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The murmuring inside the room stopped as soon as the Hokage took his place at the front, the tension rose as everyone in the room stood in attention. From his place, Minato could identify the six AMBU that made up the Hokage’s personal guard, while Choza and himself have been appointed teachers, Inoichi and Chikaku were still working as AMBU, specially now that the war had started.
“Thank you for coming in such short notice” Lord Third spoke and, after taking a long drag from his pipe, he continued. “As you know, our enemy is getting closer to our borders, we must take advantage of all the resources we have, which is why this year the Chunin exams will be held three months before the usual date.”
Several of the clan heads nodded, although Minato knew that none of them would send their first born to the front lines before they made it to jonin. Most of the shinobi present judged the Hyuuga clan for their severe segregation between family branches, hiding the fact that they did the same behind closed doors.
“I have already received and approved of all the candidates you have recommended, nevertheless if anyone here wasn’t sent the form and would like to recommend their students to take it, please come forward”
Minato took a step forward, he had already spoken to Lord Third about his decision and as expected, he had agreed. His team was ready.
“I, Namikaze Minato, Jonin Sensei of Team Minato, recommend my students for the chunin exam. Nohara Rin, Uchiha Obito and Hatake Kakashi” The murmuring started again as soon as his student's names were mentioned and from the corner of his eye, Minato saw the head of the Uchiha Clan, Fugatu, shake his head in disapproval.
Just as Minato expected, the older Jonin didn’t waste time to voice his discontent. “Surely we are not that desperate to send inexperienced children to our lines for mere sentiment”. The last two words were spitted with a mix of bitterness and vile. It could be evident, obvious even, for anyone else that Fugato was talking about Obito and yet…Minato knew better.
Minato had always found Fugatu to be a patient and observant shinobi, something he must have learned from his sensei, Hatake Sakumo. It was ironic to see him break into emotion at the mention of his now dead teacher’s only son.
Minato smiled politely and without turning he spoke. “Nohara Rin is the only genin medic nin approved by the medical center to be ready for the frontlines. Rin and Obito have completed a total of 16 missions and have both turned 11, which makes them more than eligible to take the exam”. Fugatu didn’t even blink when the name of Obito was mentioned, Minato took this as the cue to continue, turning to face the Uchiha.
“Of course, I can see your concern comes from the fact that I am recommending Hatake Kakashi, as well” More murmurs invaded the room and Fugatu’s face was a carefully placed mask, that cracked slightly when, once again, Kakashi’s full name was mentioned.
“Kakashi has completed a total of 18 missions” A number that was not particularly surprising and yet, with Kakashi being six years old and considering he had graduated as a genin 11 months ago, it was impressive.
Minato knew Fugato was also having this train of thought so, before he could speak again, Minato continued. “seven D-Rank and C-Rank missions, five B-Rank missions and six A-Rank in the seven months he has been under my tutelage”
Next to him, Shibi-san nodded since most B rank missions and all the A rank ones had been carried on as a three man cell with Shibi and Kakashi following Minato as their captain.
The room was silent once again, all eyes were on Minato now, and Minato did not blame them.
When he had been assigned to Kakashi, not only had the young Jonin realized the kid had a specific obsession with following the rules, he also had more experience at his young age than many chunin did, a quick and focused mind when it came to making and executing strategies and his capacity of observation and analysis of the situation was one that had even surprised Minato when he first had seen him in action.
The way that Kakashi moved and thought, shinobi-wise, was sharp enough to make Minato believe that Kakashi had been in the battlefield since the day he was born. It was astoundingly different to the way Obito and Rin thought, even when they both were five years older than Kakashi.
Minato had met the White Fang twice. The first time had been with Jiraiya-Sama. Sakumo had met them in the border with Suna, he had covered their flank and had disposed of more than half of the men in the unit attacking them with fast and calculated strikes. Minato had been in shock, completely amazed by the power of that man with silver white hair who, after exchanging a couple words with his sensei and circling two locations on his map, left.
The second time had been when he delivered a sealed scroll from the Hokage to Sakumo’s door eight months ago, Fugato had been inside, cheerfully talking to his teacher…just eight months, and everything had changed for the worst.
Fugatu arched an eyebrow and looked at Minato defiantly. “That is impossible, he is only six years old”
Further arguing was stopped by Lord Third. “Namikaze is correct, I personally proved of those missions upon realizing Hatake Kakashi was fit enough to partake in them” Then, signing the document in front of him, he agreed, “I approve of your recommendation, Minato”
Lord third nodded and Minato smiled, one didn’t become a strong candidate to be the next Hokage by not having a thick skin and a smart enough brain to know whose orders to follow.
“Well then” Lord Third continued “The Chunin exams will be held five days from today, since our situation is so precarious the failed student will be able to take the test in six months instead of having to wait one year…”