Kakashi didn't care much about these things, then placed a transparent bag on Hiruzen's desk.
"Hokage-sama, this is wood shavings I found in the Land of the Waterfall while searching for Obito. I think it's different from regular wood shavings, so I brought it back. It might have something to do with Obito's disappearance."
Kakashi's gaze was very calm, after all, he wasn't lying, just making some ambiguous speculations.
Hiruzen took the transparent bag Kakashi handed over, opened it, took out some wood shavings, looked at them carefully, and immediately his eyes widened in shock, as if he had seen something unbelievable.
"Kakashi... are you saying you found these wood shavings while tracking Uchiha Obito?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama. Is there a problem with that?"
Kakashi answered softly.
"No, nothing, maybe I was mistaken."
Hiruzen spoke casually, but his heart was extremely heavy.
For these wood shavings were very familiar to him, although somewhat different, there was no doubt they were remnants of Wood Style Ninjutsu.
In Konoha's research lab, there are also preserved wood chip specimens created by the First Hokage Senju Hashirama using Wood Style, and these wood shavings are identical to the Wood Style wood chip specimens in the research lab.
The first person Hiruzen thought of was Danzo.
He suspected that the successive disappearances of Nohara Rin and Uchiha Obito might be manipulated by Danzo behind the scenes.
Because when Konoha planned the Wood Style Awakening Project, Danzo was the chief head.
Although later it failed, and the Wood Style plan was banned, Hiruzen was unaware if Danzo had secretly reactivated it.
Moreover, the experimental subjects of the failed Wood Style experiment were handed over to Danzo for disposal; whether there might be one or two successful individuals being privately concealed by Danzo without reporting to him, is also uncertain.
Otherwise, why would Kakashi collect remnants of Wood Style outside?
In the entire Ninja Realm, only Konoha has the capability and foundation to research Wood Style; other Ninja Villages do not possess such conditions.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen felt a heavy weight on his mind.
"Kakashi, remember not to tell anyone about this, not even Minato."
Finally, Hiruzen instructed Kakashi seriously.
Wood Style is of great importance, and there might be Danzo's schemes involved, he didn't want too many people to know about this matter to prevent unnecessary chaos.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi nodded.
Only then did Hiruzen exhale a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Kakashi, although your unauthorized actions this time violated village regulations, it was out of concern for a comrade's safety, thus it is understandable. I think the time is about right, it's time to issue this appointment. Open it and take a look."
Speaking, Hiruzen pulled out a document bag from a drawer.
Kakashi stepped forward to take it, opened the document bag, and took out the documents inside, on the topmost paper were the words 'Jonin Appointment.'
"This is..."
Kakashi's voice was surprised.
"Don't let the village down with its trust in you, Kakashi. From now on, you are one of the Konoha Jonin. The official notification will be released within the next few days."
Hiruzen said solemnly to Kakashi.
"Yes."
Kakashi stored the document bag; his eyes couldn't hide a touch of excitement.
Hiruzen keenly captured this moment and smiled with satisfaction: "Alright, you may leave now. The day after tomorrow you will depart for the Land of Grass, to meet with Minato, there are some special tasks for you both."
Kakashi slightly bowed to Hiruzen, showing respect and gratitude, then exited the office.
Walking in the corridor alongside the Hokage Building, Kakashi looked at the scenery outside the window, but his mind was not on the scenery.
Without surprise from the Hokage's side, they had lowered their guard against him, following the war, he could rise to a better position here, and might even be assigned to Anbu, to steal significant Anbu intel.
Kakashi pondered how to plan his future path.
However, the desire to repay his father Hatake Sakumo for all he endured, making the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi taste the disgrace and experience his downfall, resulting in death, is not an easy task.
Therefore, he needs to earn more trust from the Hokage, approach the Hokage's core system further, to become a blade the Hokage can wield and control.
Returning home, Kakashi moved towards the second-floor study, intending to store the Jonin appointment document bag in the study.
Upon reaching the study, a person was already standing inside, waiting for his arrival.
Kakashi instinctively drew the White Fang Short Knife from his back, infused it with Lightning Attribute chakra, causing the White Fang Short Knife to emit a moon-white glow, a thin electric current flowing, cautious of the person appearing in his study.
The person was draped in a black coat, right face wrapped in bandages, body aged, with deep wrinkles on the face, at least fifty years old.
Shimura Danzo.
Root leader.
In Kakashi's mind, the identity of the person appearing in his study blinked instantly.
Danzo stared at Kakashi's guarded posture, speaking in an emotionless, deep tone:
"Hatake Kakashi, do you want to know the true details of your father's, Konoha White Fang, suicide incident?"
Hearing Danzo say this, Kakashi realized another opportunity had come.
After all, to disgrace the Third Hokage, no one is a more appropriate ally than this Dark Ninja.
To Kakashi, this was simply a heaven-sent opportunity.