When Kakashi left the Yuhi residence, the sun was already high in the sky.
Gazing at the somewhat blinding sunlight, Kakashi did not linger in the comfort of the gentle embrace he had just left.
He knew that all this satisfaction was due to his own power and authority.
Without all this, he wouldn't even be a stray dog by the roadside.
When Kakashi appeared at the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already pacing around in a panic.
Seeing that the Raikage was about to arrive in Konoha, yet Kakashi, the Fifth Hokage, had decided to play hide-and-seek.
"Where did you go?"
It was only when Kakashi checked into the office that Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart settled back into his chest, but even so, his attitude wasn't much better.
"Didn't go anywhere special. What's wrong?"
Kakashi sat in his seat with a calm expression, picked up a document from the desk, scanned it, and put it back.
"You..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to say something, but seeing Kakashi, who looked calm yet possessed a radiant glow between his brows, he seemed to realize something.
"I went to your house and couldn't find you. You... Well, I was young once too, but at a time like this, it's best not to be out and about."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Kakashi rolled his eyes. He had no interest in discussing this further, and besides...
Kakashi didn't believe for a second that a dirty old man like Hiruzen Sarutobi had been exclusively devoted to Biwako Sarutobi.
"When will the Raikage arrive?"
Kakashi brought up business.
"It should be soon, half an hour at most. However, the Raikage's situation is a bit unique; he only brought one medical-nin and a wounded person."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words made Kakashi narrow his eyes.
A medical-nin and a wounded person?
This reminded Kakashi of a plot point from the original series—one that lasted less than an episode but left a deep impression on him.
The Raikage, coveting the secret techniques of the Nokizaru Group, went to seize them. Unexpectedly, the village hired the so-called Nokizaru Group to block them, resulting in his subordinate being heavily injured. He had no choice but to seek Tsunade for treatment. Then Tsunade arm-wrestled the Raikage; if the Raikage won, she would treat the injury.
The Raikage ultimately used his speed to cheat and defeat Tsunade.
"In that case, I will go welcome this old rival of ours."
Kakashi stood up with a smile, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat uncertain.
He originally thought that, given Kakashi's personality, he wouldn't give the Raikage face at all. Who knew he would welcome him personally, just as he had the Kazekage and Tsuchikage?
The Raikage's arrival did not have a minor impact like the Wind and Earth Kages yesterday. In fact, on the road from the Konoha main gate to the Hokage Building, villagers packed both sides of the street until water couldn't leak through.
They all came to see the man defeated by Konoha three years ago.
The tall man, dressed in a white robe with dark skin and rippling muscles, chose to ignore these gazes. He simply calmly pulled a cart, walking toward the Konoha high-ranking officials waiting for him.
At the very front was the man he had hated to the bone three years ago.
But at this moment...
"Hokage, long time no see."
The Raikage spoke calmly, and at the same time, extended his hand toward the man before him.
Kakashi glanced at the man on the cart behind the Raikage, shook the Raikage's hand, and said:
"It has been three years. Lord Raikage has changed quite a bit."
Indeed, it was so.
At the very least, if it were him three years ago, he absolutely would not have been able to personally pull a cart with a wounded man and walk here so calmly.
Clearly, the crushing defeat in the war he instigated three years ago, along with the huge price subsequently paid by Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning, had caused his personality to become much more restrained.
Such an enemy is the most terrifying—one who can learn lessons from failure.
"Hmph. Congratulations on your wedding, Hokage. This is the gift I have prepared for you."
The Raikage didn't pay much mind to Kakashi's words; instead, he took a scroll from his chest and placed it in front of Kakashi.
"This is?"
Kakashi looked at the proffered scroll with some confusion.
"These are my father's insights on Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, as well as his experience with the Hell Stab."
The Raikage's words were astonishing, causing Kakashi to look at the Raikage before him in surprise, as if re-evaluating him.
The medical-nin behind the Raikage silently lowered his head upon hearing what was recorded in the scroll.
Not far away, the Kazekage and Tsuchikage, who were watching all this, looked at each other in dismay.
Since when was the Raikage on such good terms with the Hokage? To think he would give away such precious insights on secret techniques just for a wedding.
Meanwhile, holding the scroll in his hand, Kakashi frowned slightly and asked:
"What are your conditions?"
The Raikage turned sideways, pointed to the wounded man on the cart behind him, and said:
"This is a shinobi of my village, Amai."
"He is injured. No medical-nin in Kumogakure can cure him. I hope, Hokage, that you can have Tsunade treat him."
Seeing this, Kakashi nodded and ordered the subordinate beside him:
"Send him to the hospital immediately. Have Tsunade and Shizune personally take charge."
Since the Raikage was behaving this way, Kakashi naturally wouldn't act like a petty man.
"In that case, many thanks, Hokage."
Seeing this, the heavy stone in the Raikage's heart finally fell to the ground.
"Please."
"Please."
Seeing the Konoha personnel take Amai away, the Raikage said no more and entered the Hokage Building with Kakashi.
The exchange between Kakashi and the Raikage was quite brief, leaving the uninformed onlookers scratching their heads.
Since when was their Lord Hokage so easygoing with that Raikage?
After the Raikage arrived, Mei Terumī and Kisame Hoshigaki, representing the Mizukage, also arrived in Konoha.
Since the Mizukage did not come in person, Kakashi, as the Hokage, naturally did not need to welcome them personally.
Instead, they were welcomed by Shibi Aburame and Hiashi Hyūga, two elders of the Council.
With this, the Four Kage and the Mizukage's representatives had all arrived in Konoha.
The eyes of the ninja world were focused here.
Looking back over the years, even Hashirama Senju's wedding hadn't caused such a stir. This Fifth Hokage was truly exceeding expectations.
That very evening, Konoha arranged for a Ryotei to host the Wind, Earth, and Lightning Kage, as well as the Mizukage's representatives, who had traveled from afar.
A Ryotei is a designation for venues specializing in dinner parties between dignitaries; they are basically banquets where powerful figures discuss secret matters or where business and political leaders meet.
As the Hokage, Kakashi naturally had to make an appearance.
Otherwise, if he, the host, did not show up, it would inevitably give people something to gossip about.
"Everyone, you have traveled a long way specifically to attend my wedding. Thank you for your trouble."
Kakashi raised his wine glass, looked at the five people before him, and drained the glass in one go.
"Since Lord Hokage invited us, how could we not come?"
"On behalf of Lord Mizukage, I propose a toast to Lord Hokage."
The only woman present, a beautiful woman in a water-blue robe, raised her glass and also drank it in one go. Afterward, she wiped her luscious red lips and took an extra glance at Kakashi.
What an excellent man...
It's a pity he's getting married.
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