"Why would you even think of something like that?" Kakashi shot Garou a sharp, almost alarmed glance.
Danzo.
That name alone was enough to send warning bells clanging in his head.
'Could it be… that Danzo had already reached out to Garou?'
It made sense.
With talent like Garou's shining so brightly in the Hidden Leaf, it was impossible for someone like Danzo to ignore him. That old snake had always kept his eyes on potential weapons for the village, and for himself.
Kakashi immediately went stern. "Listen to me. That man is not someone you can trust. Don't let yourself be taken in by his words."
"Ack, wait, Sensei, you misunderstood," Garou quickly waved his hands. "I wasn't talking about working with Danzo. I meant… what if we let Danzo 'take' the ninja tools? Publicly, at least. We quietly research them on the side."
His voice was low, his tone measured.
Kakashi's expression shifted. His thoughts raced.
He caught on quickly to Garou's suggestion, but even so, there were risks.
Danzo represented the village's shadow, yes. But if he held the tools, it wouldn't be much different from the village itself holding them. What was the point in pretending?
That was Kakashi's first instinct.
Then he paused, thinking deeper.
'No, he has a point.'
They weren't planning to keep the tools indefinitely, just long enough to study them.
The Artisan Village had no real leg to stand on after this incident. They wouldn't dare press the issue.
This would give everyone a way to back down gracefully. The Artisan Village could raise a fuss, but they'd be arguing against Danzo.
And Danzo's reputation?
He had no good reputation to lose.
Kakashi scratched his head and sighed. "Alright. I'll talk to the Hokage about it. But you, stop coming up with shady ideas like this."
"It's just strategy," Garou said coolly. "And this time, we actually have the moral high ground."
Kakashi nodded slightly.
As a former Anbu captain, he understood the necessity of operating in the gray. Not everything in a ninja's life was clean or simple.
And the longer they kept the tools, the more Konoha stood to gain.
This was, undeniably, a rare opportunity.
After hearing Garou's plan, Kakashi, Tenten, and Kasumi all felt their urgency spike. They wanted to get back to the village as soon as possible.
Kasumi, for her part, didn't care much for ninja tools, but she did want to resume her kenjutsu training. The sooner they got home, the better.
The four of them popped military ration pills and resumed their sprint toward Konoha. By dusk, they arrived at the village and went straight to the Hokage's office.
Kakashi gave a concise report first, walking the Third through the major events of their mission.
He was about to suggest letting the younger ones leave so he could speak in private, but Garou stepped forward, clearly with something to say.
"Lord Hokage, you haven't used the chakra steel you promised me last time, have you?"
The Third let out a long, tired sigh. "No, I haven't."
"Then don't. Not yet," Garou said, grinning. "If our research pans out, I'll need that chakra steel for testing."
The Third couldn't help but chuckle and waved them off. "Alright, go on. I have something to discuss with Kakashi."
Garou left the room with the others.
But as soon as they exited the building, he felt his right arm suddenly hugged tight.
"Tenten?" he blinked.
"Garou~" she said in a tone full of playful pleading, "Since you're getting chakra steel… Could I test it? Just a little? Please?"
Kasumi flushed red on the spot.
Tenten is being way too bold! And really? Asking to test chakra steel like it's nothing?
"You can," Garou said, not missing a beat. "But I'm going to forge a custom blade and a wire that can conduct chakra. Until then, you'd better study hard and hone your designs."
"Really?! I promise I'll do my best!" Tenten practically sparkled with excitement.
It might be the only time in her life she had access to something this rare. The thought that Garou trusted her with it left her overwhelmed, and a little hesitant.
"Actually… maybe I shouldn't. I mean, chakra steel is super valuable. What if I mess it up?"
"Don't worry," Garou said. "If you're scared of failing, all the more reason to push yourself. That's how you grow."
"…You're right!"
Tenten nodded with fierce determination.
She wasn't planning to rest. Not until she had cracked the secrets of those ninja tools.
Kasumi hesitated before speaking. "But… that's still chakra steel we're talking about."
"If it helps her become a master weaponsmith, what's a little chakra steel?" Garou replied casually. "Tenten has the talent. It's my job to support that."
He stretched and yawned. "C'mon. Let's get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."
'For you, maybe…' Kasumi thought, silently amused.
It was obvious now.
Garou wasn't just some normal genin like them. The Third had practically structured their team around him. Even brought in Kakashi Hatake.
The Copy Ninja.
Her thoughts drifted to Yuichi, and she giggled.
"What's so funny?" Garou asked.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking… if you and Kakashi-sensei both copy other people's techniques, maybe someday the name 'Copy Ninja' will belong to you."
"Doubtful," Garou smirked.
Copying was the lowest form of growth. The real art was taking what others did, understanding it, and making it your own.
That was mastery.
At the steps of the Hokage Office, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
—
Inside the office, the Third Hokage watched them go through the window. He took a deep drag of his pipe before exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"…The Four Celestial Symbols Men? Who's holding their tools?"
"Tenten," Kakashi answered. "She's interested in ninja tools and shows real promise in that field."
He went on to describe her notebook, the one where she recorded her ideas and experiments. Though it was modeled after Garou's style, its contents were wholly her own.
Her natural flair couldn't be denied.
The Third listened quietly.
Then Kakashi relayed "his" idea, really Garou's, about using Danzo to buy time for their research.
After hearing it, the Third chuckled and shook his head. "Kakashi… that idea wasn't yours, was it?"
"…Cough."
Kakashi gave a small, sheepish cough. "No matter who suggested it, it benefits the village."
"The Four Celestial Symbols Men did attack a Konoha team. They tried to stir up conflict between the Fire and Iron countries."
"If you hadn't noticed their trap, and if it had been another team… they wouldn't have made it back."
The Hokage nodded gravely.
"It's true."
Kakashi didn't downplay it. That much, at least, was a fact.
The Kiyotani Clan and the Four Celestial Symbols Men had set a trap, and the only reason it failed was because of how carefully Kakashi and Garou had dismantled their plan.
A normal team would've been slaughtered.
"The Artisan Village is at fault here. I'm not afraid of them. What concerns me… are the other Hidden Villages."
The Third's voice dropped in tone.
Everyone had wanted the Four Tools at some point. The only reason no one had made a move was fear, fear of sparking a major war.
This could be the bait that sets everything off.
"Sarutobi," a rough voice spoke from the doorway. "That boy's idea isn't bad at all."
Danzo entered the room, his steps slow but firm.
"We were the ones attacked. We are the victims here. What are you so worried about? Worst-case scenario, we just drag things out long enough to study the tools properly."
"Backing down now won't help anyone."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
The Third took a long drag from his pipe, letting the smoke cloud his expression.
He waved his hand.
Kakashi understood. It was time for him to leave.
What came next… was between Hiruzen and Danzo.
______________________
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