Kakashi's Evolution

Aburame Shibi took a deep breath. Uchiha Toko's move was equivalent to placing two choices before them.

Either they joined the Uchiha camp from this day onward, or they stood with the Hokage faction. Trying to send over one or two talented children from the clan as they had before and then wash their hands of the matter was no longer possible.

"Clan Head Douhuan, I would like to confirm one more thing." After a while, Aburame Shibi removed his sunglasses and took the initiative to meet Uchiha Toko's gaze. "The Military Police Force definitely will not recruit children who have not graduated from the Ninja Academy, correct?"

"Of course." Uchiha Toko heard Aburame Shibi's concern and smiled. "As someone who was sent to the battlefield at the age of nine, although my current reputation came from my achievements in war, I still think that experience was fucking messed up."

Uchiha Toko spoke from the heart. The man who had been solemn and courteous from the moment he entered even cursed at that moment, and his emotion was sincere rather than feigned.

"Children should attend the Ninja Academy at the age when they ought to be studying. Clan Head Aburame, wouldn't you agree?" Only then did Uchiha Toko smile and meet Aburame Shibi's eyes.

"I understand." Aburame Shibi nodded solemnly.

Although he had grown up under the Second's shadow, and ambitious men like Danzo had yet to rise during his childhood, when he had just come of age, Aburame Ryoma had been forcibly taken by Danzo from the then-clan head, who was his paternal uncle. On the first day he became clan head, the former clan head had taken him to the Clan Shrine to view the clan's history. It recorded in detail the names of those taken away at very young ages and publicly expelled from the clan. At the time, Aburame Ryoma had been the last one.

"Remember these names," the former clan head had told him solemnly before the clan crest in the Clan Shrine. "It was because these elders, whose names could not even be included in the clan's memorial rites, voluntarily cast themselves into darkness that the clan's spark has survived to this day. If one day you face such a choice too, even if it is your own child, you cannot hesitate in the slightest."

Aburame Shibi had been deeply shaken at the time and remembered the former clan head's words. That was why he had summoned Aburame Torune today. However, the environment he had grown up in still made him doubt the history of the past. When the First and Second were still alive, the clan could have survived perfectly well without doing such things.

So now, after hearing Uchiha Toko's promise, Aburame Shibi was moved. During the Third Shinobi World War, he had been stationed on the Land of Water front, where the Uchiha Clan had been most heavily deployed. Thus, he understood Uchiha Toko's strength better than anyone else. After all, this was a ruthless man who had wiped out fifteen Kirigakure jonin squads by himself years ago. Combined with the Mangekyō Sharingan he had seen at the village gate that day, in Aburame Shibi's eyes, this was a promise made to him and his clan by a shinobi whose strength rivaled the First's.

Having made up his mind, Aburame Shibi picked up the Evidence of Crimes against the Three Clans from the table and said, "From today onward, the Aburame Clan will follow the Uchiha's lead."

"Clan Head Aburame is a smart man." Uchiha Toko smiled and snapped his fingers. Threads of electricity flashed, and flames rose from the Evidence of Crimes concerning Aburame Ryoma on the table. Before long, it turned to ashes. "Have someone report to the Military Police Force tomorrow. As for when we formally act, wait for my orders."

"Understood." Aburame Shibi nodded, then personally rose to see him out.

While Uchiha Toko was a guest at the Aburame Clan compound, a large gathering was being held at Yakiniku Q, the large barbecue restaurant owned by the Akimichi Clan.

The official notice of Kakashi's retirement from the Anbu had been issued today. From this day on, Kakashi no longer served in the Anbu.

The first thing Kakashi did after retiring was invite most of the shinobi in the Anbu who had carried out missions with him to a meal, nominally to thank everyone for their help over the years.

Kakashi had rented out the entire Yakiniku Q. He had invited a full sixty people, the weakest of whom were Special Jonin. Most of them, however, were commoner shinobi or shinobi from small clans, like Gekko Hayate.

As the largest barbecue restaurant in the village, Yakiniku Q's prices were not as outrageous as the luxurious restaurant Uchiha Toko had taken everyone to during their previous mission, but they were certainly not cheap. At Anbu salary levels, coming here occasionally for a treat was manageable, but frequent visits would strain even an Anbu's pay. Therefore, those who received the invitations came without thinking much of it.

During the meal, Kakashi imitated Uchiha Toko and raised his wine cup, clearing his throat. Seeing this, the others set down their chopsticks as well.

"Everyone, during my time in the Anbu, I was fortunate to receive all of your help. Though I have now retired, I will always remember the time we spent working together."

"You are too kind, Lord Kakashi," a commoner shinobi said. "We are the ones who should thank you for looking after us on the job. If you had not saved me during those previous missions, I probably would have died."

"That is not how it should be said. During missions, as the captain, saving my teammates is what I should do." Kakashi said, "I know my own personality well. During missions, I may have overlooked everyone's feelings. In some people's eyes, I may not have seemed very approachable. Before I formally retire, I still want to say this: thank you all for tolerating my temper for the sake of the Will of Fire and ensuring the missions proceeded smoothly. I toast you all!"

Kakashi removed his mask and solemnly drained the wine in his cup.

Seeing this, the others responded in kind and downed their drinks.

At that moment, Nagai Seiichi, who had long since pledged his loyalty to Uchiha Toko and had guessed that Kakashi and Uchiha Toko shared a close relationship, stepped forward. "Captain Kakashi's words truly make us ashamed. Clearly, it was because we lacked ability that Captain Kakashi had to do more, yet Captain Kakashi is still looking for fault in himself. What is the Will of Fire? This is the Will of Fire! Everyone, I propose that we toast Captain Kakashi together! Though Captain Kakashi has retired, we will forever remember your kindness!"

After another round of drinks, Kuroki Ryuta, who had also participated in the mission to hunt down Orochimaru last time, stood and said, "Though we are reluctant to see Lord Kakashi retire, we should still wish him health and continued victory in his future career as a shinobi!"

As cups were raised and exchanged, the sake that was drained and refilled reflected Kakashi's face. This was the first time Kakashi had voluntarily removed the mask he had worn for most of his life in front of so many people.

By the end of the gathering, every attendee wore a drunken flush. After it ended, Kakashi watched everyone leave one by one. Soon, the vast Yakiniku Q was left with only him.

Kakashi sat alone for a while before finally getting up to leave. After stepping outside, he instinctively took out his mask to put it on, but after thinking it over, he put it away. Carrying the packed meal he had prepared for Naruto, he headed toward the Hatake House.

Today's update was a little late. Sorry.