Chapter 43 Kakashi's Evolution
Aburame Shiki took a deep breath. Uchiha Touhuan's actions had essentially presented them with two choices.
Either join the Uchiha camp or side with the Hokage's faction. Sending away one or two clan geniuses and then ignoring it was no longer an option.
"Clan Chief Touhuan, I'd like to confirm something else." After a while, Aburame Shiki removed her sunglasses and looked directly at Uchiha Touhuan. "The Security Department is certain they won't recruit children who haven't graduated from the Ninja Academy, is that right?"
"Of course." Uchiha Touhuan sensed Aburame Shiki's concern and smiled. "As someone who was sent to the battlefield at the age of nine, although my current reputation is due to my battlefield achievements, I still feel my experience was fucking awful."
Uchiha Touhuan spoke from the heart; the usually solemn and polite man who had entered even swore at this moment, his emotions genuine and unpretentious.
"Children should be in the ninja academy at the age when they should be studying, Aburame Clan Chief, don't you agree?" Then, Uchiha Touhuan smiled and looked at Aburame Shiki, speaking.
"I understand," Aburame Shiki nodded solemnly.
Although he belonged to the generation that grew up under the influence of the Second Hokage, during his upbringing, ambitious figures like Danzo hadn't yet emerged. However, when he had just come of age, Aburame Ryoma was forcibly taken away from the clan chief, who was then his uncle, by Danzo. On his first day as clan chief, the former chief took him to the clan shrine to see the clan's history. The shrine meticulously recorded the names of those who had been taken away at a very young age and publicly expelled from the clan; Aburame Ryoma was the last.
"Remember these names," the former chief solemnly said to him before the clan crest at the shrine, "It was these predecessors, whose names couldn't even be mentioned in the clan's rituals, who voluntarily threw themselves into darkness, allowing the clan's flame to continue to this day. If one day you face a choice, even if it's your own child, you cannot hesitate for a moment."
Aburame Shiki was deeply shocked and remembered the former clan head's words, which is why he summoned Aburame Torune today. However, his upbringing still made him question the past. He reasoned that even without these actions, the village and clan could have thrived when the First and Second Hokage were still alive.
Therefore, upon hearing Uchiha Touhuan's promise, Aburame Shiki was moved. During the Third Shinobi World War, Aburame Shiki was stationed in the Land of Water, where the Uchiha clan was most concentrated. He knew Uchiha Touhuan's strength better than others; after all, he was a ruthless individual who had single-handedly wiped out 15 Kirigakure Jonin squads several years ago. Adding to this the Mangekyō Sharingan he had seen at the village entrance that day, in his mind, this was a promise made to him and their clan by a ninja whose strength rivaled that of the First Hokage.
Having made up her mind, Aburame Shiki picked up the incriminating evidence against the three clans on the table and said, "From this day forward, the Aburame clan will follow the Uchiha's lead."
"The Aburame clan head is a smart man," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile, snapping his fingers. A few flashes of electricity appeared, and flames rose from the evidence against Aburame Ryoma on the table, turning to ashes in moments. "Have someone report to the Security Department tomorrow. As for when to officially take action, just wait for my orders."
"Understood," Aburame Shiki nodded, then personally rose to see him off.
...
While Uchiha Touhuan was a guest at the Aburame clan, a large-scale barbecue restaurant under the Akimichi clan—Yakiniku Q—was holding a massive gathering.
Kakashi's official retirement announcement from the Anbu had been issued today; from today onwards, Kakashi would no longer serve in the Anbu.
And Kakashi's first act after retirement was to invite most of the Anbu ninjas who had worked with him on missions to a dinner, ostensibly to thank them for their help over the years.
Kakashi booked the entire BBQ restaurant, Q, and invited a full 60 people, all at least at the Special Jonin level. However, most were from commoner backgrounds or from minor ninja clans like Hayate Gekko.
As the largest BBQ restaurant in the village, Q's prices weren't as extravagant as the luxurious restaurants Uchiha Touhuan had taken them to during their mission, but it certainly wasn't cheap. For Anbu members, an occasional treat was acceptable, but frequent visits would be too much even for their salaries. Therefore, the invited guests came without much thought.
During the meal, Kakashi, mimicking Uchiha Touhuan, raised his glass and cleared his throat; seeing this, the others put down their chopsticks.
"Everyone, during my time in the Anbu, I'm grateful for your help. Although I'm retiring now, I will always remember the time we spent working together."
"Kakashi-sama, what are you saying?" a civilian ninja interjected. "We should be thanking you for your care during our missions. If it weren't for your help on those previous missions, I'd probably be dead by now."
"You can't say that. As the captain, it's my duty to save my teammates during missions," Kakashi said. "I know my own personality well. During missions, I might overlook everyone's feelings, and some might see me as not very compassionate. Before my official retirement, I still want to say thank you all for tolerating my temper out of respect for the Will of Fire, ensuring the missions went smoothly. I toast you all!"
Kakashi removed his mask and solemnly drank the wine in his cup.
Seeing this, the others followed suit, downing their drinks as well.
At this moment, Nagai Seiichi, who had already pledged his loyalty to Uchiha Touhuan and guessed the close relationship between Kakashi and Uchiha Touhuan, stepped forward: "Captain Kakashi's words make us feel ashamed. It is clearly our lack of ability that forced Captain Kakashi to do more, but Captain Kakashi is still looking for the reasons within himself. What is the Will of Fire? This is the Will of Fire! Everyone, I propose that we all toast Captain Kakashi! Although Captain Kakashi has retired, we will always remember your kindness in our hearts!" After another round of drinks,
Kuroki Ryuta, who had also participated in the mission to capture Orochimaru, stood up and said: "We are reluctant to see Lord Kakashi retire, but we also wish Lord Kakashi good health and continued success in his future ninja career!" Amidst the clinking of glasses, the sake in the cups, which
were emptied and refilled, reflected Kakashi's face. This was the first time that Kakashi had taken off the mask he had worn for most of his life in front of so many people.
By the end of the party, everyone present was tipsy. Afterwards, Kakashi watched them leave one by one, and soon he was the only one left in the huge barbecue restaurant, Q.
Kakashi sat alone for a while before getting up and leaving. As he walked out of the restaurant, Kakashi instinctively took out his mask to put it on, but after thinking about it, he put it away. Carrying the food he had packed for Naruto, he headed towards the Hatake family's residence.
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(End of Chapter)