Shota walked without his mask just a little behind Rasa and Elder Mina. The other ANBU were five steps behind.
They were not going to attend the meeting but were just there in case a fight broke out. Of course, against the entire Konoha forces, they would not last more than a few minutes.
So their job in that case would be to protect the Kazekage long enough for him to escape or to use jutsus that would damage Konoha or damage Konoha themselves.
Shota though was irritated at not being given the permission to wear his Anbu mask.
'What's the point of me in ANBU if everyone fucking knows my identity? Wasn't I supposed to be in ANBU because I was at risk of assassination since my ability was revealed? Now that I am a little stronger and can handle my safety, you are parading me as if I am a hot commodity, which I know I am but it's still insulting.'
He fumed internally. 'I joined ANBU to be hidden. To be the shadow. To be the guy no one sees coming. Now I am walking into the Hokage's office like some trophy kid being shown off at a family reunion. "Look at our little assassin! He can erase chakra! Isn't he cute?" Next thing you know, they'll put me in a display case with a plaque that says "Suna's Future: Do Not Touch.".'
Shota sighed inside his mask. He kept his face blank. He knew complaining would not change anything. Rasa had decided. The elders had agreed. Shota was now a symbol. A living proof that Suna had its own genius.
A way to tell the world that Suna was not weak. A way to tell Konoha that Suna had teeth. He understood the politics. He just did not like being the political tool.
They walked into the Hokage building. It was sparse in people. The corridors were empty except for a few ANBU.
Shota noticed the emptiness and knew that it was probably because if a fight broke out, the civilians and genins might just become casualities.
'Can't just Minato take Rasa with him somewhere far away with his Flying Raijin? Food for thought, huh.' Shota mused.
The Hokage office doors opened. A large table and chairs were set up for the meeting.
The Konoha delegation already sat there. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, smiled warmly as they entered. Jiraiya of the Sannin leaned back in his chair with a lazy grin.
Homura and Koharu sat with a frown. Shikaku Nara looked half-asleep.
And then Shota's eyes landed on the darkness of shinobi, the man himself, the mummified Konoha shinobi, Tobirama's will manifested against Uchiha, the shadow council member, the root of all problems in Konoha, the one-eyed war hawk, the collector of Sharingan, the eternal schemer, Danzo Shimura himself.
Danzo sat with a frown on his face. The man looked at the Suna delegation with an empty look. His eyes locked on Shota for a few seconds. Their eyes met.
Suddenly, Shota felt an urge to slap the man. Danzo had a very slappable face and personality for some reason.
Everything about him screamed "slap me." Shota had to clench his fists to stop himself. He imagined the sound. A nice, crisp slap. Danzo's head snapping to the side. It would be beautiful.
He controlled the urge though and moved to greet everyone as Elder Mina had told him.
Of course he waited for Rasa and Elder Mina to do that first.
Minato Namikaze stood from his seat to shake hands with Rasa. The Fourth Hokage smiled politely. Hiruzen did the same.
Rasa and Elder Mina greeted the others one by one. They exchanged polite words. They bowed. They smiled. They acted like old friends.
'Jeez, just look at them. They are greeting each other as if they are not cursing each other's name and village name inside their mind. They are acting as if they are everyday friends and none of them tried to kill each other back on the battlefield.' Shota could see the hypocrisy there.
Shota moved to greet everyone, starting with the Hokage, Minato Namikaze himself.
"I greet the Fourth Hokage."
Minato looked at him with a polite smile.
"You have grown up quite well and have become quite a shinobi since I last saw you."
"Thank you, Hokage-san, for your praise and for letting me live back then."
Shota said with a grateful look. He could have sworn that he saw Elder Mina giving him a quick thumbs up for his performance while the elders gave a side look to Minato.
He greeted the Third Hokage. Hiruzen smiled warmly.
"I have heard a lot about your ability. It's truly a unique one. As the professor, I have many questions about your ability. I hope you would answer them later."
'Yeah, acting like a sweet old man teacher to get the secrets of my ability. That's not going to happen.'
Shota bowed.
"I am afraid I can't. It's a village secret."
Hiruzen said with a sigh.
"What a pity."
Shota greeted Jiraiya.
"I am honoured to meet one of the Sannin."
Jiraiya gave him a blue-coloured toad-shaped purse.
"It is a custom in Konoha to give their juniors a gift when they first meet them. And I like you. It can carry a good amount of cash for you know to buy Ramen."
He said with a wink.
Shota felt a chill down his spine.
'No way did he see me pocketing all the cash?'
Outwardly, he accepted the purse with a grateful bow.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."
Internally he thought.
'Wait, don't tell me that they were observing me with the Third Hokage's crystal ball pervert spying technique. I see so they have been observing us since we entered Konoha even in our private quarters. Konoha really is filled with perverts.'
He politely greeted the others and lastly moved to Danzo.
Shota bowed.
"It's an honour to meet Elder Danzo."
Shota could not help but say when he was greeting Danzo, he said innocently. "I am sorry for the loss of your hand in battle, Elder Danzo."
Elder Mina gave him a look that said that was a very bad move and she would give him a lecture for it.
But it was all worth it as Shota saw Danzo's eyebrow twitch a little and him hold his cane a lot tighter.
-----Author Notes---------
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