As soon as the third Hokage finished speaking, Kakashi rejected the proposal without hesitation.
"Forget it, Hokage-sama. Just let White Light Blade rest peacefully alongside my father at the clan shrine."
The living room of the Hatake ancestral home fell silent once again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, the room filling with wisps of smoke.
After a long silence, he pulled out a scroll and placed it on the table.
"Hokage-sama, what is this?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
"The Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. It's about time Naruto officially started training in ninjutsu. This technique is most suitable for his circumstances. You can teach him the basic shadow clone jutsu first, and when he gets a little older, you can pass this on to him."
Kakashi remained silent. Normally, he would have refused outright, but since this concerned Naruto, he couldn't bring himself to reject it.
"In that case, on Naruto's behalf, I thank you, Hokage-sama." He took the scroll and stored it away.
"It's only right." Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "I've been too busy with official duties and neglected Naruto's care. Now that he has you, I can rest a little easier. As for another jutsu, I've found a more suitable teacher for him. In a few years, this person will personally pass it on to Naruto."
Kakashi's expression shifted slightly. A Jutsu that was personally chosen by the third Hokage for Naruto...
It had to be either the Flying Thunder God Technique, which the fourth Hokage was famous for, or the Rasengan, which he later developed. Given Naruto's natural abilities, he might not have the talent for the Flying Thunder God Technique, so the third was likely referring to the Rasengan. And the person meant to teach him…
"Is Jiraiya-sama coming back?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile. "That guy has been roaming free for long enough. It's time for him to return and take some responsibility off this old man's shoulders."
Kakashi remained silent. He understood that the third Hokage mentioning Jiraiya at this moment was meant as a warning, both to him and to Kuragami Uchiha, whom he supported.
Unlike the aging third Hokage, Jiraiya was still at his peak and, as a master of Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode, would be the undisputed strongest ninja in the village once he returned. Kuragami Uchiha was powerful, but compared to Jiraiya at full strength, there was still a gap.
But... was that really the case?
Kakashi's mind flashed back to the other night, to the faint purple markings at the corners of Kuragami Uchiha's eyes. And more importantly, would Jiraiya really want to get involved in all of this?
Seeing Kakashi lost in thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again.
"Kakashi, are you really not going to consider running for the position of fifth Hokage? I'll have Jiraiya assist you."
"Hokage-sama, please don't joke. Jiraiya-sama is far more qualified than I am to be Hokage."
"You can't say that. I've known that brat for a long time; there's no way he would willingly take on this burden." Hiruzen sighed.
"Jiraiya-sama will understand your intentions."
Kakashi replied.
"Fine."
Seeing that Kakashi's stance was firm, Hiruzen changed the topic.
"Kakashi, let's put aside the matter of the fifth Hokage for now. What are your plans?"
"Kuragami invited me to join the Konoha Military Police Force, overseeing the containment and interrogation of high-profile criminals."
Kakashi answered honestly. There was no point in hiding it; Hiruzen would find out as soon as he reported for duty. Being upfront made him seem more open.
"The Konoha Military Police Force, huh?"
Hiruzen's eyelids twitched. Kakashi and Kuragami Uchiha seemed to have an even closer relationship than he had assumed. He sighed inwardly but maintained his calm expression.
"That's not a bad position. Kuragami is a fine young man who truly upholds the Will of Fire."
"Indeed. His understanding of the Will of Fire often makes me feel ashamed."
Kakashi said flatly.
"With young people like you two in the village, I'm sure the first and second Hokage would be very pleased, even in the afterlife."
Hiruzen said, full of emotion.
"Well then, Kakashi, I won't keep you any longer."
"I'll walk you out."
Kakashi offered, beginning to rise from his seat, but Hiruzen stopped him.
"I've already disturbed you late at night. I'll walk myself back; it'll help with digestion. That ramen was truly delicious. No wonder Naruto loves it so much."
Despite Hiruzen's words, Kakashi still escorted him to the door. "Kakashi."
Before stepping outside, Hiruzen turned around and spoke with deep sincerity.
"Now that you've regained your motivation, you must keep up with your training. I may be an old man, but I still hope to personally place the Hokage's cloak on your shoulders one day."
Kakashi didn't respond, but his silence was enough.
… … …
Days passed quickly, and the lockdown in the village had already lasted three days.
After the events of that night, the village's security had visibly improved. The workload of the Konoha Military Police Force had lightened significantly, and complaints against them had drastically decreased.
Kakashi had officially started his duties in the new Konoha Military Police Force division by the Naka River.
Meanwhile, the Anbu unit assigned by the third Hokage had also arrived to investigate the case involving three clans colluding with Orochimaru to kidnap children from noble families.
The Konoha Military Police Force had also unearthed some old case files. A joint investigation team, led by Kuragami Uchiha, was officially formed.
Before launching the investigation, Kuragami Uchiha issued orders in the conference room that every member of the three clans involved would face severe punishment. Their assets would be seized and redistributed to compensate the victims' families.
However, halfway through the meeting, Inoka Uchiha knocked on the conference room door. He walked in and whispered something into Kuragami Uchiha's ear, causing the latter's expression to turn rather... interesting.
Two hours earlier…
At the base of the Hokage rock, in the largest hot spring district of the village, ninjas and civilians alike gathered after a long day to relax. But today, the scene was disrupted by an unexpected event.
A certain white-haired middle-aged man was hiding in the bushes near an open-air hot spring, crouched low with his rear sticking out, occasionally letting out perverted chuckles.
Unfortunately, he hadn't been watching for long before the women in the hot spring noticed him.
Their screams immediately drew the attention of patrolling officers.
It took three entire squads of the Konoha Military Police Force to finally apprehend this suspicious figure. However, upon bringing him to the station, several Uchiha leaders quickly realized who he was.
This was none other than one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya.
Back in the conference room, Kuragami Uchiha fought to keep his mouth from twitching.
"Everyone, please excuse me. There is an urgent matter at the Konoha Military Police Force that requires my attention."