Root Headquarters.
Danzo had only just returned from the Hokage's office when he received a document from the Third Hokage, stripping him of his position as an Elder Advisor.
He snatched up the document, glanced at it, and furiously threw it to the ground.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his right eye.
"Ugh... ah..."
Danzo clutched his right eye, crying out in pain, "Someone, get in here!"
A Root medical-nin rushed forward to examine Danzo. After a brief flurry of activity, they administered two injections.
The pain in Danzo's right eye subsided to a dull throb.
"What's happening? Why is my Sharingan hurting?"
The medical-nin replied with a grim expression, "Sir, the transplanted Sharingan is deteriorating. We estimate its ocular power will be completely gone within a week, rendering it useless."
"Why is it failing so quickly?"
Danzo had seen Sharingan decay before, but previous eyes had always lasted for several years. This one had started to decline almost immediately after the transplant.
"Sir! Each Sharingan has a different constitution. Some are highly compatible and remain stable. Others, like this one, deteriorate exceptionally fast in a non-Uchiha body."
"Oh?"
Danzo hadn't expected his only remaining Sharingan to be of such poor quality.
The Uchiha compound was heavily guarded, making it impossible to acquire another. Where was he supposed to find a new Sharingan?
A thought struck Danzo. "What about the constitution of Kakashi's Sharingan?"
The medical-nin froze, then, feeling Danzo's icy gaze, hastily answered, "Kakashi's eye was implanted several years ago. It has proven highly compatible and is very stable."
Danzo grunted coldly. "Send for Kinoe."
.
In the Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage had summoned Kakashi.
"How has Naruto been lately?"
Kakashi maintained his usual lazy demeanor, but his expression shifted slightly at the mention of Naruto.
"Naruto's been doing well. He's been spending a lot of time with Sasuke, Hinata, Neji, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba. No one at the Academy is bothering him anymore."
Hearing this, the Third Hokage nodded.
"Have you gotten to know him?"
"I used my trips to Ichiraku Ramen to get familiar with him. We chat for a bit whenever we see each other now."
Kakashi's spirits were still low; he seemed listless and numb. But when it came to Naruto, he was always attentive.
The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe. Ever since Uchiha Kawasaki had appeared, the entire Uchiha clan had undergone a massive change.
Meanwhile, his own faction was facing a shortage of new talent. His own son was a good-for-nothing rebel who never listened.
Right now, the most promising talent he had was the young man standing before him, Hatake Kakashi.
The Third Hokage planned to cultivate Kakashi's skills, hoping he would grow quickly and one day help shoulder some of the burden.
If only things had been different... The Third sighed inwardly.
He then said to Kakashi, "It's been a while since Orochimaru fled, but he left several research labs behind in Konoha."
"The Anbu discovered one of his research sites yesterday. I want you to investigate it and see what you can find."
"Yes, sir!"
...
Outside the Konoha Ninja Academy.
Sasuke walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, followed by Sakura, and then Naruto and Hinata.
Naruto strolled behind Sakura with his hands clasped behind his head.
In this world, Naruto was much healthier, both mentally and physically. He no longer had a crush on Sakura; they were just ordinary friends.
Hinata, however, who walked just behind Naruto, had grown much closer to him.
"Sasuke, you got first place again! You're so amazing," Sakura gushed, her face full of admiration.
Sasuke found girls like her incredibly annoying. They clung to him like mosquitoes every day.
No matter which route he took home, girls would follow him. At first, it was a chaotic crowd.
Later, he wasn't sure if they had coordinated or not, but different girls would stake out different paths.
Sasuke ignored her and glanced back at Naruto's carefree posture. "Hey, Naruto! If you don't start trying, you're going to end up the dead-last."
Naruto dropped his hands. "You wish, Sasuke! This time was just a fluke. I'll definitely score higher than you next time."
Sasuke scoffed arrogantly. "Not a chance. The Uchiha are the best."
"Stop bragging, Naruto. You can't even beat Choji, how could you possibly surpass Sasuke?"
Hinata, standing behind Naruto, whispered, "I believe in you, Naruto. I know you'll do great next time."
Naruto heard her and laughed heartily. "See, Sakura? Someone has faith in me!"
He gave Hinata a thumbs-up. "Hinata has the best judgment!"
Hinata's face immediately turned bright red.
"Huh? What's wrong, Hinata? Your face is all red. Do you have a fever?"
Naruto casually leaned in, reaching out to touch her forehead.
He's too close! What do I do, what do I do? Hinata trembled with nervousness, looking like she was about to faint.
"You idiot, Naruto!"
Sakura yanked him back and stood beside Hinata protectively.
If Naruto had actually touched her, Hinata would have fainted for sure. It wouldn't have been the first time.
"Hey, I'm not an idiot!" Naruto protested.
The group quickly dissolved into playful bickering.
Ah, youth, mused Kawasaki from his perch in a tree, just as Kakashi walked into view.
"Yo, Naruto. Fancy seeing you here."
Kakashi was in full gear, clearly heading out on a mission.
He really has to come over and say hi just to make his presence known. He's trying so hard.
"Big Bro Kakashi, are you going on a mission?" Naruto waved happily. He didn't have many friends, and since Kakashi had been the one to approach him, he had a good impression of the older ninja.
"Yeah, something came up. I'll be busy for a bit. I'll treat you to ramen some other time, okay?"
With that, Kakashi hurried away.
"That guy... I think that was Kakashi," Sakura said, stunned.
"Naruto, how do you know him?" Sakura found it unbelievable.
"Huh?"
Naruto looked confused.
"You mean Big Bro Kakashi?"
Naruto explained, "I met him at Ichiraku Ramen. We ran into each other a few times and got to know each other. He even said he wanted to be my friend."
"Do you have any idea who Kakashi is?"
Sakura grabbed Naruto's sleeve and shook it.
"N-No, I don't."
Seeing Naruto's innocent expression, Sakura gestured in the direction Kakashi had gone.
"That's Hatake Kakashi, a super genius! Kakashi-senpai graduated from the Academy when he was only five years old!"
Hmm?! Sasuke's attention was instantly captured.
At an age when they were just starting school, he had already graduated.
"What?!"
Naruto was completely shocked!
"Big Bro Kakashi is that amazing?! He never mentioned it!"
Sakura rolled her eyes, not bothering to reply.
...
Kakashi traveled onward, soon arriving at a secluded spot in the forests of Konoha.
There, hidden from view, was the entrance to an underground passage.