After Simu's shouting gradually faded and finally vanished from the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed the bridge of his nose with a bit of a headache. He asked, "What do you think?"
A figure suddenly appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi. It was none other than the Hidden Leaf's renowned Kakashi Hatake.
"Lord Hokage, do you really want me to lead that guy?"
Kakashi's tone was filled with resistance. Just from what Simu had said earlier, Kakashi could judge that this fellow was definitely going to be a massive trouble.
Seeming to perceive Kakashi's concern, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly. "Kakashi, both of them are just children. Perhaps they were controlled by Danzo before, causing their thoughts to be a bit abnormal. However, as long as we let them experience life under the sun and build relationships with more comrades, they will surely be able to comprehend the true Will of Fire."
The Third's tone then shifted. "Furthermore, that child possesses power enough to rival the Uchiha. If this power can be guided well, it will certainly become a great asset to the Hidden Leaf."
Kakashi sighed and scratched his silver hair somewhat helplessly. "No matter how you look at it, these are two very troublesome guys."
The Third took a puff of his pipe and said seriously, "Kakashi, you are currently the most capable person in the Anbu. Only someone like you, who has also experienced darkness, can pull them out of the abyss."
Kakashi felt helpless, but since Hiruzen Sarutobi had put it that way, he seemingly had no room left to refuse.
"I'll do my best, but don't have too many expectations."
"Mm, just do your best. I believe in you, Kakashi."
The Third didn't hesitate to offer an encouraging smile.
On the other side, Simu and Jia—no, Tenzo—had just arrived at the Anbu when they received an order sent from the Hokage's office.
"Are we joining Senior Kakashi's squad?"
Tenzo said thoughtfully while looking at the order in front of him. As elite Root ninja, they were not unfamiliar with the famous ninja of the Hidden Leaf, and Kakashi was one of the most prominent.
Arranging for me and Yi to join Kakashi's squad is probably because they are worried we might do something out of line.
Simu, seeing the same order, displayed an entirely different emotion.
"Kakashi? Who's that?"
Just as Tenzo was about to explain, a masked ninja with silver hair appeared before them.
"You two must be Yi and Tenzo, right?"
"Let me introduce myself. I am your captain, Kakashi."
After an extremely brief introduction, Kakashi took off his mask, revealing a face that, despite being three-quarters covered, still appeared quite handsome.
"I am Tenzo. It is a pleasure to meet you, Senior Kakashi."
"Hmph."
Did a somewhat abnormal self-introduction just sneak in there?
He really is a troublesome fellow.
Kakashi didn't mind, though. After briefly introducing the Anbu regulations, he took the initiative to suggest taking them out for a meal. After all, the primary task the Third had given Kakashi was to use the Will of Fire to influence these two children who had been eroded by Danzo's darkness. Therefore, they should start by getting to know each other over a meal.
Tenzo gladly accepted and dragged Simu along.
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Welcome! What kind of ramen would you three like?"
As soon as they entered, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Uncle Teuchi, greeted them warmly.
"The usual for me. What about you two?"
Kakashi looked at Tenzo and Yi.
Tenzo smiled a bit sheepishly. "Um, Senior Kakashi, we've never had ramen before, so..."
Kakashi immediately realized and said hurriedly, "My apologies. In that case, let me order for you!"
"Then we'll leave it to you."
Soon, three bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen appeared before them. Although Simu wasn't very interested in eating ramen, he was very interested in what Kakashi looked like under his mask! His eyes were fixed on Kakashi, and a trace of curiosity also surfaced in Tenzo's eyes.
They watched as Kakashi pulled down his mask, and then... revealed another mask with a gap underneath. The gap was perfectly positioned at Kakashi's mouth, allowing him to calmly move the ramen into his mouth.
"I get the feeling you both look quite disappointed."
Kakashi seemed to have anticipated this. Ever since he was a child, he always attracted extra attention whenever he ate.
Tenzo shook his head. "It's nothing. I just wanted to see what the legendary Senior Kakashi looked like."
Simu, having failed to see Kakashi's face as he had hoped, turned his head and simply polished off the ramen in front of him.
In Simu's current plan, Kakashi was also one of the primary targets for surveillance. Therefore, he had controlled many Black Beetles to infiltrate Kakashi's home—the living room, bedroom, and even the bathroom. Even so, he still hadn't obtained any information about Kakashi's appearance! This guy never took off his mask, whether he was eating, sleeping, or even bathing.
Simu even suspected that Kakashi's face under the mask was covered in acne. Furthermore, because Kakashi was so guarded, the insects he controlled hadn't been able to obtain any blood samples from him.
Of course, Simu's investigation of Kakashi wasn't entirely fruitless. It included the death of his father, Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of the Hidden Leaf. If he wasn't mistaken, the rumors that led to Sakumo Hatake's death were likely orchestrated by Danzo.
The great Lord Danzo really carries too many burdens!
This was certainly a point that could be utilized in the future.
Currently, Simu's focus remained on the Uchiha Clan. After obtaining Shisui's body and the Mangekyo Sharingan, Simu had become even more curious about the secrets hidden within the Uchiha.
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha compound.
Uchiha Inabi, who had been brutally mistreated, was wandering through a beautiful dream. This dreamscape was like a fairy-tale world; everything seemed to be crafted from colored glass, with multicolored light radiating everywhere.
Uchiha Inabi stood beneath a flame-like clan crest. Along with all the clansmen, he puffed out his chest and looked proudly at the figure who was slowly putting on the Hokage hat.
That was the first Hokage in Uchiha history! It also meant the Uchiha had completely become the true masters of the Hidden Leaf!
The figure slowly lifted his head, revealing a gentle smile that filled Uchiha Inabi with horror.
"You are..."
"Itachi Uchiha!"
That was right. The person who had become Hokage was Itachi Uchiha. At the moment he lifted his head, a massive surge of visual power erupted like an overwhelming wave. Before Uchiha Inabi's disbelieving eyes, it shattered and destroyed this world, inch by inch, like glass!