The Third Hokage let out a long sigh.
"Tell on us?"
Neji was stunned.
"Yes. It was precisely because of that 'traitor,' the Fourth Hokage, that we had to rush this decision. Originally, we intended to consider establishing this organization before the Shinobi World Conference.
But after hearing our ideas, the Fourth Hokage was already planning to go straight to Kurama and lay everything out, telling him our suspicions and our next moves. So it was almost inevitable that Kurama's trust in us would decline further... though his trust in the Fourth Hokage would increase, of course."
Jiraiya sighed. "That's why we ultimately decided that the new Anbu would operate independently. If it still answered directly to the Hokage, we probably wouldn't even be able to carry out our first mission."
The first mission?
"Wait, you said nobody knows about this organization apart from the Chief Captain, the captains, and the Hokage. Then the reason Kakashi-sensei is here is..."
"Mm." Kakashi held a hand to his forehead as Sasuke and Neji looked at him. "That's right. I'm the provisional Chief Captain of the new Anbu. In other words, I'm your superior."
"The new Anbu will be named 'Kindling.' You will be its first members. As Chief Captain, having witnessed both of you captains successfully pass your 'assessment,' I am formally assigning you the organization's first mission: protect Kurama and his jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki, and ensure Kurama doesn't go berserk. The mission will last a lifetime."
"...How are we supposed to do that?"
Sasuke asked.
"Remember, Kindling's foremost priority is to disregard all outside opinions. Once you accept a mission, you, as captains, must interpret how to carry it out in your own way." Kakashi spread his hands. "Beyond that, I don't know either."
Meanwhile, inside Naruto's Inner World, the Nine-Tails'