The Next Day – Morning
After Naruto had left for the Academy, the quiet of their home was broken by a knock at the door.
An ANBU stood there, face hidden behind a mask. "Johan Uzumaki. Lord Hokage has summoned you."
Johan simply nodded and stepped out.
---
Hokage's Office
Hiruzen sat in silence, the familiar scent of tobacco swirling around him as he puffed on his pipe. His gaze lingered on the paperwork in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere.
Hm… which squad should I place Johan in…
There's an opening in Team Ro. After Itachi's departure from the village… and with Kakashi stepping down due to trauma and depression, the team's short-handed.
Tenzo is capable. He can guide him. And if the Nine Tails ever becomes a problem… he can suppress it.
Perfect.
With a wave of his hand, he gave a quiet command: "Bring Tenzo here."
An ANBU immediately vanished into thin air.
Moments later, Tenzo appeared and knelt before him.
"Tenzo," Hiruzen began, "I've found a new member for your team."
Tenzo looked up, attentive. "Who is it, Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen's eyes softened. "Johan Uzumaki."
Tenzo blinked. For a second, he didn't respond. Then, voice tinged with surprise, "You mean him? But… he's still a child."
Hiruzen smiled. "He is. But he's a genius. I've granted him early graduation."
Tenzo paused, then nodded slowly. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
"You know what this means, Tenzo. You understand the situation better than most," Hiruzen said, his voice firm now. "If anything happens… you know what you must do."
Tenzo gave a calm, respectful nod, but his mind echoed with a single word: Nine Tails.
"Take care of him," Hiruzen said more gently this time. "And assign Shinji to handle his initial ANBU training."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Just then, knock knock, a voice came through the door.
"Johan Uzumaki is here."
"Bring him in," Hiruzen replied.
Johan stepped into the office, eyes sharp despite his age. He glanced at the masked ANBU beside Hiruzen.
Johan POV-
"Hello, Lord Hokage," I said, keeping my voice respectful.
He gave me a warm smile. "Johan, meet Tenzo. He'll be your squad leader in ANBU Team Ro."
I turned to the masked shinobi and gave a polite nod. "Hello, Captain Tenzo."
But inside, I already knew who he was. Tenzo. Yamato. The one with the First Hokage's cells, wood style. The one they trust to control Kurama if I ever slip.
A failsafe.
He removed the mask and returned the gesture with a small smile.
"If you ever need anything, training or otherwise, go to him," the Hokage said. "He'll take care of you."
Take care of me? Or keep me in check?
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
I caught the way his eyes softened as he looked at me, trust, pride, sadness… maybe even regret? I didn't know. I didn't ask.
I didn't trust warmth. I didn't trust smiles. I trusted silence. I only trueat myself.
"Dismissed," he said.
---
Outside the Hokage's Office
As they exited, Tenzo looked down at Johan.
"You'll be part of Team Ro… but only after completing your required ANBU training. The faster you learn, the sooner you'll be ready for missions."
Johan nodded, serious.
"Come. Let me introduce you to the others."
---
ANBU Headquarters – Underground
They walked in silence through a dim corridor beneath the administrative building. The darkness slowly gave way to faint, flickering lights as they entered a room where several masked ANBU already waited.
One of them looked up. "Captain Tenzo, is this our new member?"
Tenzo nodded. "Yes."
Then, he gestured to the group. "Let me introduce myself again. I'm Tenzo, leader of Team Ro. I specialize in taijutsu, kenjutsu, and ninjutsu."
A kunoichi stepped forward next. "I'm Yugao. Kenjutsu and sensory work are my areas."
A man with pale eyes gave a slight bow. "I'm Ko Hyuga. Taijutsu and Byakugan abilities."
Then it was Johan's turn. He stepped forward confidently but respectfully.
"My name is Johan Uzumaki. I'm nine years old. I know taijutsu, some genjutsu, and sensory techniques."
There was a brief silence in the room. None spoke, but behind their masks, they were thinking the same thing: So young… and already so skilled.
Tenzo broke the silence. "You're probably wondering about the smaller team size. Due to recent events, we lost several members."
Silence fell again, heavier this time.
"But as I explained, Johan won't be sent on missions immediately," Tenzo added. "He'll begin with guided training."
After a few more words, the team began to disperse.
---
Later – Among ANBU Members
Ko and Yugao lingered in the hallway.
"He's younger than even Itachi was," Ko murmured, eyes narrowing slightly.
Yugao gave a soft nod. "Yes."
Ko glanced down the corridor where Johan had left. "Let's hope… he doesn't become another Itachi."
Yugao didn't respond, but her silence said everything.