The Pressure Increases
Kakashi glanced over the edge of his book as Minato collapsed onto the couch next to him. A sigh escaped the blonde’s lips as he tilted his head back. Slowly, Kakashi closed his book and let it rest on his lap. "Was your first day as Hokage tiring?" he asked with a mischievous tone.
Minato turned his head toward Kakashi. "Don't be cheeky," he warned with a wink before returning his gaze to the ceiling. "But yes, it was quite exhausting. There’s a lot to organize."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. Maybe now he could find out what Minato was planning and what Danzo wanted to prevent at all costs. "What exactly needs to be organized?”
"The clan leaders want to see and talk to me," Minato began with a tired voice. "There’s a lot of paperwork to go through before I can dive into the details. Besides the usual tasks, I’m planning some changes.”
Kakashi lowered his gaze to his book. "What kind of changes are you planning?" he asked curiously.
Minato lifted his head and looked directly at Kakashi. "Since when are you interested in my work?”
"Since I realized how quickly everything can end," Kakashi replied, clutching his book a little tighter. He didn’t know exactly why he said that, but ever since his conversation with Danzo, he felt the growing pressure. He still didn’t know how to stop the elder, and that made him nervous.
Minato’s expression softened. "You still don’t want to talk about it?"
Kakashi shot a fleeting glance at Minato and shook his head. "There’s nothing to discuss.”
Minato frowned and lowered his gaze to the floor before him. "I know something is there, and I’ll always be here for you when you’re ready," he offered, before leaning back again. "But to answer your question: I want to protect the children of the village. There will be a minimum age for graduating from the academy. For particularly talented children, there will be a special support program. I’ll also introduce an age limit for the Anbu.”
Kakashi looked up and stared directly at Minato. "You don’t want my story to repeat itself," he stated quietly.
Minato smiled gently and nodded understandingly. "I should have known you’d figure it out. You’re right, I don’t want to send any more children to war.”
Kakashi smiled slightly and shook his head, deciding to drop the subject. "How did Danzo react to your appointment, by the way?" he asked instead.
Minato raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Why are you thinking about him?" Kakashi shrugged in response and looked at Minato expectantly. The latter continued, "Well, he wasn’t thrilled about my appointment. But don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
"What are you planning?" Kakashi asked.
Minato put an arm around Kakashi and pulled the surprised silver-haired ninja close. "That’s nothing for you to worry about," he said reassuringly. "I’ve got it under control.”
Kakashi rolled his eyes and stood up to escape Minato’s grip. Then he turned to face him. "I want to help!" he said determinedly.
With a gentle smile, Minato stood up and placed a hand on Kakashi’s shoulder. "That’s not something you need to burden yourself with." He stretched once and then turned away. "I’m going to freshen up and then prepare dinner. Do you have any requests?”
"No, no requests," Kakashi replied, biting his lower lip as he watched Minato leave the living room.
**********
After dinner, Kakashi went to the memorial stone to find some peace and quiet. He needed to think carefully about how to proceed. Minato seemed determined to keep him out of everything. Kakashi considered whether it would be better to confide in Minato. But he had vowed to solve the problem himself; now he couldn't back out.
Kakashi knew he had to wait for the right moment to catch Danzo alone. A direct fight might be one way. Of course, he couldn't underestimate Danzo, but Kakashi was confident he could manage. The biggest problem was Danzo's Anbu. They would never leave Danzo alone, and he had little chance against all of them.
However, Kakashi was aware of the consequences of killing Danzo. There was no proof that he had been threatened or what Danzo was planning. Such a move would be treason, and even Minato couldn't protect him from that. The village elders would pressure Minato, and he would have no choice but to punish Kakashi. But Kakashi was ready to take that risk. The question was whether Minato would still have the chance to prove himself.
A flicker of chakra behind him made Kakashi look up, alarmed. With a grim look, he turned and saw two Root agents standing behind him. "Master Danzo wishes to speak with you," one of them announced.
Kakashi smiled under his mask and turned his gaze back to the memorial stone. "What if I don't come along?" he asked coolly. "After all, he wants something from me. He can come to me."
"If necessary, we will bring you to him. You should cooperate," one of the Root agents warned menacingly. Slowly, Kakashi turned to face them and pulled his hitai-ate from his left eye. The Root agents immediately assumed fighting stances and drew their kunai. "You'd better stop that, Kakashi!"
Kakashi took a step closer, his face calm but his eyes sparkling with determination. "What else?" Lightning flickered around his fingers as the tension in the air became palpable. "You don't know who you're trusting." The lightning disappeared, and he pulled his hitai-ate back over his Sharingan. "Don't worry, I’ll come along willingly," he declared, walking past them. Kakashi wanted to show them that he was not their mindless puppet.
The Root agents exchanged a quick glance before relaxing and silently disappearing. Kakashi knew they were keeping an eye on him as he continued on his way. It would have been unwise to oppose them, though he would have loved to unleash his anger. They were also just Danzo's puppets, trained to follow his orders unconditionally. But unlike Kakashi, they would never betray their master. Danzo had conditioned them too well for that.
**********
Kakashi stood in Danzo’s hideout, hands buried in his pockets, leaning casually against the wall as he waited for Danzo to arrive. Around him stood several Root agents, likely informed about the recent events by those who had brought him here. The tension in the room was palpable, everyone on high alert.
It didn’t take long for the door to open and Danzo to enter. His expression remained as cold as ever as the door closed behind him, and he looked at Kakashi. After a moment of silence, Danzo spoke. "I’ve heard about what just happened. I thought we had an agreement?"
Kakashi shot Danzo a sharp look. "You were the one who made an agreement!" he countered decisively.
Danzo grinned wickedly. "Be that as it may, I don’t want to hear about such incidents in the future! You will regret it," he warned, straightening up. "But let’s get to my point. I am dissatisfied with your performance. Minato is Hokage, and you have done nothing!"
"He wouldn’t be persuaded," Kakashi replied with a shrug. "But I’m working on it."
In the next moment, Kakashi was grabbed by two Anbu and brutally slammed against the wall. One Anbu pressed his arm against Kakashi’s throat, cutting off his air. Kakashi gasped for breath and gripped the arm with both hands while glaring at Danzo. "Stop lying!" Danzo shouted. "I told you I’d be watching you! You’ve done nothing!"
Danzo stepped closer to Kakashi. "Do you really want to test me?" he began quietly. "Naruto is being looked after by a babysitter while Minato is in the office. It would be a shame if there were to be an 'accident.'"
Kakashi lunged at Danzo and glared at him fiercely. Lightning flickered around his fingers, even though he knew his chakra was being suppressed. "Keep your hands off Naruto!" he forced out. "You’ll regret it if you so much as harm a hair on his head!"
Danzo raised his hand, and the grip on Kakashi’s throat tightened, cutting off more of his air. Kakashi kept a determined gaze on Danzo as his vision began to blur. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, Danzo’s hand lowered, and the Anbu agents released Kakashi. He fell to his knees and immediately gasped for air.
Kakashi struggled to his feet, wheezing and rubbing his aching throat. His gaze remained fixed on Danzo. "You can do whatever you want to me, but leave Naruto out of this. I will complete my mission," he assured resolutely.
Danzo looked at Kakashi in silence for a moment before turning away. "I hope for your sake that you do. I don’t like being deceived. Consider this punishment for failing to achieve anything and for defying me earlier," he said coolly. He took a few steps towards the door, then turned once more before leaving the room. "Next time, you won’t get off so easily! Don’t think anyone is untouchable." With those words, he dropped a toy figure in front of Kakashi and left the room.
Kakashi’s eye widened as he saw the toy. It belonged to Naruto, and they had lost it a few days ago at the playground. Minato had insisted on going there together. When they couldn’t find it, they assumed another child had accidentally taken it.
Slowly, Kakashi bent down and picked up the toy, gripping it tightly in his hands as he stared at the door. He realized he couldn’t waste any time. Kakashi needed to come up with a plan quickly.