Seeing that no one voiced any objections, Wen Lan turned to Minato with a cheeky grin.
"Uh… Hokage sir, can we discuss something?"
Minato looked at him in mild confusion.
Before Minato could ask, Wen Lan continued,
"Can we switch the Hokage Assistant to someone else? I'm still just a kid—my perspective is limited."
Minato paused for a moment, then let out a soft laugh, his gaze warm as it rested on Wen Lan.
If anyone else claimed they were too young for the role, Minato might have believed it.
But coming from Wen Lan, it was obvious the kid was treating him like a fool.
After Minato returned to the village, Kushina had already told him everything—how Wen Lan had analyzed battlefield situations at their home.
That alone showed insight far beyond his age, even surpassing many adult shinobi.
On top of that, Wen Lan was decisive and ruthless when necessary—exactly what Minato needed.
Minato knew his own temperament well.
He was optimistic, kind… and sometimes too soft-hearted.
Wen Lan, on the other hand, perfectly made up for his weaknesses.
Originally, Minato hadn't wanted things to be this complicated.
Two Hokage advisors should have been enough.
But ever since he began formally taking over the Hokage position, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had constantly restrained him at every turn.
It was as if this Hokage seat belonged to them, and he was nothing more than a puppet who had to follow their will.
That, Minato deeply disliked.
Many of the policies he proposed—policies that would genuinely benefit the villagers and the village itself—were repeatedly obstructed by those two.
They always claimed it was "not appropriate" or "ill-advised," but Minato understood the truth clearly:
Those reforms weakened their vested interests.
So he needed someone who truly stood on his side—someone capable of helping him shoulder the burden.
This person didn't need to handle day-to-day governance.
They only needed to push him forward when he hesitated, to help him make decisions when he lacked resolve.
He had once considered Fugaku for that role, but Kushina had rejected the idea outright.
According to her, Fugaku had been suppressed by Hiruzen Sarutobi for too many years—he simply wasn't ruthless enough.
Wen Lan, however, was different.
Not only had Wen Lan helped her find surviving members of the Uzumaki clan, but his actions were always decisive and bold.
The way he had stormed the Hokage Building with his sword made that abundantly clear.
Minato pondered this, recalling how Wen Lan had even dared to threaten the daimyo directly.
In the end, he made his choice.
"…No."
Minato spoke gently, smiling softly—yet the two words were colder than ice.
Wen Lan was speechless.
He pouted, about to search for another excuse to wriggle out of it, but Minato raised a hand.
"Alright, that settles it. Let's happily decide it this way."
Wen Lan froze.
What the hell do you mean 'happily'?!
Am I happy about this?!
The clan heads immediately caught the meaning behind Minato's words.
One after another, they stood up, bowed respectfully to the Hokage, and left— Wen Lan no chance to speak.
Wen Lan stood there completely dumbfounded.
He even reached out instinctively, wanting to stop them, but every clan head either patted his shoulder or gave him an encouraging look before leaving.
At that moment, Wen Lan truly looked like a confused child—hands half-raised, unsure whether to block them or let them go.
Minato watched his awkward expression, amusement flashing briefly in his eyes.
He stepped closer and said quietly,
"From today onward, you are my Hokage Assistant. You don't need to attend routine meetings, but whenever I hesitate, you must help me make the final decision."
Wen Lan opened his mouth, then sighed deeply.
"I don't know if I've gone crazy, or you have, or the world has. A five-year-old as an advisor—only you could come up with that."
"Hahahahaha—!"
Minato laughed openly, clearly in a great mood.
Wen Lan rolled his eyes, then turned serious.
"Hokage sir—"
Minato waved his hand.
"Don't call me Hokage. Just keep calling me 'senpai' or 'uncle.'"
Wen Lan didn't argue.
"Alright, senpai. If I bring you a super–Kage-level powerhouse, are you in?"
Minato's smile faded slightly, his eyes sharpening instantly.
"Super–Kage-level? Are you serious?"
Wen Lan shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"An Uchiha?"
"Mm… sort of. I still need to go find her."
"How long will it take?"
"Not sure. Best case, a week. Worst case, a month."
"Good. I agree."
"OK!"
Wen Lan flashed an "OK" gesture, then turned and strode out the door, his back full of confidence and ease.
Wen Lan headed straight to the archive library inside the Hokage Building, located right next to the Hokage's office.
Two guards stood watch at the entrance and immediately raised their hands to stop him.
Wen Lan wasn't annoyed at all.
"The Hokage sent me. You can go confirm it if you don't believe me."
"Please wait a moment, Wen Lan sir."
One of the guards knocked on the adjacent office and went inside.
Soon, Minato's voice rang out from next door:
"Uchiha Wen Lan is already the Hokage Assistant. He may enter and exit freely."
The guard hurried back out, bowed respectfully, and stepped aside.
Wen Lan pushed open the door.
Inside were rows upon rows of shelves filled with scrolls and books.
A dusty, ancient atmosphere rushed toward him.
He walked straight to the deepest, oldest bookshelf, fingers gliding over the scrolls.
After searching for a long while with no success, he called out:
"Send someone in."
A shinobi entered respectfully.
"Assistant-sir, what do you need?"
"Find The Warring States Sealing Codex."
Clearly experienced, the shinobi retrieved it almost immediately.
Wen Lan opened it and skimmed through the densely packed records of sealing locations.
His eyes moved quickly—then stopped.
Because this was the only seal from the Warring States era located in a former Senju stronghold.
And according to Wen Lan's memories from his past life playing Naruto games, the sealing site was beneath a rocky formation—perfectly matching the description.
After memorizing the location, Wen Lan returned the codex to its place and quickly left the archive.
He went straight to the Hokage's office and pushed the door open.
Minato was reviewing documents when Wen Lan said, "I'm leaving the village starting tomorrow."
"Alright," Minato replied calmly.
"I've already announced your appointment as Hokage Assistant. You may enter and exit Konoha freely.
"Wen Lan, I'm granting you Konoha's highest level of authority. Go—do whatever you need to do."
Minato trusted Wen Lan completely.
Wen Lan had never harmed him, and Minato had practically watched him grow up.
From the moment Wen Lan went out of his way to find Kushina's clansmen, Minato knew—
Wen Lan firmly belonged to his side.
Trust those you employ; do not employ those you distrust.
That was Minato's creed.
Wen Lan nodded, returned to the Uchiha compound, informed Fugaku of his departure, then went home to pack rations.
According to the Warring States Sealing Codex, the sealing site was only one day's journey from the village.
If luck was on his side, he could be back within two days.
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