Kakashi was going through Chinya's evidence with intense focus.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Kakashi's eyes closely.
Kakashi's pupils had constricted to their limit. His hands shook slightly, his face frozen in shock.
"That's impossible! This absolutely couldn't happen! Teacher would never do something like this!"
Kakashi couldn't stop shaking his head in denial.
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and reached a conclusion in his heart—Kakashi truly didn't know about these things.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, "Kakashi, I know how hard this is to swallow. It was difficult for me too. Who could imagine that Chinya, who once stood at the forefront of Konoha's victories, would commit such horrifying deeds?
But the facts are right here. Whether we believe it or not changes nothing. I don't doubt Chinya's loyalty toward Konoha during those battles. But now… sigh…
In the end, it was my failure as a teacher. Chinya's mentor was Orochimaru, and Orochimaru has completely fallen into darkness. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Chinya became this extreme, cruel, and heartless person you see today.
These are Orochimaru's evidences as well. You should look at them too. Chinya and Orochimaru are deeply involved—they've been working together on various inhumane experiments."
Hiruzen pushed Orochimaru's evidence toward Kakashi.
Kakashi grabbed Orochimaru's files and began scanning them immediately.
Hiruzen sighed, "I failed to properly guide Orochimaru, and Orochimaru failed to guide Chinya correctly. I don't want you to become like Chinya and Orochimaru either. So everything can still change, Kakashi. I hope you'll realize your mistake while there's still time and stop yourself from going any further down this path."
Kakashi shuddered silently, unable to speak a word.
Hiruzen continued, "However, regarding these pieces of evidence, I don't plan to hold Chinya and Orochimaru accountable for now."
Kakashi stared blankly at Hiruzen with his right eye.
Hiruzen said bitterly, "Kakashi, you also know Konoha's current situation. If the matters involving Chinya and Orochimaru were exposed, it would deal a devastating blow to our village. So I'd like to offer them one more chance.
In the near future, I'll subtly remind both Chinya and Orochimaru. As long as they don't repeat their mistakes, I won't pursue this matter further.
This isn't just for Konoha—it's also for your sake, Kakashi. I don't want things to become awkward for you either. I still hope Chinya and Orochimaru remain loyal to Konoha and continue contributing to our village."
Hiruzen extended the invitation again, "Therefore, Kakashi, I hope you'll join Anbu and serve directly under me. So, what's your choice?"
Kakashi stayed quiet for a long while, his right eye staring blankly. Finally, he murmured, "Lord Hokage… My mind is in chaos right now. Could you please give me a few days to think this over?"
Hiruzen nodded, "I understand how hard this must be for you to process. In that case, go back and think carefully. When you've decided, come find me. I'll wait for you, Kakashi."
Kakashi left the Hokage's office, looking dejected and lost.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gentle expression gradually faded, his gaze turning profound. He tapped the desk, and two Anbu appeared before him, kneeling on one knee.
"Seki and Renjiro, from today onwards you will monitor Kakashi twenty-four hours a day. Immediately report any movement of Kakashi to me."
"Yes!"
The two Anbu vanished in an instant.
Although Hiruzen found it difficult to accept that Kakashi had acted insincerely, he still ordered the Anbu to keep watch on Kakashi out of caution.
If Kakashi immediately headed toward Chinya after leaving here, then everything he had done earlier was just a performance meant for Hiruzen.
However, even if Kakashi was pretending and planning to share their conversation with Chinya, Hiruzen wasn't worried.
After all, he had just declared that he would let bygones be bygones.
With Chinya's and Orochimaru's intelligence, they should be able to discern the current situation in Konoha and realize that what he said was genuine.
If Kakashi wasn't pretending at all, that would have been even better.
Hiruzen spoke in a low, solemn tone, "Don't disappoint me, Kakashi."
...
As soon as he stepped out of the Hokage Tower, Kakashi immediately dropped his previously bewildered and shocked demeanor.
His gaze became icy cold.
He had always been informed of everything Chinya and Orochimaru did. Kakashi had complete knowledge of their affairs.
Back when Kakashi had been helped out of his shadow by Chinya—when he harbored extreme hatred toward Konoha—it was Chinya who had taught him:
"When you're weak, learn to hide, to pretend loyalty to Konoha. Don't let others see your hatred for Konoha; make them believe you love it so you can grow stronger peacefully until you no longer need to hide or act."
While following Chinya across numerous battlefields, sometimes Chinya even sent Kakashi disguised as someone else into enemy lines to gather intelligence. Those experiences had sharpened Kakashi's skill at deception.
What angered Kakashi most during his recent conversation with Hiruzen was that the latter had dared to try persuading him by invoking Sakumo Hatake.
They had betrayed his father... They had rejected the [Will of Fire]—the ideal his father had cherished and dedicated his life to—was something they had ultimately rejected!
Kakashi took a deep breath, steadying himself, then extended his sensory awareness outward. Soon, he detected Seki and Renjiro tailing him.
He smirked inwardly.
As expected, Hiruzen hadn't completely trusted him.
But this was normal. If he had been trusted so easily, that would've been strange.
A trace of mockery flickered through Kakashi's eyes.
So they wanted to turn him, huh? Let them try. If they dared to use him, they'd have to pay the price.
Kakashi didn't head toward Chinya's home, nor did he return to his own residence—he made his way into the woods instead.
It appeared as if he needed to release some pent-up energy—he drew his ninja sword and began furiously slicing through the nearby trees.
Seki and Renjiro continued observing him closely.
Yet, unnoticed by them, Kakashi formed the hand seal for the [Shadow Clone Jutsu]. The clone transformed into a snake using Transformation Jutsu, slithering toward Chinya's house.
At Chinya's home.
Kushina Uzumaki had already fallen asleep, but Chinya wasn't sleeping. He sat on the couch in the living room, waiting for something.
A snake formed by Kakashi's Shadow Clone slithered toward the front door of Chinya's home.
Kakashi's Shadow Clone ended its Transformation Jutsu.
Before the clone could knock on the door, Chinya had already opened it. "Took you long enough. Get in."
Chinya and Kakashi's Shadow Clone plopped down on the couch.
Chinya smiled slightly as he looked at Kakashi's Shadow Clone. "So you came here as a Shadow Clone—that means Sarutobi Hiruzen has started keeping an eye on you, huh?"
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