Chapter 464: Is it easier to overthink things when you get older? Dissecting Kakashi!
"Hmm?"
Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps it was destined.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the entrance of the Fujiwara, Tanaka, Uesugi clan grounds, the head of the Aburame Clan, Yūhi Shinku, and an elder from the Hatake Clan—bringing Aburame Yuto, Yuhi Getsuryu, Yuhi Kurenai, and Kakashi—happened to run into Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"You all…"
The moment his gaze landed on Kakashi and the others, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart tightened… he felt a hint of regret.
He had been a bit impulsive coming here this time ~ at the very least, he should have brought Asuma.
"Hokage-sama ~ Long time no see, I didn't expect you to be here as well."
Amidst various greetings, everyone gathered around Hiruzen Sarutobi and walked inside… led by several Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi clan members, they arrived at the house belonging exclusively to Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto, and Torune Ryoui… from a dozen meters away, they could clearly hear the continuous laughter of Uzumaki Meika, Uzumaki Kyoji, Fujiwara Aiko, and others from inside the house.
"Hokage-sama ~ You all can go straight in. We still need to prepare food, so we won't accompany you inside ~"
Watching the retreating figures of the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi clan members, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and was the first to walk in.
Yūhi Shinku, Yuhi Shinwa, and others… followed closely behind.
"Hokage-sama ~"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's appearance immediately caused the joyful atmosphere in the room to cool down.
Uzumaki Kyoji, Fujiwara Aiko, and others, after glancing at Fujiwara Tetsuya, silently retreated to one side.
"Hokage-sama ~ Shinwa-sensei, Yuhi Clan Head, Aburame Clan Head, Matsushita-elder… Kakashi, long time no see."
Looking at the familiar faces, Fujiwara Tetsuya chuckled softly and slowly stood up.
"Tetsuya… Tetsuya, it's truly wonderful that you've returned."
"This time… you won't be traveling far again, will you?"
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi forcefully suppressed himself for the sake of appearances, the apprehension revealed in his eyes silently conveyed the emotions deep within his heart.
"Mm ~"
"Having returned this time, I won't be leaving again for a while."
"That's good ~ That's good!"
"Since that's the case, then you should rest well during this period. If anything comes up, you can have Kyoji and the others go directly to the Hokage Building to find me; I'll make arrangements in advance ~"
Upon receiving Fujiwara Tetsuya's affirmative reply, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have lifted a stone from his heart… a slight smile gradually appeared on his face.
After instructing Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto, and Torune Ryoui to rest well, he nodded to Yūhi Shinku and the others, then left the Fujiwara, Tanaka, Uesugi clan grounds.
"Tetsuya, Hokage-sama, he…?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's unfocused words left Uchiha Mikoto, Torune Ryoui, and the others puzzled.
"It's nothing, he's just getting old, and when you get old… you tend to overthink and scare yourself ~"
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's unreserved teasing, Yūhi Shinku, Yuhi Shinwa, and the others couldn't help but give a wry smile.
Looking at Konoha now, besides Tsunade, who was also traveling and whose whereabouts were unknown, only this person dared to brazenly tease the Sandaime, who had achieved great military feats and outstanding merits.
"Shinwa-sensei, I understand the reason for your visit…"
"Getsuryu, Yuto… I will take the two of you, and Gintoki, as my disciples. Before that time comes, prepare yourselves mentally ~"
"Because, once you become my disciples, you will not only face challenges from fellow Ninja in the Village but also challenges and assassinations from various Ninja Villages throughout the Ninja World…"
"Of course, the choice is yours. I will give you one day to consider."
The moment Fujiwara Tetsuya's words fell, Kakashi's face visibly paled.
His eyes wide, he couldn't understand… why Fujiwara Tetsuya hadn't mentioned him?
"Cough ~ Tetsuya-sama, this matter is not…"
"Shinku-senpai, you must not make decisions for them on this matter ~ And do not pressure them; let them think and decide for themselves."
"This is something that must be clearly thought through before becoming my disciple ~"
"Alright ~ Shinku-senpai, Shinwa-sensei, Matsushita-elder, please take the items back ~ I appreciate the gesture."
"Kakashi, stay behind. I have something to say to you."
Seeing Fujiwara Tetsuya leave Kakashi behind, Hatake Matsushita secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that this person had no intention of abandoning Kakashi… but, this person didn't directly take Kakashi as a disciple?
What kind of plan was he hatching?
With Uzumaki Kyoji seeing them off, Yūhi Shinku, Hatake Matsushita, and the others successively left the Fujiwara, Tanaka, Uesugi clan grounds.
Fujiwara Aiko and the others, at Fujiwara Tetsuya's signal, stuck out their tongues at Kakashi and left the room.
In less than a minute, the previously bustling room was instantly left with only Fujiwara Tetsuya and Kakashi.
"Kakashi, from your expression, you must be very confused, right?"
"Yes ~ Tetsuya-sama, I… I don't understand why you chose Yuhi Getsuryu, why you chose Aburame Yuto, but abandoned me…"
"Tetsuya-sama, perhaps you don't know since you just returned, but Hokage-sama… he intends to have Minato Namikaze be my sensei."
Ultimately, the current Kakashi was just a child who had recently turned nine… expecting a nine-year-old child to have deep cunning was simply asking too much.
"I know, and precisely because of that, I accepted Getsuryu, Gintoki, and Yuto…"
"Kakashi, although I haven't been in the Village for the past two years, I have been constantly following your situation through Aiko's letters ~"
"To be honest, I'm a little disappointed ~"
"With so many people guiding and helping you… but you still haven't broken free from the shadow of Sakumo-senpai's death."
"Perhaps, to outsiders, it's hatred, it's confusion… but I can see the fear hidden deep in your heart."
"Kakashi, are you worried… that in the future, you will encounter the same situation as Sakumo-senpai?"
"Are you afraid… if you encounter the same situation, how will you choose?"
"Will you uphold Sakumo-senpai's belief and betray the Ninja code… or betray the Ninja code and uphold Sakumo-senpai's belief?"
"You are afraid! If you choose the latter, but one day the comrades you saved, like Okayama Saga, stand against you… and the Village, along with countless comrades and Villagers, stand against you."
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's gaze that seemed to pierce into his soul, Kakashi felt his heart begin to pound uncontrollably.
"Tetsu… Tetsuya-sama ~ I…"
"Kakashi, try to forge new bonds, bonds strong enough for you to sacrifice your life for…"
"The current you is still far from worthy of bearing the White Fang's name."
"When that day comes, when you break through the confusion in your heart, if… at that time, you still wish to become my disciple."
"I would be very happy to be your sensei ~"
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