Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly.
"You're asking about Uchiha Sasuke?" he said calmly. "Don't tell me you're interested in the Sharingan."
Chen Xing smiled faintly.
"You're overthinking it. If I wanted the Sharingan, I wouldn't walk openly into Konoha."
Kakashi did not relax.
Three years ago, the Uchiha clan had been massacred by Itachi Uchiha, leaving Sasuke as the sole survivor. Any outsider showing interest in him could not be taken lightly.
"I crossed paths with Itachi once," Chen Xing said evenly. "His Mangekyō Sharingan is troublesome. His genjutsu is on another level."
Kakashi went silent.
He knew that better than most.
During the mission to capture Itachi, he had personally experienced Tsukuyomi, a technique that distorted time itself. Without Might Guy intervening, the consequences could have been worse.
"If you ever fight him again," Chen Xing continued, "don't look into his eyes."
Kakashi exhaled lightly. "I'm aware."
They continued toward the Hokage Tower.
After a moment, Chen Xing spoke again.
"The Third Hokage gave you Uchiha Sasuke… and the Nine-Tails jinchūriki."
Kakashi stopped.
"You know about that?"
Chen Xing shrugged. "It's not difficult to guess. The Uzumaki clan possesses powerful life force and chakra reserves. Kushina Uzumaki was the previous jinchūriki. It was only logical that her son would inherit the Nine-Tails."
The Nine-Tailed Fox—Kurama—was not something an ordinary body could contain.
Kakashi studied him carefully, then resumed walking.
---
Hokage Office
Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up as Chen Xing entered.
"It has been some time," Hiruzen said calmly.
Chen Xing smiled. "Lord Hokage."
Before further words could be exchanged, a voice sounded from the window.
"Yo, old man."
A tall figure with long white hair stepped inside, wearing a red sleeveless coat and wooden sandals.
It was Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.
Chen Xing was not surprised. With the Chūnin Exams approaching, Jiraiya's return to the village made sense.
"Peacock King, huh?" Jiraiya said, studying him carefully. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Just visiting," Chen Xing replied lightly.
Jiraiya's eyes lingered for a moment longer before he turned to Hiruzen. "We'll talk later."
After a brief exchange, Chen Xing was dismissed and assigned temporary lodging inside the village.
---
Later – Streets of Konoha
Kakashi accompanied Chen Xing through the village.
Suddenly, three genin blocked their path.
A blond boy with whisker-like markings on his cheeks.
A black-haired boy with a cold gaze.
A pink-haired girl standing between them.
It was Team 7.
Naruto Uzumaki pointed accusingly at Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei! Other teams are getting C-rank missions, but we're still catching cats and babysitting!"
Beside him stood Sasuke Uchiha, silent but clearly dissatisfied.
And Sakura Haruno, watching expectantly.
Since returning from the Land of Waves—where they had faced Zabuza Momochi and Haku—their missions had reverted to D-rank tasks.
Kakashi sighed. "Mission assignments are decided by the Hokage."
Naruto groaned loudly.
Chen Xing observed them quietly, his gaze resting briefly on Sasuke.
The last Uchiha.
The village was calm on the surface.
But beneath it, currents were already beginning to move.