This was the prison of the Anbu.
Unlike the Konoha prison, which was under the control of the police force and filled with all kinds of criminals—both ninjas and civilians—the Anbu prison was different. Only those who were exceedingly dangerous or of special importance were imprisoned here.
Kakashi Hatake leaned against the railing, reading a book under the dim light in the corridor.
His life here wasn't too bad.
Even though he had committed the grievous crime of attempting to assassinate the former Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was prepared to endure severe torture and, eventually, face execution when he surrendered. However, no such thing happened. Only the head of the Yamanaka clan came once to read his memories. Since then, he had been left in this lightless prison for, what, half a month?
He wasn't entirely sure.
He had only estimated the time based on how often the guards changed shifts.
The first few days had been somewhat boring, but later, someone from the outside brought him a stack of books. In one of them, he found a note from that idiot, Guy. Kakashi didn't doubt Guy's ability to break in here, but getting items into the Anbu prison was something beyond Guy's capabilities.
The meaning behind the books was quite clear.
Kakashi understood that he likely wouldn't be executed, though he still didn't know how long it would take before he could leave.
*Flip—*
He turned a page.
But his eyes were no longer on the book; his sharp hearing picked up the sound of footsteps approaching down the hallway. It wasn't time for the guards to patrol, which meant this was an unexpected situation. His heartbeat quickened slightly. When he had decided to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, he had prepared himself to die.
However,
if he could live, he wouldn't seek death.
"Kakashi Hatake?"
Two masked Anbu arrived outside his cell, examining him as he held his book, seemingly confirming his identity.
"That's me,"
Kakashi nodded.
"Come out! The Hokage wishes to see you." One of the Anbu spoke as the other stepped forward with keys, unlocking the cell door.
"The Hokage wants to see me?"
Kakashi felt puzzled upon hearing this.
He had no idea why the current Hokage would want to meet a criminal who had attempted to assassinate the previous Hokage. Nonetheless, he put his book down and followed the two Anbu through a maze of hallways until they arrived... at the Anbu cafeteria.
Kakashi's expression turned a bit odd.
It wasn't mealtime, and the cafeteria was completely empty. Even during meal times, few people ate here. Having been a member of Anbu himself, Kakashi knew well that Anbu members prioritized secrecy above all else. Unless they were in the same squad, they rarely exposed their faces or identities to each other.
The two Anbu led him through the cafeteria and stopped in front of a private room.
*Knock, knock.*
The leader knocked on the door.
After about three or four seconds, a voice from inside said, "Come in." The Anbu turned the doorknob carefully, slowly pushing the door open before announcing respectfully, "Lord Hokage, the criminal Kakashi Hatake has been brought."
"He's here? Let him in, and stand guard at the door. Don't let anyone disturb us."
The voice was unmistakably that of the acting Fifth Hokage.
Kakashi walked in. As the door silently closed behind him, sealing off the outside world, he saw the acting Fifth Hokage, Torifu Akimichi, sitting at the dining table, wiping his mouth with a napkin. The table was covered with empty dishes, with only traces of oil and soup remaining.
Sitting beside him was Shikaku Nara, who gave a helpless smile and nodded slightly when their eyes met.
"Lord Hokage,"
Kakashi stepped forward and greeted with a bow.
"Kakashi, I have a question for you. Are you aware of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki situation?" Torifu Akimichi wasted no time, asking directly. The abrupt question nearly confused Kakashi, but his quick thinking kicked in, "I'm aware."
"Do you know that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is the child of the Fourth Hokage?"
The question was becoming more blunt.
Kakashi paused for a few seconds before nodding, "Yes, I know."
"Then why have you never visited him?" Torifu Akimichi asked curiously.
This time, Kakashi remained silent for even longer. Fortunately, Torifu didn't rush him, waiting patiently for Kakashi's response. Shikaku, too, seemed intrigued. After about a minute, Kakashi finally spoke again, "I didn't know how to face... Naruto."
Seeing Naruto reminded him of his teacher, then Obito, and then Rin—each loss of someone dear. The pain of those memories made him choose to avoid them, drowning himself in missions and killing to numb his heart.
Until he learned that his father's suicide had been orchestrated.
The man he had once been proud of had ended his life in such a seemingly cowardly way, leaving a scar buried deep in his heart. When that scar was violently torn open, bleeding once more, his anger became uncontrollable, leading him to do what he did.
"Has something happened to Naruto?" Kakashi asked, his mismatched eyes—one black, one red—revealing no false emotion. The pain still fresh in his heart had finally given him the courage to face Naruto. He had delayed helping his father seek justice for many years; he didn't want to be late for Naruto as well.
"There's a bit of trouble."
Torifu nodded. "Naruto Uzumaki's situation is complicated, tied to old grievances. I don't know what was in the Fourth Hokage's heart when he made his son the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, but... the fact remains. Naruto will eventually have to bear the burden of being a Jinchuriki."
And what is the fate of a Jinchuriki?
Merely a weapon of war.
Kakashi stayed silent, listening.
"You've been out of contact with the outside world, so you may not know this, but a war with the Mist Village broke out shortly after you were imprisoned. The Uchiha Clan Leader is leading an army in battle at the eastern border. I'm planning to send Naruto to witness the realities of war."
Kakashi abruptly raised his head, a look of uncontrollable shock on his White Fang-like handsome face. "Naruto is only five years old! Isn't it too early for that?"
"Five is not too young. Most of us were on the battlefield by five or six. You yourself were no different. Besides... don't underestimate Naruto. Once you meet him, you'll be surprised by his intelligence."
Torifu sighed wistfully.
The memories of seeing Naruto yesterday were still fresh. The boy's intelligence and politeness had left a deep impression on him. What a pity about the Fourth Hokage. If Minato Namikaze were still alive, perhaps Konoha would be a different place.
"I understand."
Kakashi had no argument.
He had graduated from the Ninja Academy at five, went straight to the battlefield, became a Chunin at six, and a Jonin at twelve—all hard-earned steps achieved through combat. If he could do it, why couldn't Naruto?
"So, Lord Hokage, what do you need me to do?" Kakashi had an inkling of why he was being called but felt it might be wishful thinking.
The next moment,
Torifu Akimichi's words confirmed his guess.
"I want you to protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki on the frontlines."
Torifu's voice was steady and deliberate.
Kakashi was stunned for a few seconds before asking, "Lord Hokage, are you sure it's okay for someone like me to do this? I'm a criminal!"
"Danzo Shimura was a criminal who deserved execution. You just made a procedural error by killing him outside the proper channels. Imprisoning you is your punishment."
"I..."
"Enough with the excuses. I'll ask you one thing: Do you want to take on this mission or not? If you do, put on your gear and prepare. If not, go back to your cell and continue reading your books." Torifu cut off Kakashi's protests. The initial charges of attempted assassination were merely mentioned verbally; they had never been formally documented.
On top of that, many people outside were working on Kakashi's behalf. Even within the Akimichi Clan, some owed debts of gratitude to Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake. After all, the feared White Fang of Konoha had been a fool who abandoned missions to save comrades. Some thought him reckless, unfit to be a ninja.
But others were grateful for Sakumo's care, even his life-saving deeds.
Guy's ability to send books to Kakashi was thanks to the help of those people, especially Shibi Aburame, the clan leader of the Aburame.
Torifu Akimichi didn't want the already weakened village to lose more talent!
He looked at Kakashi, waiting for his answer.
"I understand."
There was no real choice to make.
Kakashi picked up the mask and gear resting on the chair.
A white fox mask with red markings, and the black multifunctional gear... these were his belongings. Even the small blade his father had given him—the one he used to kill Danzo—was returned to him, untouched.
"Go back and get ready first. Once you're prepared, report to the Hokage building, and someone will guide you on what to do." Akimichi Torifu gave a few more instructions, and only then did Kakashi, carrying the pile of things, say his goodbyes and leave. Left in the room were just Akimichi Torifu and Nara Shikaku.
Nara Shikaku, staring at the door as it closed again, couldn't hold back his thoughts and asked, "Old man, handing the Nine-Tails… Uzumaki Naruto to the Uchiha clan feels a bit inappropriate." This was already a subtle way of putting it. In his view, it was more than just inappropriate. Giving control of the Nine-Tails jinchūriki to the Uchiha clan was like giving wings to a tiger.
If the Uchiha clan harbored any ill intent, the fate of Konoha could change in an instant.
He really couldn't understand why Torifu had made such a decision!
(End of the chapter)