Actually, Toki still had some things he hadn't said.
From the moment power emerged, conflict arose with it.
What happened in Konoha Village was never an isolated incident; in the history Toki had studied, there had been far more and far more intense conflicts than this.
Toki didn't know what opportunity Hokage-sama was waiting for, nor did he know who the mastermind was or how much power he possessed. He had already done everything he could. To truly end this matter, it depended on Hiruzen Sarutobi's ability.
If he remembered correctly, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage in 'Naruto' until the story began. He must have been quite capable to hold that position for so long.
"Alright! Everyone, just focus on your own tasks now and wait for Hokage-sama to make his move!"
Toki clapped his hands, announcing the dissolution of "Simulated Konoha."
After school, Kakashi pushed open his front door, bag in hand.
"Father, I'm home."
He called out, but received no response, and couldn't help but murmur, "Did he go out?"
Kakashi changed his shoes and walked upstairs, finding the house indeed empty.
'Where did Father go?'
As he was thinking this, the sound of the door opening suddenly came from the entrance.
Sakumo Hatake returned from outside, carrying a faint scent of alcohol, not strong, probably just a few drinks' worth.
"Father, where did you go?" Kakashi asked with concern.
Sakumo smiled, "I went out to meet some old friends, had a meal, and came back."
He seemed to be in a good mood, feeling relieved, as if he had come to terms with things and moved past his previous emotions.
But for some reason, Kakashi felt a strong sense of unease.
He didn't know where this feeling came from or what it meant, so he could only temporarily suppress it.
Kakashi picked up the thermos, poured a cup of hot water, and handed it to Sakumo, then sat opposite him, recounting his day at school in detail.
Sakumo nodded from time to time, expressing his approval, or offering his insights. When he heard about Toki's "Simulated Konoha," he was surprised.
"I remember Toki seems to be a few years older than you all."
"Toki is four years older than me. He was placed in our freshman class because he hadn't been exposed to Ninja knowledge before."
"That's impressive," Sakumo praised, taking a sip of hot water from his cup.
"To be able to explain what Konoha is, what the Hokage is, what power is, and what... conflict is, to a group of children with an average age of only five, using just a few words."
"The wisdom and insight he displayed are completely unlike what a child his age should possess. Moreover, Toki had been wandering in the Land of Rain, struggling on the edge of survival."
After hearing Sakumo's words, a strange glint also appeared in Kakashi's eyes.
Because he had been in constant contact with Toki, he had overlooked this fact, subconsciously assuming that the wisdom Toki displayed was only natural.
Just then, Sakumo suddenly smiled, "However... what Toki explained was still somewhat lacking, but that's not his problem; it's because he knows too little about Konoha."
"What is it?" Kakashi asked.
But then he thought again that his father probably wouldn't tell him these things, probably because... he was still too young and not suitable to be exposed to such matters.
However, Sakumo put down his cup, looked into his eyes, and slowly said, "Kakashi, the 'mastermind' you speak of is a man named Danzo Shimura. He is very dangerous; if you see him in the future, stay away from him."
"Danzo Shimura?"
Kakashi was stunned for a moment, and the unease in his heart once again surged to its peak.
'What's going on?'
He touched his chest and continued, "I've never heard that name."
"It's normal not to have heard of him. In recent years, he has intentionally downplayed his name in the Village."
"Why is that?" Kakashi felt confused.
Why would someone who wants to become Hokage intentionally downplay his name?
Sakumo gave the answer: "Because of his ideology, that's why I said he's very dangerous."
"Danzo Shimura is the Third Hokage's closest friend and also a disciple of the Second Hokage. In his words, for a tree to grow strong, it needs both leaves that bask in the sun and roots that are deeply embedded in the darkness."
"The Third Hokage is the leaf, and he is the root, which is why he controls an organization called 'Root.'"
This was the first time Kakashi had heard of such an ideology. At first listen, he didn't feel there was anything wrong with it.
He didn't ask where this ideology was dangerous; instead, he asked, "Does Konoha have an organization called 'Root'?"
Sakumo nodded, "There's a saying that goes, to understand a person, don't listen to what he says, but look at what he does. The Root organization is just like that."
Every single word and content is accurate and clear!
"They are nominally an Anbu training department, but in reality, they are Danzo Shimura's private army. He brainwashes the members of the Root organization under the guise of 'protecting Konoha in the darkness,' making them unconditionally believe Danzo Shimura, thinking that 'everything Danzo Shimura does is for Konoha.'"
"How can such a thing exist?"
Kakashi's pupils suddenly constricted, and he stammered, "Then... then what about Hokage-sama? Doesn't he do anything?"
"He can't."
Sakumo shook his head, "As of now, the Root organization has never done anything harmful to Konoha; at most, they leaked my mission information. And they handle all of Konoha's external espionage activities... Of course, most importantly, all members of the Root organization are 'volunteers.'"
"Kakashi, stay away from Danzo Shimura. He's very good at using righteousness to package himself; he's a sanctimonious fellow. Also, communicate more with Toki; that child is very intelligent..."
Sakumo kept talking, almost saying whatever came to mind, without any reservations, his words filled with concern for Kakashi.
At this moment, Kakashi finally understood where the unease in his heart came from.
He remained silent until he burst out, "Father, are you saying your last goodbyes?"
"Kakashi..." Sakumo was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile, "You noticed."
"Why?"
Kakashi tightly gripped his hand, shouting in an almost interrogative tone, "Why do you have to go to such lengths!"
Sakumo gripped Kakashi's hand back, a look of reminiscence in his eyes, "The last time I held your hand like this was when you were very young, when you had just learned to walk..."
"Dad!"
Kakashi, tears streaming down his face, rushed over and tightly hugged Sakumo.
"Dad, I'm your son, please... don't leave me alone..."
—
Senju Residence.
Tsunade sat in the courtyard with a bottle of sake, and suddenly asked, "Toki, tell me... how can you stop someone who wants to die?"
Toki thought for a long time, and finally replied, "Family."