded eagerly. "Yeah! He's been training all of us lately! Can you beat him?"
Jiraiya straightened up, puffing out his chest. "Hah! What kind of question is that?! I am Jiraiya, the Toad Sage! A hero of Konoha! One of the legendary Sannin! I—"
He froze mid-sentence.
A terrifying image flashed in his mind—Senju Tobirama staring him down, arms crossed, his cold, analytical eyes piercing through him. The Second Hokage, the master of the Flying Thunder God, the man who invented countless forbidden jutsu, including Edo Tensei…
Jiraiya swallowed hard. "Of course I can't beat him."
Naruto laughed. "Hahahahahaha! Then why should I be your student?!"
Jiraiya gawked. "You little brat—"
Souta smirked, watching the scene unfold. Konoha's future was shaping up to be very interesting.