First Meeting with Kakashi

Kakashi (staring with his dead-fish eyes): "..."

Kazashiro (giving an awkward but polite smile): "..."

Kakashi was speechless. Hearing his father's footsteps, he happily pushed open the front door, only to see his father standing there holding hands with a child who looked younger than him.

If it weren't for the child's black hair, the precocious Kakashi would have almost thought he'd gained a younger brother.

"Kakashi, I'm home." Seeing the two staring at each other in silence, Sakumo, standing nearby, reached up and scratched his head, taking the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Mm, welcome home, Dad," Kakashi replied lazily, his earlier excitement gone.

Seeing this, Kazashiro proactively extended his hand and introduced himself, "Hello, my name is Kazashiro."

Looking at Kazashiro's thin, fair palm, Kakashi hesitated for a moment. Under Sakumo's expectant gaze, he shook the other's hand. "I'm Kakashi, Hatake Kakashi."

Feeling the touch in his hand, Kazashiro marveled inwardly, So many calluses. It's nothing like a child's hand. It seems Kakashi truly is a hardworking genius.

Meanwhile, Sakumo felt a sense of relief. Thankfully, Kakashi had accepted the other boy.

It seemed his son's personality hadn't completely gone astray.

Having been away on missions for extended periods, he had always worried about Kakashi not having friends. In Sakumo's eyes, although ninjas took completing missions as their duty, the most important thing for long-term survival in the ninja world was having trustworthy teammates.

"Kazashiro will be staying with us for a while. When you have free time, you can take him around the village," Sakumo seized the opportunity, wanting to help Kakashi and Kazashiro build a relationship.

"Huh? But I still have training to do..." Kakashi let go of Kazashiro's hand and instinctively started to refuse.

"You can completely bring Kazashiro along with you," Sakumo said with a smile as he got up, giving Kakashi no further chance to refuse. He walked straight to the kitchen and tied on a pink apron. "I'll go prepare lunch. You take Kazashiro out for a walk, but don't go too far."

A pink apron?

Kazashiro stared, dumbfounded, at Sakumo dressed as a house husband.

Is this the legendary Konoha's White Fang?

But he really is a gentle man.

Kazashiro lowered his head and followed a reluctant Kakashi out of the house.

"Well, well, Lord Danzo, what business do you have summoning me?" In the Root base, a hoarse voice echoed. Accompanied by footsteps, a pale-faced Orochimaru slowly emerged from the shadows.

Opposite him, Danzo's single eye was slightly closed, wearing his usual expressionless, indifferent look.

"I recall you have a technique that can determine if two individuals share a blood relation?" Danzo's voice was cold, with no significant fluctuation in tone.

But to Orochimaru's ears, it was extremely rare. The man who constantly wanted to master Wood Release and the Sharingan was, for the first time ever, not inquiring about his research progress in his opening sentence!

However, Orochimaru was Orochimaru. He quickly recovered from his surprise. "That is indeed the case, Lord Danzo."

This kind of trivial matter was so much easier compared to the research on Hashirama Cells.

"Is that so..." Danzo's slightly closed eye slowly opened. He looked at Orochimaru before him, his mind constantly calculating.

Although his own researchers could probably perform this technique, the accuracy would likely be far inferior to Orochimaru's...

But he also didn't want to inform Orochimaru about this matter...

Despite preparing himself mentally beforehand, Danzo hesitated when it came time to actually speak of it.

Orochimaru noticed Danzo's internal struggle. His curiosity piqued, he didn't make an excuse about needing to conduct experiments and leave early as he usually would, but instead waited with interest for Danzo to speak.

"I will send two samples to you shortly. Please examine them and see if a parent-child relationship exists." After much deliberation, considering that accuracy was paramount for his own sake, Danzo decided to entrust this matter to Orochimaru.

However, Danzo cunningly didn't specify whose samples they were, planning to make a decision after the results came out.

"I see, I understand. Then, let's meet at the usual place," Orochimaru replied, licking his lips with his tongue.

After Orochimaru left, Danzo immediately summoned a subordinate. "Oto!"

"Lord Danzo," a Root ninja wearing a mask and a black hooded trench coat appeared instantly.

"Go, find the child Sakumo brought, obtain his sample, and send it to Orochimaru along with mine. Remember, absolute secrecy is crucial!" Although he knew they were bound by curse seals, Danzo still emphasized the importance of secrecy.

"Yes!" Oto respectfully withdrew.

Once he confirmed Oto had left, Danzo shed his pretense and began pacing anxiously.

I have a son?

I, who have never married and made becoming Hokage my life's top priority, now have a son?

And he's so small?

Even though his eyes are filled with fear when he looks at me, he's still my son.

Speaking of which, Hiruzen was right. The boy's features do resemble my younger self.

And that delicate little face really looks like that woman--

No, that's a lie. I can't remember that woman's face anymore. In the end, what happened back then was completely out of my control.

But no matter what, he is my son.

Even though the results weren't out yet, Danzo had subconsciously accepted Kazashiro as his son.

How embarrassing. I, who delve into darkness and manipulate hearts, who stir up storms in the ninja world, should have long ago cast aside all emotion. Yet, the moment I heard I had a son, my heart actually felt a flicker of emotion.

You've fallen, Danzo.

"Bing!" With this thought, Danzo stopped in his tracks and called out sharply.

"Lord Danzo." A Root ninja, looking much like the previous one but with slight differences in the mask's pattern, appeared behind Danzo, awaiting his orders.

"The base is a bit too dark. Later, go buy some candles. No, electric lights. Arrange to have some electric lights installed here to brighten the environment." Looking at the surrounding darkness, Danzo issued the command with a blank expression.

"Yes, yes." Although there was a brief pause, Bing accepted the order.

"Also, arrange for a few more people to clear out a large room and prepare some daily necessities, suitable for a 4-year-old child." Danzo added.

"Yes." Bing grew even more confused, but years of brainwashing prevented him from thinking about anything beyond his mission.