Inside Konoha Village, in a quiet park bathed in afternoon sunlight, Kakashi strolled slowly, pushing Might Guy's wheelchair along the stone path.
"Ah," Kakashi sighed softly, "I really don't know when that fight between Sasuke and Naruto will end."
"If Naruto doesn't come back today," he continued, rubbing his temple, "he's going to be buried under paperwork all night again."
Guy chuckled, his usual spark of optimism never fading.
"This is the mission of the Hokage, Kakashi — and also part of youth! Honestly, I'm looking forward to their battle."
"To be honest," Kakashi replied, his tone slightly heavy, "I'm starting to think Naruto might not be entirely suited for the role of Hokage."
Guy blinked, startled. "What do you mean by that? Hasn't Naruto dreamed of becoming Hokage since he was a child?"
Kakashi nodded, his single visible eye softening.
"Yeah… ever since he was a kid, he's carried that dream. But you know, Guy — ever since childhood, he's also carried the loneliness of being ostracized by the villagers because of the Nine-Tails inside him. That pain made him crave recognition more than anything."
He sighed, watching the sunlight flicker through the trees.
"Becoming Hokage, for Naruto, was never just about responsibility. It was about finally being seen. That's why… sometimes I worry his motivation might make him focus too much on the title itself."
Guy's smile faded as he listened quietly.
"Actually," Kakashi went on, "the moment Naruto defeated Pain, he already earned the recognition of the entire village."
Guy nodded slowly. "Yes. From that day forward, Naruto was already the hero of Konoha."
"Exactly," Kakashi said. "He's optimistic, resilient, full of life — and his bonds with his friends and family are strong. But those same qualities can also become his weakness as Hokage."
His tone turned contemplative. "The position requires calm judgment, political wisdom, and the ability to make decisions that sometimes go against emotion. Naruto… he's too kind. Too impulsive."
Guy frowned slightly. "You mean his emotions could cloud his judgment?"
"Precisely." Kakashi nodded. "He's guided by instinct and feeling — which is powerful in battle, but dangerous in politics. Honestly, I think Naruto's heart was always closer to Jiraiya-sensei's.
He's meant to travel, to meet people, to inspire them with his ideals — not to sit behind a desk filled with documents."
Guy smiled, eyes shining. "Kakashi, you really do understand Naruto better than anyone."
Kakashi's voice softened. "Well, I did watch him grow up."
Just then, a shadow flickered before them — and Shikamaru appeared.
"Sixth Hokage," Shikamaru greeted respectfully with a slight bow.
"Ah, Shikamaru." Kakashi tilted his head. "What's the matter?"
"I'm looking for Naruto," Shikamaru said, his tone urgent. "Do you know where he went?"
Kakashi sighed. "He's outside the village — fighting Sasuke again."
Shikamaru frowned. "Seriously? Again? How many times have they fought now? Haven't they had enough?"
Kakashi gave a helpless shrug. "Those two are bound by fate. Rivals for life."
"Anyway," Kakashi asked curiously, "what do you need him for?"
Shikamaru looked around cautiously, making sure no one else was within earshot.
"Sixth Hokage-sama," he said in a low voice, "I was actually hoping to discuss something important with you and Lady Tsunade."
He quickly summarized everything: Sasuke's encounter with the Masked Man at Kaguya's ruins, the Edo Tensei resurrection, and the shocking loss of Sasuke's Rinnegan.
"What?!" Kakashi's voice rose in disbelief. "Sasuke's Rinnegan was taken? And both Madara and Lord Tobirama were reanimated again?!"
Shikamaru nodded gravely. "Yes. The Masked Man's goal is still unclear, but there's no doubt this is connected to Yakushi Kabuto and Orochimaru."
He continued, "I sent someone to question Kabuto at the orphanage — but the Kabuto we found turned out to be a Shadow Clone. The real one's vanished."
Kakashi's brows knitted tightly. "Yakushi Kabuto… what's he planning this time?"
"Hey, Kakashi, Shikamaru," Guy suddenly interrupted, pointing ahead. "Is that the Masked Man you were just talking about?"
They followed his gaze — and froze.
A figure in a black hemp robe and a three-eyed fox mask was walking slowly toward them, his presence radiating pressure with every step.
"Who goes there?" Kakashi's voice hardened.
Shikamaru immediately activated his Shadow Imitation Technique, shadows stretching forward like living snakes.
"This must be the same Masked Man Sasuke fought," he muttered under his breath. "His power was said to be terrifying."
Damn it, Shikamaru thought. With Naruto and Sasuke gone, it's just Kakashi and me. If he attacks the village, we're screwed.
"You're the one who took Sasuke's Rinnegan, aren't you?" Kakashi said, lightning gathering in his palm. "What's your goal?!"
Purple electricity crackled — Purple Lightning!
But the Masked Man, Menma — Boruto's shadow clone — didn't stop. He walked closer, silent and unflinching, each step filled with crushing intent.
"His chakra…" Kakashi thought, eyes narrowing. "It's overwhelming."
"Kakashi," Guy said heavily, "I still have one leg left. I can fight—"
"Guy, no!" Kakashi snapped. "If you open the Eighth Gate again, you'll die for real this time!"
Shikamaru clenched his fists, sweat running down his temple. He's not responding. I hate dealing with people in masks — it's always trouble.
As Menma drew closer, Shikamaru shouted, "Shadow Imitation Technique — activate!"
The shadow shot out, locking onto Menma's — but Menma kept walking.
"What?! My jutsu isn't holding him!"
"Purple Lightning!" Kakashi lunged forward, his strike flashing through the air toward Menma's chest.
But Menma simply raised a hand — and caught Kakashi's wrist mid-attack.
"What—?!" Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief.
A flick of Menma's hand sent Kakashi flying backward like a ragdoll, crashing into the lake with a splash.
"KAKASHI!" Guy shouted, gripping his wheelchair tightly.
Menma ignored Shikamaru's shadow binding entirely and kept advancing — heading straight toward Might Guy.
"His target is… Guy?" Shikamaru muttered, eyes narrowing.
Guy clenched his fists. "If that's the case… there's no other choice."
He took a deep breath and smiled faintly — that familiar youthful fire burning once again.
"The Eighth Gate… of Death!"
He gave a thumbs-up, ready to drive his hand into his heart.
But in a blur, Menma appeared before him, seizing his arm mid-motion.
"You can't use that move here," Menma said quietly, his voice deep and hoarse.
Guy's eyes widened in shock — and then his body went limp.
"Guy!" Shikamaru shouted.
Menma effortlessly hoisted the unconscious Guy onto his shoulder. A swirling vortex of space-time opened behind him — and in an instant, both of them vanished into it.
Shikamaru stood frozen, replaying Menma's words.
"'You can't use that move here'... What does that even mean?"
Moments later, Kakashi crawled out of the lake, dripping wet and furious.
"Just to take Guy? Damn it! What does that masked bastard want?!"
Shikamaru's eyes darkened in thought. "I don't think his goal was to harm Guy."
Kakashi blinked. "What are you saying?"
"Think about it," Shikamaru said quietly. "He stopped Guy from opening the Eighth Gate. If he wanted him dead, he could've done it already. I think…"
He paused, glancing toward the swirling ripples of chakra left in the air.
"…he might have taken Might Guy to reattach his leg."
Kakashi's eyes widened. "Reattach… his leg?"
Shikamaru nodded grimly. "Yeah. That might just be what he's after."
...
Author's Note:
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