Chapter 33 That's My Teacher's Son
The door to the Hokage's office was violently pushed open, and Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stormed in with angry expressions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing this, quietly gathered the documents on his desk.
Upon entering and seeing Touhuan Uchiha present, the two advisors immediately demanded, "Touhuan Uchiha, why did only Itsuki and Hayabusa not return from this mission?"
Touhuan Uchiha glanced back at the two old men and said calmly, "Isn't it normal for ninjas to die during missions?"
"I think you're taking revenge!" Koharu Utatane was more emotional. After all, her clan had lost a Jonin on this mission. Although her clan had developed rapidly in recent years thanks to the Third Hokage, a Jonin wasn't someone you could just train. Moreover, this mission had resulted in the deaths of ninjas from both the Utatane and Mitokado clans, while the two weakest civilians were unharmed. It was hard not to suspect Touhuan Uchiha of involvement, as they had done similar things before.
"My mission report is very clear. When we encountered Orochimaru, we were ambushed by a large-scale ninjutsu attack. The two of them were killed because they couldn't retreat in time," Kakashi said at this moment. "As for personal revenge, that's utter nonsense. Our entire team got along very well during the mission, and we all deeply regret their sacrifice."
Uchiha Touhuan glanced at Kakashi expressionlessly. Kakashi's progress was indeed very rapid; he had already mastered the basic skills of playing politics and was blatantly lying.
"Kakashi, you..." Utatane Koharu hadn't expected Kakashi to step in at this time and was momentarily speechless.
Touhuan Uchiha then spoke up: "The two advisors are really well-informed. We returned to the village to report less than half an hour ago, and the two advisors have already come to our door."
Touhuan Uchiha didn't finish his sentence, leaving the rest for Sarutobi Hiruzen to ponder.
"Enough!" Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table. "Koharu, Homura, barging into the Hokage's office without permission is outrageous!"
"Hiruzen?" Mitokado Homura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in disbelief.
"It seems the Hokage has other matters to attend to. Then, I'll take my leave. However, I urge the Hokage to consider my suggestion carefully. If the Hokage has any concerns, the Security Department can take full responsibility for this matter." Seeing that the time was right, Touhuan Uchiha bowed and took his leave.
After Touhuan Uchiha left, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at the two advisors: "What are you two still doing here? Leave."
"Hiruzen..." Utatane Koharu wanted to say something, but Mitokado Homura tugged at her sleeve. Seeing this, Utatane Koharu could only reluctantly leave the Hokage's office with him.
Kakashi was left alone in the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe, looked up, and asked, "Kakashi, is there anything else?"
Kakashi bowed respectfully and said solemnly, "Hokage-sama, I wish to resign from my position in the Anbu."
Kakashi's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi frown. He asked, "Why do you suddenly have this idea, Kakashi?"
Kakashi lowered his head and took a deep breath. "I've just been feeling a bit too tired lately."
The two fell silent for a while. After a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, "So, what are your plans after that?"
"Probably to go on missions like a regular ninja," Kakashi said. "And then, to make up for the people I neglected all these years while I was immersed in grief."
"Is that so?" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "It seems you've moved on from the pain of those years?"
"Also, I'd like to apply to take care of Naruto." Kakashi tried to keep his voice as emotionless as possible.
Kakashi's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpen, and the room fell silent once more.
After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Kakashi, you should understand Naruto's identity, right?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a hint of warning; Kakashi's attempt to contact a Jinchūriki had undoubtedly crossed his line. "I understand." Kakashi raised his head, looking directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his tone unwavering. "But he's also my teacher's son."
Kakashi's insistence left Hiruzen speechless. If anyone else had made this request, the Third Hokage would probably have already lost his temper. But Kakashi's request was flawless from every angle. As the Fourth Hokage's only surviving disciple, Kakashi had a duty to care for the Fourth Hokage's orphan, and Hiruzen couldn't find a reason to object.
Besides, if he strongly opposed it, Kakashi would probably become completely estranged from him.
After finishing his cigarette, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed heavily. "Alright, I originally planned for you to lead the team after Naruto graduated, but since you've brought it up now, then Naruto is in your hands."
"Thank you." Seeing the Third Hokage relent, Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
"Kakashi, after you leave the Anbu, take a position in the Jonin squad. The village still needs you for the time being," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"As you command, Hokage-sama," Kakashi nodded.
...
After Touhuan Uchiha returned home, his butler, Uchiha Keiko, had thoughtfully prepared hot water for his bath.
After bathing, Touhuan Uchiha went to his room, lit incense, and began to groom his scalp.
Not long after, Uchiha Keiko knocked on the door and said, "Clan Head, Elder Fugaku has arrived."
"Please invite him in and prepare the tea set."
"Yes," Uchiha Keiko replied and left.
A moment later, in the reception room of Touhuan Uchiha's residence, Uchiha Fugaku and Touhuan Uchiha knelt and sat facing each other, watching Touhuan Uchiha arrange the tea set.
"Elder Fugaku, please," Touhuan Uchiha offered a cup of tea.
Fugaku, as expected of an elite who received a prestigious education from a young age, was impeccable in his manners compared to Kakashi's nonchalant approach. He completed a full tea ceremony before setting down his teacup and saying, "I didn't expect you to have such skill, Touhuan."
"Elder Fugaku, you flatter me. I just practiced a few things when I was alone," Touhuan Uchiha replied with a smile. "Elder Fugaku, what brings you here so late?"
"How did the mission go?" Uchiha Fugaku asked.
"It went fairly well," Touhuan Uchiha said. "Although we failed to capture Orochimaru, we gained some important insights, and more importantly, all the clan members returned safely."
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(End of Chapter)