I, Who Participated in the Chunin Exam, Was Broadcast Live!

Not only had his Chakra system recovered, but he had also learned the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Hashirama Senju: The Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains—that's a pretty great technique.

I kind of understand now why Mito specifically requested the Uzumaki Clan to serve as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. If trained well, it could probably even bind the Nine-Tails.

Minato Namikaze: Yes, my wife Kushina tried it, and she could do it.

Kakashi: ...

Minato Namikaze: What's wrong, Kakashi?

Kakashi: A bit puzzled. I just feel like Kitahara Kaede knows a little too much.

Tobirama Senju: What's so strange about that? He has Wood Release, after all. He awakened Wood Release.

Hiruzen probably deliberately let him get close to Naruto.

Because Wood Release can suppress the Nine-Tails. So naturally, he'd tell him a lot of things too.

Tobirama Senju's thinking was simple, but it was close to the truth. Because in the Third Hokage's mind, Kitahara Fu really was meant to suppress the Nine-Tails.

Kakashi: Maybe, but I still feel something's off.

Minato Namikaze: Come on—Kitahara Kaede is a lifelong friend of the Namikaze clan.

Minato was optimistic here. Before, he hadn't known that sealing the Nine-Tails had limited Naruto's growth, but now Kitahara Fu had not only removed that restriction but also given Naruto a direction to develop.

Now he'd even learned the Adamantine Sealing Chains, could escape the blame for being tricked into stealing the Scroll of Seals, and would ultimately receive a reward. Minato felt Naruto-chan had really met a benefactor.

So.

If Kitahara Kaede wasn't a friend of the Namikaze clan, then who was?

If he could appear before Kitahara Fu and Naruto right now, he'd want to sincerely thank Kitahara Fu.

Naruto, meeting Kitahara Kaede was truly wonderful.

Minato Namikaze suddenly felt his eyes grow a little moist.

·····

As expected, Naruto got permission to study the Scroll of Seals and learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Kitahara Fu returned to his room. He straightened the chair that had been knocked over by Mizuki's arrival, then turned on the desk lamp and wrote in his diary.

[XX day, evening.

Naruto visited. Mizuki-sensei attacked. Naruto unleashed the Adamantine Sealing Chains—a skill he'd never used before. He must have grasped it instantly, thinking only of protecting me in that moment.]

Up to here, it was normal.

He even seemed quite moved by Naruto's actions.

But.

[Looks like if I take a hit for Naruto in a real fight, he'll be devoted to me for life.]

[When the Otsutsuki Era comes in the future, Naruto will be a great fighter. Worth the investment.]

Above.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Observing Kitahara Fu (^_-) Small Group

Hashirama Senju: Damn, so this kid is dark!

Kakashi: Ha, I'm shocked.

Tobirama Senju: Ha... I'm shocked too.

Hashirama Senju: Tobirama, are all you scheming types this dirty-hearted?!

Minato Namikaze: Uh...

Minato, who had just been grateful and happy that Naruto met Kitahara Fu, felt the pressure.

But.

Minato Namikaze: What does Otsutsuki Era mean?

Tobirama Senju: Otsutsuki... Otsutsuki, I'm not sure either, but it seems the Sage of Six Paths' surname is Otsutsuki.

Hashirama Senju: The Sage of Six Paths, huh... Then maybe our being here has something to do with that too.

Kakashi: Possibly... Ah.

Kakashi suddenly let out a cry.

Minato Namikaze: What's wrong, Kakashi?

Kakashi: The Third Hokage came to see me at the hospital. It seems he wants me to become a Jonin Instructor.

Tobirama Senju: "Jonin Instructor... what a familiar phrase. I created that system myself—every jonin leads three genin. It's the passing of the torch."

Hashirama Senju: "As expected of my little brother."

Tobirama Senju: "Hmph. All because Big Brother was too busy handing out tailed beasts and messing around with Madara."

Hashirama Senju: "Don't make it sound so strange. Madara and I were perfectly innocent."

Minato Namikaze: "Kakashi, can you do me a favor?"

Minato here made a request.

Kakashi: "Tell me, Teacher."

Minato Namikaze: "I want you to take over my son Naruto's team. And if possible, bring Kitahara Kaede in too."

Kakashi: "You're worried about Kitahara Kaede?"

Minato Namikaze: "No. He may have his own goals, but he helped my Naruto-chan—that's a fact."

"Besides, isn't this small group observing Kitahara Kaede every day? So... if Naruto and Kitahara Kaede are together, I can see my Naruto-chan too."

"Twelve years. He's grown up, and I've given him nothing but trouble. Not a single bit of love."

Minato let out a soft sigh.

That weighed on the hearts of the three present.

Because each of them... carried regrets of their own.

Could it be... The sharpest of them, Tobirama Senju, suddenly thought—was this what the small group meant from the start by "revealing the truth of their era and fulfilling their wishes"?

Then, Kakashi thought, could he too meet his deceased father here?

PS: Wuwuwu, begging for data.

Flowers, evaluation tickets, monthly tickets, reviews—all needed, my friends.

Chapter 008: Hinata: I'm the Third Wheel!? (Begging for Data)

Konoha Hospital.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a pure white Hokage robe.

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already old, nearing seventy—a high age among ninja.

His body had become withered compared to his youth, with age spots dotting his face.

He spoke softly, "Kakashi, I called you here for one reason."

"As you know, today is the day the Ninja Academy students graduate."

"Might Guy requested that I let you return to normal life. I've approved it."

"So this time, I want you to serve as the Jonin Instructor for the 47th Class."

"You'll lead Naruto—Uzumaki Naruto. As I've told you before, he's Minato's son. I can only rest easy entrusting him to you."

"And Kitahara Kaede will be placed with you as well."

"Any objections?" the Third Hokage said.

Any objections?

Of course not.

"I accept the mission," Kakashi said.

Because this meant he could fulfill Teacher Minato's request—not only bringing Naruto in but also pulling Kitahara Kaede along.

That way, the small group observing Kitahara Kaede could continue.

Or perhaps this was how it was meant to be.

After all... what was known about Kitahara Kaede was that he had awakened Wood Release. The Third Hokage had been arranging for him to study it, all to counter tailed beasts and prevent Naruto's Nine-Tails from rampaging.

And forming a small team would make things easier.

"There's one more thing..."

Kakashi opened his mouth, hesitating whether to report the small group observing Kitahara Kaede to the Third Hokage.

But.

[Prohibited from disclosing the Observing Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group to unrelated personnel.]

Kakashi found his mouth open but unable to speak.

Yet subtitles and prompts appeared in his mind.

[Considering this is your first violation, you are awarded the title "Weakling Prince," and nine-tenths of your Chakra is extracted.]

[Ding!]

[Sixth Hokage has received the title "Weakling Prince."]

... What the hell...

It can actually work like this!?

Kakashi was still reeling from the shock when he suddenly felt... his body go hollow.

He instinctively went limp.

The movement was too fast; the Third Hokage, an old man, quickly steadied him.

"Hmm... your body still isn't in great shape," the Third Hokage said. "The side effects of the Sharingan are still too strong."

"..." Kakashi.

Though the Sharingan Obito had given him was constantly draining his Chakra, this time it wasn't because of the Sharingan.

But Kakashi chose to let that assumption stand.

"Get some good rest," the Third Hokage said. "Tomorrow, you'll be back under the sunlight."

Kakashi had been in the Anbu for ten years, always wearing a mask, so returning to the sunlight was an apt description.

Watching the Third Hokage's retreating back, Kakashi let out a sigh.

So, was joining this [Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group] a good thing or a bad thing?

And.

Kakashi recalled the notification that had appeared when he first joined the group.

Welcome, Sixth Hokage, has joined.

So, where was he really headed?

Kakashi's heart was tangled with complexity, while Kitahara Kaede's mood remained perfectly calm.