"Shinji? Long time no see."
Kakashi, wearing a mask, paused for a moment, then gave Shinji a calm nod.
Seeing this, Shinji stepped aside and then said to Hiruzen on the sofa, "Sensei, I'll take my leave now."
After speaking, he prepared to depart. After all, it was best for him to not get involved in what Kakashi, an Anbu captain, was reporting.
Hiruzen stood up and said, "No need, Shinji, listen in with us."
Shinji, who was about to close the door, was startled by this and reluctantly walked back in.
Hiruzen walked behind the Hokage's desk, sat on the chair, and spoke, "Kakashi, tell us the specific information you've found."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi bowed and then began to report on the mission.
As Kakashi spoke, Shinji, standing to the side, quietly observed him. He didn't know if it was due to recent missions or something else but the sense of indifference emanating from Kakashi seemed to grow deeper, he was like a machine now.
It was worth noting that when he first met Kakashi a few months ago, he still had some semblance of human warmth.
Now...
Was it because of the killings during missions?
As Kakashi continued his report, Hiruzen's brows gradually furrowed.
Ever since the masked man's last appearance, no trace of him could be found, as if he had never set foot in the Land of Fire.
This almost made the Anbu members lose confidence, especially since the entire Anbu had been fully committed to this matter.
"Hokage-sama, our Anbu agent in the Land of Rice Fields sent back a message. It's said that a new ninja village is being established there."
Shinji, hearing this news from, couldn't help but look up.
Hiruzen was also startled, then looked at Shinji. Shinji met Hiruzen's gaze, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
Kakashi, meanwhile, looked at Shinji with a hint of confusion.
Hiruzen leaned back in his office chair and slowly said, "Shinji, tell Kakashi about it."
Shinji nodded in response. "Yes, sensei."
He then began to explain to Kakashi about encountering Orochimaru a couple of days ago and his speculation about this new ninja village.
Even Kakashi, who was usually unperturbed by anything, was startled by this news.
"So, Captain Kakashi, regarding this ninja village, I think it's best to be cautious."
In these times, the Great Nations were almost all restraining each other. Smaller ninja villages either relied on the Five Great Nations or struggled to survive.
From time to time, small ninja villages would be destroyed, and then new ones would be established.
As for the Five Great Nations, as long as it wasn't a threat to them, they generally wouldn't care, because for them, the benefits of destroying these small ninja villages were less than the benefits they gained from harassing each other along their respective borders.
Moreover, with a more diverse 'pond,' they could also have some small ninja villages do certain things. This prevented another ninja war from erupting unexpectedly.
"Orochimaru, huh?"
Kakashi unconsciously broke out in a cold sweat. After all, the title of Sannin was no joke.
Kakashi glanced at Shinji beside him. Whether it was luck or not, to escape from Orochimaru's grasp, Shinji's strength was not to be underestimated.
Hiruzen thought carefully for a while, then instructed Kakashi, "Kakashi, have the Anbu recall the reconnaissance mission in the Land of Rice Fields."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kakashi nodded in response.
If it really was Orochimaru, no matter how many Anbu went, it would be a suicide mission. As for Itachi and Shisui, they were out of the question for now.
With the mission debriefed, Kakashi immediately took his leave.
Shinji rubbed his nose, and after a while, he spoke, "Sensei, Captain Kakashi's current state isn't a good thing."
Hiruzen paused, then sighed. "You're not the only one who's said that. Guy came to talk to me about it a while ago."
Guy?
Shinji nodded knowingly.
Guy could be considered Kakashi's closest friend, so it wasn't strange for him to be concerned.
Hiruzen thought about it, then said, "In a while, I'll have Kakashi leave the Anbu."
"Alright, then I won't bother you, sensei." Shinji waved his hand and prepared to leave.
Hiruzen watched Shinji, and only spoke when he was about to open the door, "Shinji, when the new semester begins, you will be promoted to head teacher."
Shinji was startled by this. He turned his head, and looked at Hiruzen.
The head teacher could be said to have the most power besides the principal.
Shinji asked with a puzzled expression, "Sensei, are you planning to be lazy?"
Hiruzen replied grumpily, "I'm almost in my grave. Can't I relax a bit?"
"Alright, you should take good care of your health, after all, Konohamaru is still waiting to play with you." Shinji responded casually, closing the door as he did so.
"Brat." Hiruzen chuckled in exasperation, then looked out the window.
...
"Hmm? Captain Kakashi?"
Shinji, who was about to exit the Hokage Building, saw Kakashi leaning against a pillar and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"The mission handover is complete. Want to walk with me?" Kakashi straightened up and invited Shinji.
Shinji scrutinized Kakashi, then nodded and said, "No problem."
The two walked in silence through the streets of Konoha, surrounded by the diverse villagers of Konoha.
After a long while, Kakashi finally asked, "Shinji, how is Naruto doing lately?"
Shinji said, "He's doing well. That kid just got first place in a competition yesterday,"
Kakashi was startled, then asked, "A competition?"
Shinji chose his words carefully and slowly said, "Yes, it was an assessment among my disciples based on their training results."
"Alright, I'll take my leave now." Kakashi responded after a while, having heard the explanation.
Shinji looked at Kakashi, who was about to leave, and couldn't help but say, "Captain Kakashi, if you're really concerned, why not go to Naruto and talk to him? After all, by seniority, he should call you older brother."
Kakashi paused for a moment, then continued on his way.
"Older brother, huh..."
Under the breeze, Kakashi's murmur didn't carry very far.
Shinji shook his head. For someone in Kakashi's situation, only someone with Guy's personality could truly guide him, after all, who else would relentlessly stick by the current Kakashi?