-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// geriatrictranslations.com/
Special Permission was given to upload the novel on WebNovel.
Geriatric Translations can be supported on patreon (https://www. patreon.com/geriatricvibes) where additional chapters can be enjoyed.
You can also join the Geriatric Translations Community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------
Konoha Police Force.
"Yoru, if Kakashi continues like this in Anbu, it's too dangerous. Let's go and request the Third Hokage. Now that Kakashi's Anbu position has been revoked, even going on missions outside would be dangerous due to his mental trauma. So, I'm counting on you, Yoru!"
In the office, Maito Gai was kneeling respectfully, performing a formal bow to plead his case.
"Yoru! At this point, only the patrol and prison guard duties in the police force can allow Kakashi to recuperate properly."
Seeing Maito Gai put aside his dignity and personally come to the police force to plead with him, Uchiha Yoru sighed, moved by their relationship: "Gai, I understand your concern. After all, Kakashi is my classmate too. But I'm afraid Kakashi won't accept it."
"Yoru, don't worry. I'll bring Kakashi here."
At that moment, Maito Gai raised his head, his eyes filled with determination. Kakashi's current state was too dangerous; it was easy for something to go wrong. Being a ninja was a high-risk profession, and if one's skills were inferior, it was understandable. But if it was due to mental trauma, they couldn't just ignore it.
While Uchiha Yoru appeared concerned about Kakashi, he was inwardly deep in thought. His words to Gai were just a casual probe, originally intending to communicate more with Kakashi in the future. After all, this was the darkest period of Kakashi's life, and it was his only chance.
Once Kakashi's mental state became as solid as a rock, it would be too late to turn him. No! It would be too late to guide him.
Kakashi's Anbu position was revoked? Maito Gai came with a determined and resolute look to make the request.
Something seemed off. Watching Maito Gai leave, Uchiha Yoru furrowed his brow, a headache forming.
"Is the police force really becoming a nest of spies? Anyone who wants to can just send a spy here."
If he hadn't known the original plot, he might have been deceived. He would have believed that Maito Gai, Asuma Sarutobi, and others had jointly requested the Third Hokage to revoke Kakashi's Anbu position.
Then, in Maito Gai's passionate spirit, he would come to the police force to plead with his old classmate, making the whole thing seem reasonable and logical.
As a classmate, discovering Kakashi's mental trauma, it was natural to try to guide him and find a solution. They would go to the Third Hokage, who would be shocked to learn about it and immediately revoke Kakashi's Anbu position, ordering him to rest at home.
Finally, as a close friend, Maito Gai, deeply concerned about Kakashi's condition, would conclude that the police force was the most suitable job, being both easy and low-risk, allowing Kakashi time to recover from his mental trauma.
Konoha, Memorial Stone.
Under the setting sun, Kakashi stood before the Memorial Stone, his gaze somewhat hollow, lost in memories. The surrounding lawn was filled with neatly aligned tombstones, where all the heroes who had bravely fought for Konoha were buried. The names of all these heroes were engraved on the Memorial Stone.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed, and Kakashi instinctively snapped out of his reverie, one eye fixed on the approaching figure.
The person approaching had a bandaged head, just like Kakashi, revealing only one eye. He was dressed in a deep green, loose-fitting outfit and was walking slowly toward the Memorial Stone.
"Are you Hatake Kakashi?"
The man spoke calmly, though he didn't recognize Kakashi, Kakashi, with his years of experience in Anbu, knew exactly who he was.
"Danzo Shimura!" Kakashi respectfully addressed him, knowing that the man before him was the leader of Root, the most mysterious and secretive of the six departments of Konoha, second only to the Hokage.
Danzo, with a bandaged forehead and one visible eye, looked at Kakashi calmly and said, "Kakashi, I heard you've been relieved of your Anbu duties. Would you like to work under me?"
Kakashi was taken aback. He had indeed been relieved of his Anbu duties, but this was common knowledge. Go to Root?
"The Fourth Hokage, who sent you to Anbu, is no longer in this world. You have been reinstated as a direct subordinate of the Third Hokage. And the peace-loving Third Hokage is the one who prolonged the war, leading to the deaths of Uchiha Obito and Rin Nohara."
Danzo spoke calmly, as if discussing a mundane matter. Kakashi, however, was no longer indifferent; his expression grew serious upon hearing these words. (This is the dialogue from the original anime where Danzo tries to recruit Kakashi.)
Danzo continued calmly, "Moreover, on the night the Nine-Tails attacked, due to the Third Hokage's orders, you were not allowed to join the battle against the Nine-Tails. Wasn't it because of this that the Fourth Hokage lost his life?"
He first mentioned the major mistake Hiruzen Sarutobi made during the Third Great Shinobi War, which led to Konoha's prolonged involvement in the war. The Third Hokage's resignation was also due to this incident.
Then, he brought up the death of Kakashi's teacher, Minato Namikaze, directly implicating the Third Hokage's orders that night, which prevented the younger generation from participating in the battle.
Danzo might not have Hiruzen Sarutobi's skill in manipulating people, but he had his own unique methods.
Kakashi's expression showed a flicker of emotion, which Danzo noticed. The eye hidden behind the bandage narrowed, a sinister smile forming, while the other eye remained calm and indifferent.
"I don't want to believe that this was his plan to regain the position of Hokage, but Konoha's future cannot be entrusted to someone like him."
With these words, Danzo slowly walked to the Memorial Stone, placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, and then turned to leave without looking back. A cold smile appeared on his face as he turned away.
"Ape, Ape, a genius like Kakashi is the sharpest blade. You chose to keep him sheathed. A blade is meant to intimidate enemies when it is drawn, not hidden away in a scabbard at home."
At fifteen, Hatake Kakashi had experienced much, but his thoughts were not yet as resolute as they would become later. Under Danzo's veiled suggestions, Kakashi's eyes filled with complex emotions.
The Nine-Tails attack! Was it a plan by the Third Hokage to regain his position?
Danzo was indeed a master at stirring up the darkness in people's hearts. Though he didn't say it definitively, his words plunged Kakashi into a dark struggle.
At the Memorial Stone, Kakashi's eyes became even more confused. The Third Hokage had indeed ordered them not to participate in the battle against the Nine-Tails, but at that time, he had already stepped down. Shouldn't the Fourth Hokage have been in charge? Why did the Third Hokage issue such an order?
And that night, why did his teacher, the Fourth Hokage, and his teacher's wife die? Why did his teacher's child become a Jinchuriki, and why did Jinchuriki suffer such a fate?
These scenes kept flashing through Kakashi's mind. The kind smile of the Third Hokage, which he had always respected, now seemed cold and sinister, causing Kakashi to break out in a cold sweat, his eyes filled with fear.
Please support me. I need your help to boost my weekly views and recommendations on Mondays and Tuesdays.
(End of Chapter)