Kakashi hung his head, and Hiruzen Sarutobi could not make out the expression on his face.
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked,
"What about Naruto?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"He still hasn't agreed."
Third nodded. He seemed to have expected this outcome long ago.
Given the life Naruto was living now, most Jonin would be green with envy. He had more money than he could spend and one pretty girl after another by his side. Only someone out of their mind would choose to work themselves to the bone running missions.
Third waved a hand helplessly. It seemed he would have to swallow his pride and make another trip himself.
If not for the Chunin Ninja Exams, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have preferred Naruto stay tucked away in Konoha. A Jinchuriki's deterrent value was far greater sitting there than being sent out to fight for real.
But Naruto happened to be a Perfect Jinchuriki, which was why Third had his eyes fixed firmly on this juicy prize and wanted to pull that combat power under his own control.
Had it been one of those Jinchuriki who went berserk at the drop of a hat, even if Third wanted him on the battlefield, the members of Konoha F4 would have talked themselves hoarse trying to stop him.
As Kakashi was leaving, Third frowned. He had sent Kakashi two batches of promising ninja recruits, yet Kakashi had returned every last one of them untouched.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows knotted together.
"The person Fourth raised really is still too immature. After all these years in ANBU, he's still as stubborn as ever."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had always wanted to correct the warped notions Fourth Hokage had drilled into him—that anyone who did not value their comrades was unfit to be a ninja, and that comrades came before missions.
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