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"What do you all make of this?"

Late at night, inside the Hokage Office.

After sending Naruto, Sasuke, and Kitagawa Gen all home, Hiruzen Sarutobi brought everyone involved in tonight's key events to the office.

He had wanted to just send Kakashi to the hospital, but this man clearly could not sit still, so it was better to settle everything in one go.

"This is troublesome."

Jiraiya rubbed his brow. After thinking it over, he simply started from his own perspective.

"I checked Naruto's condition. It's very unusual for the Nine-Tails to have such a violent reaction. Maybe what happened back then really was connected to this guy. After all, that space-time technique..."

"Mm, indeed."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. It seemed only a space-time technique could deal with Flying Thunder God.

"And he has the Sharingan. Even the stronger Mangekyō Sharingan."

Just then, Shimura Danzō, who was standing to the side, spoke. His face was dark, his voice icy.

"That space-time technique might be his Eye Technique. Otherwise, I can't think of any other space-time technique capable of reaching that level.

Flying Thunder God was developed by my teacher, the Second Hokage. Most likely, only the Mangekyō Sharingan could counter it.

And only those eyes could possibly control the Nine-Tails and cause what happened ten years ago!

Hmph, those Uchiha."

"Perhaps..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a vague nod, but he could not help shooting his old friend a glare.

The earlier analysis had been objective, logical, and well-founded, but what was the meaning of adding "those Uchiha" at the end?

They were all dead already, and that still was not enough for you?

Besides, if that guy really was who they thought he was, then even Kakashi had suffered badly, hadn't he?

Turning his head, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi, who had yet to speak. After pondering for a moment, he asked in a low voice.

"Kakashi, what do you think about this?"

"Hokage, I..."

Kakashi had also regained quite a bit of calm by now, but when it came to this question, he found himself momentarily stuck.

To be honest, he really did not quite believe that was Obito Uchiha. In his memory, Obito had clearly been an extremely kind person, someone filled with the Will of Fire.

And back then, he had saved him. He should have died in the line of duty long ago. How could he...

After struggling for a moment, Kakashi finally spoke.

"I'm not too sure either. If we go by the current clues, as well as the experiences he described, then perhaps it really is him.

But his change is hard to understand. Aside from that, there seems to be an issue with his age as well."

"Oh, his age?"

"Yes, Hokage. Obito was about the same age as me. By age, he should have only been thirteen or fourteen ten years ago. He might not have had the ability to create a disaster like that, especially while also dealing with the Fourth Hokage."

"That is indeed worth considering."

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help nodding when he heard Kakashi's words, but Danzō gave a cold snort from the side.

"So what if he was thirteen or fourteen? Didn't Itachi Uchiha kill his entire family at that age?"

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt rather exhausted. Did this old friend of his really have to bring up the one pot that should not be mentioned?

He glared fiercely at the man, but he also had to admit that this old bastard had a point.

"This matter has to be taken into consideration as well. Once the Uchiha awaken the Mangekyō, they undergo a qualitative change. We must investigate it carefully."

"What a pain."

Jiraiya sighed. He felt that things were growing more and more complicated.

"Then what's our line of investigation? Do we continue looking for a breakthrough in Kirigakure, or..."

"I think it should still be Kirigakure."

At that moment, Kakashi's voice became slightly heavy. He seemed to have realized something.

"If it really is Obito, I'm afraid starting from Kirigakure would be better. After all..."

"You mean..."

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to recall something as well.

"Your teammate from back then, Rin Nohara?"

"Mm."

Kakashi closed his eyes slightly, as if the past was too painful to look back on.

"Perhaps someone bewitched him. Because I once promised to protect Rin, but...

So starting from that angle may be better. At the same time, we can also continue investigating that mysterious organization. After all, Gen also said he seemed to be in that organization."

"That is indeed a decent line of thought. His motive for changing seems to have been found as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. Investigating Kirigakure was fine too. It saved him from having brought Shimura Danzō out for nothing.

But when Kitagawa Gen was mentioned, he still could not help feeling somewhat impressed.

"Kakashi, you took in a good disciple. Leaving aside who he was facing, it is truly unbelievable that he could perform like that.

And his analysis of intelligence was truly precise as well. Even if the other party was careless, that was still his skill. Not to mention, he even created an entirely new technique."

"Gen..."

At the mention of his only disciple, Kakashi's originally low mood improved slightly.

"He is indeed extremely outstanding, and he is also very calm when facing problems. His learning ability is extraordinarily strong, too.

That Lightning Release was something he thought up entirely on his own and developed independently. His talent definitely far surpasses mine back then.

And he is a child with a strong Will of Fire!"

"Oh?"

When Shimura Danzō heard that evaluation, the corner of his eye could not help twitching slightly, but right now he did not dare speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also very surprised. In such a short time, Kakashi had already come to value this boy so much?

One had to know that when he had been in the Anbu, he had not been like this.

And Hiruzen Sarutobi would never forget what Kakashi's talent had once been like. But to evaluate this boy so highly...

It seemed fitting, especially considering the performance of that Purple Lightning. Even he still remembered it vividly!

"In that case..."

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to come up with an idea. His gaze involuntarily turned toward Jiraiya at the side.

That look immediately made Jiraiya shiver.

"It's finally settled!"

Back at his own home, Kitagawa Gen plopped down onto his bed.

Obito Uchiha had run off, and he had quietly poked at his identity in passing. The rest was no longer something a mere little genin like him could take part in.

"But I did get a free security detail..."

His gaze could not help sweeping toward the window. Kitagawa Gen naturally sensed the Anbu hidden near his residence.

He had not expected there would come a day when he would enjoy treatment like this too.

But this was normal. He had just set Obito Uchiha up, but who could guarantee that he would not double back to kill him?

Not only him, Naruto's place was the same. Even that brat Sasuke had not returned to the Uchiha compound, but had been sent to Naruto's home to make do for now before further arrangements were made.

"But this basically has no effect on me."

All the system's operations were completed in his mind. Besides, his background right now was clean as could be.

Not only that, he was also Kakashi's disciple, and Jiraiya had returned as well!

What did that mean?

He was a perfectly legitimate Hokage-line person!

As for the Hokage...

If everyone in line to take the position was one of their own, what difference did it make who became Hokage?

In the future, Kitagawa Gen would have the qualifications to get in that line!

"Besides, I'm still the disciple of the future Sixth Hokage..."

Muttering inwardly, he also turned his attention to the system. The tallying of the rewards should be complete.

And at that moment, his heartbeat suddenly sped up!

Side Quest completed: Dead Last, Don't Be Arrogant

Reward obtained: Obito Uchiha's Yin-Yang Release

Kakashi exclusive quest completed: Help Kakashi find his friend, Obito Uchiha

Reward obtained: Obito Uchiha's special Yin Release Power