His eyes had been successfully copied, but they had yet to be implanted. For now, they remained hidden behind his forehead protector.
Kakashi wiped a bead of sweat from his eye, looking somewhat weary. "Lord Kawasaki, what can I do for you?"
Kawasaki suddenly used the Body Flicker Technique, appearing right next to Kakashi in an instant.
Startled, Kakashi instinctively leaped backward.
But Kawasaki didn't attack. Instead, he nodded lightly. "Not bad. It seems you haven't been slacking off recently. You've finally learned to train hard."
Kakashi's expression soured. He remembered how Kawasaki had kicked him the moment they met several years ago, berating him for his laziness. At the time, he hadn't understood Kawasaki's intense hostility, but after the events of a few days ago, it all made sense.
"Did you come here just to oversee my training, Lord Kawasaki?" Kakashi's tone was stiff, a stark contrast to his usual mild and lazy demeanor.
Kawasaki snorted coldly. "A few days ago, you dared to take Itachi hostage. I'm here today to collect on that debt."
Kakashi sighed. In terms of both power and influence, he and Kawasaki were on completely different levels. He couldn't quite follow Kawasaki's train of thought, but he knew this had to be a joke. His tone shifted to one of resignation. "Lord Kawasaki, please stop teasing me. Just tell me what you're here for."
Only then did Kawasaki's expression turn serious.
"Last time we spoke, you said you only wished for Konoha and the Uchiha to coexist peacefully, correct?"
Kakashi nodded. His desire for revenge was aimed at the Third Hokage, not the village itself. That was why he didn't want Konoha and the Uchiha to turn on each other.
Kawasaki wagged a finger.
"Considering the Third's past actions, do you truly believe he can treat our Uchiha clan fairly?"
Kakashi fell silent. He hadn't been idle these past few days. Besides training, he had been investigating the full story behind the White Fang's suicide.
The more he learned, the colder his heart grew, just as Kawasaki had implied.
When the rumors were rampant, the Third had played deaf and dumb, only stepping forward to clear the White Fang's name after his father was already dead.
Having served in the ANBU, Kakashi knew it was impossible for such rumors to spread so uncontrollably with the ANBU's resources. Not unless someone had deliberately allowed it.
Many of the details from back then could no longer be verified, but this only made him blame himself more. What had he been doing all these years? He had been serving directly under the Third Hokage.
Even with the resentment he now felt, Kakashi was powerless and without influence, completely helpless to do anything about it.
Seeing Kakashi's silence, Kawasaki finally revealed his true purpose.
"Kakashi, I believe that after so many years of absolute power, the Third Hokage has become corrupt. I intend to persuade the elders to elect a new Hokage."
"Elect a new Hokage?" Kakashi asked, stunned.
Kawasaki nodded.
"Given the Third's age, don't you think it's time for a new election?"
Kakashi was initially surprised, but upon reflection, he realized it made sense. The Third Hokage was nearly seventy years old, and the Fourth had been dead for many years. It was indeed time to choose a new leader.
Seeing that Kakashi seemed to be processing his words, Kawasaki continued, "If the Third Hokage has no intention of retiring, then we'll have to rely on the elders' votes to select his successor."
Kakashi shook his head. "Lord Kawasaki, I'm not an elder. Telling me this won't do any good."
Kawasaki disagreed.
"You may not be an elder, but your opinion carries more weight than many of theirs."
Kakashi had always been a staunch supporter of the Hokage. If even he felt a change was necessary, it would mean the Third had lost the faith of his most loyal follower.
Kawasaki stated bluntly, "I've already secured the support of the Hyuga clan. With them and the Uchiha, we have four votes."
Konoha's council of elders consists of twenty-two honorary elders and three advisor elders. The Hokage's assistants are typically chosen from the advisors, with the Hokage position itself being the next step up. In a vote to replace the Hokage, the incumbent is not allowed to participate.
"If you also agree to a change, persuading the other elders will be much easier."
Kakashi hadn't expected to suddenly become so crucial. He thought for a moment, a cool breeze chilling the sweat on his skin.
He finally responded, "Lord Kawasaki, are you planning to run for Hokage?"
Kawasaki first nodded firmly.
"I will certainly run for the position of Fifth Hokage."
"However..."
Kawasaki's tone shifted.
"Even if I lose the election, it doesn't matter. The key point is that we, the Uchiha, do not want Sarutobi Hiruzen to remain Hokage any longer."
"You've witnessed his suppression of the Uchiha over the years."
"And you now understand exactly what kind of person he is."
"If you want the Uchiha to live in peace with Konoha, or even return to the village, our sole condition is a new Hokage election."
Seeing Kakashi still hesitating, Kawasaki added, "The Uchiha clan has made a fair bit of money over the past two years, and we plan to invest in the various great clans."
"We'll bring this up at the next Konoha council meeting."
"Of course, that includes an investment for your Hatake clan."
"You intend to win over the other clans with money?" Kakashi asked, astonished.
Kawasaki shrugged.
"Winning them over sounds so crude. We earned our money in Konoha; now we're giving back to Konoha. What's wrong with that?"
"Besides, all I want is to change the Hokage. Is there a problem with that?"
"If you agree, come to the Uchiha compound with the other clan heads after the council meeting."
"We will give you a sum of money; all you have to do is accept it in front of everyone."
Kawasaki's words were sincere, and Kakashi was taking them to heart.
Kakashi rubbed the bridge of his nose, thinking for a long time.
In truth, he had been dissatisfied with the Third Hokage for a while.
Every action he took was merely a means to elevate himself and weaken his rivals.
Kakashi no longer wanted to see Sarutobi Hiruzen as Hokage.
Kawasaki's offer to invest in the clans was exactly what Kakashi needed.
He hadn't been short on money in the past, but ever since the incident with Obito, he had stopped taking missions.
He spent every day training desperately at home.
He was older now, and it wasn't easy to make up for so many wasted years.
When practicing his father's sword style, he found that a special ointment was required for the best results.
The ointment greatly enhanced his physical vitality, doubling the effectiveness of his training.
If Kakashi wanted to make up for lost time, this was his only way.
But the ointment required incredibly expensive medicinal herbs. Having been inconsistent with his work over the years, Kakashi hadn't saved much money.
There had been some inheritance left by the White Fang, but Kakashi had spent it all on expensive weapons to practice his swordsmanship.
Now, Kakashi was suddenly in dire need of funds. The harder he trained, the faster his money disappeared.
Kakashi now understood the importance of strength. Since the Uchiha were willing to provide the means, it would be foolish to refuse.
"Lord Kawasaki, your only demand is a new Hokage election?"
In Kakashi's mind, Kawasaki should have been trying to secure his vote as well.
To his surprise, Kawasaki stated with certainty, "As long as there's a new election, that's enough."
"When the time comes, you can vote for whomever you support."
Kakashi closed his eyes, then slowly opened them. "Alright. I agree to this."
Kawasaki clapped his hands and smiled. "Excellent. It's settled, then."
"Just come to the Uchiha compound to collect the money after the next Konoha council meeting."
"I'll take my leave now."
With that, Kawasaki stood up and left. Kakashi didn't see him out.
He knew someone else would be arriving soon.
A cold gust of wind made Kakashi shiver.
He quickly left the training ground and returned to his room.
Just as he was about to take a shower, his old servant, Yusuke, led an ANBU member inside.
"Kakashi, the Hokage wants to know why Kawasaki came to see you."
Previously, Kakashi's eyes had always been lazy and uninterested, but now they held a sharp glint.