It's Uchiha Sasuke who has just returned to Konoha.
"..."
Kakashi Hatake was stunned.
Kakashi Hatake was dumbfounded on the spot.
Kakashi Hatake couldn't quite understand.
"You..."
Kakashi Hatake looked incredulously at the grown-up Uchiha Sasuke before him, his eyes frozen in their sockets unable to move: "Is it Sasuke? What the hell... is going on?"
"It's a very long story."
Akihara Kagura stood beside Kakashi Hatake, speaking slowly: "Back then, Orochimaru was always greedily wanting Sasuke's body..."
"To kill Orochimaru, I saw Sasuke's talent, took him into the Root division, and had him carry out a secret task, deliberately allowing himself to be taken by Orochimaru and defect, to investigate the secrets on Orochimaru, continuously transmitting information about Orochimaru back to the village..."
"In the end..."
"Sasuke successfully killed Orochimaru."
"Since his task is complete, I naturally want him to return to Konoha."
When Akihara Kagura said this, his face seemed a bit helpless: "I initially wanted Sasuke to return to Team 7, back under your guidance, to prevent the Nine-tails on Naruto from going berserk, but Lady Tsunade refused this proposal, so I could only have Sasuke go surveil Team 7..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake's mind was a bit disoriented; he could only keep rubbing his temples, gesturing to Akihara Kagura: "Hold on, give me a moment..."
The amount of information is a bit overwhelming.
Back then, Kakashi Hatake had lamented countless times over his companions and students defecting from Konoha, never expecting his companion was still stirring up storms in the Ninja World, and his student's defection was fake, the real goal being to carry out the task of killing Orochimaru...
Now...
The task is complete.
Sasuke has already returned.
Kakashi Hatake looked up at the sky, feeling that his years of lamentation and regret needed some compensation, yet he found he couldn't criticize Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Sasuke.
After all…
The assassination of Orochimaru is undoubtedly an S-rank task.
This kind of task is surely something an ordinary Konoha Jonin like him couldn't know.
But...
In regard to friendship...
Couldn't you at least reveal a bit of information to console someone?
Kakashi Hatake recalled when he'd go for barbecue and ramen with Akihara Kagura, occasionally bringing up Sasuke's defection, and Akihara Kagura would always smile without a word, sipping pear juice as if he didn't care at all.
Yet…
Now all the crises have been resolved.
Sasuke's defection was also fake.
Kakashi Hatake didn't actually feel too resentful, just sighed: "You, back then you wanted to assign my student, you should have at least informed me…"
"I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei."
Uchiha Sasuke stood out and solemnly apologized: "Back then, it was me who wanted power and actively requested to join the Root division..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake didn't look at him.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Akihara Kagura raised his eyebrows, seeming somewhat puzzled: "Didn't you also want to join the Root division back then? It's normal for Sasuke to want to join, right?"
"I don't want to join anymore now."
Kakashi Hatake took a deep breath, shook his head, and said: "Currently, the reputation of the Root division in the village is almost the same as the old police force of the Uchiha Clan..."
After saying that, Kakashi Hatake felt he said something wrong, as it might stir Uchiha Sasuke standing nearby.
After all…
The Uchiha Clan had already perished back then.
However, hearing Kakashi Hatake's words, Uchiha Sasuke seemed unconcerned and even thoughtfully nodded, as if understanding something.
"Alright."
Seeing that Sasuke didn't want to test it, nor thought about surveillance, Kakashi Hatake waved at Sasuke: "Let's go, now I'll reassign you to Team 7..."
"Lady Tsunade has already refused."
Akihara Kagura interrupted Kakashi Hatake.
"You didn't tell Lady Tsunade the truth, did you?"
Kakashi Hatake glanced helplessly at Akihara Kagura.
"The status of a Root Ninja is top secret."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, speaking coldly: "The Hokage cannot meddle in Root affairs, the Hokage Assistant won't interfere in Konoha Hospital matters; these are the rules set by the Five Hokage... Since we're friends, I let you meet Sasuke."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake felt this rule was a mess.
What kind of rule is this?
Why do the Hokage and Hokage Assistant have different focuses? Normally, should it not be the Hokage Assistant not meddling in Dark Department matters?
But…
Fifth Hokage Tsunade being a Medical Ninja, somehow this makes sense?
"Kakashi-sensei."
Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward, actively rejecting Kakashi Hatake's proposal: "I haven't killed Uchiha Itachi yet; I can't go back now..."
On one hand, he still needs to pursue revenge.
On the other, he must compete with Karin for the position of Root Leader.
Even though Uchiha Sasuke knows he can enjoy brief warmth by returning to Team 7, he also knows that the position of Root Leader is of utmost importance in the future.
To Uchiha Sasuke, the Root Leader position is crucial, meaning if the idiotic Naruto Uzumaki truly becomes Hokage in the future, they can still fight side by side;
And most importantly, the current Root division is the base for surviving Uchiha; to revive the Uchiha, Sasuke must surpass Karin to become the Root Leader!
"I need to continue staying in Root."
Uchiha Sasuke has deep feelings for Root, as well as Team 7: "In the future, I can secretly protect Team 7..."
"Test this little guy's abilities."
Akihara Kagura patted his old friend Kakashi Hatake on the shoulder, sighed: "I tried to persuade him, but he insisted; let him stay in Root for a while!"
"..."
Kakashi Hatake fell silent.
This instructor of Team 7 thought for a while and reluctantly nodded: "I agree, though Naruto and Sakura will surely be disappointed..."
"Kakashi-sensei, better not tell them the truth yet."
Uchiha Sasuke shook his head, with a sneering smile on his lips, grown yet still the proud Uchiha: "Naruto, the idiot, will surely delay my business if he knows; I'll tell that fool once I've killed Uchiha Itachi..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake knew Uchiha Sasuke's thoughts were on track.
This student…
Is truly advancing on the path of revenge!
Yet, this student doesn't seem like he's lost in his quest for revenge, because from Sasuke's face, Kakashi Hatake could tell...
In Sasuke's heart…
There's definitely a place for Team 7.
Kakashi Hatake could see that despite Sasuke's mockery of Naruto Uzumaki, he actually doesn't want Naruto caught in the vortex of the Root...
Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but look at Akihara Kagura.
How exactly did Akihara Kagura guide Uchiha Sasuke, as this little guy neither forgot his revenge nor was blinded by it...
"If you don't want to return, and wish to protect them in secret..."
Kakashi Hatake raised his finger toward Uchiha Sasuke, speaking softly: "Then at least show me the results of your training over the years..."
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke took off his cloak, raised his finger towards Kakashi Hatake, his eyes becoming slightly serious!
Challenging his teacher…
This was something Uchiha Sasuke had long considered!