I Am Building Bonds

In the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi held a report...

Sitting behind his desk, he felt a slight weariness due to the series of events that had occurred recently.

Quietly observing Kakashi standing before him, a subtle sense of indescribable relief and stability welled up deep within his heart.

"Kakashi."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke softly, his tone kind and gentle...

"I heard from the Anbu that you took the initiative to visit Naruto Uzumaki today?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

After a brief pause, he drew a short blade from his waist and placed it gently before Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

The light from the desk lamp shone upon the weapon, the sharp edge reflecting a cold glint.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback, carefully examining the long-lost short blade as he murmured, "This is... the White Fang's blade?"

Kakashi nodded slightly, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

"Ever since I regained my confidence, I have been able to close and control this Sharingan on my own. Now, I can finally pick up this blade once more and inherit my father's will."

Hearing this, a trace of comfort swept through Hiruzen's heart.

He certainly knew what a long and painful struggle Kakashi had endured; this blade represented more than just a weapon—it was a symbol of Kakashi finally making peace with his past.

"Is it because you picked up the blade that you thought of Minato?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone revealed a hint of melancholy and reflection, which also explained Kakashi's behavior...

Kakashi nodded, his voice soft and sincere: "Yes, picking up this blade reminded me of Master Minato... and the child he left behind, Naruto Uzumaki. That is why I went to visit him."

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but fall silent for a moment.

He sighed, his eyes filled with deep regret and self-reproach: "I have been too negligent in my daily duties, failing to take proper care of Naruto and letting the child suffer."

"Lord Hokage, you need not blame yourself; this is not your fault."

"Naruto possesses an extraordinary Will of Fire within him. Although his life is difficult now, one day in the future, this will shall ignite and illuminate all of Konoha."

As he said this, Kakashi paused for a moment...

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not notice the detail in Kakashi's speech...

He simply revealed a gratified smile.

He had not expected that after experiencing so many setbacks and trials, Kakashi would be able to view Naruto's future with such a mature and far-sighted perspective.

He had even begun to think about problems from a perspective approaching that of a Hokage.

"It seems, Kakashi, that your way of thinking is becoming increasingly like that of a Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly, a look of deep satisfaction flowing in his eyes.

Kakashi nodded slightly: "It is precisely because of this that I wish to take the initiative to draw closer to Naruto, to give him the opportunity to form true bonds."

When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard the word "bonds," his gaze flickered slightly, and the smile on his face became profound.

He nodded thoughtfully, clearly in deep agreement.

In fact, deep within his heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always believed that Kakashi was one of the teachers best suited to guide Naruto's growth in all of Konoha.

Kakashi had once studied under the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato; he not only possessed outstanding ability but also had rich experience and a profound Will of Fire.

This coincided perfectly with Naruto's special status and developmental needs.

It was just that, for various reasons, the Kakashi of the past had never proactively made such a request.

Now, as he shed the shadows of his past, regained his spirit, and even took the initiative to reach out to Naruto, this was undoubtedly great news for Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded inwardly, his anxieties gradually dissipating.

"Kakashi, I certainly will not oppose this. You and Naruto already share a natural bond and connection."

"Being able to step forward to care for him and guide him will be the best possible outcome for Naruto."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's reply, Kakashi felt a quiet sense of relief: "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Hokage. From today on, I will do everything in my power to protect Naruto and accompany him as he grows. I will never fail the trust you and my teacher have placed in me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled with satisfaction and gently patted Kakashi on the shoulder: "The road ahead is still long, and the future of Konoha will eventually rest upon the shoulders of you young people."

"No matter how difficult or treacherous the path ahead may be, you must firmly grasp your original intention and conviction. Only then will you truly be qualified to become a Hokage who possesses the Will of Fire."

"Please rest assured, I will certainly not fail your expectations."

Just as Kakashi and Hiruzen Sarutobi were still talking, several figures suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Hokage office with hurried footsteps.

"Lord Hokage!"

Several Anbu appeared, looking tense and hurried, their voices slightly agitated.

"What has happened?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately wiped away his previous smile, his expression turning serious as he looked sharply at the Anbu.

"Lord Hokage, Sasuke Uchiha has gone missing!"

"What?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression shifted abruptly upon hearing this, his brows furrowing instantly.

"What exactly happened? How could he suddenly go missing?"

The Anbu operative lowered his head and reported rapidly, "We have conducted a thorough investigation of the scene."

"Sasuke Uchiha never left Konoha Hospital. From the ward to the exterior, there are no signs of forced entry or a struggle. It is as if he vanished into thin air, leaving absolutely no trace behind."

Hearing the Anbu's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned grim.

Kakashi, standing to the side, fell into a deep silence.

Obito had already succeeded.

Kakashi's emotions were complex.

It was as if...

Some force in the dark was guiding the fate of everyone, irresistibly pushing them toward a specific direction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly calmed down from his shock, his brows locked tight as he muttered, "Vanished into thin air... Could it be that mysterious Masked Man who attacked Kakashi last time?"

Clearly, the first suspect to surface in his mind was that mysterious Masked Man who possessed space-time ninjutsu and could easily penetrate Konoha's barriers.

Within Konoha, only that person possessed the ability to spirit someone away so easily and silently without leaving a single trace.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling a wave of a headache coming on.

He suddenly thought of the secret agreement between himself and Itachi Uchiha, and his inner anxiety deepened.

With Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke, now taken, this would inevitably trigger more unpredictable variables regarding Itachi, making the situation increasingly thorny.

A moment later, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally issued his orders in a deep voice: "Increase the search efforts; you must do everything in your power to find Sasuke's whereabouts."

But with a crisis looming over the Shinobi World, Konoha could not commit too many resources.

If he truly could not be found, they would have to shelve the matter for the time being and deal with it only after the situation became clearer.

"Kakashi, go to Amegakure again and contact Jiraiya... Sasuke must have been taken to the Akatsuki..."

Because of Kakashi's misleading intelligence, the Masked Man's actions were still being viewed as the movements of the Akatsuki.

After handling these matters, the Third Hokage glanced at some documents in his drawer.

For a moment, his expression turned incredibly bitter.