After narrowly preventing Hatake Sakumo's suicide, Kakashi had truly become my best partner because of this incident, and my standing in Rin's heart had risen considerably as well.
I had thought that I could now peacefully stay at the Ninja Academy until I was nine, then graduate, spend three years doing miscellaneous work, and only then head to the battlefield.
That was how it should have been. It should have been... so why the hell was I now standing in the Hokage's office with Kakashi and Sakumo?!
It all went back to the previous evening, the day after Kakashi and Sakumo reconciled.
"Um... Qingyue, right? I didn't get the chance yesterday, so please don't refuse me today. If I don't properly thank you, I won't be able to face the Hatake name!"
At the school gates, Sakumo had simply used picking Kakashi up after school as an excuse to block my way...
"But I still have training today... Fine, I'll go get Rin."
"That's the child leaning against you, right? Good, good. If you have any other friends, feel free to bring them too. Consider it my thanks for taking care of my son."
Wow, what a friendly and polite handsome ninja. So who exactly had Kakashi inherited that smug personality from?
After giving it some thought, I wasn't particularly familiar with Asuma and his group.
Although my family and his were both on the Hokage's side, there were simply too many people gathered around him all the time.
Forcing my way in would have seemed too deliberate, so I had simply let things take their course. As for other acquaintances, there was only Obito.
Actually, there was also a Hyuga branch family member I had spoken to before, because the Battle Aura around me prevented his Byakugan from seeing through my acupoints.
That had revealed an unexpected piece of information. During the Third Shinobi World War, the Hyuga Clan would have a Byakugan stolen by Hidden Mist ninjas.
If I took it back and returned it to the Hyuga Clan, that would count as another path to success.
"Then I'll invite Obito and Might Guy too. The two of them have quite a good relationship with Kakashi."
The moment he heard those two names, Kakashi's expression turned ugly.
"When did I ever have a good relationship with those two...?"
"Ahem, Kakashi, having more friends is a good thing. I'm relieved to know you have so many friends at school who care about you."
"O-okay."
After that, I took Rin by the hand, with Obito and Might Guy following behind us.
There was no need to explain the former. I had just borrowed his words yesterday to persuade Kakashi. As for the latter, after all those events, he had become Kakashi's final light, and he was also my current training partner.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Might Guy had clearly experienced his father's sacrifice too, yet he had still cared for Kakashi's feelings.
If I got the chance, perhaps I could save Might Duy as well? I was quite interested in the Hidden Mist's ninja swords.
The criticism of Sakumo on the streets had diminished greatly. At most, scattered remarks could be heard coming from alleyways. It seemed the Third Hokage had stepped in.
According to the guesses of countless netizens, this incident had been Danzo's public pressure campaign against Sakumo, tacitly approved by Hiruzen.
It wasn't that the Third Hokage feared having his power taken away. Rather, both old men had their own candidates for the next Hokage.
Although Minato had yet to make a great name for himself, he was Jiraiya's disciple, was kind and approachable, had a close relationship with Kushina, the jinchuriki, and had inherited the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique...
Most importantly, Minato loved the village, which was why the Third Hokage would choose him as the next Hokage.
As for Danzo, he was in cahoots with Orochimaru.
Still, I found it strange. Sakumo definitely wasn't part of Danzo's faction, so there had been no real need for the Third Hokage to suppress him.
Given Sakumo's current lofty prestige in the village, winning him over would have been easy.
And with the voices on the streets disappearing so quickly, perhaps the Third Hokage truly hadn't known about it?
"First, I'd like to thank all of you for taking care of my son Kakashi. Also, there's been quite a lot of talk about me lately. Qingyue helped Kakashi and me communicate with one another, and in the end, he gave me the courage to face all this. I offer my sincere thanks! At the same time, I promise that if you ever encounter any trouble in the future, just say the word!"
"You're overstating it, sir. Kakashi and I are good friends, and I also deeply admire you. Besides, I truly approve of what you did. If Rin were in danger, I might defy everything for her too!"
"Eep!"
Hm? Rin suddenly let out a strange cry, her face turning as red as a boiling kettle.
Nice. One sentence, and I had raised my favorability with two people.
"You brat... Hahaha, I like you! Kakashi said you're very strong, and that you're interested in swordsmanship!"
"That's true. I believe my talent for swordsmanship is much greater."
Kakashi probably hadn't told Sakumo about Battle Aura. Honestly, Sakumo would likely become even stronger if he learned it.
But since he had already reached this level of strength and remained active on the battlefield for so long, learning Battle Aura might instead have side effects. His fighting style had already been set.
"How about it, kid? I'll teach you swordsmanship. Don't let my current state fool you, I'm still Konoha's White Fang."
"Um... I'm grateful for the offer. I'd very much like to study the Hatake Clan's swordsmanship. Unfortunately, my own swordsmanship has already taken shape, and there may be compatibility issues with yours. I felt that when I trained with Kakashi. But if you could pass on more combat experience and ninja wisdom, I'd be very happy!"
"Since you put it that way, then... hmm, I've decided to temporarily withdraw from the front lines. For the days ahead, why don't I become your Jonin instructor?"
"Exactly, exactly, so there's no need for swordsmanship... Wait, huh?"
...And that was how Sakumo dragged me to the Hokage's office today without giving me any choice.
Farewell, my school life. After seven years, I was about to become a corporate slave again!
"Sakumo, first of all, I must apologize to you as both the Hokage and as Hiruzen Sarutobi, a ninja!"
As he spoke, the Third Hokage actually stood and gave a deep bow?
For the leader of a village to make such a gesture toward a Jonin from that same village... Hiruzen Sarutobi truly was the strongest politician in the world of Hokage. He was raising every ninja as a disposable loyalist.
"Third Hokage-sama! Please get up. I know this wasn't your intention, and this isn't something you need to bow for!"
"No, this is a self-reflection. A hero of the village was subjected to such accusations. Sakumo, the village has disappointed you."
As expected of the Third Hokage. After just a few sentences, Sakumo had sworn his loyalty to Konoha all over again.
"Back to the matter at hand, Sakumo. Why did you bring these two children here today?"
"It's like this. During this incident involving the rumors, this child named Qingyue helped me. So I wish to temporarily withdraw from the front lines and serve as the Jonin instructor for my son Kakashi and Qingyue. After what just happened, I truly don't have the mindset to return to the front lines."
After hearing Sakumo's words, the old Third Hokage fell silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
His gaze kept drifting back and forth over me before he lowered his head to think again.
The Third Hokage should have known about my performance at school. Aside from my ultimate trump card, the Mythical Zoan Fruit, I had hardly deliberately concealed my abilities. Most outsiders would believe I possessed strength above that of an ordinary Chunin.
"Mm, that shouldn't be a problem. There just happen to be many missions suitable for newly graduated students piling up in the village, with no one available to handle them. We'll do as you suggested. But don't you still need one more team member?"
This seemed... like an opportunity to be placed on the same team as Rin! That way, I wouldn't have to worry about Rin being killed!
Obito? Who cared about him? He wouldn't have it too bad with Madara anyway.
"The three of us tend to charge forward, and we're somewhat lacking in rear support. Injuries would also be troublesome, so..."
Rin! All we needed was Rin! Come on, Sakumo, you really did get it!
"Then let's forget about rear support entirely. Let's choose another child with high mobility and form a surprise assault squad!"
Huh?
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