Unbelievable Kakashi

Hearing Naruto say that so directly sent a chill down Kakashi's spine.

Replace the Hokage?

Not by someone becoming Hokage in the normal way.

But by some extreme means.

Such thoughts shouldn't exist, and couldn't exist, within Konohagakure.

Kakashi almost reflexively wanted to retort.

He wanted to warn Naruto how unrealistic that idea was, how it would easily attract unnecessary trouble, and so on.

But those words got stuck in his throat, as if blocked by something invisible, and he couldn't speak them.

Because of the Hyuga incident Naruto had mentioned.

It was precisely that incident which Kakashi's own heart had never been able to truly accept.

That humiliating practice of sacrificing comrades for temporary peace went completely against Obito's belief that "those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash."

Kakashi had been powerless to change the Third Hokage's decision at the time, but he had never been able to genuinely accept it.

The lips beneath his mask moved slightly. Finally, Kakashi's voice, with a dryness he hadn't even noticed himself, said in a low tone, "Naruto... do you know what you're saying? If the Anbu or other ninja heard words like that..."

"It's just us here, Teacher Kakashi."

Naruto interrupted Kakashi's unfinished words. His sapphire-like eyes were clear, yet incredibly deep. "Besides, you kept me behind specifically because you've also vaguely realized it deep down, haven't you?"

"Realized that the old path might no longer work."

"You took my advice and proposed this to the Third Hokage, which means you yourself are also yearning for some kind of change, aren't you?"

Kakashi fell silent.

He couldn't deny Naruto's words.

After the survival exercise, he had indeed woken up as if from a dream, seeing a new possibility, a faint light that might prevent more tragedies.

But turning that possibility into reality was far more difficult than he had imagined.

And far more...

Radical, even extremely dangerous.

"Even... as you say." Kakashi carefully considered his next words, trying to regain the stance he should have as a Konoha Jonin. "Changing the system also takes time, requires a gradual approach, not... using such an extreme method..."

"Time?" Naruto shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of weariness and resolve. "Teacher Kakashi, time is what I lack the most right now."

"Or rather, I don't have any more time to waste on endless waiting and compromise."

That was right, he only had five years.

If he had to wait until everything was "ripe," he had no idea when that would be.

Therefore, Naruto couldn't wait.

Of course, Kakashi couldn't understand this.

"Then... what do you plan to do?"

Kakashi asked, his voice hoarse.

His voice carried a hint of wavering he hadn't noticed himself.

And an extremely faint, almost unwillingly acknowledged anticipation.

It was only at this moment that Kakashi truly realized that his subordinate before him, the child of his teacher Minato.

Was not simply exceptionally mature in mind and gifted in strength.

He already had his own mature and complete ideas and plans.

No!

Since Naruto had laid these words bare before him, did this mean...

He had already started acting long ago?

Kakashi suddenly felt a chill at the thought.

"My methods... you'll understand when the Chunin Exams arrive." Naruto looked at Kakashi, his eyes sharpening at that moment. "Teacher Kakashi, you will soon face a moment where you must make a choice."

"Will you continue to follow the old path laid out by the Third Hokage, and watch the same tragedies repeat themselves over and over in the future, or... will you be willing to take a gamble and see the completely different future I can bring?"

Kakashi fell silent once more.

He had originally sought out Naruto for a talk, hoping the young ninja could help him resolve his confusion, or even persuade the Third Hokage. He hadn't expected Naruto to not only fail to answer his questions.

But instead, push him into even deeper confusion and struggle.

But...

As Naruto had said, could he truly continue to endure it?

Watching those avoidable sacrifices happen time and time again?

Obito, Rin, Teacher Minato, Madam Kushina...

The faces of these people flashed through Kakashi's mind one by one, bringing a familiar pain.

Naruto seemed to have expected Kakashi to react this way.

He didn't rush him, nor did he offer further explanations.

Naruto simply smiled faintly and said, "Teacher Kakashi, I know you're confused right now, but I believe that after the Chunin Exams, you'll understand what kind of path you should choose."

With that, Naruto turned around without waiting for Kakashi's response and walked steadily in the direction of his home.

Kakashi stood alone, watching Naruto's gradually receding figure, unmoved for a long time.

He had an unusually clear premonition in his heart that this Chunin Exams would be anything but simple and peaceful, unlike any previous one.

"Well... honestly, to be pushed to this point by Teacher Minato's child again..." Kakashi muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.

Then, his figure flickered, and he instantly vanished from his spot.

Kakashi needed time, needed to think about everything Naruto had said today by himself.

Had Konoha truly reached a point where such extreme methods were necessary to seek change?

Night fell, and Naruto returned to his home.

He took out a blank scroll and unrolled it.

Then, he sorted and compiled some design drafts that had already been completed.

Afterward, he recorded them on the scroll.

If the contents of these blueprints were known to the outside world, they would be enough to cause quite a stir in the ninja world.

Among them were design drafts for all the weapons of the long-declined Sky Ninja Village.

In addition to weapons, there were also design drafts for large maritime ironclad ships.

There were even more astonishing construction plans for giant fortresses suspended in the air.

These mysterious technologies of the Sky Ninjas were among the knowledge Naruto had gained during his countless reincarnations while searching for a way to break the cycle of reincarnation, and could even be described as insignificant.

After carefully sealing these crucial blueprints into the scroll, Naruto planned to deliver them to Zabuza when the time was right.

In the ninja world, countries without ninja villages were almost invariably very poor.

So, even though Gato Company controlled many coastal countries without ninja villages.

Coupled with the fact that trade was no longer blocked, Dawn Company's revenue had plummeted almost linearly compared to Gato Company, but it was still a considerable income.

Especially the Land of Water; if it were left unattended after killing Gato.

It wouldn't be long before this country would pay an annual hiring fee to the Land of Water in exchange for protection.

Fortunately, now, under Naruto's instructions, the Land of Water and other countries were also under the management of Dawn Company.

With the Dawn Company now completely stable internally.

Naruto also intended to take this opportunity to continue developing his strength, such as the weapons of the Sky Ninjas.