"Heh, couldn't I just come to see you and Naruto?" Jiraiya chuckled dryly, his face showing his guilt.
He knew he didn't have the confidence to say that; he had been back for a while, but only today did he think to see Naruto.
Kakashi was speechless. After a moment, he said, "Lord Jiraiya, to be honest, you shouldn't have come back to get involved in these muddy waters."
"Uh..." Facing Kakashi's direct words, Jiraiya was briefly at a loss.
"Lord Jiraiya, neither Touhuan nor the Third Hokage would have the expression you have now," Kakashi said. "Lord Jiraiya, you're not suited for this. Forcing your way in will only make things worse."
Jiraiya was speechless. He knew what Kakashi meant. Since being forced into the position of Hokage's advisor by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he often felt uncomfortable. He had never handled these matters before and found politics troublesome.
"Kakashi, I hope you can help me." Jiraiya took a deep breath and stated his purpose directly.
"Lord Jiraiya is joking. I am a ninja of the village. If Lord Jiraiya needs anything, just give the order, won't you?" Kakashi said.
"Kakashi, you know that's not what I meant!" Kakashi's words left Jiraiya unsure how to respond. He only mumbled vaguely,
"Then what exactly is it that you want to say, Jiraiya-sama?" Kakashi asked.
...
Silence fell again in the reception room. Kakashi slowly sipped his sake, and after a long while, he said: "See, Jiraiya-sama, I told you you're not suited for this."
"Kakashi, I have my reasons," Jiraiya said with a sigh. "Touhuan cannot become Hokage."
"Why?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"If Touhuan becomes Hokage, it will cause uncontrollable changes in the future, and a terrible disaster may happen," Jiraiya said seriously.
"Mount Myōboku said that?" Kakashi almost laughed in exasperation. Jiraiya could have given a different reason, even if he said he discriminated against the Uchiha and didn't want them as Hokage, it would be better than using a prophecy.
Jiraiya did not speak, but his expression showed tacit agreement.
"Then, Lord Jiraiya, if you become Hokage, where will you lead the village?" Kakashi asked.
"I..." Jiraiya was taken aback. He hadn't thought about this question but said, "I will ensure the village's peace until the Hokage's Hat is handed to the Sixth Hokage."
Kakashi smiled with relief.
No wonder Touhuan never took Jiraiya seriously. Lately, he had been anxious because Jiraiya often showed up in the village, but every time he went to see Touhuan, she would just have tea and tell him not to worry. She probably found it funny to see him anxious.
Kakashi's smile puzzled Jiraiya.
"Lord Jiraiya, any plans for a sequel to Make-Out Paradise?" Kakashi suddenly asked. "If you're not getting inspiration, shall we stroll around Kabukicho in the village?"
"No... no need." Jiraiya knew Kakashi was clearly rejecting him. "It's late, I won't disturb your rest."
Kakashi stood to see him off.
After reaching the door, Jiraiya slapped his forehead: "Oh right, I almost forgot something important."
"Kakashi, recently there have been many rogue ninja from Kirigakure on the border. The village has received many requests for help, and even the Daimyō sent a message. The Third Hokage plans to send someone, and you are the best candidate to lead the team."
Kakashi's eyes darkened. Was he being transferred out of the village?
"Alright, I understand." Kakashi nodded without changing his expression.
Not long after Jiraiya left, Kakashi went to the Uchiha clan's territory.
At Touhuan's house, the butler Keiko said Touhuan had gone out for training. After learning the direction of the training grounds, Kakashi rushed there.
At the training grounds, Kakashi saw Touhuan meditating in the center of the woods.
"Coming to see me so late, something important happened," Touhuan's voice rang, but she remained in meditation. "Jiraiya came?"
"Yes," Kakashi nodded. "He wants me to go to the border to catch the Kirigakure rogue ninja whose numbers have risen."
"Do they want to transfer you out?" Touhuan exited Sage Mode and stood. "It's possible. You've been in ANBU all these years, hidden. You need public achievements."
Although Kakashi contributed at Kannabi Bridge, people credited the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Compared to Touhuan's achievements, his were not impressive publicly. ANBU work kept him hidden, so his achievements couldn't be known.
Completing this border mission would benefit him personally.
"If I leave, will you be okay alone?" Kakashi asked.
"What problem could I have?" Touhuan laughed. "Unless they start a war in the village, but do they have the guts?"
"Instead, think about finishing this mission well," Touhuan laughed. "They probably want to pull you and the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates from the village. Genma and others are strong, but if surrounded, it will be troublesome. Your strength has stagnated since the Third Shinobi World War. White Fang was stronger than you at your age."
"Are you persuading me to remove the Sharingan?" Kakashi asked, touching his right eye.
"No," Touhuan shook her head. "This is a promise to my clansman. The Uchiha respect the will of heroes. But I do have suggestions for your strength."
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(End of Chapter)