Konoha F4

After leaving behind a note, Hatake Sakumo followed Grey Dog out of the house.

After waking early and finishing his morning routine, Kakashi habitually looked toward where Sakumo left his notes. After reading the message, he let out a helpless sigh.

Tying on his small apron, Kakashi expertly took out eggs, bread, and vegetables, making two simple sandwiches.

After placing the sandwiches on the table, Kakashi untied his apron and went into the room to wake Kazashiro.

Still groggy as he followed Kakashi to the washbasin, Kazashiro looked at the two matching toothbrushes and cups before suddenly realizing something.

"Here, I prepared this for you ages ago." Afraid that Kazashiro would instinctively pick up his toothbrush, Kakashi hurriedly handed him a brand-new set of toiletries.

Once he had finished washing up, hunger hit Kazashiro, and he rushed to the dining table. Looking at the sandwiches before him, he first sniffed them, then curiously asked:

"Did Uncle Sakumo make these?"

"No, I did." Kakashi rolled his eyes and sat down. Then, as if remembering something, he got back up and took a large carton of milk from a nearby cabinet.

He was so domesticated.

Though the wording felt a little inappropriate, Kazashiro could not think of anything else to describe him.

"Are you going to train later?" Taking the cup of milk Kakashi handed him, Kazashiro took a sip and asked about his plans after breakfast.

"Yeah." Before Kazashiro could react, Kakashi took a bite of his sandwich, moving so fast that Kazashiro did not even notice when he had removed his mask.

So fast!

Refusing to believe it, Kazashiro no longer cared whether he might bite his own hand. Both eyes were fixed directly on Kakashi.

But the result was—

"You bastard, you have to be this mysterious even at home..." Even after Kakashi swallowed the last bite of his sandwich, Kazashiro had failed to catch a glimpse of his true face.

Kakashi seemed to enjoy this feeling immensely. He said nothing, but his light movements revealed his current mood.

"Ah, I'll help too." As an upstanding young man from the new century, Kazashiro was not the sort to eat and drink for free without doing any work. Seeing Kakashi clearing the plates, he hurriedly picked up the cups.

Kakashi did not refuse. The two stood side by side on a long bench by the sink, washing the dishes before placing them on the draining rack.

"Looks like you won't be coming to watch me train today."

After drying his hands, Kakashi looked out the window, and Kazashiro curiously looked over as well.

Aburame Ryoma came into view, startling Kazashiro so badly that he jolted.

Since Ryoma was not wearing a mask, Kazashiro quickly recognized him by his distinctive little sunglasses.

The Aburame Clan, the ones who loved playing with bugs.

Looks like this was the Root ninja my bargain-bin dad sent to pick me up.

I wonder whether that old bastard Danzo planned to treat me like a Root member or let me be an ordinary ninja...

Or maybe being an ordinary rich second-generation kid wouldn't be bad. If Danzo really kicked the bucket fighting the bridge—no, fighting Second Pillar—then I could just immediately kneel and surrender to Da Gang Lei.

At the very least, I might end up as a wealthy old man, right?

"Alright, let's go. Oh, and remember to return my clothes when you have time." Seeing Kazashiro standing there without moving, Kakashi patted him on the shoulder.

"Ah, yeah, got it. I'll wash them before giving them back." Shaking off his wild thoughts, Kazashiro pushed open the front door with unease in his heart, ready to face his fate.

Hokage's Office.

Konoha F4 had gathered together. Sakumo, dressed as an ordinary jonin, stood respectfully behind Hiruzen.

Hiruzen, who had called the meeting, first glanced at Danzo, who sat there calmly. Unable to read any emotion from his face, Hiruzen gave a light cough and habitually took out his pipe. "Some time ago, I dispatched two Anbu squads to Kirigakure to gather intelligence."

"Kirigakure? Konoha has been out of contact with them for a long time. They have ignored even ordinary diplomatic communications." Utatane Koharu's expression turned serious upon hearing the name Kirigakure.

"Ever since the Second Mizukage took office, Kirigakure has enforced an extremely strict secrecy policy. Their pursuit of rogue ninja is also the most excessive among all hidden villages." Mitokado Homura chimed in from the side.

"That's right. Of the two Anbu squads sent on this mission, only Sakumo returned alive." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was somewhat subdued. Those Anbu were forces loyal to him, and every loss pained him deeply.

Moreover, the rewards brought back by this mission had fallen far short of his expectations.

"Hm? Even with Konoha's White Fang personally leading the operation, he only barely escaped with his life?" Through his lenses, Mitokado Homura observed Sakumo standing behind Hiruzen.

"My apologies. Kirigakure's level of security against outsiders truly exceeded our expectations." Sakumo also looked somewhat despondent.

"Then what intelligence did you obtain?" Used to the deaths of ninja, Mitokado Homura did not notice—or rather, had no intention of caring about—Sakumo's dejection. Instead, he directly asked what the mission had gained.

"Yes, pardon me. Regrettably, regarding Kirigakure, all we have learned so far is that its current ruler is the Third Mizukage. His name, abilities, age, and everything else remain unknown. Another point is that Kirigakure seems to have launched an official purge of Kekkei Genkai ninja. Many ninja with Kekkei Genkai have suffered attacks."

"However, we can confirm from the operation that this purge is not directed at all Kekkei Genkai, because when I fought Mist Ninja, I found that some Kekkei Genkai ninja were still participating in battle."

"Cultivating a force loyal only to himself..." Placing his unlit pipe to his lips, Hiruzen Sarutobi voiced his conclusion.

"To actually target the Kekkei Genkai of their own village, it seems Kirigakure's internal conflicts are quite severe." Mitokado Homura agreed with Hiruzen's assessment and somewhat understood the Mizukage's actions.

After all, did their own village not also have a group of troublesome Kekkei Genkai?

Nearly everyone present thought of that clan at the same time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura tacitly turned their gazes toward Danzo.

Usually at a time like this, Danzo should have started his speech about the Uchiha threat.

Yet strangely, even as the three of them looked at him, Danzo showed no intention of speaking. Instead, beneath everyone's gaze, he gently picked up the teacup before him and took a small sip.

Was this really Danzo?