Kakashi's Adam's apple bobbed. The words "Descendant of Heroes" struck deep into his heart.
He looked at Naruto fishing by the river, and some familiar memories flashed through his mind.
After a long while, Kakashi finally spoke.
"Lord Hokage will handle these matters."
Eiji said nothing. He simply tossed the book over.
The instant Kakashi caught it on reflex, Eiji had already flashed behind him.
Kakashi broke into a cold sweat.
If they had been on a battlefield, he might already have been dead.
By then, Eiji had arrived beside Naruto.
Naruto was immersed in the joy of fishing, struggling with a big fish beneath the surface.
"Ahhhhh!"
The fishing rod bent into a huge arc, its line pulled taut as steel wire.
With a crack, the fishing rod suddenly snapped.
Naruto fell flat on his back, helplessly watching the broken rod drift farther and farther away.
"Oh no, my fish! My fishing rod!"
Naruto angrily ruffled his blond hair, thinking that he absolutely had to demand an explanation from that unscrupulous merchant.
But that was a matter for later. Right now, there was a more important problem: it looked like he was going to go hungry again tonight.
Just as Naruto was thinking about picking some mushrooms to stave off his hunger, the surface of the water suddenly began to swirl.
"Huh?"
Several whirlpools appeared out of nowhere on the water's surface, followed by several small water tornadoes.
Eiji crooked a finger, and several large fish were blasted out of the water, landing with a slap at Naruto's feet.
Naruto was dumbfounded.
What was going on? Were these fish taking pity on how hungry he was and coming to offer him some warmth?
Just then, Naruto heard footsteps behind him.
He turned around and saw Eiji smiling at him.
A smile instantly spread across Naruto's face. "It's Big Brother Eiji!"
He immediately picked up the biggest fish and shoved it straight into Eiji's arms.
"Big Brother Eiji, this one's for you. I heard this kind of fish makes really good soup."
Holding the fish, Eiji sat down beside Naruto.
"Thank you, Naruto."
"Hehe." A blush appeared on Naruto's face. "That's the first time anyone's ever thanked me."
"Big Brother Eiji, let me tell you, the river suddenly started spinning just now..."
"Have you eaten dinner yet? How about I grill you some fish?"
[Naruto finally realized how wonderful it felt to be needed.] [Quest Reward: Taijutsu: Monster Strength. Your control over Chakra has become more precise. You can concentrate Chakra in a specific area and unleash tremendous power.]
Kakashi stood not far away, quietly watching the two of them talk.
For some reason, seeing Naruto so happy suddenly filled him with guilt.
Naruto was his teacher Minato's son.
Minato and Kushina had lost their lives protecting Konoha, leaving behind only the pitiful Naruto.
By rights, he should have taken responsibility for looking after Naruto.
At the very least, he should have offered him some help.
But he had done nothing.
Instead, it was the Uchiha, ostracized by the villagers, who had stepped forward and brought Naruto a little warmth.
"Damn it, I really am the worst."
While Kakashi was deeply blaming himself, Ryoma, who had been hiding nearby, could no longer contain his excitement.
Damn it, I finally got my chance!
Following Danzo's orders, the moment Eiji came into contact with the Jinchuriki again, they could forcibly take him back to the Root Organization for questioning.
As for what charge they would pin on him, that was entirely up to Lord Danzo.
For example: the inherently evil Uchiha had refused to mend his ways despite repeated admonitions and was now audaciously attempting to control the Jinchuriki and incite a coup.
In any case, the pen was in Lord Danzo's hand. He could write whatever he wanted.
Ryoma made a hand signal, and the Root Organization members under him quickly sprang into action.
With a series of rustles, several masked figures slowly emerged, firmly surrounding Eiji and Naruto.
Naruto, who had been threading the fish onto branches, stopped moving. His big eyes were filled with enormous confusion.
A lot of people had come to see him today.
"Uchiha Eiji, suspected of..."
Before the ninja could finish speaking, Eiji ran a blade straight through his chest.
"There are suspicious individuals attempting to harm Naruto's safety. Captain Kakashi, I need your assistance!"
"Huh?"
Kakashi felt that Eiji had probably gone insane.
You don't recognize these people, and you don't recognize the masks they're wearing?
To that, Eiji could only say: Don't ask. If you ask, the answer is that I don't recognize them.
"Water Style: Water Wave!"
Eiji clasped his hands together and instantly summoned a current that rose rapidly like a tornado.
It then formed a surging wave that spread outward, covering the ground beneath their feet.
Under the tremendous impact, the six-man Root Organization squad was instantly swept away.
"Naruto, stay here and don't move. I'll be back in a moment."
"Oh..."
Naruto answered weakly, clutching the branch and shrinking cautiously into a ball.
Eiji disappeared from the spot with Xiao Er in hand. The next second, he appeared behind the black-clad ninja who was struggling to stand.
The sharp blade pierced through his body. When Eiji pulled Xiao Er free, blood gushed out.
"Eiji, stop!"
Kakashi shouted to stop him, but Eiji paid no attention.
With a flash of his blade, he dispatched all six ninjas.
Naruto had never witnessed anything like this. He was so frightened that he could not speak, scrambling behind a large tree on all fours and forcing himself not to cry out.
Kakashi did not know what words could express his feelings at that moment. "Are you insane? That was..."
"Watch out!"
Eiji shouted, and Kakashi's pupils contracted. The Sharingan beneath his mask spun rapidly.
What now?!
Eiji pulled out several kunai fitted with Explosive Tags and threw them toward a certain tall tree.
Ryoma, hiding there, cursed Eiji's ancestors from beginning to end.
Damn it, you Uchiha are seriously sick!
Seriously sick!
"Art is an Explosion!"
Eiji roared, and the Explosive Tags detonated in unison, making their eardrums ache.
The shockwave sent shattered stones flying in every direction.
Eiji moved his fingers, and a towering wall of water rose before him.
Puff, puff, puff.
The stones slammed into the water wall before tumbling weakly to the ground.
"Danger eliminated. Thank you for your help, Captain Kakashi. I was able to keep Naruto safe because of you."
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes widened. He could not believe what he was seeing.
Not only had Eiji hacked down several members of the Root Organization, he had even used Explosive Tags?
Were you trying to make sure no one survived?
And besides, who helped you?!
When you cut them down just now, I didn't lift a finger!
At this point, Kakashi did not know what to say.
He could only report the matter to Lord Hokage.
"Let's go, Naruto."
Naruto had not yet recovered from his fright. He stared blankly at Eiji.
"Go... where?"
Eiji strung several large fish together and picked up the remaining half of the fishing rod from the ground.
"It's dangerous here. I'll take you somewhere safe."
"Oh, okay." Naruto gripped the corner of Eiji's clothes tightly.
Kakashi really wanted to swear. He truly did.
He could not understand how Eiji could act as though nothing had happened.
Did he have any idea how much trouble this would bring him?
Kakashi stepped in front of the two of them. "Eiji, you can't leave yet."
The corners of Eiji's mouth curved upward. "Senior Kakashi, is this how you treat a good villager who protected me while protecting Naruto?"
"According to Konoha's regulations, no one is allowed to kill indiscriminately within the village."
"According to the Security Division's regulations, I must protect the safety of every villager."
The two stood at daggers drawn, and the air seemed to fill with the acrid smell of gunpowder.
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it again next time.
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