My name is Uchiha Touhuan, and I beat the villagers so badly they cried out in pain.

The door to the Hokage's office was violently pushed open, and Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado walked into the Hokage's office with angry expressions.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly gathered up the documents on the table.

When the two advisors entered and saw Uchiha Touhuan present, they immediately angrily demanded, "Uchiha Touhuan, why did only Itsuki and Hayabusa not return from this mission?"

Uchiha Touhuan glanced back at the two old men and said calmly, "Isn't it normal for ninjas to die while on a mission?"

"I think you're just taking revenge for personal reasons!" Koharu Utatane was rather emotional. After all, her clan lost a Jonin during this mission. Although her clan had developed very rapidly in recent years thanks to the Third Hokage, a Jonin wasn't someone you could just train. Moreover, in this mission, only ninjas from the Utatane and Mitokado clans died, while the two weakest civilians were unharmed. It was hard not to suspect that Tohkaru Uchiha was behind it all, since they had done similar things before.

"My mission report clearly states that when we encountered Orochimaru, we were ambushed by a large-scale ninjutsu attack. The two of them were killed because they couldn't retreat in time," Kakashi said at this point. "As for personal revenge, that's utter nonsense. Our entire team got along very well during the mission, and all of us deeply regret their sacrifice."

Uchiha Douhuan glanced at Kakashi expressionlessly. Kakashi's progress was indeed very rapid. He had already mastered the basic skills of playing politics and was telling lies with his eyes open.

"Kakashi, you..." Koharu Utatane was also surprised that Kakashi would show up at this time, and was speechless for a moment.

Uchiha Touhuan then spoke up, "The two advisors are really well-informed. We returned to the village to report less than half an hour ago, and the two advisors have already come to our door."

Uchiha Dohuan didn't finish his words, and the rest could be left to Sarutobi Hiruzen to savor.

"Enough!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the table. "Haru, Homura, you two have barged into the Hokage's office without permission! You've gone too far!"

"Hiruzen?" Mitokado Homura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in disbelief.

"It seems that Lord Hokage has other matters to attend to. In that case, I will take my leave. However, I would appreciate it if Lord Hokage would consider my suggestion carefully. If Lord Hokage has any concerns, the Security Department can take full responsibility for this matter." Seeing that the time was right, Uchiha Touhuan bowed and took his leave.

After Uchiha Touhuan left, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at the two advisors and said, "What are you two still doing here? Get out of here."

"Hiruzen..." Koharu Utatane wanted to say something more, but Homura Mitokado tugged at her sleeve. Seeing this, Koharu Utatane could only leave the Hokage's office with him somewhat unwillingly.

Kakashi was now alone in the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe, looked up, and asked, "Kakashi, is there anything else?"

Upon hearing this, Kakashi bowed respectfully and then solemnly said, "Hokage-sama, I wish to resign from my position in the Anbu."

Kakashi's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi frown, and he asked, "Why would you suddenly have such a thought, Kakashi?"

Kakashi lowered his head and took a deep breath: "I've just been feeling a bit too tired lately."

The two fell silent for a moment. After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, "So, what are your plans after that?"

"I guess I'll just go on missions like a regular ninja," Kakashi said. "And then, I'll make up for all the people I've neglected all these years while I was wallowing in grief."

"Is that so?" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "It seems you've moved on from the pain of those years?"

"Also, I'd like to apply to take care of Naruto." Kakashi tried his best to keep his voice completely emotionless.

Kakashi's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpen, and the room fell silent once again.

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Kakashi, you should understand Naruto's identity, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a hint of warning; Kakashi's attempt to contact a Jinchūriki had undoubtedly crossed a line.

"I understand." Kakashi raised his head, looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and said with unwavering determination, "But he is also my teacher's son."

Kakashi's insistence left Hiruzen Sarutobi speechless. If it were anyone else making this request, the Third Hokage would probably have already turned against him. But Kakashi's request was flawless from every angle. As the Fourth Hokage's only surviving disciple, Kakashi had a duty to take care of the Fourth Hokage's orphans, and he couldn't find any reason to object.

Furthermore, if he strongly opposed it, Kakashi would probably become completely estranged from him.

After finishing his cigarette, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed heavily: "Alright, I originally planned for you to be the team leader after Naruto graduated, but since you've brought it up now, then Naruto is in your hands."

"Thank you." Seeing that the Third Hokage had relented, Kakashi finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

"Kakashi, after you leave the Anbu, take a position in the Jonin team. The village still needs you for the time being," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

"I will obey the Hokage's orders," Kakashi nodded.

……

After Uchiha Touhuan returned home, his butler, Uchiha Keiko, had already thoughtfully prepared hot water for him to take a bath.

After taking a bath, Uchiha Touhuan lit incense in his room and began to treat Jiraiya's health.

Not long after, Uchiha Keiko knocked on the door and said, "Clan Chief, Elder Fugaku has come to visit."

"Please invite him in and prepare the tea set for me."

"Yes." Uchiha Keiko accepted the order and left.

A moment later, in the reception room of Uchiha Touhuan's residence, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Touhuan knelt down and watched Uchiha Touhuan fiddling with the tea set.

"Elder Fugaku, please." Uchiha Touhuan offered a cup of tea.

As expected of an elite who received a prestigious education from a young age, Fugaku's manners were impeccable, unlike Kakashi's nonchalant attitude. After completing a full set of tea ceremony etiquette, Fugaku put down his teacup and said, "I didn't expect you, Tohwan, to have such skills."

"Elder Fugaku, you flatter me. I was just thinking about it casually when I was alone," Uchiha Touken said with a smile. "Elder Fugaku, what brings you here so late at night?"

"How did the mission go?" Fugaku Uchiha asked.

"It went fairly smoothly," Uchiha Touhuan said. "Although we failed to capture Orochimaru, we gained some important information, and more importantly, all the clan members returned safely."