"Well, you'll have to ask your good friend, Danzo!"
Kakashi snorted.
Hiruzen frowned in confusion. Could this really be related to Danzo?
How many things did he do behind my back?
"Originally, Akatsuki was an organization led by Jiraiya's three disciples, pursuing peace through non-violent means."
"But Danzo, being Danzo, wanted to stir up civil unrest in the Rain Country and profit from it."
"He deliberately killed Hanzo's men and framed Akatsuki for it."
"Hanzo, suspicious as ever, was easy to manipulate. After Danzo's whispers, he believed Akatsuki was expanding power under the banner of peace."
"Convinced they wanted to overthrow him, Hanzo pretended to cooperate with Akatsuki—only to ambush their leader and try to kill him."
"Unfortunately for him, the man with the Rinnegan awakened on the spot and tore through Hanzo's forces like they were genin on their first D-rank mission."
"From then on, the peace-loving Akatsuki died. What rose from the ashes was a group that believed only in violence and domination to enforce their vision of peace."
"And since Konoha killed their original leader, we've been a kunai in their side ever since."
Kakashi's tone was calm, but his eyes betrayed his anger.
"What!"
Hiruzen was utterly shocked.
Danzo, Danzo… there really is something wrong with your head!
Always shouting "for Konoha," yet in the end you've only created enemies that want us wiped off the map!
Even as his closest friend, Hiruzen couldn't defend him this time.
He quickly pieced it together—Danzo just wanted achievements to rival Minato, to snatch the Hokage's chair.
Truly promising!
Couldn't the leader of Root just… not?
Why couldn't he walk a path without digging landmines under it?
"So, you want me to infiltrate Akatsuki and gather intelligence?" Hiruzen asked gravely.
Having been Hokage so long, he knew exactly how this game was played.
"Yes. We need to track their movements before they track ours." Kakashi's tone shifted serious, his single visible eye narrowing.
"But this also means… your identity will become…"
"You'll label me a traitor, right? Then I accept." Hiruzen cut in firmly.
"…Eh?"
Kakashi tilted his head slightly. "Elder Hiruzen, you sure? Once you're branded a missing-nin, the villagers will spit on your name for the rest of your life. No 'Third Hokage-sama,' no warm welcomes. Just wanted posters and glares. There's no going back."
"I understand."
"The village needs me. That's enough."
"I once stood in the sun, basking in admiration. But I made mistakes. Many. Now, I only want to be useful."
"Even if it means sinking into darkness, if I can protect Konoha from the shadows, it's worth it."
The weakness in the old man's frame seemed to fade, replaced by the aura of the Sarutobi Hiruzen who once stood as Hokage.
"…I see."
Kakashi exhaled, his sarcasm momentarily giving way to respect.
"Then from now on, I'll be your only contact. Apart from Minato, no one else will know. No paper trail, no records, nothing."
"Bring out the Summoning Contract from Mount Huaguo. From now on, all messages go through the summons—less risk of anyone intercepting our mail like it's a love letter from Rin."
Kakashi's voice carried a faint smirk.
"Also, you're seeking redemption, right? Your new codename will be Sin. As for me… call me Fox."
Hiruzen gave a small nod. "Understood."
Though he noticed Kakashi's little ploy—getting access to the Ape King Enma's line through Mount Huaguo—he didn't hesitate.
Even his own son had failed to contract with the apes, yet Kakashi snagged it with ease. Hiruzen muttered in his heart, but his hands still moved.
The contract was signed. Soon after, Kakashi dispelled the Four Symbols Seal and healed Hiruzen's battered body.
"Not worried I'll stab you in the back now that I've got my strength back?" Hiruzen asked with a wry grin.
"A sneak attack? Please. You wouldn't last a minute against someone who's copied thousands of jutsu."
Kakashi's response was flat, but the edge of his lips tugged upward ever so slightly.
"…"
Hiruzen was left speechless. "Seems I've been underestimated!"
Then he chuckled softly. Youth will always surpass the old—that is the way of things. With men like Kakashi around, Konoha's future would burn bright.
"Oh, one more thing."
Kakashi pulled out a small ornate box and tossed it over.
Hiruzen caught it, confused. "This is…?"
"Orochimaru's latest Hashirama cell injection. Stronger than the junk Danzo jabbed into his arm. Risky, incomplete, but in a pinch? It might save your life. Or… well, make your death more dramatic."
Kakashi's tone was matter-of-fact, yet his eye glimmered with humor.
"Orochimaru's handiwork, huh? You truly are the disciple I had the highest hopes for…" Hiruzen said with emotion.
Bang!
Suddenly, Kakashi tapped Hiruzen's back, leaving behind a Flying Thunder God seal.
Hiruzen didn't resist—he knew why.
"Time I go."
The old Hokage cast one last, bittersweet glance toward Konoha—the village he had loved, ruled, and failed. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, back straight, never looking over his shoulder.
"Sin… take care," Kakashi called after him despite himself.
Hiruzen's steps paused.
"Don't worry. I will. Minato and you—Konoha is in your hands now."
Then the Sarutobi leapt into the treetops, his figure quickly vanishing into the woods like a phantom monkey of the clan he embodied.
Kakashi stood there, watching his back. A bitter thought crossed his mind.
So, Hiruzen had finally chosen the very path he once forced Itachi to take.
Was this karma?
He shook his head with a sigh, then vanished with Flying Thunder God.
If Hiruzen would atone from the shadows, then Kakashi had work to do in the light.
The parasites feeding off Hiruzen's reputation would find no rest tonight.
In Kakashi's visible eye, a cold light flickered.
The four great clans of Konoha would not sleep easy.
To be continued....