Chapter 59: Hiruzen Sarutobi: What Do I Do? Tōhaku: Itachi

Kakashi’s expression changed instantly.

His lazy, dull eyes sharpened like blades, and a surge of murderous intent erupted from his entire body.

Without any hesitation, he lunged forward.

But, unfortunately.

Yamato, seeing the danger, immediately grabbed Kakashi.

“Kakashi, don’t act rashly!”

“It’s just rumor—everyone knows Itachi’re not that kind of person.”

“Yūgao, help me!”

Yamato spoke urgently, sweat beading on his forehead.

He dared not let Kakashi charge forward—otherwise, things would spiral out of control.

And as for that—

Yuugao Yūgao, realizing the situation, quickly blocked Kakashi: “Don’t do anything foolish. Rumors only grow worse the more Itachi fight them. Kakashi, best to pretend Itachi know nothing—if Itachi confront them, Itachi’ll only make things worse.”

Kakashi’s eyes were bloodshot.

He trembled all over with rage—this rumor was beyond excessive, a direct insult to him personally!

He laid down his grudge because he cared for the village!

He didn’t want to see the village descend into civil strife—what use would a shattered Konoha be against other villages’ attacks?

But damn it.

To hell with it—because the enemy was too strong, I cut ties with my father, and now they want my dead father to find someone else to avenge him!

Ah!

Thinking of it, Kakashi felt like his entire being would explode.

Yet—

Faced with his two comrades’ restraint, he forced himself to calm down.

In the end—

Yamato forcibly took Kakashi home, while Yuugao Yūgao went to the Hokage’s office, briefly reported the incident, and casually requested leave for Kakashi.

And as for that—

Sitting behind his desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, silently smoking and thinking.

Trouble.

This kind of thing didn’t need imagination—it was clearly the Uchiha’s doing.

But he hadn’t expected the Uchiha to abandon targeting him and instead strike at Kakashi?

What do I do?

His mind was a tangled mess—the Police Department issue wasn’t resolved, and now Kakashi’s situation had blown up, and the Uchiha’s tactics were utterly despicable.

Yes!

After learning the true content of the rumor, he immediately sensed the Uchiha’s deep malice.

But, sigh!

After a helpless sigh, he had no good solution.

After all, since Tōhaku’s coup failed and Uchiha Jin didn’t storm the Hokage Tower, things were already better than expected.

“Leave? Approved!”

“Itachi and Yamato take some rest these days—spend time with Kakashi.”

“Go.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi made his decision.

He needed to stabilize Kakashi temporarily and prevent him from doing something reckless—after all, Kakashi was still one of Konoha’s top-tier ninja.

No choice!

Konoha was at its weakest point right now.

And as for that—

Yuugao Yūgao was quite pleased—after all, her Anbu duties were already giving her a headache just thinking about them.

A few days of normal rest was a welcome relief.

“Yes, Hokage-sama!”

Yuugao Yūgao bowed and withdrew.

Soon after she left, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned his allies.

Tōhaku kicked open the Hokage’s office door—his face was still pale, clearly having leapt from his sickbed the moment he heard the rumor about Kakashi and rushed here at top speed.

“Sarutobi, give the order!”

“Kakashi is unstable—transfer him to my Root.”

“I’ll train him into a powerful weapon that obeys orders without question and is willing to die for the village!”

Tōhaku was direct—he stated his purpose.

Yes!

He had long coveted Kakashi, but Hiruzen Sarutobi’s interference had always blocked him.

This incident was perfect!

It gave him the ideal excuse to bring Kakashi under his control.

Transfer Natsuki, hearing this, couldn’t help speaking up: “Tōhaku is right—Kakashi can no longer be trusted.”

“Entering Root would be a decent outcome,” said Mizukado En.

And as for that—

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face darkened.

Join Tōhaku’s Root?

This man never gave up his obsession with the Hokage position—even when he himself returned as Hokage, this man tried to assassinate him.

To hand over Kakashi—one of Konoha’s strongest ninja today—to this bastard?

Hah.

Are Itachi trying to die faster?

“Enough! Don’t even think about it!”

“Kakashi is a man who carries the Will of Fire—he belongs in the light, and I will never allow him to join Root!”

“Tōhaku, give it up!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke without hesitation.

Hearing this, Tōhaku coldly replied: “Sarutobi, Itachi’ll regret this!”

“Tōhaku, I am the Hokage!” Hiruzen Sarutobi blurted out.

Tōhaku clenched his teeth, trembling with rage.

Hokage!

Again, that damned Hokage!

If only he hadn’t been a step too slow back then, it would be him speaking these words now!

So, hmph!

Tōhaku snorted, turned on his heel, and walked out.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help calling out: “Tōhaku, wait!”

“What?” Tōhaku turned back.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath: “The Uchiha have struck again—we need to discuss how to respond.”

Yes.

The Police Department issue wasn’t settled, and now Kakashi’s situation had erupted.

Since Tōhaku’s coup failed, they had to figure out how to handle this.

But, unfortunately—

To Hiruzen Sarutobi’s words, Tōhaku replied calmly: “I’m severely injured and need to rest. Handle this yourselves.”

“Itachi’re the Hokage—I’m not the Hokage!”

He wore a look of utter contempt.

The Uchiha’s move affected Hiruzen Sarutobi the most.

When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up—Hiruzen Sarutobi was the tall one now.

Why should he worry himself?

He won’t even give me Kakashi, and now he expects me to keep carrying his burdens?

Hah, dream on.

After saying that.

Leaning on his cane, Tōhaku left the Hokage’s office and slammed the door shut with full force.

Bang!

With the thunderous crash, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face darkened further.

Damn it!

Has Tōhaku given up too?

What do we do?

Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively glanced at his two old friends beside him, then after a brief pause, let out a helpless sigh.

He shook his head and didn’t even bother to ask further!

Because he knew better than anyone how useless these two old friends were.

“Forget it, go back!”

“Control the village’s public opinion. I’ll think about the rest.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.

And yet, in response,

Mizumon En: “...”

Tounin Koharu: “...”

The two couldn’t help exchanging a glance, feeling as if they had been insulted.

There was nothing they could do!

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s actions were nothing short of ignoring them entirely.

But likewise,

They truly had no recourse—so despite their resentment, they could only leave helplessly.