Poor Little Naruto

Hiruzen Sarutobi took the lead into the ANBU base, with Kakashi and Uzuki Yugao hurrying after him.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi had even arrived at Root, Shimura Danzō had already received word.

With the Third Hokage appearing in person, Danzo had no choice but to come out and receive him.

"Hiiruzen, what brings you here?"

Danzo truly had no idea what the Third Hokage had come for.

"Danzo, I heard that Root has a ninja capable of using Wood Release. You should know that a Wood Release ninja is something the village has long dreamed of obtaining, right?"

"Yet you hid him in Root without reporting it. What is the meaning of this?"

"It is true that I found him and protected and trained him. However, I had no intention of concealing him. I simply did not believe there was any need to report it."

Danzo remained as steady as an old dog, his answer flawless and watertight.

"Danzo, Wood Release sealing techniques are vital for sealing jinchūriki. Can you hand this person over to me? I want to assign him to the ANBU directly under the Hokage."

"But..." Danzo hesitated slightly.

"Please, Danzo. It is all for the village."

The Third Hokage paused for a moment. Seeing that Danzo still said nothing, he continued, "In that case, I can write off everything from before..."

A glint flashed through Danzo's eyes. "To prevent Root members from leaking secrets, I placed cursed seals on all of them. Those seals cannot be undone."

"It does not matter." The Third Hokage waved a hand, indicating that he had no interest in Danzo's little secrets.

Danzo nodded toward a ninja nearby. "Go bring Kinoe here."

A somewhat listless Kinoe was brought over. When he saw Kakashi, delight appeared on his face.

Did Kakashi-senpai come for me?

And it seemed he had succeeded!

Seeing Yamato being brought out, the Third Hokage had already turned to leave. "From now on, he is a member of my ANBU."

Yamato looked at Kakashi, seemingly unable to believe it.

Kakashi nodded at him, indicating that everything the Third Hokage had said was true.

After hesitating for a moment, Yamato bowed to Danzo. "Thank you for your care."

"Live well."

Danzo's voice was very soft. Looking at his expressionless face, Yamato even wondered if he had imagined it.

Kakashi followed the Third Hokage back first. There were still some matters he needed to report and discuss with him in detail.

Kinoe walked down the streets, breathing in the fresh air and feeling as though he had been reborn.

For a journey that should have taken ten minutes, he spent half an hour before reaching the room of Kakashi's ANBU squad.

Pushing open the door and seeing the room full of people, Yamato felt somewhat timid.

"Um, hello, everyone. I'm Kinoe, transferred here from Root."

More than a dozen ninjas turned to look at him in unison, making Yamato's heart pound uneasily.

"Hey, Tenzō. We've been waiting for you." Kakashi smiled and waved him over.

"Tenzō?" Yamato looked confused.

"Well, Kinoe was your codename in Root. In ANBU, use Tenzō."

"But that name..."

"Alright, everyone. This is our new companion, Tenzō. I'll personally vouch for his strength." Kakashi made the final decision.

One ninja grinned and went over to sling an arm around Tenzō's shoulders, pulling him into the crowd.

"From now on, you're a member of our squad. Take care of us."

"Yes, Kakashi-senpai!"

Kinoe—no, Tenzō—nodded firmly at Kakashi.

Is this what having companions feels like? It's really so warm...

"Well then, let's all go eat together. Tenzō's treating!" Kakashi said with a smile.

"Yeah!" the gathered ninjas cheered along.

"Huh?"

Tenzō, who had been touched just moments ago, instantly went blank. His entire body stiffened as several teammates hooked their arms around him and dragged him out.

After eating and drinking their fill, everyone scattered and went their separate ways.

Although Tenzō's rapidly deflating wallet made his heart ache, he was actually very happy to chat and laugh cheerfully with everyone.

He had never experienced this feeling in Root before!

Kakashi patted his stomach contentedly as he left the tavern, preparing to head home.

"Hm? Is that... Naruto?"

A small figure stood outside a restaurant, gazing longingly at the food inside and licking his lips in anticipation.

That golden hair looked exactly like Minato-sensei's.

Kakashi hesitated. The reason he had avoided meeting Naruto was because he feared that his involvement would cause the plot to change drastically.

After all, Naruto was the child of destiny!

But upon truly encountering Naruto, Kakashi could not simply turn a blind eye.

So be it if things change. As long as I'm strong enough, I'd even dare slash Madara twice!

Kakashi gritted his teeth and walked toward Naruto.

Little Naruto clutched his growling stomach and sighed. "I've used up this month's money again. When will I finally get to eat this so-called barbecue?"

"I heard the aunt next door say that barbecue is really delicious."

Just then, a pair of parents carried their child into the barbecue restaurant.

Seeing the happy smile on the child's face, little Naruto could not help but feel dejected.

Just then, little Naruto felt the light before him dim. At some point, a strange fellow had appeared in front of him.

The guy had a head of messy silver hair. Aside from one exposed eye, the rest of his face was covered.

However, this strange guy did not seem to be looking at him with disgust!

Little Naruto was somewhat delighted. Gathering his courage, he asked, "Hey, who are you?"

"Me? I'm Kakashi. I saw you were alone and wanted to be friends with you." Kakashi tried to make the expression Orochimaru wore when kidnapping children.

"Be friends? With me?"

Little Naruto raised his small face, his eyes shining brightly. But then, as though he had remembered something, he lowered his head in disappointment.

He pulled a small wallet from his pocket, then raised it with both hands and shook it hard twice.

"But I don't have any money left. Are you... are you still willing to be my friend?"

Little Naruto's gaze darted about nervously, afraid that Kakashi would give him a negative answer.

"Well, I am."

Looking at little Naruto's pitiful appearance, Kakashi felt as though his heart were about to shatter.

Sensei, if you knew your son would be treated like this, would you still have sacrificed yourself for the village?

Forcing out a faint smile, Kakashi rubbed little Naruto's head twice.

"How about I take you to eat barbecue?" Kakashi asked.

"Okay!" Little Naruto nodded vigorously, stars sparkling in his big eyes.

Kakashi was a little puzzled. This little guy's eyes were so big when he was young, so why could he barely open them when he got older?

"You go in first, little guy. Find a seat inside and wait for me. I still have something to take care of."

Kakashi's gaze turned toward the ANBU hidden in the shadows not far away.