Kakashi's application to hunt down Shimura Danzō and the Root organization was rejected by Tsunade.
The reason was simple. With Kakashi's current strength, it was impossible for him to successfully track down Danzō and Root. Kakashi could be considered an elite among jōnin, but Danzō had already been a major figure in the ninja world over twenty years ago. His strength was not inferior to the Third Hokage.
Unless Jiraiya, as Hokage, personally led the operation with more than a dozen jōnin, there was no chance of success.
But right now, Konoha simply couldn't assemble that kind of force. If they chased beyond the borders, it would easily be interpreted as an invasion, potentially triggering war.
That was also why most S-rank missing-nin managed to roam free—villages could only issue bounty orders, not openly pursue them across nations.
As for the masked man suspected to be Uchiha Obito, Kakashi chose not to report his suspicion about the space-time ability in his left eye. Instead, he had been quietly researching how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He simply didn't want to believe it.
He didn't want to believe that his former teammate had turned into a monster—attacking the village and killing his teacher and his teacher's wife.
It felt easier to believe that someone had stolen Obito's Sharingan…
Even though that explanation sounded even more ridiculous.
—
Wandering aimlessly through the streets, Kakashi glanced at the villagers around him.
After part of Danzō's crimes had been exposed, many villagers began to question the Third Hokage's character. If he were truly upright, how could he have tolerated Shimura Danzō again and again?
Of course, a small number still insisted that the Third Hokage had been forced into those decisions—and that he had now paid the price.
Thinking back on the policies recently issued by the Hokage Office, Kakashi could tell that Jiraiya and Tsunade were genuinely trying to change the village's stagnant state.
But the majority of jōnin still preferred to maintain the status quo.
At this rate… Konoha wouldn't see any major changes for at least a year.
—
Uzushiogakure had also reached out to Konoha, officially sending congratulations for Jiraiya becoming the Fifth Hokage.
But privately?
Their evaluation was brutal.
Konoha is a leaking ship.
The former captain lay flat and waited for it to fix itself.
The current captain is trying to repair it—but he's tearing parts from the ship itself to patch the holes, only delaying the inevitable.
When Kakashi read that, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
Naruto had also asked about his old friends from the Ninja Academy, requesting Kakashi to keep him updated on their situations—and even sent small gifts for them.
Shaking his head with a faint smile, Kakashi turned toward the Uchiha clan district.
It was time to meet the last Uchiha in the village.
—
At the training ground, Kakashi found Uchiha Sasuke practicing with Shadow Clones—a method reportedly developed by Naruto.
The moment Sasuke saw Kakashi, he didn't waste time talking.
Chakra surged into his legs as he dashed forward. Lightning flickered faintly across his body, enhancing his speed. In an instant, he closed the distance, drew the short blade at his waist, and slashed toward Kakashi.
Kakashi's lips curled slightly.
He sidestepped the attack effortlessly—and in the next moment, knocked Sasuke flat onto the ground.
Face-first.
A perfect "eating dirt" landing.
Sasuke lay there, expression cold.
"…Still no progress this week. Looks like I need to increase my training intensity."
Kakashi's smile faded slightly.
"You're in your sixth year at the Academy, and your strength is already close to a jōnin's level. That's impressive. The only reason you lost so easily is because I've been improving too—and not any slower than you."
He paused, then added,
"And stop using Shadow Clones to skip class. That's disrespectful to your teacher."
Sasuke snorted.
"Iruka is just a chūnin. He's not strong enough to teach me. Naruto used Shadow Clones to skip classes too—why waste time on boring lessons?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly.
The way Sasuke spoke… it reminded him a bit too much of his younger self.
Which was exactly why he was trying to guide him.
Still, that arrogant tone unique to geniuses was annoying as hell.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said calmly, "stop comparing yourself to Naruto. He's completely different from you. His strength is far beyond what you can imagine right now. Focus on your own growth."
"How strong is Naruto now?"
Sasuke's interest immediately ignited.
Kakashi thought for a moment… then answered honestly.
"When you're strong enough to kill Uchiha Itachi, you might be able to escape from Naruto."
Sasuke frowned deeply, suspicion filling his eyes.
There was a gap between him and Naruto—but it shouldn't be that big.
How could Naruto have surpassed Itachi in just a few years?
That man… had slaughtered dozens of clan members.
Kakashi shrugged.
Sometimes, telling the truth just made people less likely to believe you.
—
At that moment, Sasuke seemed to realize something.
"Senpai Kakashi… how do you even have news about Naruto? Where is he?"
"I told you before—he's in the ANBU."
Sasuke's gaze sharpened.
"You just said he's stronger than that man. If Naruto were still in Konoha, he wouldn't stay silent. There's only one possibility left."
"…Naruto has already left the village."
Kakashi stared at him for a few seconds… then nodded.
"You're right. Naruto did leave Konoha. And he didn't go alone. Other Uchiha went with him—including Uchiha Shisui."
"What?!"
Sasuke lost control for a moment.
He had only just gotten used to living alone in the empty clan district…
And now Kakashi was telling him the Uchiha weren't extinct—that they were alive… and living with Naruto.
Kakashi looked at him calmly.
"Believe it or not, that's the truth. And don't even think about leaving the village. If you do, Uchiha Itachi will kill you. He's been waiting for your eyes."
Sasuke's Sharingan flickered to life as he stared at Kakashi.
"Senpai… if there's anything else I don't know, tell me. Right now."
Kakashi shook his head.
"That's all I know. As for Naruto and the Uchiha's location—I won't tell you."
He paused, then added firmly:
"You're not allowed to leave Konoha until you awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan and gain the strength to defeat a jōnin."
"That day isn't far."
Sasuke lowered his head, like a furious beast barely holding itself back.
"…Sooner or later, I'll learn the truth."
But he quickly calmed down.
Right now, he was too weak.
He couldn't even defeat Kakashi. Leaving the village would just get him killed.
Only by getting stronger—strong enough—could he uncover everything… and complete his revenge.
Kakashi watched him silently, then let out a soft sigh.
He tossed a scroll onto the ground.
"This is from Naruto… and from your clan."
The scroll contained a complete set of Uchiha-style ninjutsu and genjutsu—from basic academy-level techniques all the way to elite jōnin training methods, including detailed notes on the Sharingan's usage and precautions.
A legacy.
And a reminder.
"You'd better not waste it."
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