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With the help of Konoha's top expert in wood-style techniques, Kuragami Uchiha's Naka River Grand Hotel Project was quickly and perfectly completed.
Yamato truly had an innate talent for this; this building, constructed using the Wood Style, met all of Kuragami Uchiha's expectations flawlessly.
After the final inspection, Kuragami Uchiha generously handed Yamato a red envelope.
At first, Yamato hesitated.
It was obvious that the overwhelming ninjutsu he had witnessed that day, combined with the beatings he had endured at the Konoha Military Police Force, had left a deep impression on him.
"Kakashi, Clan Head Kuragami is giving this to you. Just accept it."
Kakashi said. "He's not the type to let people work for free."
"... Thank you." Yamato finally accepted the envelope.
"No need to thank me. We're all serving the village." Kuragami Uchiha said with a smile while patting Yamato's shoulder.
… … …
When Kakashi returned home, the first thing he noticed upon entering was an extra pair of shoes at the entrance.
"Naruto, do we have a guest?" He called into the house.
A moment later, Naruto's little head popped out from the living room." Kakashi-nii, Grandpa Hokage is here!"
The third Hokage? Kakashi frowned slightly upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure.
After changing his shoes, he walked inside and saw Naruto sitting across from the third Hokage, both enjoying a cup of instant ramen.
A freshly boiled kettle of water sat on the table.
"Naruto, is this how you host the third Hokage when I'm not home?" Kakashi sighed while rubbing his forehead.
"These are my rare limited-edition ramen cups! They're really expensive!"
Naruto protested. In truth, he wouldn't have taken them out unless the third Hokage had come to visit.
"Naruto likes them, so it's fine."
The third Hokage said with a chuckle. "At my age, I should try to enjoy what the younger generation likes every now and then."
Since Hiruzen himself had said so, Kakashi let it slide. Naruto even made him a cup of ramen as well.
In this somewhat strange atmosphere, the three quietly ate their noodles. Before long, Naruto was the first to finish.
"I'm full!"
He announced energetically while setting his chopsticks down.
"Naruto, go take a bath and rest now. The third Hokage and I have some matters to discuss." Kakashi said.
"Huh? But it's still early!" Naruto protested.
"You have school tomorrow."
"Naruto, be good. Go to bed." Hiruzen added.
"... Fine." Naruto stood up, looking dejected. However, as he turned around, a sly smirk briefly flashed across his face.
He left the living room and pulled the door shut behind him, but the next moment, he pressed his ear against the door, intending to eavesdrop.
Of course, his little trick was completely transparent to the two seasoned ninjas.
Kakashi simply turned his head and cast a basic Genjutsu, making Naruto instantly collapse into a deep sleep on the floor.
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After carrying Naruto back to his room, Kakashi returned to sit in front of the third Hokage. "Hokage-sama, what brings you here so late at night?"
"Kakashi, you've been retired from the Anbu for some time now. How have you been adjusting?"
Hiruzen asked with a kind smile.
"It's been fine. Since I can't leave the village right now, I've just treated it as a chance to rest." Kakashi replied.
His words made Hiruzen fall silent.
After a while, the elderly Hokage pulled out his pipe, intending to smoke, but as he reached for his tobacco, he suddenly remembered he was in someone else's house.
"Please, make yourself comfortable."
Kakashi said considerately.
Seeing this, Hiruzen did not act pretentiously. He packed his pipe, lit it, and took a deep inhale before slowly speaking.
"Kakashi, regarding what happened before, I must admit that I was negligent in my duties as Hokage. If I had noticed sooner and intervened immediately, things wouldn't have escalated as they did."
"Hokage-sama, you have many responsibilities. It's understandable that small matters might escape your attention."
Kakashi replied indifferently. "Besides, the situation was resolved in the end, wasn't it?"
Kakashi's tone made Hiruzen pause briefly. He knew that, deep down, Kakashi still held some resentment toward him regarding the matter.
"... That's true."
Hiruzen sighed. "I'm getting old. Handling village affairs is becoming more and more difficult."
"Nonsense. Hokage-sama is still in his prime. A bit of extra paperwork is nothing." Kakashi said smoothly, deflecting the conversation.
Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively. "No, no. I have to accept the truth. Kakashi, don't you think it's time for the village to select a fifth Hokage?"
This question made Kakashi fall silent for a moment. Then, he spoke cautiously.
"Hokage-sama, please don't say such things. The village still needs your leadership."
"Kakashi."
Hiruzen said, looking at him intently: "I plan to recommend you to the Daimyo as the next Hokage."
Kakashi froze.
Hiruzen had been deeply alarmed earlier that day when Kakashi had taken Naruto to a banquet with the Uchiha Clan. His heart nearly couldn't take the shock. He knew he had to act; if he couldn't fully bring Kakashi back to his side, he at least needed to break the growing alliance between him and Kuragami Uchiha.
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Kakashi immediately stood up and knelt on one knee. "Hokage-sama, please don't joke about such matters."
"Kakashi, don't underestimate yourself."
Hiruzen said earnestly. "In every regard, you are the best candidate to be the fifth Hokage."
"Hokage-sama, I know my own limits. My strength is not enough to bear the responsibilities of leading a village. Please reconsider."
Kakashi kept his head bowed but hidden from view; his expression had turned ice-cold.
Fifth Hokage?
Kakashi knew full well that his skills had deteriorated after years of idleness. His current strength wasn't even close to the level required to command respect as a kage, let alone the Hokage of Konoha, the strongest of the five great shinobi villages. If he were to take on the role now, he would be nothing more than a puppet.
"Kakashi, I've given careful thought to your strength."
Hiruzen said. "When your father was your age, he relied on your clan's swordsmanship alone to rival the kage of the five great villages. I believe that if you pick up the Hatake clan's Kenjutsu again, your strength will rapidly improve. Your father once said your talent surpasses even his."
"Hokage-sama, the White Light Blade is broken."
Kakashi said quietly, glancing in the direction of his clan's shrine. The legendary White Light Blade, once feared across the battlefield, had shattered at Kannabi Bridge and was now enshrined.
"The village can fund the reforging of White Light Blade."
Hiruzen said while staring at Kakashi intently.
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