Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Kakashi remained silent for a moment, then finally bowed slightly. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Without saying anything more, the struggle hidden in his heart was finally suppressed for the time being.

The third generation nodded, his gaze shifting to Qingwu, a hint of expectation in his eyes:

"During this time, please take good care of the Shadow Guard's daily training and attendant arrangements, and help Kakashi out, okay?"

Qingwu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "Yes, sir!"

He could vaguely sense the deeper meaning in the Third Generation's words. This was not a simple entrustment, but more like a test, a assessment of whether he could shoulder the responsibility.

"Go." The Third Hokage waved his hand, his fingertips lightly tapping the table.

Only after the three figures disappeared from the office doorway did he slowly light his pipe.

Amidst the rising smoke, he gazed out the window at the horizon where leaves lay, a hint of deep contemplation flashing in his eyes.

How could he not understand Kakashi's thoughts?

He saw clearly the struggle in that silence, the resentment and helplessness behind that resignation.

Those who don't know the inside story say that Kakashi Hatake is cold, decisive, and the Copy Ninja of Konoha, a Jonin who can stand alone.

But only the person who watched him grow up knew that this child had a lazy and carefree nature ingrained in his bones, and was never the type to carry responsibilities.

The reason he was put in charge of the Shadow Guard was because of his strength, character, and dedication to his teammates. The idea was to temper his temperament and give him a bond to rely on.

But now it seems that forcing him to stay as captain was ultimately not a good thing.

Kakashi's obsession had long become a shackle, and the serious injury of his teammates coincided with the rise of Qingwu. Under the double impact, the responsibility he was already barely able to bear was only making it harder for him to breathe.

If one's heart is not in it, no matter how capable one is, it will be difficult to accomplish anything, and it will only cause one to fall into the quagmire of self-doubt once again.

More importantly, after this incident, he suddenly felt that perhaps letting Kakashi leave the relatively dark Anbu was truly for the child's good.

The intrigue and secret missions of the Shadow Guard have worn away Kakashi's youthful arrogance over the years, leaving him constantly trapped in the shadow of Obito and Rin.

This child was originally supposed to be a free-spirited, genius ninja.

Instead of being bound by the rules of the Dark Division and the responsibilities of a captain, they were consumed by the scars in their hearts every day.

Only by leaving the Shadow Guard and the shadows of the Dark Division can this child truly breathe a sigh of relief, slowly untangle the knots in his heart, and find his own way of living.

...Thinking this through, the Third Generation suddenly understood.

He had always felt guilty towards Kakashi, and he also bore some responsibility for the death of the boy's father, Sakumo Hatake.

Therefore, he didn't want to see Kakashi carrying such a heavy burden more than anyone else.

I also hope that this talented ninja can grow and reach his expectations...

As for the selection of the Shadow Guard captain after Kakashi's departure... a hint of certainty flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes—Senju Seigo.

This extraordinary young man!

Now it actually possesses strength comparable to that of a tailed beast.

What's even more remarkable is that the child has a tender heart that protects his teammates; this strength and character are exactly what the Shadow Guard needs.

The Third Hokage already had someone in mind for the vacancy in the Shadow Guard.

All that's needed is to wait for the right opportunity...

……

The three members of the Shadow Guard walked out of the Hokage Building.

The autumn sun shone on them, but it couldn't dispel the melancholy in their hearts.

"Captain..." Tenzo wanted to ask something, but Kakashi stopped him by raising his hand.

He turned to look at Qingwu and said in a calm tone, "I'll leave the Shadow Guard to you during this time. Tianzang, take good care of your injuries. And please take good care of Xiyan as well."

Qingwu said directly, "I don't plan to stay in the village. I'll leave tomorrow."

Kakashi was taken aback: "Are you going to find Lady Tsunade? So soon?"

Qingwu nodded, "If Xiyan's injury is left untreated, who knows what might happen? I definitely have to leave."

Tenzo asked worriedly, "What about Lord Hokage...?"

He just returned and then left the village without permission; it might be difficult to explain that.

Kakashi said helplessly, "Go ahead, I'll explain the situation to the Hokage."

Taking the opportunity, Qingwu said with a smile, "Captain is the best. Don't have any thoughts of stepping down, okay?"

He knew that Kakashi eventually left the Anbu in the original story, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon.

Having spent so much time together, the group had long since forged a bond that few others could match.

As for Kakashi's inner conflict, he also has some thoughts of his own.

"Captain, I'll take you somewhere."

"Hmm?" A hint of doubt flashed in Kakashi's eyes. "Where to?"

Qingwu smiled, but didn't say anything directly. He just turned around and raised his chin in the direction of the village: "You'll know when we get there. Just follow me."

He planned to take Kakashi to see Naruto.

Naruto is only three years old. As the protagonist of the original work, he is still being taken care of by someone entrusted by the Third Hokage and has not yet lived on his own.

Qingwu had "accidentally" seen the child once; the child had blond hair exactly like the Fourth Hokage.

Sitting on the doorstep, he grinned at passersby, his eyes shining with a light brighter than the autumn sun...

Chapter 134 Naruto and Kakashi

Qingwu always felt that the gloom in Kakashi's heart might be slightly illuminated by the light of that three-year-old child.

I didn't preach any grand principles; I just wanted Kakashi to see that even with all the loss and regret in the world, there is still vibrant warmth.

Kakashi watched Qingwu's resolute back, remained silent for a moment, and finally lifted his foot and gently followed.

Seeing this, Tianzang quickly followed, but he was still full of doubts, wondering what kind of person Qingwu was going to take them to see.

The three figures gradually turned into the alleys of Konoha.

The autumn sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees along the alley, casting dappled shadows on the stone pavement, intertwined and entwined, much like the unbreakable bond between them.

"This is it." Qingwu stopped and pointed to a small courtyard not far away.

This place is hard to find. He tried to find Naruto based on the scenes in the original work, but couldn't. Later, after observing and inquiring from various sources, he finally met the young Naruto once.

Kakashi looked in the direction he was pointing, his eyes filled with even more confusion: "Where is this...?"

"Take off your mask, don't scare people." Qingwu smiled as she put away her mask.

Scary? Kakashi and Tenzo exchanged a glance, even more curious about who they were about to meet.

However, she still listened to Qingwu and took off her mask along with him.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a small figure stumbled out.

It was a child with dazzling blond hair, the soft strands of which were slightly lifted by the wind.

Kakashi looked over and noticed a familiar outline in the child's features.

The child was wearing a slightly oversized beige jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms.

Clutching a nearly melted lollipop in her hand, with sweet candy stains still on the corners of her mouth, and a bright, unreserved smile on her face.

It's Naruto!

A maternal smile appeared in Qingwu's eyes.

After Naruto ran out, he didn't notice the three people not far away. He was only focused on chasing a butterfly that flew by. His small footsteps made a soft "tap-tap" sound on the stone pavement.

She was still babbling to herself, "Butterfly, wait for me..."

Kakashi abruptly stopped, his pupils contracted slightly, and his aura instantly darkened.

He stared intently at the small figure, the wisps of hair on his forehead swaying slightly.

A complex and difficult-to-discern emotion surged in her veiled eyes—surprise, bewilderment, and a touch of unspeakable bitterness that had been unexpectedly stirred up.

"Did you recognize him, Captain?" Qingwu asked softly.

I recognized him...

This child... is the teacher's child.

Kakashi never expected that the person Qingwu brought him to see was actually the orphan of his teacher, Minato Namikaze.

Back then, his teacher and his wife Kushina sacrificed themselves, and he knew that he was leaving behind a child, but at that time he himself was trapped in a cold and lonely dead end.

I never imagined that the teacher's child would grow up to be so big, so thin, and so... lonely!

Tenzo didn't recognize Naruto; he just looked curiously at the captain's extreme reaction.

Qingwu didn't speak either, quietly watching the scene before him, then his gaze fell on Kakashi, observing the captain's expression.

He didn't expect to be able to resolve Kakashi's inner conflict immediately.

I just wanted the captain to see this child, who was wronged by fate but still lived a vibrant life, to see the purest light in the world, untouched by gloom.

Naruto chased the butterfly for a few steps before finally noticing the three people not far away.

She stopped walking, tilted her little head, blinked her clear blue eyes, and curiously looked at them.

He didn't seem shy at all; instead, he grinned, revealing two tiny baby teeth, and waved his little hands at us, asking, "Big brothers, who are you?"

Kakashi didn't respond, remaining frozen in place, his fingertips slightly curled, the bitterness in his heart growing stronger.

He looked into Naruto's clear, innocent eyes, eyes that were exactly like his teacher Minato Namikaze's, and images from back then flashed through his mind...

...The teacher smiled and patted his shoulder, teaching him ninjutsu;

...His teacher's wife, Kushina, gently handed him some snacks;

...And Obito and Rin, the way they laughed and joked together on the training field.

Those long-forgotten, untouchable memories were gently torn open by the smile of this three-year-old child.

Kakashi suddenly remembered that his teacher had once touched his head and told him to protect Konoha and the people around him.