Uchiha, starting from the destruction of the ninja world

Chapter 32 I'm Building Bonds

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi held a report...

Sitting behind my desk, I felt a little tired due to a series of recent events.

Quietly gazing at Kakashi standing before him, a sense of indescribable relief and peace welled up within him.

"Kakashi."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke softly, his tone kind and gentle...

"I heard from the Anbu that you went to visit Naruto Uzumaki today?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

After a brief pause, he drew a short sword from his waist and gently placed it on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

The lamplight on the table illuminated the blade, and the sharp edge reflected a cold glint.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused slightly, carefully examining the long-unseen short sword, and murmured, "This is... Sakumo Hatake's sword?"

Kakashi nodded slightly, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

"Since regaining my confidence, I have gradually been able to close and control this Sharingan on my own. Now, I can finally pick up this sword again and inherit my father's will."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen felt a surge of relief.

He knew, of course, how long and painful Kakashi had struggled. This sword represented more than just a weapon; it was a symbol of Kakashi's complete reconciliation with his past.

"Is it because you picked up the knife that you thought of Minato?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone revealed a hint of melancholy and regret, which explained Kakashi's behavior...

Kakashi nodded, his voice soft and sincere: "Yes, picking up this sword reminded me of Minato-sensei... and his child, Naruto Uzumaki. That's why I went to visit him."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment.

He sighed, his eyes filled with deep guilt and self-reproach: "It's my fault for being too negligent and failing to take good care of Naruto, causing this child to suffer."

"Lord Hokage, you don't need to blame yourself. This is not your fault."

"Naruto, this child, possesses an extraordinary Will of Fire. Although he is living a difficult life now, one day in the future, this will will ignite and illuminate the entire Hidden Leaf Village."

At this point, Kakashi paused for a moment...

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't notice the details of Kakashi's speech...

He simply smiled with satisfaction.

He never expected that Kakashi, after experiencing so many setbacks and trials, would be able to view Naruto's future with such a mature and far-sighted perspective.

He has even started to think about problems from a perspective close to that of the Hokage.

"It seems, Kakashi, that your way of thinking is becoming more and more like that of the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly, his eyes revealing deep satisfaction.

Kakashi nodded slightly: "That's precisely why I want to take the initiative to get closer to Naruto, so that he has the opportunity to have a true bond."

When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard the word "bond," his eyes flickered slightly, and the smile on his face immediately became meaningful.

He nodded thoughtfully, clearly agreeing with the sentiment.

In fact, deep down, Hiruzen Sarutobi always believed that Kakashi was one of the most suitable teachers in the entire Hidden Leaf Village to guide Naruto's growth.

Kakashi was once a student of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. He is not only exceptionally capable, but also has a wealth of experience and a profound Will of Fire.

This aligns perfectly with Naruto's unique identity and developmental needs.

However, Kakashi had never made such a request in the past for various reasons.

Now, as he has shaken off the shadows of the past, regained his spirits, and even taken the initiative to reach out to Naruto, this is undoubtedly great news for Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded to himself, and his worries gradually dissipated.

"Kakashi, I naturally won't object to this. There's a natural bond and connection between you and Naruto."

"Being able to step forward to take care of him and guide him would be the best outcome for Naruto."

Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's reply: "Thank you for your understanding, Hokage-sama. From today onwards, I will do everything in my power to protect Naruto, accompany him as he grows, and I will never let you and my teacher down."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled with satisfaction and gently patted Kakashi on the shoulder: "The road ahead is long, and the future of Konoha will ultimately fall on the shoulders of you young people."

"No matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead may be, you must firmly hold onto your original aspirations and beliefs. Only in this way will you truly be qualified to become a Hokage with the Will of Fire."

"Please rest assured, I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Just as Kakashi and Hiruzen Sarutobi were talking, several figures suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Hokage's office with hurried footsteps.

"Hokage-sama!"

Several members of the secret service appeared tensely and hastily, their voices slightly agitated.

"What happened?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately wiped the smile off his face, his expression turning serious as he sharply looked at the ANBU members.

"Hokage-sama, Sasuke Uchiha has gone missing!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed drastically, and his brows furrowed instantly...

"What exactly happened? How could they suddenly disappear?"

The officer lowered his head and quickly reported to his superior, "We have conducted a thorough investigation of the scene."

"Uchiha Sasuke did not leave Konoha Hospital. There were no signs of him forcibly entering or struggling, either in his ward or outside. He simply vanished into thin air, leaving no trace whatsoever."

Upon hearing the report from the Anbu, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned extremely bitter...

Kakashi, standing to the side, fell into a deep silence.

Obito has succeeded...

Kakashi's feelings were complicated.

as if...

It seems that some unseen force is guiding everyone's destiny, irresistibly moving it in a certain direction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly recovered from his shock, his brow furrowed as he muttered, "Disappeared into thin air... Could it be that mysterious masked man who attacked Kakashi last time?"

Clearly, the first suspect that came to mind was the mysterious masked man who possessed space-time ninjutsu and could easily penetrate the Leaf Village's barrier.

Within Konoha Village, only that one person possesses the ability to so easily and silently take someone away without leaving a trace.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

He suddenly remembered the secret agreement between himself and Itachi Uchiha, and his worries deepened.

With Itachi's younger brother Sasuke now taken away, it will inevitably bring more unpredictable variables to Itachi's side, making the situation increasingly difficult.

After a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally gave the order in a deep voice: "Increase the search efforts and do everything in your power to find Sasuke's whereabouts."

However, with the ninja world facing an impending crisis, Konoha cannot commit too many resources.

If the search is unsuccessful, the matter will have to be put on hold for now, and dealt with once the situation becomes clearer.

"Kakashi, go to Amegakure again and contact Jiraiya... Sasuke should have been taken to Akatsuki..."

Because of Kakashi's misleading information, the masked man's actions are still being interpreted as Akatsuki's operation...

After finishing these tasks, the Third Hokage glanced at some documents in his drawer…

His expression turned extremely bitter for a moment...