Kakashi's Memories

43 days remained until the planet's arrival...

The moment Kakashi stepped out of Konoha, he stopped and took a deep breath of the fresh air outside.

He slowly raised a hand to touch his left eye, feeling an unprecedented sense of ease and clarity.

"Hokage..."

Kakashi murmured softly, as though some force within him was guiding him.

"Was my wish really to become Hokage?"

Teacher...

Obito...

And Rin...

They were all gone...

He quietly walked to a stream and lowered his head to gaze at his reflection in the water.

His face was reflected on the surface, his eyes carrying a trace of weariness.

Deep within his mind, long-forgotten memories surged forth like a tide.

The simple wishes and dreams he had once held now grew increasingly vague.

What followed, however, were scenes from his time in the Anbu—Konoha's higher-ups engaging in tedious yet brutal struggles for power.

Though the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, appeared kind and generous, he also harbored his own selfish motives.

Though Lord Hokage was not some utterly evil man, he was ultimately too old...

Stagnant with age...

After the Uchiha massacre, the Third Hokage's faction had gained considerably from the liquidation of the Uchiha clan's assets, and he had even tacitly permitted some of Danzo's actions.

Such as those missing Sharingan...

Thinking of this, Kakashi's heart grew heavy.

The reason he had failed to see through these matters before was that the Sharingan had been draining his chakra without restraint, even interfering with his brain and keeping his mind in a state of confusion and exhaustion.

However, ever since the Sharingan in his left eye had inexplicably become capable of closing freely, his thoughts had become remarkably clear.

The fog before his eyes had suddenly been swept aside, allowing him to clearly see many details and truths that he had overlooked in the past for the first time.

This change left him both shocked and confused.

The beliefs and values he had once held so firmly now seemed to be wavering.

He began to doubt whether he truly understood what it meant to be Hokage.

Was he truly suited for that position?

Just how much unbearable darkness was hidden beneath the Shinobi World's seeming peace?

Kakashi raised his head and looked toward the endless sky in the distance, his gaze holding a confusion and bewilderment he had never felt before.

"Perhaps all I can do now is find Lord Jiraiya first..."

As subtle changes arose in his state of mind, even Kakashi did not understand why they had occurred.

Inside the Hokage's office...

Uchiha Yuan's article still lay on the desk.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat quietly before his desk, rubbing his weary temples as he continuously considered his next decision.

Three hours had passed since he received the news. The two Hokage advisors would arrive tomorrow...

The entire village stood on the verge of a storm, and as Hokage, he had to find a way out amid this chaos.

Konoha's situation was growing increasingly tense. Now that the information about the future world's destruction had been exposed, turmoil across the entire Shinobi World was unavoidable.

Over the past few hours, Hiruzen had already issued orders to adjust mission assignments...

Most jonin would return to the village by tomorrow morning...

Some of the jonin skilled in Earth Release had been directly assigned to underground defensive construction, building defensive lines throughout the Land of Fire in preparation for the coming disaster.

In addition, Hiruzen had sent a letter to the Feudal Lord...

Konoha had also begun transferring large quantities of supplies to ensure it could continue surviving after the disaster.

Though over the next few days, all these actions would alert the other four great shinobi villages.

"This is Konoha's unilateral action..."

This action would inevitably draw the attention and suspicion of the four great shinobi villages.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had initially planned to immediately deliver the information about the world's destruction to the Five Kage of the other shinobi villages by scroll, hoping they could unite against the coming disaster.

Just as he was preparing to act, Danzo stormed into the office.

"Hiruzen... don't be so quick to tell them."

The moment Danzo entered, he guessed what Hiruzen intended to do...

"Call the Five Kage Summit first, then tell them about the world's destruction."

"Danzo, you've been showing up more often lately than the two advisors."

At the mention of those two, Danzo revealed a look of disdain. "They are mere vermin. In any case, we cannot tell the other villages so soon."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared straight at Danzo when he heard that. "Danzo, at a time like this, are you still trying to weaken the other villages?"

Danzo's expression remained cold, utterly unmoved by Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions. "The information on the black market has already spread among various mercenary groups and some shinobi. They already know about it, yet they have made no response so far."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened at those words, and he could not help retorting!

"That is nothing but sophistry. Who would believe a prophecy of such a disaster at first glance, especially under such absurd circumstances?"

Danzo did not answer. He merely shrugged lightly, seeming to have no interest in continuing the argument.

He was instinctively calm, as though he had anticipated this reaction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at him. Though anger filled his heart, he also knew he could not argue with Danzo much further on this matter.

"Fine, I'll listen to you. Since you are right, we should indeed convene the Five Kage Summit first, then officially relay the intelligence about the world's destruction."

Danzo nodded, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "This benefits Konoha and the Shinobi World's overall response. After all, Konoha's position after the disaster is our true objective."

"Do you really think delaying for a few days will benefit Konoha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke. In Danzo's eyes, his old habit had returned again...

"Delaying is necessary, Hiruzen. Look—Konoha's preparations are becoming more thorough. If the other shinobi villages make no preparations to resist, they will be left helpless."

"Konoha can use this opportunity to strengthen its position and perhaps even take control of the entire Shinobi World after the disaster."

"Rising after the disaster..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly, his heart filled with unspoken worry.

"Konoha must certainly rise again after the disaster, but have you truly considered what kind of catastrophe Konoha will face when it arrives?"

"By then, the village will already be ruins. How much strength can we possibly draw from that to support this dream?"

Danzo snorted coldly, his attitude growing increasingly arrogant.

"When Teacher Tobirama met with disaster, did we not rise again from the ruins? As long as Konoha's will remains, destruction is never the end, but a brand-new beginning."

Danzo: I want to establish a new beginning!!!

At this point, Danzo unusually showed a rare trace of concern. "Hiruzen, you are not young anymore. Rest first. Tomorrow morning, you still have to face those people. There is no need to waste more energy arguing with me."

"Danzo, how do you plan to handle Fugaku's Sharingan?"

At the mention of Uchiha Fugaku, Danzo snorted. "Since he never awakened the Mangekyo, why do you care about those eyes?"

"I merely wish to remember him. It will be enough if you and I each keep one Sharingan."

Danzo actually nodded. After all, this way of remembering someone was quite imaginative, even for Monkey.

Dark humor indeed...

"Fine... I'll have someone deliver it."

As his words fell, Danzo turned and slowly walked out of the Hokage's office.

The instant he stepped outside, his eyes became cold and vicious...

Hiruzen... he was becoming more and more senile...

At such a critical juncture, he actually extorted a Sharingan from me...

You are becoming increasingly unfit to remain in the position of Hokage...

Only I, Shimura Danzō, can lead Konoha back to its peak.