These days, Kakashi seemed distracted, lost in his thoughts.
Even when Kiyosuke and the others invited him to a dinner gathering, he was preoccupied and seemed to be thinking about something.
After the meal, as they walked on the road together, Kakashi suddenly asked, "Kiyosuke, do you think Minato - sensei's death was because of the Third Hokage?"
"Hmm? What's going on? Did Danzo talk to you?"
"How did you know?"
"Do you suspect that Minato - sensei's death was a scheme of the Third Hokage to regain the position of Hokage?" Kiyosuke stroked his chin and asked.
"Yes. Lord Danzo said it was a scheme of the Third Hokage. I know it's hard to believe, but..."
"But the more you think about it, the more you believe it because the younger generation wasn't allowed to intervene?"
"Yes," Kakashi nodded.
"But think about it. Among the younger generation, except for me, anyone else would just be sending themselves to death against the Nine - Tails," Kiyosuke looked at him, puzzled. "You're usually quite smart. Why are you so easily swayed by Danzo's words?"
"I just..."
He couldn't let go of his teacher's death...
Kiyosuke saw through him and said, "Danzo is not a good person. Don't be deceived by him."
"I understand. I've been a bit tired these days," Kakashi shook his head. "It seems I need a vacation."
"You should have taken a vacation long ago. Look at me, I don't even go to the Anbu anymore." Although he had joined the Anbu, in fact, except for the mission of protecting Kushina, he hadn't participated in any other missions. He was just a name - only member of the Anbu!
Kakashi gave him a dead - fish - eye look and said, "You still have the nerve to say that. Since the establishment of the Anbu, there has never been someone like you, taking the salary but doing nothing."
"Hahaha, I'll go to the Third Hokage in a few days to resign from this position."
Although the salary of the Anbu was not bad, it didn't matter much to him. Now, he was not short of money at all!
"By the way, do you know who else can use Mokuton besides the First Hokage?" As Orochimaru's disciple, Kiyosuke should know something that he didn't.
Hmmm? Did he meet Yamato?
Kiyosuke said, "Well, the First Hokage's Mokuton is unique in the ninja world. No one can learn it. It's his exclusive secret technique. Konoha has done some shady experiments to control this power. What, did you meet one of the previous experimental subjects?"
"I'm not sure, but when I went to the Root organization, I encountered a boy who could use Mokuton."
"Oh? It seems that Danzo wants to obtain the power to control the tailed beasts."
Not only the Mokuton secret technique but also the Sharingan. Danzo had big plans.
"How old is he?"
"About ten years old."
Kiyosuke was silent for a while. Yamato, that is, the current Root member named Kabuto who could use the Mokuton secret technique, was an experimental product of Orochimaru. It was thought to be a failure, but Danzo got a bargain. Orochimaru really lost out!
Come to think of it, recently, some genin and chunin in the village had started to disappear one after another, with the number reaching more than sixty. Danzo and Orochimaru had abducted these people for their experiments. It seemed that the time for Orochimaru to defect from the village was not far off.
"Don't rush this matter. Don't say anything for now. By the way, what did you go to Danzo for?"
Kakashi was silent for a moment. After making sure no one was around, he said, "I told Danzo the Third Hokage's schedule."
"..."
Good grief, you're basically setting Danzo up to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi!
No, forget it. Anyway, it wouldn't succeed.
"You... Well, do as you think is right."
"Aren't you afraid that Danzo will succeed in the assassination?" Kakashi asked.
Kiyosuke looked at him and said, "Kakashi, the reason the Third Hokage became the Hokage is not just because of his good temper."
The Third Hokage was not an incompetent person.
"I understand," Kakashi realized. He said goodbye to Kiyosuke, and what he would do next was unknown.
Kiyosuke didn't go home but went to Orochimaru's experimental base.
Anko had gone home to sleep. Kiyosuke pushed the door open. Orochimaru, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, was conducting an experiment.
Under the shadowless lamp, he was carefully dissecting the newly - obtained experimental material.
"Oh, if it isn't my dear disciple. What brings you here?" Orochimaru said without looking back, in his magnetic voice.
"I always have to come and see what kind of tricks my teacher is up to. Teacher, the missing people in the village are because of you, right?"
Orochimaru said, "They are excellent experimental materials."
"By the way, teacher, allying with Danzo is like making a deal with the devil. If something goes wrong, he'll abandon you without hesitation."
"I know. I know exactly what that man is thinking. Kiyosuke, the question remains. Are you willing to leave with me?"
"I refuse. I'm a ninja of Konoha. Teacher, it's not that time yet, is it?" Kiyosuke sat down. "It's not impossible for you to shift the blame onto Danzo and then leave."
"Yes, but there's no need."
Orochimaru shook his head. "There are too many limitations in the village. Sooner or later, I'll leave on my own initiative."
For him, the village had started to become an obstacle on his path to pursuing the truth. When his experiments were completed, he would leave Konoha.
"I see. Teacher, I still hope you can stay in Konoha as one of the Sannin."
"Kiyosuke - kun, your vision is too narrow. With your special physique, you shouldn't focus only on one village but on the whole world. You can pursue even greater power," Orochimaru's snake - like eyes glowed with a strong light, and his voice was full of temptation.
Kiyosuke asked, "Teacher, my vision is short - sighted. I can't see the world you see. I don't want to pursue the so - called truth either. Immortality will consume everything I have. I hope to live as a human and die as a human. When I die, I hope my family can be by my side. That's all."
"Is this the life you aspire to?" Orochimaru chuckled. "Then, I understand, Kiyosuke - kun. Don't come here again. Keep your distance from me. It's better for you this way."
"I understand, teacher. I wish you success."
Kiyosuke's face was expressionless.
Orochimaru chose to cut off contact with him.
He knew that if his deeds were exposed one day, it would bring trouble to Kiyosuke. So, he wanted to minimize that trouble.
Kiyosuke walked out of Orochimaru's laboratory, bidding farewell to the master who had taken care of him for many years.
Orochimaru would definitely defect. Even if he didn't, he would leave Konoha on his own.
His vision was no longer focused on one village or one country but on the truth.
To pursue the truth, he was willing to pay any price!
Even himself!