Aftermath and Thoughts

After Naruto Uzumaki and Iruka had departed.

In a nearby shadow, a figure flashed by, and the corpse of Mizuki on the ground vanished. Neither Naruto nor Iruka, who had left together, paid any mind to the body left behind. Ordinarily, a ninja's corpse had to be handled; if recovery was possible, it was the priority. If not, the body had to be destroyed as thoroughly as possible, ensuring at least the destruction of the brain, because a ninja's corpse was a database and possessed significant value, especially those of ninjas with bloodline limits. Of course, Mizuki was merely a chunin of the Hidden Leaf Village, so his corpse was not of great importance, but if there were conditions to recover it, it should be processed rather than discarded at will.

However, today's situation was quite special.

As a chunin of the village, Iruka knew well before setting out that night that someone would come to handle the cleanup, so he naturally did not pay it any mind. Naruto, meanwhile, no longer needed to focus all his attention and energy on the battle after it ended, and his dispersed perception sensed a rather hidden presence not far from him.

He immediately understood that the person who had come must be an Anbu member sent by the Third Hokage.

Of course, Naruto certainly did not know that the person was the famous "Copy Ninja"—Hatake Kakashi. Furthermore, Kakashi had arrived well in advance, not only before Naruto fought Mizuki, but even before Iruka and Mizuki clashed, ready to intervene at any moment. It was only because he saw that Naruto and Iruka were not in mortal danger and had even managed to kill the rogue ninja Mizuki that Kakashi saw no need to intervene, choosing only to recover the corpse once the battle concluded.

Correspondingly, Kakashi did not realize that his presence had actually been detected by Naruto, who had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy.

Of course, the biggest reason for this was that Kakashi did not believe the two in the clearing could perceive his arrival, so he had not truly exerted himself to conceal his aura. Otherwise, given the current gap in strength between Kakashi and Naruto, if Kakashi did not want to be found and truly intended to hide, Naruto would have been absolutely unable to detect him.

Hidden Leaf Village, inside the Hokage office building.

The Third Hokage held his pipe in his right hand, smoking leisurely, his left hand clasped behind his back. His eyes were deep as he gazed out the window at the Hidden Leaf Village, which was gradually being blanketed by the dawn, a trace of contemplation flickering in the depths of his pupils.

"Whoosh."

A figure appeared directly behind the Third Hokage.

The person who had arrived was none other than Kakashi, who had just finished his surveillance mission and recovered and disposed of Mizuki's corpse.

"How did it go, Kakashi?"

"Yes! Lord Third, the rogue ninja Mizuki has been killed directly by Naruto Uzumaki, and the Scroll of Sealing has been successfully retrieved by the chunin Iruka."

Kakashi lowered his head and knelt on one knee behind the Third Hokage, speaking in a respectful tone.

"Mm, thank you for your hard work."

The result was entirely within expectations.

The Third Hokage turned around, nodded, and said softly.

Although he felt slightly surprised that Naruto had killed Mizuki directly.

But after all, it was a battle between ninjas.

If he killed him, then he killed him.

This did not cause the slightest ripple in the Third Hokage's heart.

"Since that is the case, then from the coming days, Naruto will be your responsibility, Kakashi. You also understand Naruto's identity and what he carries; it is not something ordinary people can understand. You are well aware of the living environment Naruto has had over these past few years. Fortunately, this child is very much like Minato; one can see the shadow of Minato in him. I hope you can cultivate this child well. Also, the Uchiha child mentioned before is also handed over to your care. Kakashi, I hope these two children can become the pillars of the village in the future. Do you understand?"

The Third Hokage looked straight at Hatake Kakashi before him, a profound look flickering in his pupils.

It could be said that in the current Hidden Leaf Village, Kakashi was one of the few people who was both capable and worthy of the Third Hokage's trust. Even regarding his own biological son, the level of trust went without saying, but in terms of ability, the Third Hokage still trusted Kakashi more. This was the most direct reason why the Third Hokage personally interfered with the distribution of this year's graduating class and arranged for Naruto and Sasuke to be in Kakashi's squad; only Hatake Kakashi was deemed the most suitable teacher by the Third Hokage.

Such an arrangement.

Also held a double meaning.

It was to cultivate Naruto and Sasuke.

And it was also to pave the way for Kakashi.

One must know that in the Third Hokage's heart at this moment, Kakashi was undoubtedly the jonin most suited to succeed him and take over as the Fifth Hokage. As for his own two disciples, after so many years of teacher-student bonds, did the Third Hokage not understand them?

"Yes, Lord Third, I understand. Please rest assured, Lord Third."

Kakashi also bowed his head and replied in a low voice.

"Mm, then I leave it to you, Kakashi."

The Third Hokage nodded with a look of gratification, then waved his hand.

With a "whoosh."

Kakashi's figure vanished once again.

"Minato... Itachi..."

In the large Hokage office.

Only the Third Hokage's barely audible sigh echoed quietly within.

Meanwhile.

In another location in the Hidden Leaf Village, deep underground like an abyss.

In an extremely gloomy and dark room.

A figure, radiating an extremely heavy aura of malice from head to toe, with bandages wrapped around his right eye and cheek, sat at the center.

Before him, dozens of figures wearing animal masks and the standard uniform of the Hidden Leaf Anbu knelt on one knee.

This was "Root," an independent entity born from the Hidden Leaf Anbu.

And the man at the head was Shimura Danzo, who symbolized the darkest side of the Hidden Leaf, a former teammate of the Third Hokage and a disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

"The result?"

Shimura Danzo looked at a Root member kneeling at the very front, his low voice echoing throughout the room.

"Yes! Lord Danzo, Naruto Uzumaki and the Scroll of Sealing have been successfully brought back by the chunin Iruka, and the rogue ninja Mizuki was killed directly by Naruto Uzumaki! The body was taken away by the Third Hokage's personal Anbu."

"Killed by Naruto Uzumaki?"

Shimura Danzo opened his left eye slightly, a faint look of surprise flickering in his pupil as he asked back, seemingly uncertain.

"Yes! Lord Danzo!"

The Root member remained in a respectful kneeling position, replying in a low voice.

After a brief moment of contemplation.

Danzo spoke again.

"Go and retrieve Mizuki's body; I want to see the inspection report afterward."

"Yes!"

Another Root member below responded immediately.

The next second.

With a flash of his figure.

He vanished directly into the darkness.

Inside the incredibly gloomy and dim Root base.

The faces of the Third Hokage and Naruto flashed through Shimura Danzo's mind, his right eye narrowing slightly, a cold glint flickering within it.

Hiruzen, what exactly are you thinking!?

His low voice contained a trace of anger.

It represented the blatant dissatisfaction that this master of Konoha's darkness felt toward the Third Hokage!