As the hours passed, scrolls were deciphered and ideas took root. Kakashi had a roadmap now. With Tsunade's knowledge, he could work toward something that would change him.
Eventually, Kakashi rolled up the scrolls, stored them in his sealed container, and exhaled. It was time to end the day.
He climbed the wooden steps from the basement, his joints aching a bit from standing for too long. But as he stepped into the warmly lit kitchen, the smell of food pulled a soft smile to his lips.
There they were, Tsunade, Kurenai, and Anko, waiting for him around the table. A hot dinner sat on the table, mostly untouched. He guessed that the kids should have fallen asleep.
"Took you long enough." Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry," he said, chuckling. "Didn't realize the time."
"You never do," Kurenai teased, standing up and walking over to him. Without warning, she plopped herself into his lap as he sat down.
"Tsunade told us you're studying genetics now?" She asked.
"Mm-hmm. What's that for? Planning to grow a second brain?"Anko leaned her elbows on the table.
"Maybe. But it's a bit more complicated than that." Kakashi grinned.
"I found something," Kakashi began. "From a rogue ninja's hidden scrolls. A technique… It's called the Chimera Technique. Incomplete, but powerful. It lets you absorb other people's kekkei genkai or physical traits by merging their bodies with your own."
"Sounds disgusting." Anko frowned.
"It is," Kakashi agreed. "That's why I'm not planning to use it the way they did."
"He wants to rewrite it. Make it something clean. Something scientific." Tsunade crossed her arms. She had spilled him from him earlier, no matter how much Kakashi didn't want to tell, he finally spilled it in the end.
"I want to find a way to isolate the genes connected to bloodline abilities. Merge them into myself, or others, without hurting anyone. I don't want to take lives. I just want to unlock potential. For all of us." Kakashi nodded. And also explained that he would not do anything inhuman, as he knew his women were kind and gentle.
The room went quiet.
"You… want to rewrite bloodlines?" Kurenai asked.
"I want to remove the limit that comes with them," he said softly. "You know I've always had Senju ancestry… but it's weak. Recessive. Barely traceable in my chakra. But if I could awaken it fully…"
"You're Senju?" Tsunade's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.
"Barely. But it's there." Kakashi smiled faintly and reached for her hand.
"You could become…" Tsunade's hand trembled.
"I don't want power for power's sake," he said gently.
"But I won't lie, I want to break through the limit of my blood. I want to push myself to the highest level possible, for my own goals… and to protect all of you."
Tsunade leaned forward and kissed him without hesitation.
"Okay okay, I'm happy for you two lovebirds, but where's my kiss?" Anko cleared her throat.
Kakashi turned, smirked, and gave her a short but warm kiss on the lips. Kurenai giggled from his lap.
"You're insane," she whispered to him. "But you're our genius."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
He stood up, lifting Kurenai as he did, and motioned to the hallway.
"Also… the new bed arrived."
The three women blinked, then exchanged glances before following him down the hall, laughter and teasing remarks echoing behind them.
…..
In the Morning the Hokage's office was quiet, Tsunade sat behind her desk, a few documents in front of her, though her attention was mostly on the technique that Kakashi had spoken with her about.
His words about the Chimera Technique and the potential to rewrite bloodlines had weighed heavily on her, but she trusted him.
And despite her usual reluctance to let him delve into experiments, she couldn't help but admire his drive and his determination to overcome his own limitations.
"Anbu," Tsunade said, her voice cutting through the silence as she leaned forward slightly. She looked up from her desk at the group of masked ANBU standing at attention.
"As we've discussed this before, Track Hiruko. But do not engage him. Only report to Kakashi when you find him. Understand?" she continued, in a firm tone.
The ANBU nodded in unison, their eyes hidden behind their masks, but the atmosphere was tense. They knew the importance of this mission.
If what Kakashi said was true then Hiruko, who was a dangerous and elusive figure, was the key to Kakashi's research.
Although they didn't have any details, they didn't need to ask too much and faithfully completed this task.
Tsunade's gaze shifted to Kakashi as she gave a slight nod of approval.
"Make sure you stay in contact with them," she said to Kakashi.
"We can't afford to make a misstep with this." Knowing the Importance of this technique for Kakashi, Tsunade did not want this to fail.
Kakashi nodded with a serious expression. "I will."
With a sharp motion, Tsunade dismissed the ANBU, who quickly filed out of the room without a word. The door closed softly behind them, leaving just the two of them in the room.
Shizune stood off to the side, her eyes glancing nervously between Kakashi and her mentor. She could tell something was brewing in the air, but she wasn't sure if she was supposed to be a part of it.
Tsunade let out a small sigh, stretching as she leaned back in her chair.
"Hope all goes well," she said, her tone softer now.
Kakashi walked toward her desk, pausing just a few feet away. He had been waiting for this moment. Tsunade had agreed to dispatch the ANBU, a necessary step for his research, but there was more he wanted to say.
Without a word, he reached out and gently cupped her face in his hand. Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could react, Kakashi leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, in a kiss that was tender yet full of meaning.
Tsunade's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected this, not at this moment. But as she melted into the kiss, her arms slowly wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
She was well aware of how far Kakashi was willing to go to achieve his goals, and she always supported him, even when she didn't fully understand why he was so driven. But now, seeing him like this, so determined and yet so soft, made her feel closer to him than ever.
When the kiss broke, Kakashi's face softened, a genuine smile crossing his features.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice low and sincere.
Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes softening.
"You didn't need to thank me, Kakashi. You're part of this village, and more importantly, part of me," she replied, her hand brushing against his as if to reinforce the words she had just spoken.
"Still, it means a lot to me." Kakashi chuckled lightly, his hand still resting on her cheek.
Tsunade's gaze flickered over his shoulder, catching Shizune standing awkwardly at the side. The younger woman had been quietly observing, her face a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. She was blushing, her head lowered slightly, clearly trying to avoid looking directly at them.
"Shizune," Tsunade called, breaking the moment between her and Kakashi. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Shizune looked up, her cheeks still flushed as she stammered, "I-I didn't mean to interrupt… I'll just… go prepare the next set of reports." She quickly turned away, eager to escape the awkwardness.