Lady Tsunade and the two advisors exchanged glances, the anxiety in each other's eyes palpable.
"Kakashi," Mitokado Homura walked to Kakashi's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Our idea is for you to temporarily give up using the Sharingan."
"And instead, learn the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Kakashi paused, stunned, then looked at the Fifth Hokage in shock.
"That's right." Lady Tsunade nodded slightly, affirming Homura's words.
"…Why?" Kakashi asked after a long silence.
"Because you are Minato's student. Because your aptitude is exceptional. Because…" Tsunade rose and looked out the window at the sparse, flickering lights beyond, sighing, "Konoha needs the Flying Thunder God Technique."
The incident with Naruto had made Tsunade and the others understand: if sealed forbidden jutsu continued to be kept under lock and key, they would be no different from toilet paper.
Prolonged internal attrition had caused Konoha to lose too many high-level combatants.
After much deliberation, the few of them decided to temporarily lower the access threshold to the Scroll of Seals.
But alas, the reason forbidden jutsu were called 'forbidden' was never solely because of their terrifying power.
It was because cultivating forbidden jutsu could carry the risk of death.
Take the Flying Thunder God Technique, for example. If there was an issue with the spatial marking, the moment the user activated the technique, they could risk being lost in spacetime at any moment.
The reason they approached Kakashi first was indeed because they genuinely couldn't find anyone more suitable.
One had to remember, before he received the Sharingan, Kakashi had become a Konoha jounin at the mere age of twelve, relying solely on his own abilities.
And this jounin rank was entirely legitimate, earned through assessments and meritorious achievements, without any dilution.
Even she and Jiraiya had only barely been promoted to chunin at the age of twelve.
In this era, twelve years old was merely the age of brats just graduating from the Ninja Academy.
This clearly illustrated just how monstrous Kakashi's aptitude truly was.
And yet, such a monster had stagnated at the jounin level for so many years…
"Kakashi, we all understand what the Sharingan means to you," Utatane Koharu also tried to persuade him. "I believe, if Obito knew all this from the afterlife, he would surely understand."
"He left his eye to you, certainly hoping you could go further, to better protect the village."
"As Minato's student, you should be aware of the chakra consumed by cultivating the Flying Thunder God Technique…"
"Can you give me some time?" Kakashi reached up and covered his left eye, his tone somewhat dejected.
"Kaka…" Koharu hadn't finished speaking before Homura stopped her with a look.
"Think it over tonight. Just give us your answer tomorrow," Homura said, patting his shoulder comfortingly.
As one of the only two men in the room, he understood Kakashi's current feelings better than anyone.
Thud…
Watching Kakashi's retreating figure as he closed the door, Koharu couldn't help but ask, "Homura, you should know that no one is more suitable than Kakashi to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Princess Tsunade, Homura might not understand, but surely you do?" Frustrated, she turned to Lady Tsunade, who stood by the window, silent.
But Tsunade didn't even give her the time of day, continuing to gaze out the window without a word.
"If Kakashi's mindset doesn't change, all our efforts now will be meaningless," Homura said, looking at his old friend of many years, and couldn't help but sigh.
"Koharu, Kakashi has been stuck at the jounin level for so many years; the burden of the Sharingan is only part of the reason."
"More importantly, his heart has been imprisoned in the Third Great Ninja War. He has never moved on."
Thick clouds completely obscured the moonlight.
Hero Memorial Stone.
Kakashi gazed at his friend's name, etched onto the stone, his expression downcast.
"How did the talk with Tsunade and the others go?" Jiraiya asked, slowly walking up beside him.
"If there's anything you can't figure out, feel free to talk to me about it. I happen to be free tonight."
"Lord Jiraiya, why did you choose me?" Kakashi asked. "I'm just a failure."
"A failure who can't even protect his friends…"
"Why would you think I can protect the village…?"
"So that's what you're hung up on." Jiraiya's face showed understanding. "Kakashi, it seems you lack confidence in yourself."
"Let me ask you a few questions. How many S-rank missions have you completed?"
"Thirty-five," Kakashi replied after a moment's thought.
"And A-rank?" Jiraiya continued.
"Almost three hundred…" Kakashi was a bit unsure; it had been too long, and he couldn't clearly remember some missions.
"An ordinary jounin who has completed even half your mission count would already be considered outstanding," Jiraiya said. "Tell me, if we don't choose you, who do we choose?"
"You know what I mean, Lord Jiraiya." Kakashi shook his head. "Whether it was Obito, or Rin, or even Sasuke…"
"I haven't protected a single one of them properly."
"Kakashi, do you remember what Obito said to you before he died?" Jiraiya asked.
"'Those in the ninja world who break the rules and regulations are called scum. But… those who don't value their comrades are worse than scum.'" After reciting the words, Kakashi's expression flickered.
"That's right. Those who break the rules are scum," Jiraiya said wistfully. "But those who don't value their comrades are worse than scum."
"So, do you think the people of Konoha village are your comrades?"
"…I understand, Lord Jiraiya."
Land of Earth.
"Third, why did you summon me?" Kitsuchi pushed open the door, looking at his father who was lost in thought.
"Oh! You're here!" Onoki came back to his senses.
"Kitsuchi, do you think perhaps I should step down?"
"???" Kitsuchi was taken aback and quickly said, "Father, Iwagakure cannot leave you yet!"
Iwagakure with Dust Release and Iwagakure without Dust Release are two completely different situations, he thought. Although he didn't know what had caused his old man's sudden pessimism, a bit of persuasion couldn't hurt.
"Was it that girl Kurotsuchi spouting nonsense again?"
"Please don't take her words to heart. She's just a troublemaker."
"…" Looking at his son's anxious face, Onoki was speechless. He was just musing aloud; was it really that serious?
"Alright! I know Iwagakure still needs me." He waved his hand. "I didn't call you here to talk about abdicating."
Hearing this, Kitsuchi couldn't help but sigh in relief internally.
"Then why did you summon me?"
"Bring Deidara and Roshi back to me. They've been adrift for so many years; it's time they settled their hearts," Onoki ordered.
After the incident with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he had come to understand that he was truly old.
The future of the ninja world belonged to the young.
Old fossils like them would eventually become dust in the annals of history.
Iwagakure's Dust Release… he couldn't let it truly be lost in his hands. If that happened, he would truly become a sinner to Iwagakure.
"I'll see to it at once." Kitsuchi's face lit up with joy.
His old man had finally seen the light.