‘Root’ organization headquarters.
Danzo had just returned from the Hokage headquarters when he received a document from the Third Hokage revoking his status as an elder advisor.
He picked up the document and glanced at it, then threw it to the ground in anger.
Suddenly, his right eye began to throb.
“Ugh… ah…”
Danzo clutched his right eye and cried out, “Someone!”
Root’s medical personnel quickly stepped forward to examine Danzo.
After a flurry of activity, they injected Danzo with two medications.
The pain in Danzo’s right eye lessened, becoming faint.
“What’s going on? Why is my Sharingan hurting?”
The medical personnel looked serious:
“My lord, the transplanted Sharingan is deteriorating. It’s estimated that its power will disappear and become useless in a week.”
“Why is this one deteriorating so quickly?”
Danzo had seen Sharingan deteriorate before, but each one had lasted for years.
This one, however, had started to decay as soon as it was transplanted.
“My lord! Each Sharingan has different qualities. Some are highly adaptable and very stable;
others, like this one, deteriorate especially quickly within a non-Uchiha body.”
“Oh?”
Danzo hadn’t expected his remaining Sharingan to have such poor constitution.
The Uchiha clan was heavily guarded, making it impossible to approach. Where could he find another Sharingan?
Danzo’s mind raced: “How is the constitution of Kakashi’s Sharingan?”
The medical personnel were stunned. Sensing Danzo’s icy gaze, they quickly replied:
“Kakashi’s Sharingan was implanted years ago, its adaptability is strong, and it’s very stable.”
Danzo snorted, “Call Gai over.”
.
In the Hokage’s office.
The Third Hokage summoned Kakashi.
“How is Naruto doing lately?”
Kakashi still had a lazy demeanor, but when Naruto’s name was mentioned, his expression slightly changed.
“Naruto is doing well recently. He hangs out with Sasuke, Hinata, Neji, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba often.
No one bullies him at school.”
Hearing Kakashi’s answer, the Third Hokage nodded.
“Have you gotten to know Naruto?”
“I used my visits to Ichiraku Ramen to become familiar with Naruto. We talk for a while whenever we meet now.”
Kakashi’s mental state was still not good. He seemed somewhat depressed and numb.
But he always cared deeply for Naruto.
The Third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette. Ever since Kawasaki Uchiha appeared, the entire Uchiha clan had undergone a complete transformation.
However, the Hokage lineage was somewhat lacking in talent. His unpromising son was full of rebellion and wouldn’t listen.
Currently, the only one with any potential was this Hatake Kakashi in front of him.
The Third Hokage planned to nurture Kakashi well, so he could grow up quickly and eventually help him share some of the burden.
If only…
The Third Hokage sighed inwardly.
Then he said to Kakashi, “Orochimaru has been on the run for a while, but he left several research bases in Konohagakure.”
“Anbu discovered one of Orochimaru’s research sites yesterday. Go investigate and see if there are any new findings.”
“Yes!”
…
Outside Konohagakure Ninja Academy.
Sasuke walked in front with his hands in his pockets, Sakura followed behind, and Naruto and Hinata trailed after her.
Naruto walked with his hands covering his head, following Sakura.
Naruto in this world was both physically and mentally stronger, and he no longer had those feelings for Sakura. They were simply ordinary companions.
Hinata, who was behind Naruto, was closer to him than before.
“Sasuke, you’re first again. You’re amazing.”
Sakura said admiringly to Sasuke.
Sasuke hated this type of girl. They clung to him like mosquitoes every day.
No matter which way he went, there were always girls following him. It was a chaotic mess at first.
Later, they must have discussed it or something, because they took different paths, and different girls followed him on each route.
Sasuke remained coldly silent. He turned his head and saw Naruto with his hands covering his head:
“Hey! Naruto, if you don’t step up your game, you’ll be at the bottom of the class.”
Naruto lowered his hands: “Sasuke, you’re being conceited. It was a fluke this time. Next time, I’ll definitely score higher than you.”
Sasuke arrogantly snorted, “That’s impossible. Uchiha are the best.”
“Naruto, don’t brag. You can’t even beat Choji, how could you possibly surpass Sasuke?”
Hinata stood behind Naruto and whispered, “I believe in Naruto. He’ll definitely do well next time.”
Naruto laughed happily, “See, Sakura? Someone believes in me.”
He gave Hinata a thumbs-up: “Hinata has the best taste.”
Hinata’s face visibly flushed.
“Huh? Hinata, what’s wrong? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?”
Naruto, being his usual carefree self, approached Hinata and even reached out to touch her forehead.
Naruto was too close. What should she do, what should she do?
Hinata trembled nervously, on the verge of fainting.
“Stupid Naruto!”
Sakura pulled Naruto away and stood beside Hinata.
If Naruto’s hand actually touched her, Hinata would really faint. This wasn’t the first time.
“Hey, I’m not stupid!”
Naruto said with a dissatisfied tone.
The group quickly became a whirlwind of laughter and banter.
What a youthful scene, Kawasaki thought from his perch in the tree. However, he saw Kakashi entering his field of vision.
“Yo, Naruto. You’re here.”
Kakashi was fully equipped, ready for a mission.
He had to come over and say hello to make his presence known. What a desperate move.
“Kakashi-san, are you going on a mission?”
Naruto waved excitedly. He didn’t have many friends, and Kakashi had taken the initiative to befriend him.
Therefore, he thought Kakashi was a good person.
“Yeah, I have something to do, gotta run. I’ll treat you to ramen another time, okay?”
Then Kakashi hurried away.
“That person, it seems like Kakashi.”
Sakura said in surprise.
“Naruto, how do you know him?”
Sakura found it unbelievable.
“Huh?”
Naruto looked confused.
“You mean Kakashi-san?”
Naruto asked questioningly:
“I met him at Ichiraku Ramen. We bumped into each other a few times and became acquainted. He even said he wanted to be friends with me.”
“Do you know what Kakashi means?”
Sakura tugged at Naruto’s shirt, swinging back and forth.
“No, I don’t know.”
Seeing Naruto’s innocent expression,
Sakura said, looking toward the direction Kakashi left, “That’s Hatake Kakashi. A super genius, Kakashi-senpai graduated from the Ninja Academy at the age of five.”
Huh?! Sasuke’s eyes were immediately drawn to this information.
They were just starting school at this age, while someone else had already graduated.
“Huh?!”
Naruto was startled!
“Kakashi-san is that amazing?!”
“He never mentioned it!”
Naruto was equally surprised.
Sakura rolled her eyes, too lazy to deal with him.
…
Kakashi continued forward, soon arriving at a secluded location in Konohagakure Forest.
There was a hidden burrow here that was hard to detect.