As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning.
After Jokichi successfully mastered one combination ninjutsu, his subsequent training progress became much faster. He grasped more and more combination ninjutsu with ease, and his strength was growing steadily.
...
Autumn passed and winter came, time flowed on.
March 15th, Konoha Year 60.
The winter colors were fading little by little, and pink cherry blossoms were blooming everywhere, their fragrance overflowing, drifting through the streets and alleys along with the petals.
However, despite the charming scenery, Hiruzen Sarutobi was having a headache over the student forms on his desk.
There were only two days left until the annual graduation exam, but Hiruzen had a major headache regarding Naruto's arrangement.
Originally, he planned to have Kakashi be the Jonin instructor, with Sasuke and Sakura as his teammates.
Kakashi was a strong, experienced Jonin who excelled in over a thousand ninjutsu.
If he were the instructor, Naruto's safety could be guaranteed, and he could also give him guidance on his ninja path.
Moreover, Kakashi had the Sharingan and could stabilize the situation if a problem arose with the Nine-Tails' seal.
When Naruto grew up later and still couldn't control the Nine-Tails, a grown-up Sasuke could help suppress it.
As for Sakura...
Naruto liked Sakura, but hated Sasuke, while Sakura liked Sasuke and hated Naruto.
And Sasuke didn't care about anyone.
If there wasn't a character like Sakura mediating in the middle, given Naruto and Sasuke's personalities, their relationship would probably just be finding each other an eyesore and fighting every day.
However, this plan that was made very early on was broken by Sasuke's early graduation.
He had to reassign the issue of Naruto's team.
If Naruto wasn't a Jinchuriki, it would be very simple; just putting Jokichi on his team would be fine.
But Naruto was a Jinchuriki, and the possibility of a Tailed Beast rampage had to be considered. Someone who could take precautions had to be arranged.
Minor problems with the Nine-Tails' seal could still be resolved by Kakashi, but as the Jinchuriki grew, the seal's problems would inevitably become bigger and bigger.
By then, Kakashi wouldn't be able to handle it either.
He wasn't from the Uchiha clan after all, and he only had one Sharingan, unable to unleash its full power.
Forcefully suppressing it with martial force wasn't impossible, but doing so would inevitably harm Naruto. If the control slipped even a bit, Naruto's life would be in danger.
However, among this batch of graduates, there was no one left who could help suppress the Nine-Tails when they grew up.
"Sigh! If only Jokichi could use Wood Release."
Hiruzen took the pipe out of his mouth and couldn't help but sigh.
He believed Jokichi was an atavistic heir of the Senju bloodline, and the bloodline he inherited was exceptionally powerful.
A recovery rate akin to an immortal body, and 360 times more chakra than himself.
Unfortunately, he didn't inherit the First Hokage's Wood Release.
Hiruzen sighed again, and then took out the personnel files of Konoha's Jonin from his drawer.
Since he couldn't make arrangements through classmates, he would have to make a fuss about the teacher!
Hiruzen flipped through the files while smoking his pipe.
In the large office, there was only the sound of inhaling, exhaling, and pages turning.
After ten minutes of rummaging, Hiruzen took out four data sheets and placed them on the desk. They were the files for Hatake Kakashi, Tenzo, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Yaku.
Hiruzen looked at the data sheets on the desk, put the pipe's mouthpiece in his mouth, his cloudy eyes flashing with profound thought.
These four people could all suppress the Nine-Tails' rampage before Naruto grew up, but after Naruto grew up...
After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen put away Kakashi and Uchiha Yaku's data sheets.
Then, Hiruzen cast his gaze on the remaining two forms.
In terms of strength, Uchiha Fugaku would undoubtedly be stronger. His steady personality and experience as the Police Force Captain would undoubtedly bring enough safety and growth to his team members.
But the crux of the problem was that Fugaku was an Uchiha.
Hiruzen was very willing to trust every ninja in Konoha.
But the Uchiha had decided on a coup d'etat just a few years ago, and Fugaku was the orchestrator.
Although this series of events had passed, the estrangement in his heart still existed. No matter how much he was willing to trust them, he didn't dare to place the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in Fugaku's hands.
"If only Sasuke hadn't graduated early."
Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh again.
Unlike other members of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke was still young and completely ignorant of the Uchiha coup d'etat back then.
He had no estrangement with Konoha, and his thoughts hadn't been stereotyped.
Making him and Naruto teammates put him very much at ease.
Moreover, Sasuke shone brilliantly in last year's Chunin Exams and was now an official Chunin.
Hiruzen believed Sasuke would definitely grow to a very high level in the future, and the problem of not being able to suppress the Nine-Tails wouldn't exist.
Unfortunately!
"Sigh!"
Hiruzen shook his head and sighed, and also put away Uchiha Fugaku's file.
Tenzo's strength was still a bit lacking, but he was still young and had room to grow.
Moreover, Wood Release strongly countered Tailed Beasts. As long as the entire Tailed Beast wasn't released, it wouldn't be a big problem.
Mhm!
Tenzo it is!
"Someone come."
Hiruzen called out.
Instantly, an Anbu appeared in front of the desk, kneeling on one knee towards Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage, what is it?"
"Go call Tenzo here, I have something for him."
"Yes."
The Anbu ninja used the Body Flicker Jutsu and disappeared from the office.
Hiruzen let out a deep breath, a trace of a smile piling up on his face.
Having made a decision on a problem that troubled him for a long time, his mood was much more relaxed.
At this time, there was a knock on the office door.
Eh! So fast?
Could Tenzo have been nearby?
Hiruzen was a bit surprised, but quickly put away his expression and turned serious.
"Please come in."
The door lock clicked, and two unexpected people walked in.
"Lord Hokage."
The two bowed to Hiruzen together, then stood up straight and looked at him quietly.
Hiruzen froze slightly, then returned to normal.
He glanced back and forth at the two of them and asked, "It is Fugaku, do you have any business?"
Saying this, Hiruzen cast his gaze on Sasuke next to Fugaku.
Hiruzen understood Fugaku's character. If it were official business, he wouldn't bring his own son.
Since he brought his son, it must be for his son's matters.
Fugaku also glanced at Sasuke next to him, his meticulous expression faintly revealing pride and a smile.
"It has to do with my son."
Fugaku said as he patted Sasuke's shoulder, "This is your own matter, speak for yourself!"
Sasuke looked back at Fugaku, who gave him an affirming look.
Sasuke's heart steadied, and he looked at Hiruzen with a resolute expression. "Lord Hokage, I wish to join the Anbu organization directly under you."
"Anbu!"
Hiruzen slightly widened his eyes, looking Sasuke up and down.
He was wearing the blue T-shirt and white shorts he used to wear at the academy, with Konoha's green flak jacket worn on the outside.
With his head held high and chest puffed out, he was very confident.
Hiruzen retracted his gaze and puffed on his pipe.
It was quite a while before he spoke, "Your strength is indeed sufficient to join the Anbu, but the Anbu is not a good place. It is dangerous, exhausting, and hidden from the light. Why do you want to enter the Anbu at such a young age?"
Sasuke pursed his lips, clenching his hands tightly. "Because Itachi once entered the Anbu. Although it is a bit late, I must prove that the strongest of the Uchiha is absolutely not a bastard who betrays his comrades and the village."
It is because of Itachi!
Looking at the indignant Sasuke, Hiruzen instantly understood in his heart.
Just the mention of that person's name couldn't help but make him feel nostalgic.
Itachi Uchiha was the person he pitied and felt heartache for the most.
"Sigh!"
Sighing helplessly, Hiruzen breathed out and said, "Since that is the case, then I permit you to enter the Anbu!"
After speaking, he took out Kakashi's data sheet again.