Chapter 25: Exclusive Rewards!
"What's your take on all this?"
Late at night, in the Hokage's office.
After sending Naruto, Sasuke, and Kitagawa Gen home, Hiruzen Sarutobi gathered the key personnel for a late-night meeting.
He'd considered telling Kakashi to just go to the hospital and rest, but clearly, that man wouldn't sit still. Might as well sort everything out in one go.
"This situation is tricky," Jiraiya said, rubbing his temples. He decided to speak from his own perspective.
"I've checked Naruto's condition—Kyuubi's extreme reaction was unusual. It might really be connected to that guy… especially considering that space-time technique…"
"Mhm, agreed."
Sarutobi nodded slowly. Only space-time ninjutsu seemed capable of countering the Flying Thunder God.
"And he has a Sharingan—no, something even stronger: a Mangekyō Sharingan," Danzo suddenly chimed in, his face dark and voice colder.
"That technique could very well be his dōjutsu. I can't think of any other spatial jutsu with that level of precision. The Flying Thunder God was developed by the Second Hokage—my teacher—so only something like a Mangekyō could stand against it.
And only such eyes could control the Nine-Tails and cause that tragedy ten years ago!
Hmph… those damn Uchiha…"
"…Maybe," Sarutobi muttered vaguely, casting Danzo a side-eye. The analysis up to that point was fine—logical, even—but did he really need to end it with "those Uchiha"?
They're all dead already, wasn't that enough for you?
And if the man they encountered truly was who they thought he was… didn't that mean Kakashi was also in danger?
Turning away from Danzo, Sarutobi looked toward Kakashi, who had remained silent the whole time. After a pause, he finally asked, "Kakashi, what's your view on this?"
"…Lord Hokage, I…"
Kakashi, who had regained some calm by now, still found himself hesitating.
To be honest, he didn't really believe that man was Uchiha Obito. The Obito he remembered had been kind-hearted, full of the Will of Fire. He had even died saving Kakashi.
So… how could he…?
After wrestling with it for a moment, Kakashi finally spoke.
"Based on the current clues and what he said… it's possible.
But the change in his personality is hard to understand. And… there's also the matter of his age."
"Oh? His age?" Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Obito and I are about the same age. Ten years ago, he would've only been thirteen or fourteen. That's… not an age where someone could pull off something like that.
Especially going up against the Fourth Hokage."
"That's a good point," Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully. But Danzo, as usual, scoffed.
"Thirteen or fourteen? So what? Uchiha Itachi killed his entire clan at that age."
"…"
Sarutobi sighed. This guy… why does he always bring up the worst examples?
He shot Danzo a fierce glare but had to admit—the man had a point.
"It's worth considering. The Mangekyō does cause a major shift in Uchiha capabilities. We need to look into this thoroughly."
"What a headache," Jiraiya groaned. Things were only getting more complicated.
"So, where do we start? Keep probing Kirigakure? Or…"
"I think… Kirigakure is still our best bet," Kakashi said, voice heavier now.
"If it really is Obito, that might be our best angle—especially considering…"
"You mean… your teammate? Nohara Rin?"
Sarutobi suddenly caught on.
Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment, as if haunted by the past.
"Yes. Someone may have manipulated him. I once swore I'd protect Rin… but I failed.
That might be a key to all this. Plus, it gives us a chance to investigate that mysterious organization Gen mentioned—he said the man is part of it."
"That makes sense. His motive might lie there too."
Sarutobi nodded approvingly. Digging into Kirigakure was a solid plan—and it made dragging Danzo here worth the trouble.
Still, speaking of Kitagawa Gen…
"Kakashi, you've trained an excellent disciple," Sarutobi said, eyes bright with admiration.
"Regardless of who he faced, his performance was incredible. His analysis was precise, too—even if the enemy underestimated him, that's still part of his skill. And he even created a brand-new jutsu."
"Gen, huh…"
Kakashi's mood lightened slightly at the mention of his only student.
"He really is outstanding—calm under pressure, a fast learner, and his Lightning Release technique?
He came up with it entirely on his own.
His talent far surpasses mine back in the day.
More importantly, he truly carries the Will of Fire."
"Oh?" Danzo's eye twitched slightly at that comment, but he didn't say a word.
Sarutobi was also surprised. For Kakashi to speak so highly of someone, and so soon?
Back in ANBU, he was never like this. Sarutobi knew exactly how talented Kakashi had been in his youth. So if he now placed Gen above that…
Maybe it was justified.
That Purple Lightning jutsu still lingered in his memory.
"If that's the case…"
Sarutobi glanced over at Jiraiya again.
That look sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine.
---
"Finally, it's done!"
Back in his room, Kitagawa Gen plopped down on the bed.
Obito had retreated, and he'd even quietly nudged the others toward uncovering the truth.
Now, this was way beyond what a little Genin like him should be getting involved in.
"But hey, free security detail, right?"
He glanced toward the window—he could sense the hidden ANBU nearby.
Never thought he'd reach the day where even he had guards stationed around his house.
Then again, it made sense. He had just messed with Uchiha Obito—who knew if the guy would come back for revenge?
Naruto had guards too. Even Sasuke didn't return to the Uchiha compound—he was temporarily staying at Naruto's place while they figured things out.
"But this doesn't affect me much."
His system interface was all internal, and his background was squeaky clean.
Not to mention—he was Kakashi's student, and Jiraiya was back!
You know what that meant?
He was 100% part of the Hokage faction.
When the time comes for the next Hokage? If everyone in line is on your team, does it even matter who gets the title?
Kitagawa Gen already had a seat at the table.
And besides… I'm the future Sixth Hokage's student!
With that smug little thought, he turned his attention to his system.
The rewards should be calculated by now—and when they appeared, his heart nearly skipped a beat.
---
[Side Mission Complete: "Don't Get Cocky, Dead Last!"]
[Reward: Uchiha Obito's Yin-Yang Release Technique]
[Special Mission Complete: "Help Kakashi Reconnect With His Lost Friend, Uchiha Obito"]
[Reward: Obito's Unique Yin Release Power]