Shisui and Itachi had been completely accepted into the team.
After completing the assigned work for the day, Kakashi brought both of them into the office. His posture was relaxed, but his tone carried the usual calm authority.
"This," Kakashi explained, gesturing to the large office filled with scrolls, mission reports, and training logs, "is where you'll be making training plans and handling your work from now on. You two can settle in here. Once you're familiar with everything, I'll step away."
Shisui and Itachi nodded respectfully.
Kakashi then called over one of the administrative ninja in charge of the office to familiarize Shisui and Itachi with the files of the current Genin squads.
Because Shiranui Genma had been following Kakashi closely during this period, the two quickly began chatting. Having both served under the Fourth Hokage, they shared plenty of memories of Minato, often recalling missions and anecdotes with a quiet fondness.
After a while, Genma pulled Kakashi aside. His usual casual grin was replaced with genuine curiosity. "Captain, why did you suddenly quit? What exactly did Tsunade-sama say to you?"
Kakashi checked his surroundings carefully. He looked behind him, scanned the office, and then leaned closer to Genma, lowering his voice.
"I'll tell you," Kakashi said seriously. "But you can't tell anyone else. The announcement hasn't been made public yet."
Genma's ever-present senbon needle wobbled slightly in his mouth as his expression tightened. "How do you mean?"
Kakashi took a deep breath before answering. "I might be the next Hokage."
Genma's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "What? Are you serious?"
Kakashi gave a small nod. "Tsunade-sama told me herself. The Fire Daimyō's appointment letter has already been issued, and I've accepted."
Genma's initial shock quickly turned into excitement. "Then it's settled! There's no 'might' about it—you're definitely the next Hokage!"
Kakashi chuckled softly, his visible eye narrowing with amusement.
"Congratulations, Kakashi," Genma said earnestly. "No wonder you stepped down as captain—it wasn't quitting, it was promotion."
Genma then sighed dramatically. "Though that means my vice-captain's position here has already been replaced by Itachi. I guess I can finally take a break after all this time." He turned as if to leave.
Kakashi stopped him with a hand on his shoulder, smiling. "Not so fast, Genma. You still have work to do. Your mission is to assist Itachi and Shisui with training. You'll remain as deputy captain until they're settled in. Once they're fully adjusted, then we can talk about your transfer."
"Besides," Kakashi added with a small grin, "once I officially become Hokage, I'll need trustworthy shinobi at my side. When the time comes, I'd like you to help me."
Genma blinked, then pointed to himself in surprise. "Me? Are you sure?"
Kakashi nodded. "Of course. You were once a member of the Hokage Guard under the Fourth. You might say you were Minato-sensei's right hand. Even if you end up being a guard for a so-called 'trash Hokage' like me, I hope you won't mind."
At that, Genma burst out laughing. "Hah! Trash, you say? Kakashi, don't sell yourself short. You're the Copy Ninja, feared across nations, and you've trained legends like Naruto and Sasuke. Honestly, if I were Tsunade-sama, I'd have chosen you too."
Kakashi extended his hand. "Then it's settled. After I'm appointed, you and the others will join me as my guards."
Genma bit down on his senbon with a grin, shaking Kakashi's hand firmly. "Deal. I'll make the call for the others—we'll stand by you."
Being part of the Hokage's direct guard unit was not only an honor but also a return to influence within the village. Genma was more than willing.
With that business resolved, Kakashi felt some of the weight on his shoulders lighten. Things were falling into place. He turned back toward the room, his eye lingering on Itachi, who was quietly reading through a mission scroll. Kakashi's heart clenched with a pang of memory.
...Sasuke. Where are you now?
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha compound, inside the great hall where clan meetings were once held, the atmosphere was heavy.
At the head sat Fugaku and Mikoto. Before them were the revived members of the Uchiha clan—those who had perished during the massacre but were now returned, albeit some without their Sharingan awakened.
Fugaku's gaze swept over the gathered clan members. His voice carried authority but also humility.
"I believe everyone has already seen, through Naruto's reality projection, the events that unfolded in the village after our deaths. Many years have passed since then."
He paused, then continued with visible regret.
"First, I must review my own failings. As clan head, I misjudged the situation back then. More importantly, I mistook the words inscribed on the Stone Tablet as the will of the Sage of Six Paths."
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "But in truth, our ancestor Madara also failed to see that it was all the manipulation of Black Zetsu."
Murmurs rippled through the clan hall.
Fugaku pressed on. "I know many of you hate my son, Itachi. He slaughtered our clan, preventing the possibility of a coup. For that… as clan head, I must apologize."
With that, Fugaku dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the floor. Mikoto followed without hesitation, her forehead pressed against the tatami as well.
The hall fell silent.
After several moments, Fugaku raised his head again, his expression resolute. "Even if we had launched the coup, we could never have succeeded. Without Shisui's Kotoamatsukami and Itachi's cooperation, our rebellion was doomed. At most, we might have captured the Third Hokage. But what then?"
His eyes hardened. "Danzo."
A collective murmur passed through the crowd.
"You all know him," Fugaku continued. "He commanded Root, the darkest shadow of Konoha. Danzo coveted the Hokage's seat for years. If we had killed Hiruzen, he would have rallied the other clans against us, used Root to strike from the shadows, and ensured our extermination. Konoha would have been thrown into chaos, inviting enemy villages to invade."
Several of the Uchiha elite, who had once planned the coup with him, nodded reluctantly. They knew he spoke the truth. Yes, the Uchiha had strength, and their Sharingan made assassination missions possible. Killing the Hokage was within their reach. But defeating the combined might of the entire village? Impossible. The result would still have been annihilation.
Fugaku's voice softened. "We have lived once already. Take this lesson to heart. For now, our clan must focus on survival—on living well."
"Live well?!" a sharp voice interrupted.
A young man who hadn't awakened his Sharingan rose to his feet. His eyes were clear but filled with bitterness.
"Chief, look at me. What difference is there between me and a living corpse? I don't even understand why I was resurrected!"
He clenched his fists, his voice trembling with anger. "I never cared about coups or Sharingan. All I wanted was to marry the girl I loved and raise a family. Instead, I died! It's been years—she's probably married with children by now!"
His voice cracked as he grabbed his chest. "Because of your ambitions, because of this cursed clan, I lost everything. My life, my happiness. Tell me—what did I ever do wrong to deserve this fate?"
His words hung in the air like poison.
Some Uchiha lowered their heads in guilt. Others stood in outrage.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"It's because of weaklings like you that the Uchiha fell so low!"
"That's right! Our coup was for the clan's future! You should have been proud to sacrifice!"
"Exactly!"
The hall erupted into shouts.
At that moment, the door slid open with a heavy thud.
Everyone turned.
Sasuke Uchiha entered, his expression unreadable, his presence commanding the room into silence.
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