Just a moment ago, there was no one around.
Naruto even noticed that the cracks and debris on the ground had vanished without a trace.
"What's going on?" Naruto felt utterly confused.
"It seems it's all over. That person must have fled without achieving their goal. Now, let me escort you home," the Third Hokage nodded. "Don't worry, I'll send others to investigate the intruder. No matter how they sneaked into the village, it won't happen again."
"Grandpa Hokage, you can't let your guard down!" Although Naruto was still worried, he looked at the peaceful street and couldn't help but show a determined expression. "And don't worry, I'm not someone to be trifled with! Whoever that guy is, I'll personally hunt him down and give him a good beating!"
Hidden away, Kakashi shivered at Naruto's words, feeling a twinge of dread deep within him.
The aura of the Nine-Tails was truly formidable...
"Haha, well, I'll be looking forward to that, my boy," the Third Hokage said with a contented smile, watching as Naruto made his way home.
It was only after Naruto disappeared at the end of the street that the Third Hokage finally looked up at the sky. Though the stars shone dimly, his eyes reflected a vast sea of twinkling stars.
"Hmph." Meanwhile, the Nine-Tails, who had observed everything from a distance, didn't withdraw its senses as it had before. Instead, it began to piece together the details of the event without being noticed, fixing its gaze on Minato Namikaze.
"Was this all part of your plan?"
"How could that be?" Minato replied with a smile. However, after spending so much time with him, the Nine-Tails could tell he was being evasive, indicating that this was indeed within Minato's expectations.
After learning the sealing technique and the Flying Thunder God technique, the Nine-Tails had confirmed several times with him how Naruto would fare if he ever exposed the Flying Thunder God technique.
The Nine-Tails was even prepared to act as a backup if Naruto found himself in danger. But Minato's responses had always been confident and reassuring.
"There will be no danger. I trust in Konoha."
That kind of unwavering confidence reminded the Nine-Tails of Naruto's earlier declaration to become Hokage; truly, he was following in his father's footsteps.
"Time to head out." After parting with Naruto, the Third Hokage didn't go straight home but instead walked back to the entrance of the Hokage building. After putting away his pipe, he exhaled slowly, "Thanks for your hard work, Kakashi."
"Lord Hokage, if possible, I really wish I could go home and rest before reporting to you." Kakashi, who had been following the Third Hokage, revealed himself. He supported his forehead with one hand, his white hair drooping wearily, looking utterly exhausted.
The Third Hokage, who had been calm and collected, was startled to see Kakashi in such a pitiful state. He had expected Kakashi might not have been able to handle Naruto, but looking at him now, it seemed that the elite Jonin of Konoha, the former Anbu captain, had suffered quite a bit at the hands of this six-year-old child.
However, Kakashi was still very professional. Though he complained a bit, he immediately began to report on the mission.
"That kid Naruto is impressive, and he's likely exceeded your expectations, Lord Hokage." Kakashi detailed everything he had just experienced.
When the Third Hokage heard that Naruto had forced Kakashi to use the Sharingan and Lightning Cutter just by utilizing the Body Flicker Technique and Shadow Clone Technique, he was taken aback.
He knew that Kakashi had other options, but when did Naruto's basics become this strong? He was aware that Naruto trained frequently, but being able to hold his own against Kakashi...
"...In the end, just as you anticipated, under the threat of Lightning Cutter, Naruto completely vanished from my sight using the Flying Thunder God technique. Given the instantaneous reaction, I couldn't track him," Kakashi rubbed his temples, the talent Naruto displayed was frighteningly impressive, making him think of another young genius he was familiar with.
Itachi Uchiha.
No, if we are comparing by age, Naruto's performance had far surpassed that of Itachi when he had just joined the Anbu and made a stunning impression.
"Really... But from what you said, Naruto didn't attack you. Why do you look like this...?" The Third Hokage looked at Kakashi's condition with confusion.
"Maybe it's because I didn't rest well during the previous mission, and my Lightning Cutter chakra is a bit erratic?" Kakashi also wore a puzzled expression, unsure why he felt so awful.
"Alright, you should head home and rest. We can discuss the rest tomorrow." Seeing that Kakashi was alright, the Third Hokage patted him on the shoulder, signaling for him to leave first.
As he did so, the Third Hokage subtly channeled chakra but found nothing.
It wasn't an illusion; it seemed that Kakashi truly was not in good shape.
After realizing this, the Third Hokage didn't dwell on it too much; after all, achieving the objective was enough.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Hearing the unmasked joy in the Third Hokage's words, Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.
In Konoha, very few knew that Naruto was the Fourth's son, and someone like Kakashi, with his past Anbu identity, had to be particularly careful; he couldn't interact with Naruto like Guy did.
So if his actions could yield a positive outcome for Naruto, he felt he had done his part...
Wait!
Just as Kakashi turned to leave, he suddenly felt a sharp pain fade from his head, and then it hit him—he had completely forgotten to report on the Nine-Tails!
Without a moment's hesitation, Kakashi instinctively turned back towards the Hokage office, but the moment he did, that pain vanished again. He stood there, opening his mouth beneath his mask, yet no sound escaped.
"What's wrong with me? I feel so tired..." Kakashi felt his energy drain rapidly, his mind growing hazy. "Oh no, I'm going to lose consciousness..."
"Hey, is that my eternal rival Kakashi?!"
Suddenly, a loud and enthusiastic shout came from a nearby street corner. Kakashi groggily turned to see a strange figure rushing toward him.
As two soles abruptly appeared in front of him, that boisterous voice continued, "What a coincidence! I was just doing handstands around the village after dinner. What do you say, want to join me... Huh? What's wrong, Kakashi?"
It was Might Guy, dressed in his green jumpsuit. Clearly, he had noticed Kakashi's odd behavior. After performing an impressive backflip, he put away his playful demeanor.
"...I'm fine, just a bit dizzy. It's nothing serious." Kakashi glanced at Guy, knowing he wasn't part of this mission. Following protocol was the priority, so he didn't explain much. "Handstands after dinner? Aren't you afraid you'll throw up... If you're really that free, just go home and sleep, or go buy me a bottle of water."
"Water, huh? You just wait!" Guy laughed heartily and was about to take off when he suddenly turned back and struck Kakashi on the forehead with the edge of his hand, catching Kakashi off guard.
"Ouch!" Kakashi gritted his teeth, that blow hurt more than the previous pain, but he still slumped down and waved his hand. "No need, I just need to rest a bit; it's nothing."
"Really?"
"Really."
Guy stared at Kakashi, his eyes wide, clearly skeptical.
A long moment passed.
"...Fine, you can take me home," Kakashi finally relented under his friend's insistence, not wanting to be misunderstood any further.
"That's more like it!" Guy beamed with a bright smile, then hoisted Kakashi over his head, laughing, "Let's frog leap all the way home!"
Please, spare me.
Kakashi, dangling in the air and feeling dizzy, could only pray that no one else saw this. His condition seemed to worsen.
After Kakashi left, the Third Hokage waved his hand, notifying the Anbu to summon the Konoha advisors. He couldn't wait for the next day.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Kakashi; on the contrary, it was precisely because he had enough faith in Kakashi that he didn't want him to remain involved. He knew his old buddies too well; the fact that he had deliberately instructed the Anbu to pull back their surveillance and restricted the streets would surely have drawn their attention.
If Kakashi was present, those people would think it was all just a play between him and Kakashi.
The Third Hokage took out his pipe and entered the Hokage building, waiting quietly in his office.
He glanced up at the portraits of the past Hokages hanging on the wall, pausing at the face of the Fourth, Minato Namikaze.
After tonight, Naruto would at least gain the right to move freely within the village, and then he could start paving the way for him. Minato, although I don't know what you want Naruto to do, just like back then when I supported your election as Hokage, I will still back your decisions.
The Third Hokage silently thought to himself.
Meanwhile, back at home, Kakashi had to exert tremendous effort to convince Guy that he was fine, just a little weak, before finally sending him on his way.
However, as soon as Guy walked away, Kakashi felt the pain in his head dissipate, allowing memories related to the Nine-Tails to resurface.
This sensation made his head spin, but Kakashi, with his wealth of experience, quickly assessed the situation. He hurried to the mirror at the sink, lifting his clothing to trace the source of the fading pain—
Then, he clearly saw a tiny yet striking mark on his neck, and this discovery cast a shadow over Kakashi's face.
It was a sealing technique!
Had the Nine-Tails, sealed within Naruto, just placed a sealing technique on himself in that instant? How could that be possible?
He had never heard of the Nine-Tails possessing such a power!