Facing the massive threat of Akatsuki and the Juubi, Kakashi's stance softens slightly.
He's not narrow-minded.
He doesn't oppose borrowing strength from outside Konoha—after all, Sunagakure and Gaara are now Konoha's allies.
His only concern is Kabuto's lack of credibility and potential to betray and strike back at Konoha.
"Then why did you attack Konoha?" Kakashi asks.
"Initially, I wanted the Kyuubi as a trump card to threaten the new Akatsuki. But now that they've revived the Juubi, the Kyuubi card isn't as crucial. That makes it hard for them to work with me," Kabuto explains.
Why could Kabuto initially work with Obito?
Because Obito needed many Edo ninja to fight in the Fourth Great Ninja War and capture the Eight-Tails and Kyuubi Jinchuriki.
But this new Akatsuki not only crushed the Five Kage, they also revived the Juubi.
With such a massive advantage, why would they need Kabuto?
And don't forget, they deliberately framed him. Given that, Kabuto wouldn't seek out Nagato and the others for cooperation.
His only remaining option is Konoha.
The other four villages?
Mere chickens and dogs—Kabuto doesn't even bother glancing their way.
"What do you really want now?" Kakashi probes.
"Uchiha Sasuke is with Akatsuki now, right?"
"Supposedly."
"Then how about this: after we defeat them, Uchiha Sasuke is yours, and the masked man with the Sharingan is mine. Deal?" Kabuto reveals his goal.
Having acquired various bloodline abilities, Kabuto aims to master the Uchiha's bloodline and powers. By absorbing the masked man's abilities, he's certain he can fully transform into a dragon!
Perhaps even surpass a dragon, ascending to godhood.
This is Kabuto's true ambition! His ultimate pursuit!
Originally, his target was Uchiha Sasuke, but settling for Obito isn't bad.
Plus, once war breaks out, whether he can secretly abduct Sasuke is no longer Konoha's concern.
"How's that? This deal's pretty favorable, right? After all, you just want to protect Konoha and reclaim Uchiha Sasuke," Kabuto says confidently, as if he's got Konoha in his grasp.
Losing to Naruto isn't shameful. As long as he's valuable, he'll rise again.
Besides, can Konoha find a better ally than him right now?
"I need to consider and discuss with others before deciding," Kakashi says, not rushing to agree. Even if he consents, he must find a way to control Kabuto to some extent before cooperating.
Otherwise, it's not cooperation—it's selling themselves out.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Soon, Kabuto is taken away and temporarily confined.
Though Kakashi is Konoha's backbone, he hasn't inherited the Hokage title, so he can't decide alone.
"Kakashi-sensei, can Kabuto really help the village?" Naruto asks.
"I'm not sure, but if he can truly summon and control that Uchiha Madara, it could significantly boost Konoha's strength…" Kakashi replies.
"Uchiha Madara? Sasuke's legendary ancestor? If Sasuke meets him, would he be persuaded to return?" Naruto grows excited, his heart filled with unrealistic fantasies.
He doesn't know that the aged Madara is the mastermind behind Obito and Nagato. He just assumes an Uchiha ancestor would earn Sasuke's respect…
"It's not that simple. You don't understand. Village records show Madara betrayed Konoha and fought the First Hokage. His stance might not align with Konoha's."
"Who knows—if revived with Edo Tensei, he might endanger the village…" Kakashi says rationally, having considered this from the start, avoiding a hasty agreement.
Naruto deflates, thinking he'd found a shortcut to bring Sasuke back. "Huh? That kind of conflict? Then we need to be more careful."
"So what do we do? Should I go to Amegakure and talk to Nagato again?" Naruto suggests, confident in his Kizaru-like speed. Even if talks fail, he's sure he can escape Akatsuki's encirclement.
Faster than the Fourth Raikage, if Naruto intends to flee, no one in the ninja world can stop him.
"No way! Absolutely not!" Kakashi snaps.
"Why? Nagato revived the entire village. He's not a bad guy—just took the wrong path…"
"It's different now. We don't know who's controlling Nagato and the others. If they force Nagato to attack you? If something happens to you in Amegakure, Konoha will be in real danger…"
"Alright, fine," Naruto accepts Kakashi's judgment, abandoning his plan to act alone. He's no longer the impulsive kid or fool he once was.
Though occasionally silly, Naruto's far more mature in major matters now, growth forged through countless battles and sacrifices.
It's etched deep in his heart.
"What's next, then?" he asks.
"Halt village reconstruction," Kakashi says.
"Huh?"
"First, evacuate all women, children, and elderly. We need a seed to survive. If Akatsuki's next attack comes and we can't hold it, no matter how well we rebuild now, it's pointless."
Kakashi frowns, recalling the devastating power of Shinra Tensei, C0's explosion, and the Juubi' Bijuudama…
Forget destroying Konoha—they could reduce it to ash.
Against such a threat, numbers are useless. Better to evacuate the populace now to avoid a sudden attack causing massive casualties…
"Right! I get it! We can't let Uncle Teuchi get hurt again! I'll do my best to help with the evacuation!" Naruto nods vigorously, patting his chest.
"Sigh—" Kakashi sighs. Naruto's not wrong—Ichiraku Ramen is a unique Konoha treasure. He then directs the others to resume recovery efforts.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In the following week, Konoha mobilizes fully, halting smooth reconstruction work to begin a massive evacuation.
Over ninety percent of the village's residents and ninja families are moved early to Tanzaku Castle, southwest of the Land of Fire, home to the famous Tanzaku flower district. A bustling major city, it can accommodate Konoha's many refugees short-term.
Now, Konoha holds just over a thousand combat-ready ninjas.
Most genin are evacuated, leaving only chunin and above, prepared to fight to the death.
Time creeps closer to the half-month deadline set by Edo Nagato.