Inside Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
Naruto Uzumaki and Akihara Kagura were slurping down their ramen.
Akihara Kagura finished a bowl of ramen and even called for another bowl from Teuchi, as if he hadn't just told Kakashi Hatake anything.
"Teuchi, another bowl, please."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Kakashi Hatake, who was sitting idly, and showed concern for his superior: "Captain Kakashi, after fighting for so long, aren't you hungry?"
"…"
Kakashi Hatake couldn't eat.
Kakashi Hatake felt restless.
Akihara Kagura, that brat, mentioned Uchiha Obito as the culprit behind the Nine-Tails incident, making Kakashi Hatake regret letting Obito go so rashly; he should have asked him about it first.
"Naruto, hurry up and eat!"
Akihara Kagura urged Naruto Uzumaki, saying, "After eating, we still need to see the Third Generation and tell him about tonight's events early, so as not to disturb the old man's rest..."
"Mmm-mmm-mmm..."
Naruto Uzumaki nodded repeatedly.
"...You don't need to rush."
Kakashi Hatake softly reassured the two.
Right now, Kakashi Hatake hadn't figured out how to report tonight's incident to the Third Hokage. Plus, if the Third Hokage learned about what happened tonight, would the old man still be able to sleep?!
"Well..."
Teuchi looked at the ravenous Akihara Kagura and Naruto Uzumaki, then at the troubled Kakashi Hatake: "Did something happen?"
"It's nothing..."
Kakashi Hatake shook his head, reluctant to elaborate.
"We found the culprit behind the Nine-Tails incident!"
Akihara Kagura casually announced their achievement of the night.
"What!"
Teuchi made an effort to widen his eyes to show his shock!
Ayame, standing beside Teuchi, couldn't help but come over, looking at them in surprise: "Did you catch that person?"
"No."
Akihara Kagura shook his head and threw the blame onto Kakashi: "But the culprit seemed to be Captain Kakashi's former companion, so he let him go..."
"…"
Teuchi was even more shocked!
Ayame's mouth dropped open in surprise!
"Akihara Kagura..."
Kakashi Hatake's forehead twitched involuntarily.
This guy should not have made it sound so simple when speaking!
Clearly, it was to protect Naruto, yet from this kid's mouth, it sounded like he was abusing his authority!
"Akihara Kagura."
Kakashi Hatake approached Akihara Kagura, giving a low warning: "Don't speak half-truths! And don't disclose Anbu's information freely!"
Kakashi Hatake looked at the still shocked and curious Teuchi and Ayame, then explained: "The truth of the matter is still unclear, and it's not as you imagine..."
"...Oh."
Teuchi slowly nodded.
Over the years, Teuchi had almost watched Kakashi Hatake grow up; he believed in Kakashi Hatake's character, so he asked no more questions.
However, Kakashi Hatake could hide it from the villagers, but not from the Third Hokage because he couldn't stop Akihara Kagura from reporting it up the chain.
The Third Hokage's residence.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had long since woken up.
Because the area where Kakashi Hatake, Akihara Kagura, and Uchiha Obito fought was chaotic, someone had already reported the matter to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Most concerning was the trace of leaked Nine-Tailed Chakra.
When Kakashi Hatake, Naruto Uzumaki, and Akihara Kagura arrived, a group of Anbu was already guarding Sarutobi Hiruzen's doorstep.
Sarutobi Hiruzen checked the Nine-Tails Seal on Naruto Uzumaki under the guise of a physical check, confirming that there were no issues with it, then ordered the Anbu ninja to escort the little one back home.
Next...
Was to inquire about the night's events.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's demeanor was calm, as if no major event could shock him: "Did something happen? Did enemies infiltrate the village tonight, attempting to abduct little Naruto?"
"No..."
Kakashi Hatake slowly shook his head and reported, adhering to formality: "The village traitorous ninja Uchiha Obito stealthily infiltrated the village tonight, attempting to kill Naruto Uzumaki, but luckily, was detected by Anbu Akihara Kagura, who then protected Naruto's safety..."
"Uchiha Obito..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen mused, picking up his pipe.
Just as the old man struck a match, his hand froze, eyes widening involuntarily: "Uchiha Obito! I remember that child during the Shinobi Bridge battle..."
"Obito didn't die."
Kakashi Hatake shook his head, solemnly explaining: "I personally buried his body. I don't know why, but Obito resurrected, and his Sharingan wields a mysterious dojutsu, capable of evading any attack. He even possesses the Wood Release Bloodline..."
"There's another matter..."
"When Naruto saw Obito, the Nine-Tailed Chakra suddenly leaked out..."
"Also, Anbu Akihara Kagura claims that Obito admitted to causing the Nine-Tails incident six years ago..."
"This claim is yet to be verified."
After explaining, Kakashi Hatake continued: "Because calculating by age, Obito would have been about thirteen or fourteen at that time..."
This was the most suspicious point.
After all, theoretically speaking, a child of only thirteen or fourteen might not have the capability alone to cause a disaster as tremendous as the Nine-Tails incident, not to mention that back then, the village had figures of the caliber of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, overseeing it.
"Indeed, it's hard to determine the truth of this matter."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, agreeing with Kakashi Hatake, continuing to ask: "Kakashi, you were once Uchiha Obito's companion. Do you know the reason he didn't return to the village after being revived, instead becoming a traitorous ninja?"
"Perhaps..."
"Because of Rin."
Kakashi Hatake slowly lowered his head.
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, comforting his subordinate: "We all came to understand the facts back then about Nohara Rin's incident. That child's choice to sacrifice was to protect the village; you can't be blamed for that, Kakashi..."
"Lord Hokage."
Kakashi Hatake knelt on one knee, making his request: "I want to take the initiative to track down Obito's whereabouts..."
"You may."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, expressing agreement.
Uchiha Obito is a dangerously minded traitorous ninja who planned to assassinate the village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, something that indeed can't be ignored.
In the whole of Konoha, you'll hardly find anyone more suitable than Kakashi Hatake to track Uchiha Obito because they share a bond from the past.
"I'll go too!"
Akihara Kagura stood behind Kakashi Hatake, clenching his fist forcefully: "That guy escaped from my grasp. I must kill him..."
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent momentarily.
The elder contemplated for a while, his voice gradually becoming calmer: "Kakashi, let Kagura be your support, as he is conveniently your subordinate..."
"…"
Kakashi Hatake was somewhat puzzled as he looked up.
Yet Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude gradually became resolute, even offering a lead to investigate Uchiha Obito.
"Uchiha Obito has awakened the Wood Release..."
"In theory, only the First Hokage's cells could awaken the Wood Release. You might want to check the village's Wood Release experiment records..."
"When Orochimaru defected, the Anbu sealed all of Orochimaru's underground labs in the village, along with his illegal experiment records..."
At the conclusion, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze held a hint of a deeper meaning: "Review those records and uncover some clues!"