Konoha Third Training Ground
"With Kakashi-senpai's talent, mastering the nature transformation and shape manipulation of Water Release should be child's play."
"After all, you've already perfected them for the other four chakra natures."
In the quiet seclusion of the training ground, Tenzo was earnestly guiding Kakashi through Water Release training.
As a Wood Release user, Tenzo possessed an exceptional command of both Water and Earth chakra transformation and manipulation—one of the very few in the entire Hidden Leaf Village who could claim true mastery over Water Release.
"The key to shape manipulation in Water Release lies in using precise chakra control to mold it into whatever form you need—compression, high-pressure jets, explosive bursts, anything…"
Compression, huh?
Kakashi listened to Tenzo's passionate explanation, his mind already racing. The Second Hokage's signature technique, the Water Severing Wave, had to be the ultimate expression of that very principle.
He stayed quiet, absorbing every word, occasionally offering his own insights.
"As expected of you, Senpai. You got it in one. The Water Severing Wave does indeed rely heavily on shape transformation. On top of that, it demands an enormous volume of chakra to push its cutting power to the absolute limit."
Tenzo didn't hesitate to heap praise on the silver-haired jōnin in front of him.
Once the lecture on nature and shape transformation wrapped up, Kakashi was just about to start practicing when he noticed Tenzo's expression suddenly stiffen.
Following his junior's gaze, Kakashi spotted an elderly figure in black robes slowly approaching from the training ground's main gate.
"Lord Danzo."
Kakashi's face remained perfectly neutral. He stepped forward, deliberately placing himself between Danzo and Tenzo, shielding the younger man from that piercing stare.
"Kakashi. Do you have a moment?"
"This old man would like a word."
Danzo Shimura stopped a few paces away, flicked a brief glance toward Tenzo standing behind Kakashi, then locked his single visible eye onto the Copy Ninja.
Tenzo had originally been his. The price of failing to assassinate the Third Hokage was handing the boy over to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Danzo had accepted it—grudgingly, of course. Mistakes were mistakes; brooding over them only made one look small.
Besides… his gaze lingered on the young man who bore such a striking resemblance to Sakumo Hatake in his prime.
If Tenzo ended up as this one's shadow, someone perfectly aligned with his own philosophy… Danzo could live with that.
"Of course I'm free," Kakashi replied lightly. "Tenzo, give me a minute. I'll be right back."
He gave the younger ninja a reassuring nod, then fell into step beside Danzo as they walked away.
Kakashi wasn't the least bit surprised that Danzo had finally come calling.
If anything, he was surprised it had taken this long.
Before Kakashi rose to prominence, Danzo Shimura had been Konoha's most hard-line hawk—constantly held in check by the combined influence of Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura.
Now, though? After the Cloud Village incident, Danzo saw in Kakashi a kindred spirit: someone willing to do whatever it took, no matter how ruthless, to secure victory.
Pushing for all-out war with Kumogakure. Proposing the flooding strategy that sacrificed the Land of Frost's civilians without a second thought. Forcing Kumo's delegation to execute their own captured ninja with their own hands under the guise of "peace negotiations."
Every move Kakashi had made sang the same song Danzo had been humming for decades.
On a small hill at the village's outskirts, the two men stood side by side, gazing out over Konoha. A cool mountain breeze swept past, rustling the leaves around them.
"Kakashi," Danzo began, voice calm and measured, "the Cloud delegation has returned home to 'deliberate.' Whether they accept our terms or not, war is now only a matter of time."
"Tell me—what should Konoha do next? What is your vision?"
It was a question no one but the Hokage had the authority to answer.
Yet Kakashi only slipped his hands into his pockets and replied coolly, "That decision belongs to Lord Hokage. We have no right to overstep."
Danzo chuckled, low and dry. "Come now. You and I are cut from the same cloth. No need to play coy with me."
"I'll be blunt. Right now, there is only one person in this village with any true claim to the Hokage's seat."
"That person is you."
"You think an old hawk like me can't see it? Everything you've done—the battles, the strategies, the sacrifices—it's all been laying the groundwork for that hat. If you want it, I am more than willing to help you take it."
He turned his head, tapping his cane lightly against the stone beneath his feet as he studied Kakashi's reaction.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed ever so slightly. Danzo wasn't wrong; the old man saw the board clearly.
The Third was old. Minato and Shinku Yuhi had both perished the night the Nine-Tails attacked. An entire generation of elite jōnin had been gutted by the Third War. And the village's next generation was still green.
Then there was Kakashi—young, brilliant, and suddenly the hero of the Cloud conflict. Jiraiya had even shouldered the blame for the flooding tactic himself, shielding Kakashi from backlash.
With White Fang's lingering legend still echoing through the village, the people were already whispering: This is Sakumo's son. The next great hope.
"You are Sakumo Hatake's son," Danzo continued, voice softening just a fraction. "You understand the situation better than anyone. I don't need to spell out the rest."
Kakashi exhaled through his mask, then spoke, slow and deliberate.
"Since Elder Danzo has been so forthright… I'll match your honesty."
"The seat of the Fifth Hokage—I intend to claim it."
The corner of Danzo's mouth curled upward, a rare, genuine smile.
Just as he'd suspected.
This one would never bow to anyone.
Here was ambition—raw, unapologetic, and utterly unlike the gentle ideals of Minato Namikaze or Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Magnificent," Danzo murmured. "Truly Sakumo's son."
"White Fang's boy, taught by the Fourth himself… not even the Fire Daimyō could refuse you."
Kakashi resisted the urge to roll his eye at how often the old man dragged his dead father into this.
Still… he couldn't deny the truth of it.
In the original timeline, after Pain destroyed the village, Shikaku had nominated Kakashi for Sixth Hokage. The Daimyō had initially hesitated—until someone mentioned Kakashi was Sakumo Hatake's son. Then approval had come instantly.
Even decades after his suicide, White Fang's name still carried that much weight.
Kakashi had never bothered trying to "clear" his father's reputation. A failed mission? So what? People needed heroes more than they needed truth.
He flicked a sidelong glance at Danzo, whose eye now gleamed with barely concealed excitement.
A dead father was still useful, it seemed.
"Once you sit in that seat," Danzo pressed, "what will be your very first act as Hokage?"
Kakashi turned his gaze back toward the village below, voice quiet but ironclad.
"Though the order is reversed… the external threat will soon be resolved."
"After that, naturally—"
—we settle matters inside the village first.
Danzo's heartbeat quickened.
Exactly!
This boy was just like him!
The cancerous Uchiha clan—finally, someone willing to cut them out!
Once the clan was gone, Konoha would know true unity!
But… Kakashi was still too young. Too impulsive.
Wiping out one of the village's founding clans would cause an uproar. A single carefully placed rumor, a little manipulation behind the scenes, and the elders could force Kakashi to step down in disgrace.
Then Danzo himself would rise—Sixth Hokage, savior of Konoha.
The village would be made great again… under his hand alone.
————
Supporting me on Pa-treon to gain early access to advanced chapters and enjoy expedited updates. Your support is greatly appreciated.
pat-reon .c-om/Dragonhair
(Just remove the hyphen - and space, to access Pa-treon normally.)