After nightfall, Naruto stood by the window, looking at the lights of Konoha in the distance.
During this trip to Konoha, he obtained some of Yin Kurama's chakra and Shukaku's chakra, which was quite a rewarding harvest. The only regret was that he failed to officially become a Chunin and still carried the title of the strongest Genin.
Logically speaking, he could already leave Konoha together with the other ninja villages, but there was still one major event he needed to participate in.
That was attending the funeral of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally witnessing Hiruzen Sarutobi's coffin being buried, and drawing a perfect conclusion to this trip to Konoha.
At that moment, Naruto sensed Kakashi rapidly approaching the hotel where he was staying, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Soon, Kakashi opened the window and arrived on the third floor of the hotel where Naruto was staying. Seeing Naruto sitting calmly on the stool, he hesitated for a moment before bringing up what had happened with Obito.
Naruto turned around, looked at Kakashi with a faint smile, and said, "Senior Kakashi, is there something you want to ask me?"
Kakashi stopped hesitating and said directly, "When Orochimaru attacked the village, Kai and I discovered traces of Obito. He's been staying near Konoha this whole time."
Naruto nodded. "I know Obito has been staying near Konoha. So, how did the reunion with your old friend go? Did Obito listen to your heartfelt speech and voluntarily give up his plan to destabilize the ninja world?"
Kakashi smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Obito's obsession is far deeper than I imagined. I couldn't persuade him at all. Kai and I could only fight him together, but he still escaped in the end. Still, I managed to blow a hole through him. He should need a few months to recover."
"It won't even take a few days. Obito's injuries recover far faster than you think."
"Half of his body is made from White Zetsu. White Zetsu has terrifying vitality. In terms of regeneration, it's comparable to the First Hokage. If your hand is injured, be careful these next few days, and don't let your eye get stolen."
"If Obito gathers both Kamui eyes together, he'll truly become unstoppable."
Although Naruto sounded very relaxed when he said this, Kakashi felt no relaxation whatsoever. If he had lost to Obito today, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
For a brief moment, he even considered handing the Mangekyo Sharingan over to Naruto.
But in the end, he gave up. Just like Obito had held back against him, he still couldn't bring himself to kill Obito.
Naruto saw through Kakashi's thoughts and said lightly, "Senior Kakashi, after attending tomorrow's funeral, you can join our Uzushio Village. Uzushio Village will guarantee your safety."
Kakashi was about to refuse, but then suddenly thought of something. "Naruto, you're planning to attend the Third Hokage's funeral tomorrow? Isn't that funeral only for Konoha personnel?"
"Did you forget that I'm the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
After a pause, Naruto continued, "And with Konoha's current condition, it has no way to resist attacks from Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Jiraiya will allow me to remain in Konoha temporarily to deter pressure from those two villages."
Kakashi thought about it carefully and finally relaxed a little.
Over the past ten years, Konoha had successively lost the combat power of the Uchiha Clan and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Root had either disbanded or defected after Danzo's downfall.
After the Chunin Exam incident, even the Sarutobi Clan and the Fire Daimyo had participated in internal conflict.
Under those circumstances, Konoha barely had enough military strength left to maintain its current order.
Thinking of this, Kakashi looked at Naruto suspiciously. Could it be that Naruto wanted to make trouble at the Third Hokage's funeral? Maybe he planned to follow Orochimaru's example and invade Konoha directly.
Naruto only smiled without speaking. After clapping his hands, Shisui appeared on the third floor.
Looking at Naruto and Shisui, Kakashi asked somewhat puzzled, "What does attending the Third Hokage's funeral have to do with inviting me to join Uzushio Village?"
"Of course it matters. After attending the funeral, Jiraiya probably won't be able to tolerate you anymore."
Naruto revealed a meaningful smile before continuing, "At tomorrow's funeral, I plan to have Shisui announce some truths and return a few pots that rightfully belong to the Third Hokage."
"That also includes the suicide of your father, the White Fang of Konoha."
Kakashi said seriously, "I already investigated my father's case. My father really did commit suicide. At most, Danzo and the others spread rumors. They didn't fabricate anything excessive."
Naruto glanced at Kakashi and said lightly, "What if the person who failed the mission had been Asuma instead? If Konohamaru had been the one Kumogakure demanded to be handed over, would the Third Hokage have simply sat back and done nothing?"
Hearing this, Kakashi fell silent, because after thinking about it carefully, the answer was obvious.
After seeing the effect of his words, Naruto pressed the advantage and continued, "However, none of that is important. What matters is that after these truths are revealed, my mood will improve and I'll feel very happy. Kakashi-senpai, what do you think?"
Kakashi subconsciously nodded, but after looking up and seeing Naruto's sly smile, he realized he had been tricked.
Clearly, based on age, he was Naruto's senior, yet Naruto always saw right through him and manipulated him willingly. Compared to a monster like Naruto, he really couldn't be called a genius at all.
At that moment, Shisui smiled and said, "With Kakashi-senpai joining us, tomorrow's plan will go much more smoothly. Mianma-sama and I only know part of the truth. Our persuasion skills aren't nearly as convincing as Kakashi-senpai's."
Being stared at by Shisui made Kakashi's heart sink. He remembered that Shisui had also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
And during the Third Hokage's reign, the Uchiha Clan had been suppressed and excluded. In the end, under Itachi Uchiha's blade, the entire clan left Konoha and followed Naruto overseas.
That meant even if Naruto personally did nothing, Uchiha Shisui would never miss this opportunity.
After serious consideration, Kakashi agreed to join Naruto and Shisui's plan, though he still hesitated about defecting. He still had many good colleagues in Konoha, and the students of Team 7 had not yet reached the point where they could truly stand on their own.
After discussing for more than ten minutes, tomorrow's plan was mostly finalized, and Kakashi finally left the hotel.
Before leaving, he reluctantly glanced back at the third floor where Naruto was staying, his face filled with worry.
After Kakashi left, Shisui looked at his departing figure and said worriedly, "Mianma-sama, why didn't you place him under a genjutsu? You've invited him so many times to join the village. What if he leaks our plan?"
Naruto picked up the juice, took a sip, and said, "Kakashi isn't that kind of person. Besides, with him around, it'll be much easier to find Obito and deal with that lunatic wandering around the ninja world."
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