Kazama's rush to meet the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wasn't just a whim.
He needed the Third's strength to protect his critically injured parents and the surviving members of the Sanada clan.
Kazama had his own mission: to focus on growing stronger so he could one day take down Danzo himself.
"A genius! A one-in-a-million genius!"
When Kazama arrived and the Third heard how he not only mastered the B-rank ninjutsu *Karyuu Endan* (*Fire Dragon Flame Bullet*), but also single-handedly took out three Root ninja, even the Hokage couldn't help but marvel quietly.
Even Sarutobi, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, hadn't mastered a B-rank technique at Kazama's age back in his day.
In a Konoha where talent was scarce, a prodigy like Kazama was a once-in-a-century—no, a once-in-a-millennium—find.
The Third knew he had to do everything to win Kazama's loyalty.
"It's my fault for not sending help sooner, causing such heavy losses to your Sanada clan. But don't worry, I'll personally deal with Danzo and avenge your fallen clansmen!"
"No need," Kazama said firmly. "Danzo's life is mine to take."
"What?!"
The Third hadn't expected this. Kazama didn't want his help and planned to face Danzo alone?
Even for someone of Sarutobi's caliber, defeating Danzo was no easy task. Yet here was Kazama, brimming with confidence that he could do it solo.
At that moment, the Third's admiration for Kazama only grew.
"I came to ask you to save my parents and clan members and ensure their protection going forward. My strength alone isn't enough."
"You have my word," the Third promised. "I'll protect them with my life. And I can make an exception and promote you to Anbu right now—it'll help you in your fight against Danzo!"
"What?! He hasn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy, and he's being fast-tracked to Anbu?!"
The nearby Anbu ninja were floored by the Third's decision.
Even the legendary genius Uchiha Itachi didn't join Anbu until he was eleven. Kazama was clearly younger than that.
But, to be fair, Kazama's feat of taking down three Root ninja single-handedly was enough to earn the respect of anyone in Anbu.
"Thank you for your kindness, Third-sama, but I'd rather start as a genin."
"What? Passing up Anbu to be a genin?!"
Kazama's decision left not only the Third baffled but also the other Anbu in the room thinking he was out of his mind.
"If possible, after I graduate from the Ninja Academy, I'd like to be placed in the same team as Haruno Sakura."
"That's it? Come on, don't you have any tougher requests?"
The Third couldn't help but chuckle helplessly.
"Nope, that's all I need, as long as you can make it happen, Third-sama."
"Alright, I'll talk to Iruka about it when the time comes."
"Thank you, Third-sama. My parents are still in the hospital, so I'll take my leave now."
As Kazama walked out, the Third shook his head with a wry smile.
He couldn't wrap his head around why Kazama would turn down a prestigious Anbu position to start as a lowly genin—and why he insisted on being in the same team as Sakura.
But to secure a peerless genius like Kazama, the Third was willing to grant any request.
Kazama, however, had a deeper plan. His real goal was to be in the same team as Naruto.
He wanted to tap into Naruto's Nine-Tails chakra to boost his power and take down Danzo.
But since Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, Kazama couldn't be too blunt about it.
Saying he wanted to be with Sakura was a safer way to avoid raising the Third's suspicions.