"And, I hope you can come with me..."
Hyuga Kawa's eyes narrowed slightly, and a perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on his face. He seemed surprised not by the "Five Kage Summit," as it was an almost inevitable choice given the current situation, but rather by the second half of Hiruzen Sarutobi's sentence.
"Me?" Hyuga Kawa's voice held a hint of doubt. "Third Hokage-sama, you mean..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked out the window, at a place farther away, and said, "As a bodyguard."
This role might sound ordinary, but if there was anything special about it, its implications were very deep. The last "Five Kage Summit," proactively convened by Hashirama Senju, had completely established the current political landscape of the ninja world. The five bodyguards of the Kage at that time all became Kage later without exception. Except for the First Mizukage's bodyguard who lost the position to Gengetsu Hōzuki and only became the Third Mizukage later, the other four bodyguards all became the Second Kage of their respective villages.
Undoubtedly, this outcome had added some political weight and influence to the role of a "bodyguard." If Hiruzen Sarutobi had said this to Danzō Shimura right now, even if it was to accompany him as a bodyguard and subordinate, Danzō would probably be ecstatic.
However, Hyuga Kawa's heart was actually very calm. He knew that he wouldn't be the only one to go with Hiruzen Sarutobi to the "Five Kage Summit." Because of the special nature of the "bodyguard" role, the other four Kage would definitely not bring just one person. This was a decision that any qualified leader would make.
As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly changed the subject and looked at Kakashi in the other bed. "Of course, besides you, there's also Kakashi," he said.
Plop!
As soon as he said this, Kakashi, who was lying in bed holding his Icha Icha Paradise, let the book slip from his hand, and it landed on his face. Then he sat up abruptly, his single eye widening in disbelief and surprise.
"Me?"
Kakashi pointed to himself, as if he couldn't believe his ears. His voice was clearly hoarse as he said, "Third Hokage-sama, you... you mean I have to go too...?"
"Yes, Kakashi," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Both you and Kawa will accompany me to the Five Kage Summit as my bodyguards."
"This..." Kakashi frowned. "Third Hokage-sama, Shisui Uchiha's strength is probably more suitable than mine, isn't it?"
Now that the Uchiha clan had been almost completely wiped out, the other people in Konoha were completely free from blame in this incident. All the blame fell on Itachi Uchiha and Obito Uchiha. Even Danzō had no reason to target the remaining elderly, women, and children. Shisui Uchiha, who had once belonged to the Hokage faction, was naturally also clean.
"The Uchiha incident still has many unanswered questions. Shisui, who had a good relationship with Itachi Uchiha, still can't be completely cleared of suspicion in this incident," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "Besides, do you think Shisui's injuries are lighter than yours?"
"After taking that 'Vortex' attack, his body suffered comminuted fractures on one side. Coupled with his excessive mental and physical exhaustion, he still hasn't woken up from his coma. According to the medical ninja's examination and speculation, even if he wakes up, and even if his subsequent treatment goes well, with his injuries, it will be very difficult for him to continue being a ninja."
Hearing this, Kakashi, who was learning about Shisui's injuries for the first time, fell silent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him and continued, "You single-handedly repelled Obito Uchiha, who called himself 'Uchiha Madara,' and exposed his fake identity."
"And the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, will definitely attend this summit. As a victim who was also controlled by Obito Uchiha's genjutsu and suffered heavy losses, Kirigakure must have strong dissatisfaction with Konoha, after all, Obito Uchiha was once a ninja of Konoha."
"At a time like this, your presence, Kakashi, becomes crucial."
"You are both Obito Uchiha's former best friend, who understands his past, and now his enemy, who has seriously injured him and exposed his true identity."
"Your very existence is Konoha's most powerful response to Obito Uchiha and the forces behind him, proving our determination to clean house and not condone such actions."
"No one knows the details of Obito Uchiha's intelligence, including his abilities and motives... better than you. You need to tell the other four Kage all of this yourself."
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over the two young men again, and a gentle but tired smile appeared on his face. "So, Kawa, Kakashi... are you two willing to accept the mission of protecting this old man?"
The hospital room fell into a brief silence. Hyuga Kawa and Kakashi's eyes met silently in the air.
No words were needed.
They both slowly and solemnly nodded at almost the same time. "We will do our best."
"Good. There's still some time before we leave. We have to wait for the other four Kage to give their replies," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. He raised his hand and patted Hyuga Kawa on the shoulder with a smile. "Use this time to make all the preparations. We'll probably be gone for a long time this time."
"I understand, Third Hokage-sama." Hyuga Kawa's face was solemn and held a hint of excitement, as if he was moved by Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust.
But in reality, he was very calm. He knew very well that even after everything he had done, he was still not as important to Hiruzen Sarutobi as Kakashi was. He could tell from what Hiruzen Sarutobi had said to Kakashi that the one who was truly meant to make an appearance in front of the Five Kage was Kakashi.
Moreover, if he were to dare to remove the Caged Bird right now, Hiruzen Sarutobi would immediately become suspicious. This was because he had drawn the sword 'Greed,' and the word greed has always been associated with ambition.
If even Danzō Shimura could understand the implications of this, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi not see it? The old man was only indecisive, not stupid. Even if there was no evidence to prove anything, for a person in power, a seed of doubt was enough.
As an aging politician, the reason Hiruzen Sarutobi "trusted" him so much now was not because of any feelings of gratitude or his contributions. It was because Hiruzen Sarutobi believed he held his life in his hands. Otherwise, how could he possibly trust a person from the Hyuga Branch Family, and how could he dare to use someone whose life didn't even belong to them?
Hiruzen Sarutobi might indeed feel pity for Hyuga Kawa's status as a member of the Branch Family, but if he were to suddenly remove the Caged Bird, the first person to move against him might not be the Hyuga Main Family. Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust in him was actually based on the Caged Bird. The Hyuga Main Family indeed held his life, but so did Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Therefore, from the beginning, Hiruzen Sarutobi never intended for him to become Hokage. At most, he would be a docile and useful "blade." He was likely planning to hand over this "blade" to his successor after he retired.
Everything Hiruzen Sarutobi was doing so brazenly, including making him a "bodyguard," was based on the belief that he would be a Caged Bird for life. As long as the Caged Bird seal on his forehead couldn't be removed, this "blade" would always be a "blade," and no matter how high his reputation and status were, it would be meaningless.
"What a pity," Hyuga Kawa thought, lowering his eyelids. His eyelashes cast a small shadow, hiding the indifference in his eyes. "Your plan is going to fail."
The only solution to this situation was to use a completely logical method to remove his Caged Bird seal in front of everyone, with a lie that everyone would believe.
Coincidentally, Hyuga Kawa had started preparing for this lie a long time ago...
"Oh, right, Third Hokage-sama," Kakashi said, as if he had just thought of something. "Our village's internal strength is already depleted. What if the 'Espada' attacks again while we're away...?"
Normally, a Kage leaving the village was a confidential matter to guard against potential foreign invasions. But since this was the Five Kage Summit, it was impossible to keep it a secret. At best, he could leave a shadow clone behind.
"I have considered that problem," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "I have already received replies from Tsunade and Jiraiya. They are on their way back right now."
"In addition, before we leave, we must strengthen the village's power."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hyuga Kawa, or more accurately, at the 'Greed' sword on his waist.
Seeing this, Kakashi's pupil slightly narrowed, and he subconsciously looked at his own 'Envy' shortsword that was placed to the side.
There was no doubt that in this chaos, this 'Envy' had truly shown its powerful ability. If Kakashi hadn't used 'Envy' to manifest Obito Uchiha's Hokage image, Konoha would have had to face two Susanoo and the three 'Espada.'
Now, without being held back by the Sharingan and possessing 'Envy,' Kakashi Hatake could completely steal Naruto's later title of "Unpredictable No. 1." The more powerful the ninja he faced, the more effective he could be. This also made Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had not paid much attention to the 'Seven Deadly Sins' before, see the true power and terrifying potential of these seven weapons.
"Besides the three weapons that already have owners..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered as he said, "I plan to let all the active ninja try to see if they can get the recognition of the remaining four weapons."
Besides 'Greed,' 'Envy,' and 'Sloth' having owners, there were still 'Pride,' 'Wrath,' 'Lust,' and 'Gluttony' left.
Currently, the conditions for these 'Seven Deadly Sins' to choose their wielders were unknown, but there were so many ninja in Konoha that it was impossible for them not to be able to pull out a single one, right? As long as they could pull out one more weapon with a power not inferior to 'Envy,' it would provide an extra layer of protection for Konoha, whose fighting strength was currently depleted.
"Third Hokage-sama, then I will take my leave and go prepare?" Hyuga Kawa said.
"Yes, remember to attend the jonin meeting. I will announce the existence of the 'Hollows' and the 'Espada,' and the Five Kage Summit, and that you and Kakashi will serve as my bodyguards."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, but soon, as if he had thought of something, he looked up at him and said slowly, "Also, regarding the conflict and disagreements between the Hyuga clan's Main Family and Branch Family..."
At this, he suddenly paused and sighed. "I understand your and the Branch Family members' dissatisfaction, but Kawa, you should understand that Konoha can't suffer any more losses."
"If another tragedy like the Uchiha clan's massacre happens, and another 'Fugaku Uchiha' appears, the 'Espada' might cast their gaze upon us again."
"So..."