79 Chapter 79: Kakashi wants to Learn Space Time Jutsu
Konoha Village.
Training Ground Number 3.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had already arrived. Dressed in a practical ninja outfit, he was teaching Uchiha Itachi a unique ninjutsu technique.
The three members who once formed a team were all rewarded.
Uchiha Itachi quickly threw a shuriken, his palms swiftly coming together, almost instantly completing the hand seals: "Ninjutsu: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
As he completed the seals, the single shuriken astonishingly split into multiple shurikens, scattering and striking the practice targets in the training ground.
"Not bad."
Hiruzen watched the scene with satisfaction.
After demonstrating the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to Itachi, the young prodigy managed to perform it himself, truly a genius of the village!
"Keep practicing."
Hiruzen patted Uchiha Itachi on the shoulder, continuing to explain the intricacies of the technique: "The deeper your understanding of this technique, the more chakra you can distribute, allowing you to create even more clones with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique. The last person who learned it could produce tens of thousands of shuriken clones from a single one…"
"So amazing!"
Uchiha Itachi's face was filled with awe.
"Keep it up, Itachi…"
Hiruzen patted Itachi on the shoulder, speaking solemnly: "We are getting old. The future of the village will soon be on the shoulders of you youngsters…"
As Hiruzen spoke these words, his voice became tinged with a touch of melancholy: "Our purpose in living is to see the new leaves of the village sprout and grow strong…"
"Third Hokage!"
Uchiha Itachi's eyes were full of emotion.
When Hatake Kakashi and Akihara Kagura arrived, they witnessed this touching scene: the village elder passing down the precious Will of Fire of Konoha to the younger generation.
"..."
Kakashi was used to such sights.
Yet, this time, his gaze fell on Akihara Kagura. Did this youngster also carry the will to bear the future of Konoha?
"It's quite touching."
Akihara Kagura let out a sigh, seemingly recalling his own story: "Now, Lord Danzo seems to be aging day by day…"
Akihara Kagura felt quite sentimental about this: "There are always people in the village who want to become the Hokage, yet no one ever wishes to join the Root. I wonder, after Lord Danzo passes, who will be able to carry on the will to protect Konoha at all costs in the shadows..."
His gaze then turned to Hatake Kakashi, and he spoke earnestly: "Captain Kakashi, won't you consider it? Lord Danzo has always wanted to recruit you into the Root. Maybe it's because he's getting older and hopes to find someone to succeed his position…"
There was a twitch on Hatake Kakashi's forehead.
Despite Danzo's age, he was still very lively!
Hatake Kakashi didn't think Shimura Danzo had such intentions. That man would rather hold all the power in his hands; how could he possibly want a successor?
An organization like the Root...
Wouldn't it be better for Konoha if it were disbanded sooner?
"Kakashi, you're here."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, having passed on the Will of Fire to Uchiha Itachi, saw Hatake Kakashi and Akihara Kagura approaching and said to Kakashi: "Kakashi, there's something I want to tell you. Yesterday, after Danzo returned, he suggested that Uchiha Itachi join the ANBU for training, and I plan to place him in your squad..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't wait for Hatake Kakashi to voice his opinion and continued: "Don't worry, Itachi will only be in the ANBU for training for a while. If he qualifies, he will join Danzo's Root Division. You and Itachi have worked together on missions; you should get along fine, right?"
This had been a long-standing idea of Shimura Danzo.
Within the village of Konoha, the Uchiha clan's actions had become increasingly aggressive. To keep an eye on the internal movements of the Uchiha clan, Shimura Danzo had long decided to plant an undercover agent.
Originally, Uchiha Itachi was a suitable candidate.
However, Uchiha Itachi was deeply loved and respected by the Uchiha clan, striving to maintain the balance between Konoha and the Uchiha. But due to his personality, he was not very resolute and often influenced by others.
At this time...
Uchiha Itachi caught the eye of Shimura Danzo.
When Uchiha Itachi had a conflict with Root in the past, Shimura Danzo already had this idea, but he was concerned about the young boy's age and whether his mental maturity was sufficient. It wasn't until after the Chunin Exams that he planned to put this into action.
Shimura Danzo wanted to bring Uchiha Itachi under his command as a spy to uncover the secrets of the Uchiha clan. However, he still needed to observe Uchiha Itachi to see if the boy would prioritize the interests of the village over those of the Uchiha clan.
However...
This matter certainly required the approval of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not deny Shimura Danzo's plan, which implied tacit consent. The Hokage was also very concerned about any unrest that might arise from the Uchiha clan.
Coincidentally, the recent matter of the Fourth Mizukage being forced to stay in Konoha had put Sarutobi Hiruzen in a good mood, but he was also a bit worried about any rash actions Shimura Danzo might take towards the Mizukage. So, he decided to give Shimura Danzo something else to focus on.
Monitor the Uchiha clan.
Cultivate a spy from the Uchiha clan.
This is undoubtedly Danzo's favorite and necessary task.
"That's decided then."
Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned this matter to Hatake Kakashi in the practice field, it was just a coincidence: "Kakashi, after the New Year, let Itachi join your team!"
"..."
Hatake Kakashi had no choice but to obey the order.
Of course.
Hatake Kakashi didn't really want to oppose it either.
After all, Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi had been on a reconnaissance mission together in the Mist Village, and Uchiha Itachi was really more trouble-free than his subordinate, Akihara Kagura.
"The Third Hokage..."
Akihara Kagura frowned and asked with some surprise: "If I heard correctly, Lord Danzo had him train in the Anbu for a while, and then let him go to the Root division?"
"Exactly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded.
Akihara Kagura quickly continued to ask: "Originally, Lord Danzo sent me to the Anbu for training, right? Will I go back to the Root division with Uchiha Itachi? The Dean is also in the Root division, Lord Danzo has always been good to me, I still want to go back!"
"Hahaha..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly shook his head, smiling and continued: "Danzo sent you to the Anbu because the Anbu could bring out your greatest talent; as for Itachi, Danzo believes he can do better in the Root division."
"..."
Akihara Kagura slowly looked towards Uchiha Itachi.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's eyebrows slightly furrowed.
If he remembered correctly, during the Chunin Exams, Akihara Kagura once mentioned that he was abandoned by Danzo...
Now Danzo is allowing him to go to the Root division in the future, but not allowing Akihara Kagura to return to the Root division, he felt he might be resented by Akihara Kagura again...
"Kakashi, Kagura, don't think about these things anymore."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to end the topic about the Anbu and Root division, and proactively asked: "Do you two have any jutsu you want to learn?"
"I think..."
Hatake Kakashi, recalling Obito's space-time jutsu, seriously put forward his request: "Try to see if I can learn a space-time jutsu…"
