"That's the situation. That is all."
Inside an underground room of the Hokage Building in Konoha, Kakashi knelt on one knee.
Seated before him were his teacher, Minato Namikaze, along with the Third Hokage and several elders.
Kakashi vaguely remembered these elders. In his memory, they had always stood by the Third Hokage's side and were his former teammates.
Their names seemed to be Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.
Kakashi shook his head slightly inwardly. He didn't like these people.
Especially the one wrapped in bandages—Danzo Shimura. That man was far too gloomy, and his presence made Kakashi deeply uncomfortable.
However, Kakashi also understood that these people were the core figures of Konoha. No matter how much he disliked them internally, he had to remain respectful.
Even his own teacher had to behave properly in front of them—who was he to do otherwise?
While Kakashi was lost in thought, Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with the others, wore rather peculiar expressions.
They truly hadn't expected that Natsuhiko would encounter such an extraordinary opportunity.
In fact, after Natsuhiko and the other three returned and reported what had happened, they immediately placed Natsuhiko under temporary isolation.
After all, Kusunoki had died right in front of him. And from their accounts, they realized that Natsuhiko's strength was somewhat excessive.
Natsuhiko's identity was rather special—this was something Hiruzen and the others understood without needing to say it aloud.
After he entered the ANBU, someone had naturally been assigned to keep an eye on him. In addition, since he had always behaved obediently, Hiruzen had not taken any overt stance.
They were well aware of Natsuhiko's strength. Although his chakra levels were strangely low, his overall ability ranked near the top within the arranged group.
All of that had been within their expectations. After all, coming from that clan, producing a few geniuses was nothing unusual.
However, they were now discovering that Natsuhiko seemed to be even stronger than anticipated. When facing the powerful enemy who attacked them—someone even suspected of assassinating the Third Kazekage—he had managed to stall for quite some time.
Moreover, he possessed a massive and powerful summoned beast, seemingly no weaker than the summonings of the Legendary Sannin.
All of this had truly exceeded their projections.
When had that kid become so strong?
And when had he obtained such a terrifying summoned beast?
These questions gave them tremendous headaches. That was why, after Kakashi returned, he had been brought here immediately without even being allowed to rest.
He had been ordered to recount everything about Natsuhiko, including all details of their mission.
What they absolutely had not expected was that Kakashi actually knew quite a lot.
For instance, regarding Natsuhiko's strength—according to Kakashi, he had always been powerful, but rarely fought with his full strength before.
Furthermore, his speed was astonishing—especially considering he had mastered many techniques of the Second Hokage.
This information caused Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi to frown, yet also seemed to bring them some clarity.
Speed was indeed the simplest way to enhance a ninja's combat ability.
For someone like Natsuhiko, whose chakra seemed to have certain issues—for the time being, one could interpret it as his age limiting his development—
Then focusing on speed was not a strange choice at all.
The problem, however, was that improving speed was, in some ways, even more difficult than increasing chakra.
Could it be that the Second Hokage—their teacher back then—had left something behind, and the Senju clan had not handed it over?
Or was it that Natsuhiko truly possessed extraordinary talent—not only inheriting the Second Hokage's hair color, but also his genius?
But these matters were not worth magnifying. Whether it was simply because Natsuhiko was at the age of fastest growth, or because the Senju clan had indeed kept something hidden—
None of it warranted serious discussion.
If it was talent, then that was naturally good. And even if the Senju clan had privately retained something, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.
After all, the Senju clan had already concealed quite a few things. Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others had already taken the largest share. Pressing further would not merely look bad—it would be outright ugly.
Aside from Natsuhiko's strength, what surprised them the most was his summoned beast.
The way this boy had obtained it was unbelievably fortunate—it had been nothing more than an accidental discovery during a mission.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally familiar with Kubisaki Kōza. Back in the day, that enormous lizard had indeed left a deep impression.
However, thirty or forty years ago, Hiruzen himself had still been young. He had never had substantial contact with that lizard.
He only knew that after Kubisaki Kōza died, the lizard had disappeared as well, and even the summoning contract scroll had vanished.
He had once considered searching for that lizard, since acquiring it would clearly enhance Konoha's combat power.
Unfortunately, at that time, he had not been the one in control of Konoha's political power. And by the time he assumed leadership, he had to deal with internal doubts about his position as Hokage.
Whether it was the Uchiha, the Senju, or the Uzumaki—there were tensions everywhere. He simply had no time to handle such matters.
Yet Natsuhiko, because of a single mission, had accidentally found that very lizard.
Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh inwardly at how fortunate that boy was.
"It seems this matter is now clear," Minato Namikaze said after calming his thoughts. "You took the initiative to reinforce the Third Division and brought back intelligence—that was well done. Go and get some rest."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Kakashi nodded, stood up, bowed slightly to those before him, and then left the room.
"It seems everything has been clarified."
Hiruzen Sarutobi also rose to his feet. His expression was calm, and as he stood, Danzo and the other two elders did the same.
He took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped. Turning around, he smiled at Minato Namikaze.
"That child Natsuhiko—he has good fortune and performed very well. He is a talent worth shaping," Hiruzen said with a faint smile. "Moreover, he and Kakashi are quite close. Minato, with such an excellent seed, you must cultivate him well."
"That goes without saying, Lord Third," Minato immediately stood and nodded seriously. "Natsuhiko and Kakashi are classmates, and his ability is indeed impressive. I will do my best."
"Mm, that would be best." Hiruzen smiled casually, then said in a meaningful tone, "Konoha's future belongs to you. I believe you will make Konoha even better, won't you?"
"I swear on my life—I will make Konoha even stronger," Minato replied, his expression turning extremely solemn.
Konoha was his home. He would undoubtedly give everything he had for it.
What puzzled him, however, was the meaning behind the Third Hokage's words.
Minato watched Hiruzen Sarutobi leave, and the warmth in his expression gradually faded.
...
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