Chapter 69 Hiruzen Sarutobi's Night Visit to Kakashi With the help of Konoha's top civil engineer, Uchiha Touhuan's Nakagawa Grand Hotel project was quickly and perfectly completed.
Yamato was indeed exceptionally talented in this area; the building, constructed using Wood Release techniques, perfectly met Uchiha Touhuan's requirements.
After the inspection, Uchiha Touhuan immediately gave Yamato a large red envelope.
Yamato hesitated at first; it was clear that both the overwhelming ninjutsu he had previously witnessed and the beatings he had suffered in the security headquarters had left him with considerable trauma.
"It's from Clan Chief Touhuan, so just accept it," Kakashi said. "Clan Chief Touhuan doesn't have the habit of making people work for free."
"Thank you," Yamato accepted the red envelope.
"What are you thanking me for? It's all for the village!" Uchiha Touhuan smiled, patted Yamato on the shoulder, and then said.
...
When Kakashi returned home, the first thing he noticed upon entering was a pair of shoes in the entryway. He called out, "Naruto, are we having guests?"
Soon after, Naruto's little head popped out from the living room: "Kakashi-nii, the Third Hokage is here!"
The Third Hokage? Kakashi frowned slightly upon hearing this, but quickly regained his composure.
Kakashi changed his shoes and went inside. As soon as he entered the living room, he saw Naruto and the Third Hokage, dressed casually, each with a cup of instant noodles. A kettle of freshly boiled water sat on the table.
"Naruto, you serve the Third Hokage this while I'm not home?" Kakashi sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"These are my treasured limited editions, they're very expensive!" Naruto protested. He wouldn't have taken out his treasured limited edition ramen if the Third Hokage hadn't come to visit.
"Kakashi, if Naruto likes it, it's fine. This old man needs to try things young people like sometimes."
Since the Third Hokage himself had said so, Kakashi didn't say anything more. Naruto then made him a bowl of ramen.
The three of them slurped their noodles in the awkward atmosphere, and soon Naruto finished first.
"I'm full," Naruto said energetically, putting down his chopsticks.
"Naruto, go take a shower and rest after you're done eating. I have something to discuss with the Third Hokage."
"Huh? But it's still early," Naruto asked, somewhat puzzled.
"You have school tomorrow," Kakashi said.
"Naruto, listen to me, go to sleep," the Third Hokage added.
"Okay," Naruto stood up dejectedly, but a sly glint flashed across his face as he turned away.
Naruto walked out of the living room, closed the door, and immediately pressed his ear against the doorframe, intending to eavesdrop.
But his little tricks couldn't fool these two. Kakashi turned around and used a simple hypnotic genjutsu, and Naruto fell to the ground and fell fast asleep.
Kakashi got up and escorted Naruto back to his room before sitting down again in front of the Third Hokage. He asked, "Hokage-sama, is there something you need for your late-night visit?"
"Kakashi, you've been retired from the Anbu for a while now, are you settling in?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile.
"It's alright. I haven't been able to leave the house anyway, so I've just had a good rest," Kakashi replied.
Kakashi's words caused Hiruzen Sarutobi to fall silent. After a long while, he took out his pipe, intending to light a pouch, but only realized he was in someone else's house when he was filling it with tobacco.
"Third Hokage, please make yourself at home," Kakashi said considerately.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mince words. He filled his pipe with tobacco, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly said, "Kakashi, what happened before was due to my negligence as Hokage. If I had noticed earlier and intervened immediately, things wouldn't have escalated to this point."
"The Third Hokage is usually very busy and naturally wouldn't notice such trivial matters," Kakashi said nonchalantly. "Anyway, it was resolved in the end, wasn't it?"
Kakashi's words caused Hiruzen to fall into a brief silence. He knew that Kakashi still harbored resentment towards him in this matter.
"Yes, I'm getting old, and handling official duties is becoming increasingly difficult," Hiruzen sighed. "
The Third Hokage is in his prime; a few official duties are nothing," Kakashi subtly deflected the question.
"Hey," Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, "You can't deny getting old, Kakashi. Don't you think the village should elect a Fifth Hokage?"
Hiruzen's question caused Kakashi to fall silent. After a while, Kakashi finally spoke, "Third Hokage, please don't say that. The village still needs your leadership for the time being." "
Kakashi, I plan to recommend you to the Daimyo to succeed the Fifth Hokage." Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his gaze fixed intently on Kakashi.
Kakashi's act of taking Naruto to the Uchiha clan banquet today had almost given him a heart attack. Hiruzen knew he had to do something. Not to mention bringing Kakashi back to his side, he had to break up Kakashi's alliance with Uchiha Touhuan first.
Upon hearing this, Kakashi immediately rose in alarm, knelt on one knee, and said, "Third Hokage, please don't joke around."
"Eh, Kakashi, don't underestimate yourself. From any perspective, you are the best candidate for Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Third Hokage, I know my own limitations. My strength is insufficient for the position of Kage of a village. Please reconsider," Kakashi said, his head bowed, but where Hiruzen couldn't see, his expression was utterly cold.
Fifth Hokage? Kakashi knew his own strength clearly. After years of slacking off, his abilities were far from meeting the standards of a Kage, let alone the Hokage of the Five Great Hidden Villages. Without the strength to command respect, even if he were put in the position, he would merely be a puppet.
"Kakashi, I've thought carefully about your strength," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "When your father was your age, his strength, relying on your family's swordsmanship, was already on par with the Five Great Nations. I think if you pick up the Hatake family's swordsmanship again, your strength will definitely improve in a short time. Your father even said back then that your talent surpassed his."
"Hokage-sama, White Fang is broken." Kakashi glanced discreetly in the direction of the family shrine. The once-renowned chakra short sword had been enshrined there since it shattered during the battle at Kannabi Bridge.
"The village can fund the reforging of White Fang," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, looking at Kakashi.
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(End of Chapter)