Chapter 12: The Third Hokage's Thoughts
"I do have such a thought in mind!"
"That's why I want to ask for your opinion!"
"......"
Listening to the words of the Third Hokage, Kakashi fell into deep thought.
He already knew about the upcoming team assignments. Originally, Kakashi's team was scheduled to consist of Naruto, Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke.
On the surface, it looked like a balanced Konoha team of two boys and one girl—a pairing of elite students with an underdog. In reality, two of them had powerful connections.
If the Third Hokage were to add Akali to his team, the only option would be to replace Sakura.
In that case, Naruto, Sasuke, and Akali would form an unimaginably luxurious Team 7!
In the foreseeable future, Team 7 could even grow to become a legendary existence akin to the Sannin!
With Team 7 becoming the Sannin, it went without saying what kind of status Kakashi would hold!
One had to remember that the person who trained the Sannin was sitting right here in front of Kakashi!
Ascending to the highest position was not an impossible feat.
After all, rising to greatness had never depended on the opinion of the robes themselves.
However, after a bout of careful consideration, Kakashi slowly shook his head and declined the Third Hokage's proposal.
"Forget it, Lord Hokage!"
"Oh!" Hearing Kakashi's reply, a sharp gleam flashed through the eyes of the Third Hokage, and his usually stooped posture seemed to straighten slightly.
The Third Hokage took a deep puff from his pipe and looked at Kakashi with a probing gaze. "Why is that, Kakashi?"
Kakashi did not seem to notice the probing look in the Third Hokage's eyes.
He simply gave a wry smile and said, "Because I lack the confidence to guide them properly!"
"In my estimation, among the three members of Team 7, the only one I can truly teach wholeheartedly is probably Sasuke!"
"That boy is a great fit for me; whatever I can do, he can learn!"
"As for Naruto... Jiraiya should be returning soon, shouldn't he?"
Once Jiraiya returned, there would naturally be no need for him to worry about Naruto's training.
Therefore, all Kakashi needed to do was hold down the fort until Jiraiya came back!
Moreover, Jiraiya was someone who had truly inherited the Third Hokage's teaching prowess—an absolute master instructor.
Having him personally teach Naruto was undoubtedly the best arrangement for the boy.
As for Sakura?
It was fine; both Naruto and Sasuke were already taken care of!
Wonderful, simply wonderful!
Meanwhile, listening to Kakashi's explanation, the Third Hokage fully understood what he meant.
The Third Hokage nodded. "That fellow Jiraiya is indeed returning soon!"
Therefore, Kakashi certainly didn't need to concern himself with Naruto's side.
"But what about Akali, Kakashi? Won't you really reconsider?"
"She is so brilliantly talented, practically a second you, and she walks the very same path you did back then. It's not as though you have nothing to teach her."
The Third Hokage stared intently at Kakashi's right eye, his tone full of temptation.
"Kakashi, if you can successfully guide Akali, who knows, you might even leave your name in history!"
"Forget it, Lord Hokage! You know I don't care about such things!"
Kakashi offered a wry smile, refusing for the second time.
Akali was exceptional, true, but Kakashi simply didn't have the drive for it.
Well... and he definitely wasn't slightly afraid that Akali might lead Naruto astray!
"Hmm..."
Watching Kakashi refuse for a second time, the Third Hokage slowly nodded and fell into deep thought.
At this point, his previously tense demeanor completely relaxed.
Immediately after, the Third Hokage broke into a smile and stopped trying to persuade Kakashi. "Since that's the case, then let's drop it!"
Kakashi, tell me, what do you think if I assign Akali to Kurenai's team?"
"Kurenai's team..."
Kakashi began to ponder. "Who would she replace, though?"
"Inuzuka Kiba!" The Third Hokage answered without the slightest hesitation, not even pausing to think.
"Inuzuka Kiba..." Kakashi thought about it. "That actually seems viable!"
"The Eighth Band was designed as a purely specialized reconnaissance unit, but with the Byakugan and the bugs, the team already has more than enough scouting methods."
"Placing Inuzuka Kiba in there was mainly to supplement frontline combat power, and his role actually overlaps somewhat with Aburame Shino's."
"Therefore, replacing Inuzuka Kiba with Akali can be considered a high-end upgrade!"
Having figured it out, Kakashi wore an expression of admiration and smoothly offered a bit of flattery. "Lord Hokage, your wisdom is truly admirable."
"Hahaha!" The Third Hokage let out a hearty laugh.
Judging by his beaming smile, Kakashi's flattery had clearly struck the right chord!
The Third Hokage said with modest restraint, "I simply think things through a bit more than usual, it's nothing worth mentioning!"
"Well then, let's settle on this arrangement! Kakashi, thank you for your assistance!"
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe, knocking out the burned tobacco!
Seeing this attitude, how could Kakashi not understand?
Kakashi said respectfully, "It is only right to serve Lord Third! In that case, Lord Third, I will take my leave now!"
"Mm-hm, go on, go on!" The Third Hokage nodded.
However, just as Kakashi was about to step out the door, the Third Hokage suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right, Kakashi. Could you do me one small favor? Help me call Kurenai over; there are still a few matters I need to discuss with her."
"Understood, Lord Hokage!"
Rid of a troublesome task, Kakashi was in a great mood and readily agreed.
Afterwards, Kakashi left the Hokage Building and headed to Kurenai's residence to find her.
Yet, downstairs at Yuhi Kurenai's apartment, the first person Kakashi saw was not Kurenai, but Asuma Sarutobi, who had returned to the village not long ago!
At that moment, Asuma was waiting downstairs for Yuhi Kurenai, holding something in his hands.
Seeing this, Kakashi didn't think much of it. After all, this guy Asuma had held a crush on Yuhi Kurenai ever since their student days—that was common knowledge to everyone!
If it weren't for the fallout between Asuma and the Third Hokage later on, leading him to join the Twelve Guardian Ninja, they probably would have been married for years by now.
Wait, married!?
Kakashi suddenly snapped to his senses. Kurenai and Asuma were, in all likelihood, going to become family in the future.
Recalling the Third Hokage's attitude earlier today, Kakashi instantly understood.
From the very beginning, the Third Hokage had never intended for him to train Akali!
Because what the Third Hokage had in mind, most likely, was to have Asuma Sarutobi step into his shoes!
Otherwise, just look at the teams assigned to Asuma and Kurenai!
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the Hyuga, the Inuzuka, and the Aburame! Virtually all of Konoha's currently influential ninja clans had been gathered into one net!
Add to that the already powerful Sarutobi clan, as well as the quiet yet influential Shimura clan through the two elders.
To put it without exaggeration, this network of connections basically covered sixty percent of Konoha's active military forces!
In a place like Konoha, once you mastered the power of the ninja clans, becoming Hokage was practically effortless, wasn't it?
As for why he had repeatedly asked whether Kakashi would take her on...
It was very simple: that was merely the Third Hokage testing the waters!
Because in Konoha's environment, the presence of exceptional disciples would only become a pillar of support for their teacher!
And if Akali were added to the mix, Kakashi's influence would simply become far too powerful!
Once he figured this out, a deep sense of revulsion began to echo within Kakashi's heart.