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 move.
I was starting to understand why Mito had specifically requested that an Uzumaki Clan member serve as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. With proper training, they could probably bind even the Nine-Tails.
Minato Namikaze: Yes. My wife, Kushina Uzumaki, tried it before. She could do it.
Kakashi: ...
Minato Namikaze: What is it, Kakashi?
Kakashi: I'm a little confused. I just feel like Kitahara Kaede knows a little too much.
Tobirama Senju: What's strange about that? He has Wood Release. He awakened Wood Release.
Hiruzen probably deliberately arranged for him to come into contact with Naruto.
Because Wood Release could suppress the Nine-Tails. Naturally, he would tell him many things.
Tobirama's thoughts were simple, but they were also quite close to the truth.
Because, in the Third Hokage's eyes, Kitahara Kaede had indeed appeared specifically to restrain the Nine-Tails.
Kakashi: Maybe. But I still feel like something is off.
Minato Namikaze: Well—Kitahara Kaede is a lifelong friend of the Namikaze clan.
Minato was rather optimistic. Before, he had not known that sealing the Nine-Tails had limited Naruto's development. Now, Kitahara Kaede had not only lifted those restrictions, but also given Naruto a direction for growth.
Now Naruto had even learned Adamantine Sealing Chains. He could clear himself of the charge of being tricked into stealing the Scroll of Seals, and might even receive a reward in the end. Minato felt that Naruto-chan had truly met a benefactor.
So—
If Kitahara Kaede was not a friend of the Namikaze clan, then who was?
If he had not been unable to appear before Kitahara Kaede and Naruto right now, he would have wanted to sincerely thank Kitahara Kaede.
Naruto, it was truly wonderful that you had met Kitahara Kaede.
Minato Namikaze suddenly felt his eyes grow moist.
Naruto indeed received permission to view the Scroll of Seals and learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Kitahara Kaede returned to his room, straightened the chair that Mizuki's arrival had knocked over, then switched on the desk lamp and began writing today's diary.
[XX Day, evening. Naruto visited. Teacher Mizuki attacked. Naruto unleashed Adamantine Sealing Chains, a skill he had never used before. For him to comprehend it instantly, he must have wanted to protect me without even thinking.]
Everything he had written so far was normal.
He even seemed rather moved by Naruto's actions.
But—
[It seems that if I take a blade for Naruto in an actual battle, he'll be completely devoted to me.] [When the future Otsutsuki Era arrives, Naruto will definitely make a good fighter. He's worth cultivating.]
That was all.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Observing Kitahara Kaede Small Group (^_-)
Hashirama Senju: Damn, so this kid is actually rotten to the core!
Kakashi: Ha, I'm deeply shocked.
Tobirama Senju: Ha... I'm shocked too.
Hashirama Senju: Tobirama, are the hearts of you schemers all this filthy?
Minato Namikaze: Uh...
Minato, who had just said he wanted to be grateful and was happy that Naruto had met Kitahara Kaede, felt pressured.
However—
Minato Namikaze: What does the Otsutsuki Era mean?
Tobirama Senju: Otsutsuki... Ōtsutsuki... I'm not entirely sure, but the Sage of Six Paths seemed to have the surname Ōtsutsuki.
Hashirama Senju: The Sage of Six Paths... Then perhaps our appearance here is related to that as well.
Kakashi: That's possible... Ah.
Kakashi suddenly cried out.
Minato Namikaze: What is it, Kakashi?
Kakashi: The Third Hokage came to see me at the hospital. It seems... he wants me to become a Jonin Instructor.
Tobirama Senju: A Jonin Instructor, huh? That's such a familiar term. I invented it. Every Jonin has to lead three Genin. That is how the flame is passed on.
Hashirama Senju: As expected of my little brother.
Tobirama Senju: Hmph. It's all because Big Brother only cared about giving Tailed Beasts away and fooling around with Madara.
Hashirama Senju: Don't make it sound so weird. Madara and I are completely innocent.
Minato Namikaze: Kakashi, could you do me a favor?
Minato made a request.
Kakashi: Just say the word, Teacher Minato.
Minato Namikaze: I hope you can take over Naruto's team. It would be best if you could bring Kitahara Kaede into it too.
Kakashi: Are you worried about Kitahara Kaede?
Minato Namikaze: No. Although he has his own motives, the fact remains that he helped Naruto-chan.
Besides, doesn't this small group let us observe Kitahara Kaede every day? Then... if Naruto and Kitahara Kaede are together, I'll be able to see Naruto-chan too.
Twelve years. He had grown up so much, yet I had never given him any love. Instead, I only brought him trouble.
Minato sighed softly.
That made the other three feel rather miserable as well.
Because they... more or less all had regrets in their hearts.
Could it be... Tobirama, the smartest among them, suddenly thought that perhaps the small group's original promise to reveal the truth of their era and fulfill their wishes referred to this?
Then Kakashi thought, might he also be able to see his deceased father here?
Hinata: I'm the Third Wheel!?
Konoha Hospital.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a pure white Hokage Robe.
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already quite old, nearly seventy years old—an advanced age for a ninja.
Compared to his youth, his entire body had become dry and withered, and his face was covered in age spots.
He slowly began speaking.
"Kakashi, there is only one reason I called you here this time."
"You also know that today is the day the Ninja Academy students graduate."
"Might Guy submitted a request for you to return to a normal life. I approved it."
"So this time, I want you to serve as the Jonin Instructor for the 47th Class."
"You will lead Naruto—Naruto Uzumaki. I told you before that he is Minato's son. I will only be at ease if I entrust him to you."
"And Kitahara Kaede will be entrusted to you as well."
"Do you have any objections?" the Third Hokage asked.
Any objections?
Of course not.
"I accept the mission," Kakashi said.
Because that meant he could complete the task Teacher Minato had given him. Not only would Naruto be brought over, but Kitahara Kaede would be as well.
That way, the Observing Kitahara Kaede Small Group could continue.
Or rather, that was probably how it was supposed to be.
After all... everyone knew Kitahara Kaede had awakened Wood Release. The Third Hokage had continually arranged for him to learn Wood Release so that he could restrain the Tailed Beasts and prevent Naruto's Nine-Tails from going berserk.
Making them a small team would make things more convenient.
"And..."
Kakashi opened his mouth, hesitating over whether he should report the matter of the Observing Kitahara Kaede Small Group to the Third Hokage.
But—
It is forbidden to disclose the Observing Kitahara Kaede Small Group (^_-) to unrelated personnel.
Kakashi found that although his mouth was open, he could not say a word.
Yet subtitles and prompts appeared in his mind.
As this is your first violation, you will be given the Weakling Prince title, and ninety percent of your Chakra will be extracted. Beep! The Sixth Hokage has been awarded the Weakling Prince title.
Holy shit...
It could do that!?
As Kakashi was still reeling in shock, he suddenly felt... hollow.
His entire body went limp on instinct.
It happened so quickly that the elderly Third Hokage hurriedly caught him.
"Mm... your body still isn't in very good condition," the Third Hokage said. "The Sharingan's side effects are still too severe."
"..." Kakashi.
Although the Sharingan Obito had given him was constantly draining his Chakra, this time was not caused by the Sharingan.
Still, Kakashi chose to silently accept that explanation.
"Get some proper rest," the Third Hokage said. "Tomorrow, you will return to the sunlight."
Kakashi had previously served in the Anbu for ten years, always needing to wear a mask, so it was not wrong to say that he would now return to the sunlight.
Watching the Third Hokage's departing back, Kakashi sighed.
So, was joining this [Observing Kitahara Kaede Small Group (^_-)] actually good or bad?
And—
Kakashi recalled the prompt that had appeared when he first joined the group.
Welcome, Sixth Hokage.
So where exactly was his future leading him?
Kakashi's feelings were complicated, while Kitahara Kaede remained perfectly calm.
Before you continue