Naruto's Gift
Kakashi's request to lead a mission to hunt down Danzō and Root was swiftly denied by Tsunade.
The reason was simple: even with his strength, it was nearly impossible for Kakashi to eliminate Danzō and Root. While Kakashi was an elite Jōnin, Danzō had operated in the ninja world for over two decades and was regarded as a rival in strength to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Unless Jiraiya, the newly appointed Hokage, personally led a team of over a dozen Jōnin, the mission would be futile.
At present, however, organizing such a task force was unrealistic. Pursuing Danzō beyond the village borders could be perceived as an act of aggression by other nations, potentially sparking war.
This was precisely why most S-rank missing-nin managed to evade capture, with only bounty notices and arrest warrants issued in their names.
As for the masked man suspected to be Obito, Kakashi had deliberately withheld the possibility that his left eye possessed a time-space ninjutsu. Instead, he had focused his efforts on researching the activation of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He refused to believe that his former friend had turned into a monster who attacked Konoha and was responsible for the deaths of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
Rather, he preferred to believe that someone had stolen Obito's Sharingan—a theory that, despite sounding more implausible, was easier for him to accept than the masked man truly being Obito.
With nothing to do, Kakashi wandered through Konoha's streets, observing the villagers.
After some of Danzō's crimes had been exposed, doubts arose regarding the character of the Third Hokage. If Hiruzen had truly been as righteous as his reputation suggested, he wouldn't have repeatedly turned a blind eye to Danzō's actions.
However, a portion of the populace still insisted that Hiruzen had been forced into his decisions and had ultimately paid the price.
Judging from the policies Jiraiya and Tsunade had implemented in recent weeks, Kakashi could tell they were working hard to reform the village's deteriorating state. However, many high-ranking Jōnin resisted change, clinging to the old ways.
It was clear that Konoha would see little drastic change in the coming year.
Meanwhile, a representative from Uzushiogakure had reached out to Konoha, formally congratulating Jiraiya on becoming the Fifth Hokage. Yet, in private discussions, their assessment of Konoha was scathing.
Konoha, they claimed, was a sinking ship. The previous captain had done nothing, hoping the ship would fix itself.
The new captain was trying to repair it, but by stripping parts from the vessel itself, merely postponing the inevitable disaster.
Additionally, Naruto had personally reached out regarding his old classmates, asking Kakashi to keep an eye on them. He had even arranged for small gifts to be delivered to his former friends.
Amused, Kakashi chuckled and headed toward the Uchiha district to meet the last surviving Uchiha in the village.
Upon arrival, he found Sasuke at the training ground, practicing against his shadow clones. It was said that this training method had been invented by Naruto.
Noticing Kakashi, Sasuke wasted no time. Channeling chakra into his feet, he dashed toward his former teacher.
Lightning flickered across his body as he enhanced his speed and reflexes with chakra. Drawing a short blade from his waist, he swung it at Kakashi in a sharp arc.
Kakashi smirked, sidestepped the attack, and swiftly countered, sending Sasuke tumbling into the dirt.
Face down in the dust, Sasuke scowled. "I haven't improved at all this week. Looks like I'll have to increase my training intensity."
Kakashi's smile faded. "You're only in your final year at the Academy, yet your strength is already comparable to a Jōnin. The reason I can still beat you so easily is because I'm improving too—and I'm not slowing down."
He narrowed his eyes. "Also, stop using shadow clones to skip class. It's disrespectful to your instructors."
Sasuke scoffed. "Iruka is just a Chūnin. He doesn't have the strength to teach me. Besides, Naruto used to skip classes all the time, so he wouldn't waste time on pointless lectures."
Kakashi observed Sasuke carefully. The boy reminded him of his younger self, which was precisely why he had taken an interest in him.
Still, Sasuke's arrogance was frustrating.
"Sasuke, stop comparing yourself to Naruto. You two are completely different, and his strength is beyond what you can comprehend at this stage. Just focus on being the so-called genius of the Academy."
Sasuke's interest piqued. "How strong is Naruto now?"
After a moment's thought, Kakashi answered truthfully. "When you reach the level required to defeat Itachi, you might—just might—stand a chance of escaping from Naruto."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
He knew there was a gap between him and Naruto, but it had always seemed manageable. How could Naruto possibly have surpassed Itachi—the man who had single-handedly massacred the Uchiha clan?
Kakashi merely shrugged. Sometimes, the truth was too absurd to be believed.
After a pause, Sasuke asked, "Kakashi-sensei, if you have information about Naruto, where is he?"
"Haven't I told you? Naruto is in Anbu."
"You just said he's stronger than Itachi. If Naruto were still in Konoha, he wouldn't be able to stay hidden. That means he's not in the village anymore."
Kakashi studied Sasuke for a few seconds before nodding. "You're right. Naruto has left Konoha. He's accompanied by other Uchiha—including Shisui."
Sasuke froze. His expression twisted as his mind struggled to process the revelation.
He had barely come to terms with being the last Uchiha in Konoha, and now Kakashi was telling him that other Uchiha still existed—and that they were with Naruto?
"It's impossible," Sasuke muttered, his voice shaking.
Kakashi remained impassive. "Whether you accept it or not, that's the truth. And don't even think about leaving the village. Itachi is still out there, and he wants your eyes."
Sasuke clenched his fists, his Sharingan flaring. "Kakashi-sensei, if you know more, tell me everything."
Kakashi sighed. "That's all I know. As for Naruto's and the Uchiha's exact whereabouts, I can't tell you. Until you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan and surpass Jōnin-level strength, you are not allowed to leave Konoha."
"That day won't be far away," Sasuke muttered, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "Sooner or later, I'll uncover the whole truth."
Lowering his head like a caged beast, Sasuke quickly regained his composure.
He was still too weak. He couldn't even defeat Kakashi, let alone Itachi. If he left now, he would only be throwing his life away.
Only by growing stronger could he uncover the truth—and exact his revenge.
Seeing Sasuke's determination, Kakashi sighed and tossed him a scroll.
Inside were various Uchiha-style ninjutsu and genjutsu techniques, covering everything from basic training to elite Jōnin-level strategies. The scroll also contained notes on the Sharingan's uses and limitations.
"Take care of it," Kakashi said. "This is a gift from Naruto—and from your clan."
Subscribe to Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters