“What do you all make of this?”
Late that night, inside the Hokage’s office.
After sending Naruto, Sasuke, and Gen Hoshino home, Hiruzen Sarutobi had brought all the key personnel involved in tonight’s incident to his office.
He had considered simply sending Kakashi to the hospital, but Kakashi clearly wasn’t willing to sit this one out.
It was better to settle everything in one go.
“This is going to be troublesome.”
Jiraiya rubbed his brow.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to approach the matter from his own perspective.
“I examined Naruto’s condition.
The Nine-Tails’ reaction was far too violent to be normal.
It’s possible that this guy really was involved in what happened back then.
“Especially considering that space-time technique…”
“Indeed.”
Hiruzen nodded.
If there was a technique capable of countering the Flying Thunder God Technique, a space-time ninjutsu seemed like the most likely possibility.
“And he possesses a Sharingan. What’s more, it’s an even more powerful Mangekyō Sharingan.”
At that moment, Shimura Danzo spoke.
His expression was grim, and his voice was cold.
“That space-time technique could very well be his dōjutsu.
Otherwise, I can’t think of another space-time ninjutsu capable of achieving that.
“The Flying Thunder God Technique was developed by my teacher, the Second Hokage.
A technique capable of countering it is most likely another Mangekyō Sharingan ability.
“And only those eyes could possibly have controlled the Nine-Tails and caused the disaster we witnessed ten years ago!
“Hmph. Those Uchiha…”
“Perhaps…”
Hiruzen nodded vaguely, but he couldn’t help glaring at his old friend.
The analysis before that had been objective and well-reasoned.
But what did he mean by adding “those Uchiha” at the end?
They were already dead, and this old man still wasn’t satisfied?
And if that man really was who they suspected, wouldn’t that mean even Kakashi had been dragged into this?
Hiruzen turned his head toward Kakashi, who had remained silent the entire time.
After pondering for a moment, he asked quietly:
“Kakashi, what do you think?”
“Hokage-sama, I…”
Kakashi had regained much of his composure by now.
But when it came to this particular question, he found himself at a loss for words.
To be honest, he really didn’t want to believe that the masked man was Uchiha Obito.
In his memories, Obito had been an exceptionally kind person, someone who embodied the Will of Fire.
And back then, Obito had saved his life.
He should have died in the line of duty long ago.
So how could he possibly…
After struggling with the thought for a while, Kakashi finally spoke.
“I can’t be certain either.
“Based on the evidence we have and what he said about his past, it really could be him.
“But his transformation is difficult to understand.
“And there’s also a problem with his age.”
“Oh? His age?”
Obito was around the same age as me.
Ten years ago, he would have been only thirteen or fourteen.
“He may not have had the ability to cause a disaster on that scale, especially while fighting the Fourth Hokage.”
“That is indeed worth considering.”
Hiruzen nodded after hearing Kakashi’s reasoning.
But Danzo merely snorted.
“So what if he was thirteen or fourteen? Uchiha Itachi slaughtered his entire clan at that age, didn’t he?”
“…”
Hiruzen felt exhausted.
Does this old friend of mine really have a talent for bringing up exactly the things nobody wants to hear?
He glared fiercely at Danzo.
Still, he couldn’t deny that the old man’s words had some merit.
“We have to take that possibility into consideration as well.
“Once an Uchiha awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan, their abilities undergo a qualitative transformation. We need to investigate this carefully.”
“What a headache.”
Jiraiya sighed.
The more they investigated, the more complicated everything seemed to become.
“So, what’s our direction for the investigation? Do we continue using Kirigakure as our entry point, or…?”
“I think we should continue with Kirigakure.”
Kakashi’s voice became noticeably heavier.
He seemed to have realized something.
“If it really is Obito, investigating Kirigakure would probably be the better approach.
“After all…”
“You mean…”
Hiruzen seemed to remember something as well.
“Your former teammate, Rin Nohara?”
“Yes.”
Kakashi slowly closed his eyes.
The memories were difficult to revisit.
“Perhaps someone manipulated him.
“I once promised that I would protect Rin, but…
“So investigating from that angle might be more productive.
“At the same time, we can continue looking into that mysterious organization. Gen also said that the masked man seemed to be a member of it.”
“That is indeed a good approach. We may have even found the motive behind his transformation.”
Hiruzen nodded.
Investigating Kirigakure was a good idea.
It also meant that bringing Danzo back into the picture hadn’t been a waste of time.
Speaking of Gen Hoshino, Hiruzen couldn’t help feeling impressed.
“Kakashi, you’ve taken on a remarkable student.
“Regardless of who his opponent was, his performance was extraordinary.
“And his analysis of the information was remarkably precise.
Even if his opponent was careless, being able to exploit that carelessness is a skill in itself.
“What’s more, he developed an entirely new technique.”
“Gen…”
At the mention of his only student, Kakashi’s previously gloomy mood improved slightly.
“He really is exceptional.
“He remains calm when facing problems, and his ability to learn is extraordinary.
“That Lightning Release technique… he came up with it himself and developed it independently.
“And, more importantly, he’s a child who possesses a strong Will of Fire!”
“Oh?”
Hearing this assessment, the corner of Danzo’s eye twitched slightly.
But he didn’t dare comment.
Hiruzen was equally surprised.
Kakashi had already come to value this boy so highly after such a short time?
When Kakashi had been in ANBU, he certainly hadn’t been this enthusiastic about anyone.
And Hiruzen hadn’t forgotten just how extraordinary Kakashi’s talent had been back then.
To receive such praise from Kakashi…
Perhaps Gen really did deserve it.
Especially after witnessing that purple lightning himself, even Hiruzen still remembered its power vividly.
“If that’s the case…”
At this thought, Hiruzen seemed to have an idea.
His gaze unconsciously shifted toward Jiraiya.
That look immediately sent a shiver down Jiraiya’s spine…
……
“Finally, it’s over!”
After returning home, Gen Hoshino dropped onto his bed.
Uchiha Obito had escaped, and Gen had also subtly exposed some clues about his identity.
Everything beyond that was no longer something a little genin like him could get involved in.
“Still, I basically got a free security detail out of it…”
Gen glanced toward the window.
He could naturally sense the ANBU shinobi concealed around his residence.
He had never imagined that one day he’d receive this kind of treatment.
But it made perfect sense.
He had just managed to trick Uchiha Obito.
Who could guarantee that Obito wouldn’t come back for revenge?
And it wasn’t just Gen. Naruto was under similar protection.
Even Sasuke hadn’t returned to the Uchiha compound.
Instead, he had been taken to Naruto’s home to stay there temporarily while further arrangements were made.
“Still, this basically doesn’t affect me.”
Everything involving the system was operated entirely through his mind.
Besides, his background was completely clean.
Not only that, he was Kakashi’s student.
And Jiraiya had returned to Konoha!
What did that mean?
He was now a legitimate member of the Hokage’s faction!
If everyone in line for the position was one of his own people, then what difference did it make who ultimately became Hokage?
And in the future, Gen Hoshino himself would have a place in that line.
“Besides, I’m also the student of the future Sixth Hokage…”
After muttering that to himself, Gen shifted his attention back to the system.
The reward calculation should have finished by now.
And the moment he saw the results, his heartbeat quickened!
[Side Quest Completed: The Dead Last Better Not Get Cocky]
[Reward Obtained: Uchiha Obito’s Yin–Yang Release techniques]
[Kakashi Exclusive Quest Completed: Help Kakashi Find His Friend, Uchiha Obito]
[Reward Obtained: Uchiha Obito’s special Yin Release power]