บท 11: Chapter 11 - The Two Genius of the Academy

Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi who gained the titles such as God of Shinobi, the Professor, and Strongest of Five Kages. The middle aged man sat behind his desk as his graying hair receded and frowned at the latest news from the frontlines. Due to the war heavy circles below his eyes can be seen as he studied a map and a few pieces placed on it.

"Iwa has advanced once more. It appears that the Land of Grass is up to their old games once again." He muttered to himself.

Making a note to cut off supplies that were supposed to be delivered to the Land of Grass to resist Iwa shinobi from coming in. Hiruzen felt sad in his heart as Grass Village treated the alliance as trash. However, he just made a note to deal with the Land of Grass village later.

"However, Minato and his team are doing fairly well at keeping Iwa from getting too far." Hiruzen mumbled as he looked at Minato's latest achievement. "However, word is the next generation of the AB tag team of Kumo has started to play."

While he was murmuring about who to send, rerouting resources, and reinforcements. Hiruzen was soon interrupted as a knock was heard on the door. Sitting down with the papers in hands, and slightly cleaning himself to show the dignity as the Hokage.

"Come in."

After a few seconds, the door slowly opened as a man around the same as Hiruzen, if not one or two years older appeared. While a headband hung on the man's sleeve, he seemed slightly bloated around his stomach. Taking a seat in front of the desk the man opened his mouth.

"These are the recent reports of the academy. We currently have around one hundred and fifty students that meet the current standard to graduate ranging between seven and nine." The man stated.

Taking the papers Hiruzen quickly scanned over it noting that most are from civilian background. Which didn't surprise him as most clans tend to train their own children most of the time only sending talented or heirs to the academy. After some debating he already came up and decided to arrange them among the Iwa and Kumo frontlines. However, as he looked at the last two names, he paused slightly as both were highlighted.

'Kagami Senju, Age 5, has displayed great chakra control and is able to use all five basic elements. Grade: Excellent, recommended to move up grades or graduate.'

'Mira Uchiha, Age 5, has displayed great chakra control and is able to use Wind, Fire, and Lightning releases to some degree. Grades: Excellent, recommended to move up grades or graduate.'

Hiruzen frowned as he recalled the ones listed as their guardians. Both Taiyō Senju and Uchiha Maru, were firm believers in Hashirama's Will of Fire as well Hashirama and Madara dream. So allowing these two to agree about sending these two to the battlefield at such an age will be tricky.

"Besides Kagami Senju and Mira Uchiha, give the rest the test and if they pass, bring me the list. For these two I will take care of it." Hiruzen ordered as he waved the man away.

'Now how should I convince two stubborn old men that sending their grandchildren to the battlefield is for their own benefits?' Hiruzen thought while disliking the idea, but the village currently was in a bad state and geniuses were needed on the battlefield.

"I refuse."

In the living room of his house, Taiyō Senju looked coldly at the man in front of him. The red hat and white robes the man wore wasn't lost on him. However, the request of the man was outrageous so even if the man was the Hokage, he was firmly refused.

"I will not send my grandchild to the battlefield. The entire reason Hashirama and Madara built this village was to keep children from growing up on the battlefield."

Hiruzen clearly expected this response so his expression didn't change nor fluctuate. He just calmly sat there looking at the old man vent his dissatisfaction with him. Once the man stopped speaking, he began his counter argument.

"I know that, but now the village is in deep trouble. We are managing to hold back Sunagakure and Kirigakure for the time being, but we are having trouble with Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Both of these villages are growing closer to the border and the only thing stopping them is the intense fighting between them."

Hiruzen calmly mentioned how bad the war was going for them. This not only showed how bad the situation was, but also hit Taiyō feelings for the village. Since Hiruzen knew that neither old men wanted to see the village destroyed as they cared for it greatly, probably even surpassing him.

However, even so Hirzuen could see Taiyō reluctant to agree to such a request. Since what could a five year old do on the battlefield?

"Uchiha Maru has already agreed." Hiruzen added on.

Sitting in the corner as he improved the chakra reader. Kagami paused as he felt his heart dropped hearing this sentence. He didn't want to see Mira leaving for the battlefield already. While she is gifted, she is not strong enough yet and the other villages won't waste time to assassinate her once they learn this fact.

"Is this true?" Kagami asked with a bit of coldness in his voice.

"Yes." Hiruzen answered.

Looking at his grandfather with complicated feelings as they both saw the same feeling within each other. Neither wanted to see Mira going to the battlefield just yet. So in the end, Taiyō caved but put forward two requests.

"I will agree if you satisfy two of my requests. First Kagami and Mira must be paired and secondly give us two years to build up their strengths. With their current strength it doesn't matter if they go or not for the time being."

Hiruzen frowned on the outside, but on the inside he was dancing as his plan worked. While he would have to wait two years before sending them to the battlefield. The war doesn't seem like it will end anytime soon and he rather have a stronger soldier then more cannon fodder.

"Very well, I can agree to your request. I shall take my leave." Hiruzen said as he stood up and left to visit the Uchiha compound to visit Maru and Mira.

Left in the living room, Kagami looked at his grandfather who just looked at the window with a complicated expression. Neither spoke, but felt he could feel the disappointment his grandfather held for the Hokage. Not that he could speak for he was also disappointed in the Third Hokage as he does the best for the village, but also goes against why the village was built at times.

In a final sigh, Kagami continued to tinker with his chakra reader to take his mind off this topic.