“I do have a thought like that!”
“That’s why I want to ask for your opinion!”
“…”
Listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s words, Kakashi fell into deep thought.
He knew about the upcoming team assignments.
Originally, Kakashi’s team was scheduled to include Naruto, Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke.
It looked like a balanced Konoha team of two boys and one girl, pairing elite students with underachievers, but in reality, two of them were there due to connections.
And if Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to add Akali to his team, the only option would be to replace Sakura.
In that case, Naruto, Sasuke, and Akali would form an incredibly luxurious Team 7!
In the foreseeable future, Team 7 could even become an existence like the Sannin!
If Team 7 became the Sannin, there was no need to say what status Kakashi would have!
You have to know that the person who taught the Sannin was sitting right in front of Kakashi!
Becoming the Hokage, it wasn’t impossible.
After all, when it comes to becoming the Hokage, one doesn’t look for the opinion of the one currently holding the position.
However, after much careful consideration, Kakashi slowly shook his head and rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s proposal.
“Forget it, Hokage-sama!”
“Oh!” Hearing Kakashi’s answer, a sharp glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes, and his hunched body seemed to straighten up slightly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe and looked at Kakashi inquisitively: “Why, Kakashi!”
Kakashi didn’t notice Hiruzen Sarutobi’s inquisitive gaze.
He just smiled bitterly and said: “Because I don’t have the confidence to lead them well!”
“In my estimations, among the three people in Team 7, the only one I could truly teach seriously might be just Sasuke!”
“That child is very suitable for me; he can learn everything I know!”
“And as for Naruto… Jiraiya-sama should be coming back soon, right?”
With Jiraiya back, there was naturally no need for him to worry about Naruto’s training.
So all Kakashi had to do was stand guard until Jiraiya returned!
Furthermore, Jiraiya was the one who truly inherited Hiruzen Sarutobi’s teaching abilities; he was an absolute master.
Him teaching Naruto personally was the best arrangement for Naruto.
As for Sakura?
Congratulations, congratulations!
At this moment, listening to Kakashi’s explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi also understood what he meant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: “That guy Jiraiya, he is indeed coming back!”
So regarding Naruto, Kakashi could indeed leave it alone.
“But regarding Akali, Kakashi, are you really not going to consider it?”
“She is so talented and brilliant, she is practically a second you, and she is walking the same path you did back then; it’s not like you have nothing to teach her.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Kakashi’s right eye, his tone full of temptation:
“Kakashi, if you can train Akali well, perhaps you could even go down in history!”
“Forget it, Hokage-sama! You know, I don’t care about that!”
Kakashi smiled bitterly and refused for the second time.
Although Akali was good, Kakashi really didn’t have the heart for it.
Well, it was definitely not because he was a little afraid that Akali would lead Naruto astray!
“Hmm…”
Watching Kakashi refuse for the second time, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slowly and fell into deep thought.
At this point, his state of being relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside turned into complete relaxation.
Immediately, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a smile and stopped trying to persuade Kakashi: “Since that’s the case, then forget it!”
“Kakashi, tell me, how about I arrange Akali into Kurenai Yuhi’s team?”
“Kurenai Yuhi’s team…”
Kakashi thought about it: “But who would be replaced?”
“Inuzuka Kiba!” Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the answer without hesitation, without even a moment of thought.
“Inuzuka Kiba, huh…” Kakashi thought about it: “That actually seems possible!”
“Team 8 is designed as a purely reconnaissance-specialized team, but with the Byakugan and the bugs, the means of reconnaissance are already sufficient.”
“Putting Inuzuka Kiba in was mainly to supplement frontal combat power, but his positioning actually overlaps somewhat with Shino Aburame’s.”
“So, replacing Inuzuka Kiba with Akali can be considered a high-level replacement!”
After thinking it through, Kakashi showed an expression of admiration and casually flattered him: “Hokage-sama, your wisdom is admirable.”
“Hahaha!” Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a hearty laugh.
Judging by his beaming smile, Kakashi’s flattery had clearly hit the spot for Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Hiruzen Sarutobi said reservedly: “I just think a little more than usual, it’s nothing!”
“Then, let’s settle it like this! Kakashi, thank you for your assistance!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and knocked out the burnt-out tobacco!
And seeing this attitude, how could Kakashi not understand? This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Kakashi said respectfully: “It is only right to serve Hiruzen Sarutobi-sama! Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi-sama, I shall take my leave!”
“Yes, yes, go ahead, go ahead!” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
However, just as Kakashi was about to leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly remembered:
“Oh, right, Kakashi, one more small favor, please help me call Kurenai Yuhi over, I still have some things I want to instruct her on.”
“Alright, Hokage-sama!”
Kakashi, having gotten rid of a troublesome matter, was in a good mood and agreed casually.
Subsequently, Kakashi left the Hokage Building and headed to Kurenai Yuhi’s residence to find her.
However, downstairs at Kurenai Yuhi’s residence, the first person Kakashi saw was not Kurenai Yuhi, but Asuma Sarutobi, who had recently returned to Konoha Village!
At this moment, Asuma Sarutobi was waiting downstairs for Kurenai Yuhi, holding something in his hand.
Seeing this, Kakashi didn’t think too much about it; after all, this guy Asuma Sarutobi had liked Kurenai Yuhi since their student days, which was something everyone knew!
If it weren’t for Asuma Sarutobi falling out with Hiruzen Sarutobi later and becoming one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, they might have been married for who knows how many years by now.
Wait, married!?
Kakashi suddenly realized that Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi would most likely be a family in the future.
So, thinking back to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attitude today, Kakashi understood immediately.
From the very beginning, Hiruzen Sarutobi never intended to let him lead Akali!
Because what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking was very likely to let Asuma Sarutobi take over his position!
Otherwise, look at the teams Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi were leading!
Ino–Shika–Chō, Hyuga, Inuzuka, Aburame!
The currently powerful ninja clans in Konoha were basically all rounded up!
Plus the already powerful Sarutobi, and the silent Shimura, the two great elders.
It is no exaggeration to say that this network of connections basically covered 60% of Konoha’s vital forces!
And in a place like Konoha, once you control the power of the ninja clans, wouldn’t becoming Hokage be easy?
As for why he kept asking him whether he would lead or not.
It’s simple, that was just Hiruzen Sarutobi testing him!
Because Konoha is this kind of environment, the existence of excellent disciples becomes the teacher’s support!
And if Akali were added, Kakashi’s influence would be too strong!
After realizing this, a thick sense of disgust began to resonate in Kakashi’s heart!