Chapter 48 - Kazane's Return to Konoha
Late Night – Orochimaru's Command Tent
The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the tent's interior as Kazane stepped inside.
Orochimaru was seated at his desk, quietly speaking to a Konoha jonin clad in standard battle gear. The tension in the air was subtle but unmistakable.
"You called for me?"
Orochimaru turned his golden eyes toward his disciple.
"Hmm, Kazane, you're here. This is Jonin Akita, sent by the Hokage. Akita, meet my disciple, Hatake Kazane."
Orochimaru introduced them smoothly, his tone calm as always, but Kazane could tell there was an edge to it—as if something about this meeting was already settled before it even began.
Akita turned, examining Kazane with a mix of curiosity and admiration.
"So this is Hatake Kazane? A young hero indeed!"
Akita had heard plenty about Kazane's battlefield exploits. But seeing the boy in person—standing tall, exuding an aura of confidence and quiet menace—was something else entirely.
"You flatter me, Akita Jonin," Kazane replied politely, his expression neutral.
"Haha! No need to be so modest, Kazane Jonin."
Akita chuckled, though there was an undercurrent of unease in his voice.
"The news has already spread throughout Konoha—you were the one who eliminated Iwa's commander, Kurotsuchi, and wiped out the Firelight Squad to secure critical war supplies. A feat unheard of for someone your age."
Hearing this, Akita couldn't help but compare Kazane to his own son, who was still struggling with basic genin missions. The contrast made him respect the young warrior even more.
But Kazane wasn't listening.
His mind had frozen at one word.
"Jonin?"
He glanced at Orochimaru for confirmation, but the Sannin remained silent.
Akita, seeing his confusion, smiled.
"Ah, of course. You just returned—you haven't heard the news yet. Congratulations, Kazane Jonin!"
A scroll was placed on the table before him.
"You are now the first in Konoha's history to be promoted directly from Genin to Jonin."
A Jonin, huh…
Kazane stared at the document, the official promotion letter bearing the Hokage's seal.
His thoughts drifted—this wasn't how the original timeline had played out.
At this point in history, Kakashi was supposed to be the one getting promoted to Jonin—not him. Kazane should have remained a Genin, staying in the shadows.
But everything had changed.
His strength had changed.
His reputation had changed.
And now, even his fate had changed.
It wasn't a surprise—not really.
With the battlefield achievements he had stacked, skipping Chunin entirely was inevitable. This wasn't favoritism. It was a necessity.
Even still…
"Akita Jonin also brought three thousand reinforcements to the front lines. However, Kazane…"
Orochimaru's words pulled him from his thoughts.
"The Third Hokage has ordered you to return to Konoha immediately. Akita Jonin is here to replace you."
The moment those words fell, the air in the tent grew heavier.
Kazane's gaze sharpened. So that's what this is.
The Hokage's move was obvious—he didn't want Orochimaru's forces gaining any more glory.
Sending three thousand reinforcements sounded grand, but replacing him with a random Jonin?
This wasn't about reinforcing the front lines.
This was about removing him from the battle.
And more importantly—weakening Orochimaru's influence.
A tactical shift. A political move.
"Orochimaru-sensei, what do you think?" Kazane asked, already knowing the answer.
The Sannin's golden eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.
"It is the Hokage's order, Kazane," Orochimaru said smoothly. "Prepare to leave tomorrow."
There was no hesitation in his tone—no protest.
Just a cold, unwavering acceptance of reality.
Kazane exhaled slowly, controlling his frustration.
"...Understood, Orochimaru-sensei."
The tension settled into a suffocating silence, as Orochimaru shifted his gaze.
Akita Jonin shifted uncomfortably.
The way Orochimaru looked at him—it was as if he were a mere pawn, insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Akita wasn't a fool.
He understood that Sarutobi had sent him not as a leader, but as a tool to limit Orochimaru's victories.
He had no place in this power struggle.
And he wanted no part of it.
"Haha, we just arrived, and there's still much to organize. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, Orochimaru-sama."
Akita forced a polite smile, eager to remove himself from the suffocating presence of the Sannin.
"I won't see you off, then."
Orochimaru's gaze lingered for a fraction too long.
A chill ran down Akita's spine.
He bowed quickly and left.
As soon as Akita was gone, Kazane's expression darkened.
"Orochimaru-sensei, what is the Hokage thinking? Does he not care about the lives of our shinobi?"
His voice was sharp, barely suppressing his anger.
Kazane had witnessed too many comrades die, only to see their efforts dismissed for political games.
Orochimaru let out a soft, chilling chuckle.
"This is politics, Kazane," he said, his tone indifferent. "Right now, Hiruzen's only concern is keeping me in check."
He leaned forward slightly, the shadows deepening around his serpentine eyes.
"If you wish to change this… if you wish to control your own fate…"
His voice turned low and commanding.
"Then you must become as powerful as the First Hokage."
Those words struck deep.
Become as powerful as Hashirama Senju…?
That wasn't a mere goal. That was an impossible dream.
Yet, if he didn't reach that level, he would always be a pawn on someone else's board.
Kazane clenched his fists.
"I understand."
"Good," Orochimaru said, nodding in satisfaction.
"Prepare yourself. When you return, the Hokage will likely send you to the Land of Lightning's battlefield next."
Orochimaru glanced toward the moonlit sky.
"Spend tonight with your brother. You never know when you'll see each other again."
Kazane took a deep breath, then turned toward the exit.
"Understood, Orochimaru-sensei."
Without another word, he left to find Kakashi.
---
Minato Namikaze's Tent
Kazane stood outside and called out softly.
"Minato Jonin, I'd like to see Kakashi."
There was a brief pause.
Then, a familiar voice.
"Brother?"
Kakashi stepped out, his expression puzzled.
"Kakashi, I'm leaving for Konoha tomorrow."
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly.
"Already? Why?"
Kazane sighed, patting his shoulder.
"This is the Hokage's decision."
Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a green cloth.
"My lucky headband. Keep it with you—it'll help with your sword training."
Before Kakashi could protest, Kazane swiftly tied the headband around his forehead.
"Hey! Wait—"
Kakashi barely managed to react before Kazane stepped back with a smirk.
And just like that—
The two brothers ended up playfully wrestling under the moonlit sky.