Under Danzo Shimura's orders, Kakashi Hatake led a tracking squad consisting of an Aburame Jonin, a Hyuga Jonin, and his own ninja hounds, following the trail left by Simu.
As for the outcome...
Kakashi's squad discovered numerous strongholds left behind by the Jashin Religion within the Land of Fire. After a brush with death, they eventually lost the enemy's trail entirely.
"This is a real headache, but there is nothing else we can do."
Kakashi spoke with an expression of deep regret as he surveyed the completely destroyed ruins before him.
The Hyuga Jonin standing beside him scanned the area with his Byakugan before finally shaking his head, feeling a mixture of frustration and relief. He clutched his shoulder, where bright red blood stained half of his body—an injury caused by a shower of shrapnel from a sudden explosion.
The other squad member, named Tori Aburame, breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Kakashi's words.
"Captain Kakashi, to be honest, if we actually caught up to the enemy, would we really have the strength to make it back alive?"
This Aburame ninja had personally experienced the battle that night and knew exactly how terrifying the enemy was. Even the Hokage had died in battle; what could the three of them possibly achieve?
This sentiment was shared by the vast majority of people currently in the village.
Kakashi didn't say much in response, simply stating indifferently, "Well, we didn't catch them, did we? Don't overthink it. Let's head back and report."
The Kakashi of the past had been a hot-blooded youth deeply committed to the Will of Fire. However, after witnessing the death of his father, the White Fang of the Leaf, followed by the deaths of his teammates and his sensei, he had long since become a "slacker."
His only remaining interest was reading Master Jiraiya's "little books."
Since the tracking was fruitless, Kakashi's group returned to Konohagakure at top speed. Kakashi then headed to the Hokage's office to report on the mission.
Due to the final entrustment of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura had not yet officially succeeded the position, but he held the title of Acting Hokage and was responsible for handling all of Konoha's affairs.
Once Konoha stabilized from this crisis, Danzo would likely officially succeed as Hokage.
Kakashi thought this as he silently knocked on the door of the Hokage's office.
"Enter."
Danzo's raspy yet authoritative voice rang out from within.
Kakashi could keenly feel numerous gazes falling upon him, likely coming from the Root ninjas hidden nearby to protect Danzo.
"Lord Danzo, the mission has failed. Here is the mission report."
Kakashi wore his Anbu mask, maintaining a strictly professional demeanor.
To be honest, he really didn't want to have any connection with this "Darkness of the Shinobi."
As a former subordinate of Danzo, Kakashi had a certain understanding of the Acting Hokage. This man viewed his subordinates as nothing more than tools; serving under him meant that, at any moment, one might be used as fuel for the "Will of Fire." This was something the current, laid-back Kakashi wanted to avoid.
Danzo quickly scanned Kakashi's scroll, and his face immediately darkened. Clearly, the Acting Hokage was not satisfied with the result.
"Kakashi, you were the strongest reconnaissance team in all of Konoha, yet you couldn't even confirm the enemy's location?"
Kakashi lowered his head and said frankly, "I am incompetent, sir."
Faced with this version of Kakashi, Danzo was powerless. As he had just said, a team consisting of Kakashi's ninja hounds plus Jonin from the Aburame and Hyuga clans was the strongest reconnaissance unit Konoha could dispatch.
However, the enemy was too cunning and had left no traces behind. This put Danzo in a foul mood, and he waved his hand dismissively.
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Kakashi prepared to exit immediately, but Danzo called him back.
"Is there anything else, Lord Danzo?"
Hearing the title "Lord Danzo," the man's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a flash of dangerous light that quickly vanished. Instead, he spoke quite earnestly. "Kakashi, you know I have always admired you."
His single exposed eye stared fixedly at Kakashi, attempting to read every flicker of emotion. He continued, "Although you betrayed me before, I don't mind. If you are willing to rejoin Root, I can put you in charge of the entire organization."
Kakashi was somewhat surprised. He expected Danzo to try and recruit him, but he hadn't expected the offer of such an important position as the Leader of Root.
He didn't rush to answer, simply asking, "I am just an ordinary Jonin. Why do you hold me in such high regard, Lord Danzo?"
Danzo shook his head, leaning back into the chair that only successive Hokage were permitted to use.
"Kakashi, your strength is among the best in the village, but what I value most is not your power, but the darkness you carry."
Upon hearing these words, a flicker of change finally appeared in Kakashi's dull, "dead-fish" eyes.
"Darkness, huh..."
"Exactly. You possess the same darkness in your heart that I do. Only someone with that kind of deep darkness can truly control Root."
Danzo already exuded the full aura of a Hokage, sitting there and talking with confidence.
After considering it for about ten seconds, Kakashi eventually shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lord Danzo. I'm quite happy with my current position. The role of Root Leader is too important; I don't believe I am up to the task."
Danzo did not push him. He simply gave Kakashi a long look and said, "If that is the case, I won't force you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Danzo. I shall take my leave."
After saying this, Kakashi quickly left the Hokage's office, leaving behind a grim-faced Danzo.
Clearly, as the prospective Fifth Hokage, Danzo was very dissatisfied with Kakashi's refusal to align with him.
Truthfully, it wasn't as if he lacked suitable candidates for the leader of Root. His assistant of over a decade, Tatsuma Aburame, was a good choice—obedient and ruthless enough to handle the dirty work.
However, in comparison, Tatsuma's strength was still a notch below Kakashi's. More importantly, the darkness in his heart was not as profound as Kakashi's.
Unfortunately, Kakashi was being ungrateful.
"Forget it. Once I officially become Hokage and unite the strength of the entire village, I'll make you ungrateful fools taste the consequences of defying me."
Danzo tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his mind constantly scheming.
In the aftermath of the war, the entire village was undergoing reconstruction. According to the statistics reported by Shikaku Nara, the casualties in this battle had reached a staggering number.
Thirteen Jonin, sixty-three Chunin, and one hundred forty-two Genin were dead, and over a quarter of the village had been destroyed.
More importantly, the above data did not include the Uchiha Clan!
As Konoha's strongest clan, the Uchiha had Jonin numbers in the double digits, and their Chunin and Genin combined totaled three to four hundred people. Now that the entire Uchiha Clan had vanished, it meant Konoha had lost nearly five hundred ninjas in one go, including roughly one hundred fifty Chunin and over thirty Jonin!
And... a Hokage.
As well as two Kage-level powerhouses, Fugaku Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha.
This was no longer just an injury to Konoha; it was a devastating blow. It could be said that Konoha had fallen into its weakest state since its founding.
After receiving the statistical report from Shikaku, Danzo's face was so grim it looked as if it might drip ink.
"Lord Danzo, do we need to recall some troops from the borders?" Shikaku asked.
As one of the strongest powers in the shinobi world, Konoha naturally maintained numerous troops stationed at the borders for defense, in addition to the village headquarters. For instance, Choza Akimichi—who, like Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, was a disciple of the Second Hokage—was currently guarding the border.
Given the village's precarious situation, it made sense to recall some people.
However, Danzo rejected this suggestion.
"The other hidden villages are currently observing Konoha's reaction. If we recall border troops now, it will only confirm Konoha's emptiness."
Danzo made a rational judgment.
Shikaku nodded. Danzo's logic held merit, but... could the current Konoha really still bluff the others?
As if sensing Shikaku's concern, Danzo added, "Rest assured, Shikaku. Konoha is not as fragile as you think. We still have Jiraiya and Tsunade. And if all else fails, don't we still have us old-timers? As Hokage, I will personally step in if necessary."
Shikaku maintained a calm nod on the surface, but he was internally scoffing.
He's not even the Hokage yet, and he's already acting the part. If you actually had the strength, you wouldn't have let the Third Lord die on the battlefield...
Of course, for the sake of himself and his clan, Shikaku would never say these words aloud.
Seeing that Shikaku remained silent, Danzo lost interest in further conversation and directly commanded, "Go and deliver orders to Jiraiya and Tsunade. Tell them to stay in the village for now. They are not to leave without my permission."
Though only the Acting Hokage for now, Danzo had clearly fully stepped into the role.
To this, Shikaku simply replied, "Yes."
As a smart man, he wouldn't stir up trouble at a time like this, especially when Danzo held the absolute advantage.
Upon leaving the office, Shikaku immediately found Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were drowning their sorrows in a tavern. Jiraiya was carefully draping a coat over Tsunade, covering her snow-white skin.
"Master Jiraiya."
Shikaku's greeting was interrupted.
"Shh. Tsunade has been working in the hospital for three days straight. Don't wake her."
Jiraiya lowered his voice. After finishing covering Tsunade, he turned around and asked, "Oh, it's Shikaku. What brings you here?"
As the Jonin Commander, Shikaku was incredibly busy; he hadn't slept for more than two hours in the last three days, and his face was etched with exhaustion.
Shikaku gave a bitter smile. "To tell you the truth, I'm here to find you two."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, immediately guessing the reason.
"Did Danzo send you?"
Only someone like the prospective Hokage could make the Jonin Commander personally deliver a message.
Shikaku nodded. "Yes. Lord Danzo asked me to inform you both that you should try not to leave the village without his orders."
Hearing this, Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "That guy... has he already started putting on the airs of a Hokage?"
Jiraiya had never liked Danzo, the village elder, due to his own heroic and straightforward personality. Now, having to accept his orders made him even more repulsed.
Sensing Jiraiya's irritation, Shikaku whispered a reminder. "Master Jiraiya, Konoha is empty right now. We truly need you two here to guard the village just in case."
Although many ninjas were stationed at the Land of Fire's borders, the borders were long and the terrain complex; no matter how many ninjas they had, they couldn't cover everything. If other villages learned of the internal vacancy and sent elite squads to attack, it would cause even more destruction to the current Konoha. Therefore, top-tier fighters like Jiraiya and Tsunade were essential.
"I understand the logic. I'm just worried about that guy becoming Hokage."
Jiraiya complained bluntly. He knew Shikaku's character and was certain that his cautious nature would prevent him from spreading these words around.
Sure enough, hearing the complaint, Shikaku could only offer a wry smile. He clearly had no desire to be dragged into such political infighting.
Jiraiya suddenly pulled Shikaku to the side, leaning in close and lowering his voice. "Shikaku, I trust you. Tell me honestly, did the old man really pass the title to Danzo before he died? No foul play?"
Jiraiya truly couldn't believe his teacher would give the position to someone like Danzo. He would have rather it go to Tsunade. Or even himself!
Faced with the question, Shikaku answered honestly. "Master Jiraiya, the Third Lord did explicitly state before his death that Lord Danzo should succeed him. I also had the Hyuga ninjas observe Lord Danzo and found nothing unusual—aside from that arm full of Sharingan."
Fearing Jiraiya might misunderstand, Shikaku added, "Ordinary Sharingan cannot control someone's thoughts; they can only cast illusions. But the Third Lord showed no signs of being under a Genjutsu at the time."
Jiraiya hummed in thought. "So, does that mean Sensei really thought Danzo could be the Hokage?"
Jiraiya began to doubt himself. Was it because he and Tsunade had been away from the village for so many years that Sensei had lost heart in them and had no choice but to pass it to Danzo?
Ignoring Jiraiya's internal musings, Shikaku saw that his task was done and stood up to leave.
Jiraiya was left sitting there, staring blankly at the streets and houses being rebuilt outside. Finally, he muttered to himself in a daze:
"If I hadn't left the village back then... Sensei, would you have died? And would the village have avoided such immense destruction?"