Kakashi was momentarily taken aback, clearly not expecting the question to be thrown straight back at him.
He scratched his slightly messy silver hair in mild annoyance and let out a sigh.
"Something this troublesome should be giving the Hokage a headache, not me…"
"Enough nonsense."
Tsunade slammed her palm onto the desk, glaring at him.
"Based on the strength and judgment you displayed today, you're more than qualified to take part in decision-making at this level. I want to hear your thoughts."
Kakashi straightened, his usual lazy demeanor fading. His eyes grew deep and focused.
"If it were me…"
He slid his hands into his pockets, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable sharp edge.
"Since we already know there's a blade of destruction hanging over our heads that could fall at any moment, continuing to play petty inter-village games is nothing short of idiotic."
"The power of the Ōtsutsuki Clan isn't something any single village can handle alone. If we want to survive, the first step is to integrate all available strength and put an end to internal strife. Of course—before that—Konoha must hold absolute authority and possess the power to suppress everything."
Kakashi pointed in the direction of the underground medical room.
"Naruto and young Sasuke are crucial. They must grow stronger as fast as possible. And there's also—"
"And you."
Tsunade cut him off abruptly, her eyes sharpening like blades, as though she wanted to see straight through him.
"At the training ground earlier, what exactly was the technique you used to divert that monster's self-destruction?"
Her voice turned cold.
"A space-time ninjutsu of that level can't be achieved with an ordinary Sharingan. Kakashi… did you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Faced with her gaze that allowed no room for evasion, Kakashi knew that continuing to conceal it would only cost him Tsunade's trust.
Moreover, after laying out such an ambitious plan involving the entire ninja world, now was the most appropriate moment to reveal part of his hand.
"…So you noticed."
Kakashi raised a hand and touched the bandage covering his left eye, his tone steady.
"Since you've already asked, I won't hide it. Yes—that was the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"You—"
Tsunade's pupils contracted. Even though she had already suspected it, hearing it confirmed still sent a shock through her.
A non-Uchiha awakening the Mangekyō was unprecedented in the entire history of the ninja world.
"However," Kakashi continued calmly, "the evolution of these eyes began with something else."
As he spoke, he reached into his pocket.
"During Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha, when he used Edo Tensei to revive the First and Second Hokage… after the battle ended—"
Kakashi slowly withdrew his hand, revealing a necklace emitting a faint green glow—the First Hokage's Wood Release Sage necklace—and held it out in front of Tsunade.
"The First Hokage left this to me. It contains a vast amount of Natural Energy."
The instant Tsunade saw the necklace, her expression sharpened. She could clearly sense the pure, dense Natural Energy flowing within it.
"As I used this necklace to cultivate Sage Mode, my body and Chakra underwent subtle changes," Kakashi explained.
"Perhaps due to prolonged exposure to Natural Energy, my Sharingan naturally evolved and awakened the Mangekyō."
It was a carefully constructed explanation—half truth, half fabrication. With the First Hokage long gone, there was no one who could contradict it.
"And there's more."
Kakashi's expression grew serious.
"During today's battle, I discovered something critically important."
"What is it?" Tsunade asked immediately.
"Ordinary Chakra and standard ninjutsu have very limited effect on the Ōtsutsuki Clan. They can absorb—or even ignore—conventional Chakra entirely."
Kakashi paused, then continued slowly.
"But when I infused my techniques with Natural Energy and attacked in Sage Mode, the results were completely different. Sage Mode is one of the very few powers currently known to be truly effective against the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
Tsunade's expression shifted repeatedly as she stepped forward, took the necklace from Kakashi's hand, and examined it closely. After a long moment, she let out a quiet sigh and returned it to him.
"Sage Mode…"
She rubbed her temples.
"That's not something just anyone can master. In all of Konoha, aside from my grandfather, only that idiot Jiraiya barely managed it—and even he never perfected it. I tried once myself and failed completely. The risk is enormous. One mistake, and Natural Energy will consume you. The mortality rate is terrifying."
"Precisely because it's difficult, we need to prepare even further in advance," Kakashi said, putting the necklace back on.
"I suggest that from now on, we secretly search the village for shinobi with a natural affinity for Natural Energy and focus on cultivating them. Since we already know the Ōtsutsuki threat exists, we can't afford to sit around and wait for death."
Tsunade studied Kakashi carefully, as if seeing him clearly for the first time.
"…I understand."
She nodded slowly, her tone carrying genuine acknowledgment.
"I'll give this serious consideration. Your intelligence is extremely valuable, Kakashi."
"Well then," Kakashi said casually, waving a hand, "if there's nothing else, I'll go check on those two brats—Naruto and Sasuke."
"Go," Tsunade said from behind him.
"And make sure they keep their mouths shut. No reckless talk about the future."
"Understood."
————
Konoha Hospital, highest-level intensive care ward.
Kakashi pushed open the ward door. Before he even stepped inside, loud bickering greeted him.
"This is all your fault, dead last!"
Young Sasuke's voice rang out—weak, but still filled with arrogance.
"If you hadn't been so slow and gotten caught by that monster, we wouldn't be in such a pathetic state!"
"Huh?!" Naruto shouted back immediately.
"What did you say, you stuck-up jerk?! Your Chidori got crushed with one hand, and you still have the nerve to blame me?! If it weren't for me, you'd have been full of holes by now!"
"That was an accident! My Chakra wasn't enough—"
"Excuses! You're just not as good as me!"
By the bedside, Haku and Sakura each held an apple, looking helplessly at the two heavily bandaged patients who were still arguing with full energy.
"You two, your injuries haven't healed yet," Haku said gently while deftly peeling the apple.
"Please don't raise your voices so much."
"That's right," Sakura added, though her eyes drifted toward Sasuke now and then.
"You both suffered serious injuries. You should rest."
The door opening drew everyone's attention at once.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
All four voices rang out simultaneously.