Chapter 97: The Hokage’s Offer

On Thursday evening, Ren arrived at the Hokage residence carrying a bottle of expensive plum wine and no intention of drinking enough to become honest.

The dinner was strictly private. The dining room felt distinctly domestic rather than official. Hiruzen had shed his formal robes for a simpler house garment, looking more like an ordinary grandfather than a man responsible for thousands of shinobi.

Ren handed Biwako the bottle of plum wine as he entered.

Biwako inspected the elegant label. "This is too expensive for a friendly dinner."

Ren glanced at Hiruzen. "Then I correctly understood that it wasn’t friendly."

Hiruzen laughed, the sound warm and genuine, but Biwako merely shook her head and told both men to sit down before the food got cold.

As the first plates were cleared, Hiruzen began by asking about the Civilian Academy.

Hiruzen asked whether the Academy’s first month had matched Ren’s expectations. Ren gave him the short version: attendance was strong, several shinobi clans had begun paying for supplementary lessons, and expansion outside Konoha would wait until the first branch had proved stable.

Hiruzen took a slow sip of his tea. "The administration could sponsor places for children whose families cannot afford tuition."

Ren paused, setting his own cup down. "You want village-funded seats?"

"I want to know what price you would demand," Hiruzen replied smoothly.

Ren offered a slight smile. "Now this sounds like a friendly dinner."

As the main course was served, the light conversation faded. Hiruzen reached into his robe and placed a folded copy of Shisui’s assessment report on the table.

Hiruzen opened the report.

"He caught every false detail Shisui inserted, remembered the complete exercise map after seeing it once, and identified the hidden observer almost immediately," he said. "During the final spar, he came close enough to trapping Shisui that Shisui had to stop treating it like a simple assessment."

"He showed better judgment than many adult shinobi," Hiruzen noted, his tone turning serious. "Judgment like that is rare in a shinobi his age."

Ren looked at the report but did not touch it. "He is still a child."

"Both things can be true," Hiruzen replied.

The Hokage rested his hands on the table and stated the offer plainly.

"I want to offer Itachi a place in the ANBU."

Ren’s fingers stilled beside his teacup.

"Under whose command?"

"Mine," Hiruzen answered.

He folded his hands beside the report. "The Uchiha have spent years saying the village keeps them at a distance. Bringing one of their own directly under Hokage’s command would mean more than another assurance that the village trusts the clan."

Hiruzen tapped one finger against Shisui’s report.

"But I would not offer Itachi the mask merely for appearances. He is qualified."

Ren leaned back slightly. Capability was not the problem.

"You’re recruiting my little brother," he said. "Father will see the mask as proof that the village finally trusts the clan. The village will see Itachi as a bridge into the Uchiha."

"That bridge could prevent the distance between us from growing."

"Or it could place him in the middle of every disagreement," Ren replied. "The first time the village and the clan want different things, both sides will ask him to prove where his loyalty lies."

Hiruzen held his gaze.

"Keeping him outside ANBU will not remove that conflict. Your father is already preparing him for greater responsibility. If I reject a qualified Uchiha because his family ties may become inconvenient, then the clan is right to accuse the village of excluding them."

He paused before adding, "Under my command, I choose his missions and who is allowed access to him."

"Until one of those missions asks him to watch his own family."

Hiruzen’s hand settled around his teacup. He did not answer.

Hiruzen closed Shisui’s report.

"I have not presented the offer to your father yet."

Ren looked at him. "Give me until tomorrow evening."

"To convince Itachi to refuse?"

"To make sure he hears the cost before Father hears the honor."

Hiruzen studied him for a moment.

"Tomorrow evening," he agreed.

*****

Ren returned to the Uchiha estate late that night.

The main house was quiet. He walked down the hall and stopped in the doorway of one of the family rooms.

Itachi had fallen asleep over a training map copied from an old mission report, one hand still resting near its edge. Beside his elbow sat Izumi’s empty bento box, with a short note tucked beneath the lid reminding him about their walk tomorrow.

A folded blanket rested on the nearby cushion. Ren picked it up and placed it carefully over Itachi’s shoulders.

Itachi shifted slightly but did not wake.

Ren looked from the mission map beneath his hand to Izumi’s note beside the empty bento box.

Hiruzen was not wrong about Itachi’s ability. That was what made the offer dangerous. Father would see recognition for the clan, while Itachi would see another responsibility he could carry for everyone else.

Ren adjusted the blanket and switched off the lamp beside the table.

Tomorrow morning, he would speak to Itachi before anyone placed an ANBU mask in front of him.

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