Hiruzen stared in shock, as he was just staring at Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan.
When did he activate it? So many questions were running through his mind; if Kakashi had found out about the truth then he was in trouble.
Hiruzen knew each Mangekyo Sharingan had a unique power, and since he didn't know what Kakashi's Mangekyo could do, it was not a good option to start a fight; more importantly Kakashi was one of his most trusted shinobi, so he couldn't afford to lose him not when they had a war looming over their heads.
He had to make Kakashi see reason no matter what.
"I don't know what you are saying," said Hiruzen calmly, but Kakashi's gaze hardened even more and he tightened his grip on Hiruzen's collars.
"I have no time for your bullshit; I'll ask you again, why did you give Naruto a suicide mission, more importantly where is his daughter?" asked Kakashi seriously
It was already done, Hiruzen sighed tiredly, Kakashi had found out the truth and now there was no going back. However one of the things Kakashi said was incorrect.
"I'll tell you everything, but first calm down. There are a lot of things going on Kakashi," said Hiruzen patiently
Kakashi looked at Hiruzen one more time, and the old man gave him a truthful look so he released his collar and was now standing in front of Hiruzen.
"Talk" said Kakashi angrily, he didn't care if Hiruzen was the Hokage, Naruto was not his adopted brother but more like his own son.
And to find out that he was sacrificed for the village so horribly was more than Kakashi could take. Naruto and Anko were the most important people in his life, and now one of them was in danger.
"Naruto is right now on an infiltration mission, it is true that he killed the entire Root Anbu force, including Danzo Shimura on my orders," said Hiruzen truthfully
A sad look appeared on Kakashi's face as he thought about the psychological trauma that Naruto must have gone through, Anbu was not something that anyone could handle, and Kakashi knew this better than anyone. He had served as an Anbu captain too, and the things he had seen and what he did still haunted him.
And what Naruto did would haunt him for the rest of his life. The scars would forever be etched on his soul.
"How did he get the Mangekyo Sharingan?" asked Kakashi quietly, he knew how he got his Mangekyo and that memory still haunted him.
The pain, the guilt of killing Rin haunted him till this day.
"He killed his best friend in Root," said Hiruzen sadly
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock, could Naruto really do such a thing? Now he knew, why he always seemed depressed. He was shouldering so much burden all alone.
Seeing the look in Kakashi's eyes, Hiruzen decided to clarify.
"You have to kill your best friend in Root in order to become a true shinobi. Danzo set Naruto up with his best friend, but Naruto couldn't kill him; instead his friend deliberately made Naruto kill him," said Hiruzen truthfully
"So that's how it was..." said Kakashi slowly, a part of him felt relieved that Naruto didn't kill his friend intentionally, but still Kakashi could understand exactly how Naruto must be feeling.
"Naruto had joined Root very early, in order to find out what Danzo was planning. At the age of 10, that boy could see the dangers Danzo would put Konoha in, in a way Naruto is the same as his father, both of them had the ability to predict what lies in the future," explained Hiruzen proudly
"I know," said Kakashi with a small smile, he had seen what abilities Naruto had. Naruto was just like his father, with a few different personality traits.
"He became the youngest Anbu captain in the history of Konoha and performed dangerous missions on Danzo's orders. Kakashi, you must understand Naruto was never a child, he stopped being a kid the day when you found him in the hospital. The trauma he suffered due to the discrimination by the villagers, killed every innocence in him; the fact that he always wants to shoulder every burden alone is a fact of that," said Hiruzen seriously
"Now I understand, he was always so quite, always came late at night. I just wish he could have told me...he is not my adoptive brother Hiruzen, he is more like my son," said Kakashi honestly
"That is the reason he never told you anything, nor anyone else," said Hiruzen surprising Kakashi
"I don't understand..." said Kakashi with a frown
"He loved you and everyone else like his real family, so he didn't want to put any of you in danger. He shouldered this burden alone, he is a true shinobi. He even tried to stop Danzo's coup, but his comrades did not agree with him and blindly wanted to follow Danzo. If Root had revolted then Konoha would be facing a great civil war, which would have destroyed this village," explained Hiruzen briefly
"So you could have done something about it, why throw everything alone on his shoulders? He is not a pawn!" said Kakashi angrily
"I know that, but only he could do this mission. It was not just about stopping Root, but its main objective is draw Konoha's biggest traitor out!" said Hiruzen angrily
"What?" asked Kakashi in shock, there were only two traitors he knew. One was Orochimaru and the other was Itachi.
"Yes, its exactly as you think. The real objective of Operation Ghost is to find out what Orochimaru is up to. I have been getting sketchy reports of an invasion being planned against Konoha. We suspect Suna is involved too, many missing ninja's are being hired, but if my instincts are correct Orochimaru is behind this. Even Jiraya has not found any information about him...I needed someone inside Orochimaru's forces, it couldn't have just been a random spy because he could not have gotten close to Orochimaru," said Hiruzen seriously
"So you declared Naruto as a traitor, he is not only a Jinchuriki but also son of the Fourth Hokage. He has the Uchiha as well as the Uzumaki blood in his veins, the perfect weapon. The fact that he killed so many Anbu on his own, and stole the Forbidden scroll would make him famous among criminals which would ultimately draw Orochimaru out and offer him to join his forces in destroying Konoha," said Kakashi sharply, now all of it made sense to him.
This plan was ingenious, but Orochimaru was not someone you would mess with. He was a monster, even if Naruto was strong Kakashi knew he was not strong enough to take on Orochimaru himself, if things went downhill.
Orochimaru was a Sannin, a Kage level ninja; even Danzo was nowhere near his level.
If Orochimaru found out about Naruto's real mission then...
"Yes, Naruto would be killed if Orochimaru even got a wind of his truth...that is why I am trying so hard to make you, Kurenai and the others close to him believe that he is a traitor. There are sleeper agents in this village, they would immediately try to observe your behavior to find out if you too believed Naruto to be a traitor and if you accepted him as a traitor too, then their belief would be firm that Naruto is Konoha's enemy and a powerful ally for Orochimaru. This would lead him to Naruto," explained Hiruzen truthfully
"But what purpose does Naruto have to destroy Konoha? Orochimaru surely would try to find out Naruto's reasons first before making his step," said Kakashi thoughtlessly, he was so engrossed in the plan that he could not see the obvious truth.
"Have you forgotten what the village did to Naruto?" asked Hiruzen flatly
Kakashi's eyes widened on hearing that, the discrimination, the beatings, the glares, the isolation. All of this was enough to make Naruto hate Konoha, and Orochimaru must have known that.
The plan now entirely made sense to him, but still...
"He volunteered for this Kakashi, he wanted to protect Konoha, but more than that he wanted to keep all of you safe. He killed every feeling in his heart for his precious people, Naruto cried tears of blood and slaughtered his comrades, his teachers, his commander; with each kill a part of his heart died but he kept on going for your sakes, do you want to make his sacrifice go in vain?" asked Hiruzen sadly
A small tear slipped from Kakashi's eyes as he understood the pain, the suffering that Naruto must have gone through. He couldn't imagine how horrible it must be to see every person you loved looking at you like a traitor, everyone was calling Naruto a monster, a traitor...
"You truly became an Anbu...fighting in the shadows, I'm proud of you," thought Kakashi with a small smile
He remembered it was Naruto's dream to become an Anbu, and it seemed he had finally achieved his dream.
Even if he knew what Naruto was doing, it was necessary for the survival of Konoha and all of them.
"I won't let him die, Kakashi. I promise you, I'll bring him back alive, I have even sent him reinforcement in place of the comrade he lost during his mission. Believe in him, Kakashi. He is a hero of this village, you were the first person to accept him, you raised him...believe in your son, Kakashi" pleaded Hiruzen
Kakashi's eyes shifted to the ring on his finger, Anko had accepted to marry him and the ring on his hand was a proof of that.
He remembered it was Naruto who pushed him to go for Anko, he always cared for him and never let any burden fall on him. Minato would be proud of his son, despite the pain in his heart Naruto never gave up.
The times he and Naruto had spent together flashed in his mind. Their meals at the Ramen Stand, waiting in line for purchasing the new edition of Icha Icha series, going to the memorial stone together and paying respect to their beloved ones.
Every time Naruto had been there for him, stood by him and gave him support.
What was the deal with Naruto?
He was still a mystery to him, and probably will always be a mystery to him.
"You really are something else, it's my turn to believe in you and stand by your side," thought Kakashi proudly
"I understand why he is doing this...I don't like it, but he has always been there for me and I won't let him down. I'm in Hokage-sama," said Kakashi seriously
"Good, at least you can see the big picture. I know there are risks, but we are shinobi and this is what all of us have to face. Naruto will succeed, I'm sure of it," said Hiruzen confidently
"Hokage-sama...but how will you make the others believe? Surely, you are not thinking about telling them the truth, are you?" asked Kakashi seriously
"No, Naruto has left behind enough proof to make the others believe that he is a traitor. It would be enough to make them believe, I know it must be horrible for Kurenai the most...but this harsh time will pass Kakashi. We will have a bright future, and one day all of us including Naruto would be living happily." said Hiruzen with a smile
"Hai" said Kakashi firmly
"Now, if you don't mind me asking, why do you possess a Mangekyo Sharingan?" asked Hiruzen seriously
"I'll tell you...but not now," said Kakashi quietly
Hiruzen looked at the masked man, every Mangekyo has a sad story behind it; and he didn't want to make Kakashi more depressed. He was just glad he was able to make Kakashi see reason, and get him on his side, even if Kakashi had only accepted it for Naruto's sake, it was still a great relief to Hiruzen.
Fighting a pissed of Kakashi, was one of the last things he would like to do.
Kakashi then suddenly remembered something important, and decided to ask Hiruzen about it.
"What about his daughter?" asked Kakashi curiously
Hiruzen bit his lip, now came the hard part, a serious issue had arisen.
"She is dead..."