Standing up, sitting down, standing up, sitting down.
At this moment, Danzo had completely lost his usual composure. The aura around him was restless and uneasy.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his smoking pipe in hand, watching with amusement as Danzo—who always prided himself as the model ninja—kept repeating the same movement like a performance.
"What are you laughing at, Hiruzen!"
After repeating the motion more than ten times, Danzo finally noticed Hiruzen's expression. Just as he was about to stand again, he suddenly straightened his posture and sat back down, his expression returning to its usual coldness.
"That child is four years old this year. If I remember correctly, you did request to go to Kirigakure to gather intelligence five years ago."
Blowing out a puff of secondhand smoke, Hiruzen looked at Danzo through the haze and spoke in a low voice.
"Hmph..."
Danzo snorted but didn't respond.
Due to Kirigakure's isolationist policies, Konohagakure had lost all intelligence on them since the Second Great Ninja War. That was why Danzo volunteered to go investigate.
Of course, that was just the official reason.
Though he always preached about sacrifice and loyalty, that only applied to his subordinates.
When it came to his own life, Danzo acted like a cunning old hound—he'd flee any unfavorable situation in a flash, even if his spine was broken, all while spouting lofty ideals.
For the ever-dangerous Kirigakure, which had claimed the lives of countless enemy ninja, Danzo claimed he was going to gather intelligence. In truth, he first detoured to the Land of Whirlpools, aiming to seek the Uzumaki clan's heritage.
Though Uzumaki Mito had left behind all the sealing techniques she knew before her death, Danzo believed those alone were not nearly enough to fully control a Jinchūriki.
So naturally, the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools became his primary target for "intelligence gathering."
After taking Hiruzen's student Orochimaru to search the ruins again, Danzo, not wanting to draw suspicion, did go to Kirigakure with a few elite Root operatives. But they never ventured beyond the outer regions. Even so, they still encountered Hidden Mist shinobi, and after various complications—
"Hmph."
The recollection abruptly ended. Danzo snorted again.
"Even so, that brat came from Kirigakure. He shouldn't come to my place for the time being."
"Your son isn't going to your place... so what, you expect him to go to mine?"
Hiruzen looked speechless. Still, Danzo's point did hold some weight.
After all, what were the odds that Danzo's son just happened to run into Hatake Sakumo on a mission to Kirigakure—and then saved him when he was in danger, eventually ending up in the village?
At first, Hiruzen had been too busy enjoying his old friend's misfortune to think deeply.
But now that he looked at it carefully, this boy who suddenly appeared really did warrant a proper investigation.
"Since Sakumo brought him back, let the boy stay with him for now. As for his background, I'll have Root shinobi look into it thoroughly."
Danzo stood up, once again regaining his usual calm, and looked at Hiruzen as he spoke.
"Don't be too rough with your methods. There's a good chance he's your son, after all. The resemblance isn't obvious, but in some ways, he does look a lot like you did when you were a kid..."
Hiruzen snuffed out his pipe, lowered the brim of his hat, and spoke in a neutral tone.
"This is a family matter. I don't need you interfering."
Danzo turned sideways and glanced coldly at Hiruzen before sweeping his sleeves and walking away.
With the door slamming shut behind him, Hiruzen turned his chair around and looked at the photograph of Tobirama hanging on the wall.
"Sensei, who would've thought that old Danzo... pfft, hahaha..."
Looking at Tobirama's photo, Hiruzen couldn't hold back his laughter any longer.
This friend who always shouted about sacrificing everything for the village had been acting more and more extreme lately. Hopefully now that he had a son, he might rein himself in a little.
After all, having bonds gives you something to consider before acting, doesn't it?
...
As Danzo left the Hokage's office with two Root members following behind, the first thing he did was summon his trusted aide, Aburame Ryoma.
"Danzo-sama."
Ryoma appeared in a flash and bowed slightly in front of Danzo.
"Tell Orochimaru to meet me at the base. Also, keep a close eye on the child Sakumo just brought back..."
Danzo hesitated for a moment, then continued,
"Protect him. There's a high chance he carries important intel."
"Understood."
Aburame Ryoma didn't question it, accepted the order decisively, and left under Danzo's gaze.
Danzo stood still for a long time, then turned to look in the direction of Hiruzen's office. His brows were furrowed, as though deep in thought. But soon he turned away, said "Let's go" to his remaining subordinates, and strode off.
...
On the streets of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo was patiently introducing the village's customs and lifestyle to Takeshi.
Compared to the oppressive and isolated Kirigakure, Konoha's environment was vastly more pleasant. Children were laughing and chasing each other through the streets, while vendors on either side smiled warmly at their customers.
"Hey, isn't that Sakumo? Back from a mission already? Your son just bought groceries from me yesterday."
A cheerful vegetable vendor auntie called out from a distance as soon as she spotted Sakumo.
"Yes, and thank you for looking after Kakashi while I was away."
Sakumo walked up to the stall and gave her his signature gentle smile.
"Pfft—cough, cough."
Takeshi, who was holding Sakumo's hand, suddenly started coughing.
Before Sakumo could react, the vendor auntie squatted down beside Takeshi and examined him.
"Oh dear, what happened, sweetie? Did you catch a cold? You're so skinny—looks like you haven't been eating properly."
"I-I'm fine."
Takeshi waved his hand after catching his breath, trying to appear okay—but inside, he was utterly shaken: Kakashi?
If he wasn't mistaken, there was only one Kakashi in the Naruto universe—Hatake Kakashi.
And his father? That was even more insane—none other than the legendary White Fang of Konoha... what was his name again?
Oh, right! Sakumo-san—Hatake Sakumo!
It was only now, after all this time, that Takeshi finally connected the dots.
The masked ANBU who had escorted him all the way from Kirigakure to Konoha... was none other than the legendary White Fang himself, the man whose death was shrouded in endless rumors throughout the series.
Takeshi looked at the man beside him with complicated eyes.
Indeed, though Sakumo was ruthless and decisive during missions, in daily life he exuded a warmth like spring breeze—quietly drawing others in.
After a short chat with the vendor, Sakumo took Takeshi away from the stall and brought him to a fork in the road.
"Looks like you'll be staying with me for a little while longer."
Standing still, Sakumo closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them with a hint of helplessness.
"Huh?"
Takeshi blinked in confusion.
But Sakumo didn't explain. Instead, he tightened his grip on Takeshi's hand and led him toward his home.
"My son is about the same age as you. You two should get to know each other. His name is Hatake Kakashi. He may seem cold on the outside, but deep down, he has a lot going on."
Yeah... a lot going on.
The kind of guy I usually call a repressed freak.
Thinking of how Kakashi would later openly read Icha Icha Paradise in public as an adult, Takeshi silently roasted him in his mind.