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"What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Late at night, inside the Hokage's office!
After personally escorting Naruto, Sasuke, and Gen back to their homes, Hiruzen Sarutobi gathered all the key figures involved in tonight's events into his office.
Although he had considered sending Kakashi to the hospital, it was clear the man was far too restless to simply lie down. It would be better to resolve everything in one go.
"This situation is quite troublesome."
Jiraiya rubbed the space between his brows, deep in thought. Eventually, he decided to speak from his own perspective.
"I've taken a look at Naruto's condition. The Nine Tails reacting so violently is highly unusual. There's a real chance that incident from years ago is truly connected to this man. After all, that space-time technique..."
"Yes, indeed."
Hiruzen nodded slowly. It did seem as though only a space-time jutsu could counter the Flying Thunder God.
"And he possesses the Sharingan, perhaps even the far more powerful Mangekyō Sharingan."
At that moment, Shimura Danzo, who had been silent until now, spoke up. His face was dark, and his voice as cold as frost.
"That space-time technique may well be a unique ability of his eyes. I can't think of any other space-time jutsu that could achieve what he did. The Flying Thunder God was developed by my teacher, the Second Hokage. The only plausible counter would be something as potent as the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"And only those eyes could possibly control the Nine Tails and orchestrate the disaster from ten years ago."
"Hmph. Those Uchiha..."
"Perhaps."
Hiruzen responded ambiguously, giving a noncommittal nod. But he could not help shooting a sharp glare at his old friend.
The earlier analysis had been logical and well-founded. But what was the point of tacking on that last line, 'Those Uchiha'?
They were all dead already. Was that still not enough for you?
Besides, if that mysterious figure really was as they suspected, wouldn't that mean even Kakashi might be in danger?
Turning his gaze, Hiruzen looked to Kakashi, who had been silent all this while. After a moment of contemplation, he finally asked in a low voice.
"Kakashi, what is your take on this?"
"Lord Hokage, I..."
Kakashi had regained much of his composure by now, but when faced with this question, he faltered.
To be honest, he found it hard to believe the man was Uchiha Obito. In his memories, Obito had been a kind and compassionate soul, someone who embodied the Will of Fire to his core.
He had even saved Kakashi's life back then. He had already died in battle. How could he possibly be...
After a brief inner struggle, Kakashi finally spoke.
"I'm not certain either. Judging from the clues we have and what he said about his experiences, it might really be him."
"But the change in him is hard to comprehend. And there's also something off about his age."
"Oh? His age?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. Obito and I are about the same age. Ten years ago, he would have been only thirteen or fourteen. At that age, it's doubtful he would have had the strength to cause such devastation, especially against the Fourth Hokage."
"That is a fair point."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully, clearly considering Kakashi's words. But Danzo gave a cold snort.
"Thirteen or fourteen? So what? Wasn't Uchiha Itachi around that age when he slaughtered his entire clan?"
"..."
Hiruzen felt his patience wearing thin. His old comrade truly had a knack for saying the worst possible thing at the worst possible time.
He shot Danzō a fierce glare but had to admit there was some truth to the man's words.
"That's something we'll need to take into account as well. The Uchiha undergo a qualitative change after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. We'll need to investigate this thoroughly."
"This is becoming more and more of a headache."
Jiraiya sighed heavily. Things were becoming increasingly tangled.
"So what's our investigative plan? Should we keep digging into Kirigakure, or..."
"I believe we should continue focusing on Kirigakure."
At this point, Kakashi's voice took on a heavier tone, as if he had suddenly come to a realization.
"If it really is Obito, then Kirigakure may be our best lead. After all..."
"You mean..."
A flash of memory stirred within Hiruzen. He, too, recalled something from the past.
"Your former teammate. Nohara Rin?"
"Yes."
Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment, as though trying to block out the painful memories.
"Someone might have twisted his heart. I once promised I'd protect Rin, but..."
He paused, his voice heavy with guilt.
"So investigating that angle might yield results. And at the same time, we can dig deeper into that mysterious organization. Gen mentioned that he seemed to be part of it as well."
"That's a sound strategy. It might even give us the key to understanding his motive for changing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a slight nod. Investigating Kirigakure was indeed a reasonable course of action, and it also justified his decision to summon Danzō here tonight.
Still, when the conversation turned to Kitagawa Gen, he could not help but voice his admiration.
"Kakashi, you have taken in an excellent disciple. Regardless of who he was up against, for him to perform so impressively is truly remarkable."
He paused, voice carrying both weight and appreciation.
"Moreover, his grasp of intelligence analysis was remarkably precise. Even if part of his success was due to the enemy's carelessness, that too was a result of his own skill. And to top it off, he even created an entirely new technique."
"Gen..."
At the mention of his sole disciple, Kakashi's previously sunken mood lifted just a little.
"He truly is exceptional. Calm and composed even in the face of difficult situations, with an astonishing capacity to learn."
"That Lightning Release technique was entirely his own invention, something he developed from the ground up. His talent far exceeds what I had back in my youth."
Kakashi's voice carried unmistakable pride as he finished solemnly.
"And more importantly, he is a child who possesses the true Will of Fire."
"Oh?"
Shimura Danzo's expression twitched slightly upon hearing such praise, the corners of his eyes narrowing involuntarily. However, for once, he refrained from speaking.
Hiruzen, too, was rather taken aback. It was rare to hear Kakashi, who had always been so reserved, speak so highly of anyone in such a short span of time. This was not the Kakashi he remembered from his time in the ANBU.
He himself had not forgotten Kakashi's once dazzling genius, yet to hear him give such a comparison so readily toward this boy… well, perhaps it was not unwarranted.
The way that violet-hued lightning had surged forth earlier, even Hiruzen could still recall the vivid image with perfect clarity.
"In that case…"
As the thought lingered, a new idea began to take root in Hiruzen's mind. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Jiraiya.
That look sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine at once.
***
"Finally over!"
Back at his own home, Kitagawa Gen flopped down onto the bed with a heavy sigh.
Uchiha Obito had escaped, and he had managed to quietly prod at the truth behind his identity. The rest, frankly, was beyond the reach of a lowly Genin like him.
"Well, I did manage to freeload myself a personal security detail."
His eyes drifted toward the window as he chuckled softly to himself. Of course he had noticed the ANBU operatives hidden nearby, silently watching over his house.
He never would have imagined there would be a day when he would receive such treatment.
But it made sense. After all, he had just pulled a fast one on Uchiha Obito. Who could say that man would not come back for revenge?
And not just him. Naruto was under protection as well, and even Sasuke had not been sent back to the Uchiha compound. Instead, he had been temporarily placed under Naruto's roof, with further arrangements to be made later.
"Still, this doesn't really affect me."
The system operated entirely within his mind, and more importantly, his current background was squeaky clean.
Not only that, he was now Kakashi's disciple, and with Jiraiya having returned to the village…
That carried no small weight.
It meant he was officially tied to the Hokage's faction.
The Hokage's camp, huh.
If the ones lining up for power were all his own allies, then did it really matter who sat at the top?
As for Kitagawa Gen himself, he was a qualified contender for that future line.
"Besides, I am the disciple of the future Sixth Hokage."
Murmuring softly to himself, he finally turned his full attention to the system. The tally for the rewards should be completed by now.
And sure enough, what appeared next made his heart race with excitement.
[Side Quest Completed: The Dead Last Shouldn't Get Cocky]
[Reward Received: Yin-Yang Release Technique of Uchiha Obito]
[Exclusive Kakashi Quest Completed: Help Kakashi Reconnect with His Old Friend, Uchiha Obito]
[Reward Received: Uchiha Obito's Unique Yin Release Power]
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[IMAGE]
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[Chapter End's]
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