With the help of the village's top construction guy, Seiryu's Naka House Prison project was quickly completed to perfection.
Yamato was truly gifted—his Wood Release building met every requirement.
After the inspection, Seiryu handed Yamato a fat envelope.
Yamato hesitated at first—his time in the Police Division, and the terrifying jutsu he'd seen, had left him with some trauma.
"Clan Leader Seiryu is giving it to you, just take it," Kakashi said. "He never lets anyone work for free."
"Thank you," Yamato accepted it.
"No need to thank me. We're all serving the village!" Seiryu said with a smile, patting his shoulder.
…
When Kakashi got home, he immediately noticed an extra pair of shoes at the entrance and called out, "Naruto, do we have a guest?"
Soon, Naruto's little head peeked out from the living room, "Big Brother Kakashi, Grandpa Third is here."
The Third?
Kakashi frowned but quickly returned to normal.
He changed his shoes and entered the living room, where he saw Naruto and the casually dressed Third Hokage each eating a cup of instant noodles, with a pot of boiling water on the table.
"Naruto, is this how you treat the Third when I'm out?" Kakashi said, exasperated.
"These are my rare, limited-edition noodles—they're expensive!" Naruto protested. If it weren't for Grandpa Third, he wouldn't have brought them out.
"Naruto likes them, it's fine. This old man has to try what the young people like sometimes," the Third said.
Since the old man said so, Kakashi didn't insist. Naruto made him a cup of ramen, too.
In this weird atmosphere, the three of them slurped noodles. Naruto finished first.
"I'm full!" Naruto put down his chopsticks, full of energy.
"Naruto, go take a bath and rest. I need to talk to the Third," Kakashi said.
"Huh? But it's still early," Naruto protested.
"You have school tomorrow," Kakashi said.
"Naruto, be good and go to sleep," the Third added.
"Fine." Naruto left, but as he turned, there was a sly look on his face.
He put his ear to the door to eavesdrop, but these tricks were nothing to the two adults. Kakashi cast a simple genjutsu, and Naruto fell asleep on the spot.
Kakashi took Naruto to bed, then returned to the Third. "What brings you here so late, Lord Hokage?"
"Kakashi, you've been retired from ANBU for a while now. Are you used to it?" Hiruzen smiled.
"It's fine. I couldn't go out anyway, so I just took a good rest," Kakashi replied.
Hiruzen fell silent for a moment, then took out his pipe, but hesitated to use it in someone else's house.
"Make yourself at home, Lord Third," Kakashi said.
So Hiruzen filled and lit his pipe, taking a deep puff before saying, "Kakashi, the previous matter was my fault as Hokage. If I'd noticed earlier and acted in time, things wouldn't have escalated."
"You're busy, Lord Third. It's natural to miss small things. In the end, it all worked out, didn't it?" Kakashi said indifferently.
Hiruzen was silent again—he knew Kakashi still held a grudge.
"I'm getting old, and handling affairs is harder and harder," Hiruzen sighed.
"Nonsense, Lord Third. You're in your prime—work is nothing," Kakashi replied blandly.
Hiruzen waved his hand, "Can't deny old age. Kakashi, don't you think it's time the village chose a Fifth Hokage?"
That question made Kakashi fall silent for a while, before saying, "Lord Third, don't say that. The village still needs your leadership."
"Kakashi, I'm planning to recommend you to the Daimyo as the Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen said, staring intently.
Seeing Kakashi take Naruto to the Uchiha banquet earlier had nearly given him a heart attack. He knew he needed to do something—not only to bring Kakashi back to his side but to break up his alliance with Seiryu.
Kakashi immediately knelt on one knee, "Lord Third, please don't joke."
"Kakashi, don't sell yourself short. In every aspect, you're the best candidate for Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen said.
"Lord Third, I know my limits. My strength isn't enough to be Hokage. Please reconsider." Kakashi bowed his head, but his face was cold.
Fifth Hokage?
Kakashi knew himself well—after years of slacking off, his skills weren't up to Kage level, especially not for the Konoha's Kage. If he were appointed, he'd just be a puppet.
"I've thought about your strength," Hiruzen said. "When your father was your age, his kenjutsu was already on par with the Kages of the Five Great Nations. If you pick up your family's swordsmanship again, your strength will soar. Your father always said your talent surpassed his."
"Lord Hokage, the White Fang is already broken." Kakashi glanced at the family shrine—the famous chakra short sword had been enshrined there since the Kannabi Bridge battle.
"The village can pay to have White Fang reforged," Hiruzen said.