HTP: Ch. 42

After attending two long meetings that lasted several hours, Shikaku already looked slightly fatigued. He gently placed the intelligence scrolls from the meetings onto the desk and tapped his temple with his knuckles.

"Iwa's proposal is very clear. They want to form an alliance with us to launch a joint crusade against Kumo, and split the mining resources in the northern region of the Land of Lightning."

Hiruzen read the meeting report while listening to Shikaku's analysis. The pipe at his lips paused for a moment as he exhaled a puff of smoke. As expected, Ōnoki was truly an ambitious man. Even though his village was lacking in capable forces, he still wanted to take advantage of the chaos.

Clearly, after seeing Konoha's overwhelming victory in the conflict and how Suna had firmly allied itself with Konoha, Iwa now had its eyes set on Kumo.

He thought briefly before making a decision. "Reject it. From the time of the First Hokage, Konoha has always acted with honor and righteousness. We are a force of justice and would never invade another nation's territory."

Ōnoki had to be senile, despite being warned through intelligence that both jinchūriki who fled were being targeted, he still made such proposals. Then again, it made sense, he was one of the original backers of Akatsuki, so he probably treated Konoha's warnings like hot air.

Now that the Two-Tails jinchūriki had already been captured, it wouldn't be long before the Four and Five-Tails met the same fate. Even if Konoha agreed to his proposal, the moment something happened in Iwa, Ōnoki would likely back out and maybe even turn around and accuse Konoha of being "greedy warmongers" and claim "Iwa is also a victim!"

Hiruzen knew all too well what kind of reputation Ōnoki had.

"Ōnoki is all bluster with no backbone, cunning but indecisive," he commented. "Instead of dreaming of expansion, he should focus on training a successor. In my opinion, finding the next Tsuchikage should be his top priority."

Shikaku agreed. Konoha had always been the foremost among the Five Great Shinobi Nations, with the largest population and resources. As long as it developed steadily, the operational gap between it and the other villages would only grow wider with time.

Right now, Konoha controlled ten mines; the other four villages controlled between one and five. No matter how you looked at it, the late-game was Konoha's to win.

Initiating war was a losing strategy; stable and prosperous development toward cultural dominance was the true path of kings.

He nodded in agreement, subtly relaxing. This outcome had been within his expectations.

"I agree as well."

Hiruzen acknowledged Shikaku as Konoha's trusted strategist and a true inheritor of the Will of Fire.

Shikaku had already predicted this result before entering the Hokage's office, but only after Hiruzen expressed his position did he voice his own opinion. If he had spoken first, saying "We should reject Iwa," before the Hokage decided, wouldn't he have sounded just like Danzō?

Now, the next issue was Kiri.

He recorded the Hokage's decision, unrolled a new scroll, and continued in a calm tone. "The chaos in Kiri has come to an end. While a new Mizukage hasn't been appointed yet, the Elder Council is temporarily in power. First, in light of the turmoil across the ninja world, they wish to reestablish diplomatic ties with Konoha. Secondly, regarding the missing-nin Kisame, they request that we hand him and Samehada over to Kiri. They've offered a substantial reward."

No way. Kisame was a talent. If Tobi could persuade him to join, there was no reason Konoha couldn't.

Samehada too was a sword with heart, with loyalty, with the Will of Fire.

Hiruzen thought this to himself and immediately responded, "The first matter, reestablishing diplomatic relations, can proceed immediately. As for Kisame, I sense that deep within, he too carries the Will of Fire."

This reply slightly exceeded Shikaku's expectations. Was there intel he didn't know about?

But he didn't question it further and immediately replied, "Understood."

With the main discussion wrapped up, the rest came down to details. Once the arrangements were settled, Hiruzen tapped his pipe and said, "Then pass down the orders, and summon Mei. You'll escort the Iwa ninjas out."

After receiving the order, Shikaku left.

Hiruzen then instructed Saru to notify Kakashi to come to the Hokage's office once his mission ended, there was a new task for him.

---

Kakashi arrived at the Hokage Building.

At that moment, a beautiful female jonin wearing a Kiri forehead protector walked out of the Hokage's office.

Their eyes met briefly, then passed.

Kiri? Kakashi thought.

Konoha sure has a lot of handsome guys~ Mei thought.

They brushed past each other.

When Kakashi opened the wooden door of the Hokage's office, Hiruzen was lightly tapping his pipe against a list of students for the Ninja Academy.

"You're here?" He didn't even lift his head. "You ran into our guest from Kiri just now, didn't you?"

"Ah…" Kakashi's ever-droopy eyes showed no spark. "Didn't really notice."

That was so like him, he loved erotic novels more than beautiful women.

"That was Mei. She's probably going to be the next Mizukage."

"Hmm…" Kakashi clearly didn't care much.

"You should pay attention. Who knows, you might be the next Hokage."

Kakashi responded without much enthusiasm. "The Sannin are still around. If you're planning to retire, wouldn't one of them be a more reliable choice?"

Such was life, people craved what they couldn't have, while others tossed it aside like it was worthless. Right, Danzō?

Pulling his slightly wandering thoughts back, Hiruzen got to the main point. "The Ninja Academy's new term is about to begin. Kakashi, you'll be doing a comprehensive assessment of all the students. Consider it a make-up exam for the Chunin Exams that got disrupted by Orochimaru last time."

Kakashi looked puzzled. "Wasn't that Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade's responsibility?"

"You can use all five chakra natures. Since the founding of the village, there have only been two with that kind of talent, you and Orochimaru. Strong as Orochimaru and Tsunade are, they both have gaps in their abilities."

Hiruzen then praised him directly. "Kakashi, ever since the Fourth Hokage, I've seen the most potential in you."

Truth be told, Orochimaru was fairly all-around outside of his snake techniques, but he was tied up with research work. Tsunade's fighting style, though, really wasn't suited to being an examiner, too light and there was no challenge, too heavy and the students would be pulverized.

Kakashi asked, "And how should I conduct the test?"

"That's up to you. You could even spar with them one-on-one if you wanted."

That sounded like way too much trouble. A dozen high-energy kids, and some of them were jinchūriki.

Kakashi instantly felt deeply troubled and was already thinking of how to get out of it.

"If you're afraid of losing, just tell them not to use their summoning beasts," Hiruzen said.

Kakashi started to make an excuse. "Ah, after fighting the Raikage last time, I've actually needed some recovery. Maybe let Guy do it?"

"You know the situation with Sasuke and Itachi. At this point, the only one who can guide Sasuke in the use of the Sharingan… is you."

Kakashi was speechless.

Seeing that this task was settled, Hiruzen brought up something else. "I can see it in Mei, she's also someone with the Will of Fire. You should get to know her a little better."

Huh? Was that directed at him? Kakashi was momentarily confused.