My Sign-in System in Naruto

After everything that had happened, Hiruzen Sarutobi had fully recognized Haru's power.

He felt that the old process of entering the ninja academy, becoming a genin, being guided by a jonin instructor, and participating in the Chunin Exams no longer suited Haru.

Instead, it would be better to take this opportunity to directly recruit him into the Anbu.

Kakashi would be responsible for guiding him.

This was the most suitable path for Haru at the moment.

Moreover, there were multiple benefits to this approach.

Ever since Obito, Rin, and Minato had passed away, Kakashi had thrown himself into the darkness.

He had even wanted to use death as a way to free himself.

But…

Yamato's appearance had given Hiruzen hope. Kakashi had taught Yamato what it meant to be a comrade and what the Will of Fire was.

At the same time, this bond had slowly influenced Kakashi, pulling him back from the darkness.

If Yamato could do it, then Haru could too.

Under Kakashi's guidance, Haru would learn to value his comrades and inherit the Will of Fire.

Secondly…

Kakashi could also keep a closer eye on Haru, ensuring that his power didn't become too destructive.

"Join the Anbu?"

Haru looked at Hiruzen, somewhat surprised by this decision.

"Yes."

Hiruzen nodded. "The Anbu, short for Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai (Special Assassination and Tactical Squad), is composed of elite ninjas selected from the village. Their main responsibilities are to protect me and prevent enemy invasions."

"Sometimes, they also take on missions like reconnaissance and assassination."

"But in their daily lives, they can still live as ordinary people."

"I see." Haru deliberately put on an expression of sudden understanding, but in reality, he knew just as much about the Anbu as Hiruzen.

Moreover, the Anbu wasn't a lifelong position. Both Kakashi and Yamato had eventually left the Anbu to become jonin instructors.

In other words, this path was a shortcut for Haru to become a jonin.

And becoming a jonin meant he would have the qualifications to become Hokage.

"And there's one more important thing."

Seeing that Haru had digested this information, Hiruzen spoke again, extending an invitation to Haru. "I've decided to hold negotiations with the Raikage of the Cloud Village in the Land of Iron. I hope you can accompany me."

"Negotiations?"

Haru frowned slightly. The Land of Iron bordered the Land of Fire to the west and the Land of Lightning to the north, sandwiched between the two great nations.

If Konoha and the Cloud Village went to war, the Land of Iron's territory would become a buffer zone.

Given this relationship, it wasn't surprising that the Land of Iron was willing to provide a venue for negotiations.

"Don't worry. The village's higher-ups have rejected the proposal to hand over Hizashi."

"This is your achievement."

Hiruzen smiled kindly.

But soon, the smile faded, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

In the world of Naruto, there was no concept of blitzkrieg.

Even Obito had publicly declared war during the Five Kage Summit.

"If the Raikage is willing to let bygones be bygones, that would be ideal. Otherwise… if they declare war, we'll have no choice but to face it."

"'Peace achieved through struggle endures, while peace sought through compromise perishes.'"

Hiruzen repeated Haru's words.

But in the next moment, Hiruzen changed the subject.

"However, struggle doesn't necessarily mean declaring war. It can also be an attitude." Hiruzen said with a serious expression.

Although he didn't spell it out, Hiruzen had made his intentions clear.

He planned to take Haru to the Land of Iron to negotiate with the Raikage, using Haru's power as a deterrent during the talks.

This would force the Cloud Village to back down.

Haru looked at the old man before him, unable to help sigh inwardly.

'In the end, Hiruzen still chose a compromise, huh?'

'It would have been better to use this opportunity to declare war on the Cloud Village and weaken the Uchiha clan.'

"Just the two of us?"

Haru asked directly.

In his impression, for a meeting of this level, at least two elite jonin would accompany the Kage.

One for combat, and one for sensing.

"And Yamato."

Hiruzen stated plainly.

Although Kakashi and Itachi were equally outstanding, in Hiruzen's eyes, the Sharingan's intimidation factor paled in comparison to Wood Release.

Everyone knew how Hashirama Senju had once dominated the ninja world.

Now that Konoha had two Wood Release users, even the Cloud Village wouldn't dare declare war lightly.

At the same time, Yamato was also an excellent sensor ninja.

But as Haru had guessed, this was just Hiruzen's way of compromising.

Although he was the Third Hokage, his personality was indecisive and overly merciful.

"Alright."

Haru nodded. "But this means we'll have to find another way to deal with the Uchiha clan."

"I'll think of something." Hiruzen spoke slowly, delivering the classic line when it came to solving the Uchiha clan's problems.

"When do we leave?"

"In three days." Hiruzen paused briefly. "Before then, you can report to the squad led by Kakashi. I think you'll like the atmosphere there."

The squad led by Kakashi was the backbone of the Anbu. Aside from Kakashi, Yamato and Itachi were also part of it.

With Haru joining, not only would the squad's strength increase, but the bonds between these powerful individuals would also deepen.

"I understand." Haru nodded, but then suddenly changed the subject. "What about Danzō?"

When Haru mentioned Danzō's name, Hiruzen's expression remained calm, but his heart skipped a beat.

'So it's come to this…'

Hiruzen remained silent. He had thought that Haru, like him, would avoid mentioning Danzō altogether.

But Hiruzen could understand Haru's feelings.

After all, Danzō had tried to kill Haru twice.

"He…"

Just as Hiruzen was about to speak, Haru cut him off.

"He's not dead."

Haru's tone was calm, and from Hiruzen's reaction, he confirmed his suspicion.

Danzō wasn't dead.

To be precise, he had used Izanagi to rewrite the reality of his death.

"I'll join the Anbu. I'll go to the Land of Iron with you."

"But this one thing, I can't accept."

"Maybe in your eyes, where there is light, there must be darkness. The world can't function without both."

"But in my eyes, Danzō isn't the only root, nor is he the only darkness."

"So…"

"Where is he?"