With the decision finalized for Shizune to oversee the Chunin Exams, the meeting officially came to an end.
As the various power players of the Hidden Leaf filed out of the room, Shibi Aburame caught up with Hiashi Hyūga, who was also preparing to depart. As colleagues who saw each other nearly every day, the two maintained a reasonably good relationship.
"Hiashi, care for a drink tonight?"
Shibi's request took Hiashi somewhat by surprise. Usually, Shibi wasn't the type to indulge in alcohol. Why today of all days...?
"Very well."
Hiashi nodded slightly. Though he didn't quite understand the sudden invitation, he didn't refuse.
Back in his office, Kakashi stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Shibi and Hiashi go their separate ways outside the Hokage Building.
"How are you feeling?"
Seeing the two depart, Kakashi turned around to look at the now nineteen-year-old Itachi Uchiha.
"Replying to Lord Hokage: all is well."
Itachi subconsciously touched the back of his neck and offered a small smile.
"That's for the best. Originally, you could have wielded this power several years earlier."
Kakashi sat back down in his chair, a hint of regret in his voice. Itachi had been suffering from a chronic illness. Although he had made a full recovery thanks to the collaborative efforts of Lady Tsunade and Shizune, his constitution had remained too weak to endure the power brought by the Sage Mark. It had taken Itachi two and a half years of training before he was finally able to have the Mark engraved last month.
"It was my own incompetence," Itachi replied, his expression also tinged with regret.
"Let's not dwell on that. I called you here because I intend to fulfill the promise I made back then." Kakashi paused. "Sasuke is set to graduate tomorrow, isn't he?"
A look of confusion flickered across Itachi's face for a moment, but he quickly realized what Kakashi meant.
Graduation!
Back then, the Hokage had promised that once Sasuke graduated, he would take him as his personal disciple!
"Yes!"
Itachi's gratitude was palpable as he spoke, his voice filled with emotion.
"Good, as long as you remember. It saves me the trouble of you accusing me of breaking my word if I happened to forget," Kakashi joked.
Itachi couldn't help but smile through his gratitude. "The entire Uchiha Clan can never truly repay Lord Hokage's kindness."
Kakashi waved his hand dismissively before offering a reminder: "Even though you've successfully received the Sage Mark, if you have some free time, you should consult more with Guy, Shizune, Hayama, or Tenzo. If they can't explain things clearly, you can also seek out Hikari."
Over the past five years, in addition to Hayama Shirakumo, Shizune and Tenzo had also successfully received the Sage Mark. Including Itachi, the number of people possessing the Sage Mark had increased to six.
Hikari, in particular—perhaps due to being sealed by natural energy for five hundred years—found it exceptionally easy to enter Sage Mode. She didn't even need the Solar Ring Seal to store her own chakra; she only required the Solar Core Seal to store natural energy. She could complete the rest of the steps entirely on her own. Even her Sage Mark was only engraved because she took a liking to the ageless properties inherent in the Strength of a Hundred Seal within it, pestering Kakashi until he gave her one as well.
"Yes, sir!"
Itachi was deeply moved. Not only Guy, Tenzo, Shizune, and Hayama, but the Hokage was even allowing him to seek guidance from his own wife. It was clear that Kakashi did not view him as an outsider. Although he had long been prepared to die for the Hokage, hearing Kakashi speak this way still filled Itachi with immense gratitude.
"Alright, you may go. I'll be there for Sasuke's graduation tomorrow."
Kakashi waved his hand, signaling that he was dismissed. Itachi bowed respectfully and took his leave.
Now, Kakashi was alone in the Hokage's office. He looked at his reflection in the window, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Guy, Hayama, Shizune, Tenzo, Itachi.
Excluding Hikari, there were five users of the Sage Mark. These five "Sages" were enough to face any enemy currently in the shinobi world. Although it was only half the number he had originally envisioned, it was sufficient.
Especially Guy. Even Kakashi would find it difficult to restrain him without going all out.
All the Hidden Leaf lacked now was a turning point—an excuse to launch a war of unification. Once that happened, Kakashi could utilize the resources of the entire shinobi world to prepare for the enemies of the future.
And now... Rasa was about to hand that opportunity to Kakashi personally.
"Waaaah! Dad, big sister is bullying me again!"
As soon as Kakashi returned home, a small black-haired, black-eyed boy came running toward him in tears.
"What's wrong, Ichigo?"
With a smile, Kakashi picked up his five-year-old son and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
"Big sister stole my cookies!"
The five-year-old Ichigo wrapped his arms around Kakashi's neck and lodged his complaint against his sister.
"Ah, how could she do that? Mirai is being far too much."
Amused, Kakashi carried his son into the living room. However, it seemed the person inside had heard him, as a small figure with white hair came dashing over like the wind.
"Oh! You actually went and told on me to Dad!"
"I saw that you couldn't finish them, so I was being nice and helping you eat them!"
"Dad, don't listen to his nonsense!"
The tiny figure tugged at Kakashi's hem, her face full of urgency. Kakashi looked at them and picked up one in each arm, letting out a soft laugh as he feigned a troubled expression.
"Mirai seems to have a point, too. Ichigo, a lot of the snacks you can't finish end up going past their expiration date."
"So, is it excusable for big sister to help solve the problem?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Mirai—who had white hair and red eyes—hugged Kakashi's neck and nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! That's right!"
"Little brother obviously couldn't finish them!"
After saying that, she gave Kakashi a kiss on the cheek.
"But those were my favorite! I was planning to save them for tomorrow!"
Seeing his father seemingly siding with his sister, Ichigo immediately protested.
"I don't care! Little brother is a stingy-butt!"
Mirai bared her teeth huffily and reached out toward Ichigo.
"Waaaah! Sister is being a bully again!"
Seeing Mirai reaching for him, Ichigo jumped down from Kakashi's arms and ran toward the backyard.
"Don't you run! I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"
"I'll show you the power of your Big Sister!"
Seeing Ichigo bolt, Mirai also hopped down and gave chase to the fellow who had dared to tattle on her. Kakashi watched the two bickering siblings and smiled helplessly.
What was that saying? You have to beat your younger brother early, or you won't be able to win once he grows up.
"Look at you, you don't even know how to talk them down."
A soft, warm voice drifted out from the kitchen. A beautiful woman emerged, wearing pink loungewear under a brown apron with a cartoon print. Her slightly wavy long hair was tied back, and her lovely face carried a hint of mock reproach. Wearing thick oven mitts, she carried a steaming clay pot out of the kitchen.
"They're just kids. It's good for them to move around a bit."
"This is the age where they love to cause a ruckus."
Kakashi smiled and stepped forward, intending to take the pot from Kurenai.
"Hey, it's hot! Watch yourself!"
Kurenai let out a startled cry as she saw Kakashi reach out. She quickly pivoted away from him and set the clay pot on the table.
"Look at you. Why would you just jump in like that?"
"What if you got burned?"
Kurenai looked at Kakashi with annoyance, placing her hands on her hips as she scolded him. Kakashi just smiled at his wife, a warm current flowing through his heart.
"You're laughing? You're still laughing!"
Seeing her husband remain unmoved by her scolding, Kurenai massaged her temples with a headache. She wanted to say more but swallowed it back, huffing to herself in a silent sulk.
"I was wrong, okay?"
Seeing this, Kakashi quickly stepped forward, lowering his posture to coax her.
"And just where were you wrong?"
Kurenai's eyes blinked. Facing Kakashi's softened stance, her "arrogance" only grew.
"I was wrong because..."
Kakashi leaned in closer. The warmth of his breath brushed against her face, causing Kurenai's cheeks to redden slightly.
"What are you thinking? The kids are still in the backyard..."
Sensing Kakashi's intent, Kurenai reached out and gently pushed him, trying to stop his advance.
"I was wrong because I shouldn't have made you worry."
"What does me apologizing have to do with the kids being in the backyard?"
Under Kurenai's gentle shove, Kakashi retreated slightly. The look of intent from a moment ago had vanished as if it never existed, replaced by a look of utter confusion as he stared at her.
"You!"
Kurenai stared at him blankly. It took her a moment to realize he was teasing her, and she began to grit her teeth.
What a rotten man!
"Where's Hikari?" Kakashi asked, glancing around the house.
"Hikari went to pick up Naruto. After all, graduation is tomorrow. It'll be hard work for the Great Hokage to go and take graduation photos with Naruto!"
Kurenai spoke with a bit of a huff.
"My, are you truly angry then?"
Seeing her like this, Kakashi hurried forward to comfort her.
"I'm not angry!"
"You are angry."
"I am not! Don't come over here!"
"I get the feeling that you are definitely angry."
"I said I'm not angry!"
"Oh, okay then."
Kurenai: "???"
When I say I'm not angry, does it mean I'm actually not angry?
You rotten man, you don't even know how to coax me properly!
Hikari was right!
Men are all no good!
Kurenai puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel stuffed with nuts, making one want to give them a squeeze. Before they were married, Kakashi had never imagined that Kurenai, now a wife, would have such a cute side.
"We're back!"
At that moment, the voices of Hikari and Naruto echoed from the entryway.
"Welcome home."
Kakashi smiled and patted Kurenai's head before walking toward the foyer.
"Smells great! What did Sister Kurenai make for dinner today?"
The now twelve-year-old Naruto was quite a bit taller than his counterpart in the original timeline, and his physique looked much sturdier. At the very least, he was no longer the "short bean" who hadn't even reached 150 centimeters at age twelve. After all, unlike when he lived alone, Kakashi didn't allow him to eat too much instant ramen.
"Kakashi-niichan!"
Seeing Kakashi, Naruto was surprised that he had returned so early today.
"That's wrong. Change how you address me from now on."
"Call me Sensei."
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