Looking for Clues – Kaito's Assistance!
On the other hand, Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, had stopped shouting. A deep frown creased his brow—something wasn't right.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a Kage-level shinobi. If he truly felt threatened, there was no way he would remain indifferent…
"Sakumo-sama, it looks like the Third Hokage has left the village!"
A dark figure landed beside him. Recognizing the voice, Sakumo turned to see Captain Yamashita, an elite member of the Anbu and one of his former subordinates.
"What? You mean Sarutobi Hiruzen abandoned Konoha?"
Sakumo's expression darkened. The idea of the Third Hokage—one of the most revered shinobi in the village—deserting his people, his home, even his family, was unthinkable.
"Yes, Minister. I personally witnessed the Third Hokage leaving Konoha with his wife, Sarutobi Biwako, and their son, Sarutobi Asuma. They were moving discreetly, avoiding attention."
Yamashita spoke with certainty, and Sakumo's frown deepened.
"Do you know where they went?"
Tracking a shinobi of Hiruzen's caliber would be no simple feat. As a seasoned Kage-level ninja, he would know exactly how to mask his chakra signature and conceal his tracks.
"This… I don't know," Yamashita admitted. "But Minister, you may be able to get some information from Kaito. She was close to Asuma; he might have confided in her."
Sakumo nodded at the suggestion. Without wasting another moment, he turned and left the Hokage Building, heading towards Kurenai's residence.
Kakashi, who had been silently observing, immediately followed his father. Before long, the two arrived at Kurenai's home.
Sakumo gestured for Kakashi to knock on the door. After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing Kaito.
"Kakashi?!" she exclaimed, startled. "Sakumo-sama?!"
Her surprise was evident. She had expected Kakashi, but seeing the legendary White Fang of Konoha at her doorstep caught her off guard.
Being quick-witted, Kurenai immediately understood their purpose.
"You're here about the Third Hokage, aren't you?" she said, her expression turning serious. "Asuma did approach me before he left. He asked me to leave Konoha with him—but I refused."
Kurenai Yuhi curled her lips in disdain and said coldly, "If Asuma didn't keep following me around just because he's the Third Hokage's son, I wouldn't even bother talking to him."
She crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. His unkempt beard, his sloppy appearance—just like his father, he even had the same bad smoking habit. It was unpleasant to see.
Kakashi Hatake, standing nearby, studied Kurenai's reaction. Seeing her irritation, he sighed inwardly. He had hoped for a lead, but it didn't seem like he would get any useful information this time.
"Then… did he tell you where they were headed?" Kakashi asked, his voice calm but probing.
As expected, Kurenai shook her head. "Asuma isn't that reckless. He wouldn't tell me something so important."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. Kurenai wasn't wrong—if Asuma had carelessly revealed the mission details, that would have been foolish.
But what neither Kakashi nor Kurenai knew was that Asuma really could be that reckless. If not for the Third Hokage's strict warnings about keeping the mission confidential, Asuma might have let something slip.
"Alright, thanks for your time. We'll have to find another way," Kakashi said, nodding politely before he and his father, Sakumo Hatake, turned to leave.
As they walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, Sakumo glanced at his son and asked, "Do you think Kurenai was telling the truth, Kakashi?"
Kakashi considered it carefully before responding, "She has no reason to cover for him. If she really cared that much, she would have gone with Asuma."
He paused, recalling her expression. "Judging by her attitude, she really does dislike him—so there's no reason for her to lie to me."
Sakumo chuckled and clapped Kakashi on the shoulder. "Good. Your observation skills are sharp. You're becoming a fine ninja."
Kakashi blinked in surprise, realizing that his father had been testing him all along.
Meanwhile, a figure who had been tailing them let out a sigh. "Looks like I have to step in."
With a flick of his wrist, he accessed the hidden Ninja World Chat Group, a secretive system available only to a select few. One of its exclusive features—tracking—allowed the administrator to locate group members even if they hadn't sent a single message.