Danzo Shimura had always coveted the position of Hokage.
The reason he believed he still had a chance—
Was because he controlled Root.
Within Konoha, his authority was second only to the Third Hokage.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi developed some kind of powerful weapon—
Danzo's influence in the village would drop drastically.
Of course, this mindset existed partly because Hiruzen had always been too soft.
In reality—
With his prestige and strength—
If Hiruzen truly decided to eliminate Danzo—
Danzo wouldn't have much room to resist.
Meanwhile…
Hiruzen and Kakashi Hatake arrived at Naruto's home.
Naruto was still asleep—
Completely undisturbed by the chaos of the night.
Looking at him, sleeping soundly—
Hiruzen was now certain:
Tonight's incident had nothing to do with Naruto.
After quietly leaving—
The two arrived behind the Hokage Rock.
Standing there, overlooking the entire village—
Hiruzen spoke slowly:
"Kakashi… that person is connected to you, isn't he?"
His tone was calm—
But carried absolute certainty.
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat.
That moment of hesitation—
Confirmed everything for Hiruzen.
He had already noticed something earlier.
Kakashi had been too calm tonight.
Normally, in a situation like this—
He wouldn't act so composed.
"Kakashi… it seems you don't trust me."
Hiruzen's voice grew heavier.
Kakashi remained silent.
But Hiruzen understood.
After all—
Kakashi had once served in the ANBU.
He knew too many of the village's secrets.
Hiruzen continued:
"You should understand—since I've already guessed…"
"You won't be able to hide it for long."
"If that person is not a threat to the village—"
"I will protect him."
"I do not want internal conflict in Konoha."
"But that doesn't mean I will compromise without limits."
"As long as he poses no danger—"
"I will guarantee his safety."
"Even if it means opposing Danzo."
Hiruzen turned and looked directly at Kakashi.
His tone was firm.
Kakashi still hesitated.
But he knew—
Now that Hiruzen was watching him—
Orion's existence would eventually be exposed.
He sighed.
"…As expected, you saw through it."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
"So it really is someone from our village?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Yes."
"I was worried about his safety."
"He still doesn't have the ability to protect himself."
Hiruzen froze.
"…You're saying—someone capable of that level of destruction…"
"…doesn't even have self-defense ability?"
He thought he had misheard.
Even he himself—
Couldn't replicate that attack.
Kakashi nodded seriously.
"That's right."
"The technique he used…"
"Was actually the one I taught him—"
"Chidori."
Hiruzen was stunned.
"…You're telling me…"
"That attack… was Chidori?!"
If Kakashi hadn't said it himself—
Hiruzen would never have believed it.
Yes—
Chidori was a powerful A-rank jutsu.
But its destructive power—
Should only be enough to pierce through a large rock.
What they saw tonight—
Was something capable of leveling mountains.
That was Tailed Beast Bomb level destruction.
There was no comparison.
Yet—
Kakashi still nodded.
"Yes. It was Chidori."
Hiruzen fell silent.
He struggled to process something so absurd.
After a long pause, he asked:
"You're saying… you are personally teaching him?"
"Who is he?"
"Chidori is your signature technique—"
"Why would you teach it so easily?"
At present—
Only Kakashi in Konoha had mastered Chidori.
It was his self-developed jutsu.
No one could force him to teach it.
Which meant—
The person he taught it to…
Was extremely important to him.
And more importantly—
If Kakashi was personally training him—
Then that person must be young.
A single word appeared in Hiruzen's mind:
Genius.
Someone so powerful—
And still young—
Could only be described that way.
And if Kakashi trusted him enough—
It meant his character was reliable.
Despite Kakashi's occasional distrust toward Hiruzen—
Hiruzen had no doubt about Kakashi's loyalty to the village.
Hiruzen's heart stirred.
Konoha was currently in a transitional period.
A gap between generations.
If someone suitable appeared—
He would gladly step down early.
Originally—
Kakashi himself was one of Hiruzen's candidates for the next Hokage.
That was also why he was assigned to Team 7.
Because:
Naruto UzumakiSasuke Uchiha
…were candidates for the next-next generation.
This succession pattern—
Was an open secret among the higher-ups.
And it was also why Danzo disliked Naruto and Sasuke so much.
Not just because:
Naruto was a jinchūrikiSasuke was an Uchiha
But because—
They were chosen by Hiruzen.
Despite that—
Hiruzen wasn't fully satisfied with any of them.
Kakashi: Strong, but lacking overwhelming presenceNaruto: Unstable due to the Nine-TailsSasuke: Mentally fragile, risk of going astray
If Naruto couldn't control the Nine-Tails—
He could never become Hokage.
If Sasuke developed a personality like Madara Uchiha—
He would also be unsuitable.
Yet—
They were still the best among their generation.
But now—
If someone even better existed—
Hiruzen would absolutely consider them.
Kakashi looked at Hiruzen's serious expression.
After a moment of thought, he said:
"…He's one of Tōichi's students."
Hiruzen froze.
"…What did you say?"
"Tōichi's student?"
"Which one?"
"Yamada Jumu? Or Honda Taiko?"
"…Don't tell me it's Honda Taiko?"
Hiruzen leaned toward that conclusion.
Because—
Although Honda Taiko wasn't from a ninja clan—
Her mother was a pure-blood member of the Senju clan.
Inheriting Senju genes—
Was completely possible.
Just like:
Minato Namikaze (a civilian)
and Kushina Uzumaki (Uzumaki clan)
→ Their son Naruto inherited the Uzumaki bloodline.
And the attack earlier—
Required enormous chakra reserves.
Which aligned perfectly with Senju lineage traits.
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