善狐・ZENKO

３章・Chapter 3

"Just a moment before you head out," Hiruzen stopped you all in your tracks, "Kakashi, a word please."

"Of course," Kakashi nodded for you and his team to leave the room.

"And you all, if you'd please," Hiruzen nodded to his associates who responded in kind, shortly vacating the room but not before shooting a few curious looks at each other.

"What is it?" Kakashi prompted once the door had closed and it was only the two of them.

"Nothing major, I assure you. I just thought this conversation would be better in private." Hiruzen smiled good-naturedly, "I was just curious on how you are all getting along with your new addition."

"Ah, well," He scratched the back of his head, "I was actually wanting to consult with you about that... With all due respect my lord, having a member of that clan anywhere near Naruto is..."

"I understand your concerns all too well, Kakashi." Hiruzen raised a hand, "I, too, don't take any pleasure in indulging Lady Tamamo but she has successfully appealed to the council. And after mulling it over for a while, I've also come to the conclusion that this arrangement could prove fruitful for both Naruto and young Inarinomiya."

"Oh? Is that right?"

"You see, the success of this proposition hinges on the assumption that the perception of both the council and Lady Tamamo are correct. The council views Naruto and the Kyūbi as one and the same, while Lady Tamamo sees Naruto as its mindless puppet. They both fail to understand that Naruto is his own person with a special kind of power; to touch and connect the hearts of the people around him."

"He certainly has grown up with a certain kind of, um, gusto despite his upbringing." Kakashi mused.

"That is definitely one way of putting it," Hiruzen laughed, "Well, that's all I wanted from you. Best of luck with your team, Kakashi. And I apologise for giving you more work. I know you already have enough on your plate without the sudden appearance of a wild-card."

"Not at all, sir. Nothing I can't handle."

・☾・

"That was the worst! I can't believe that actually counts as a mission!" Naruto groaned as the five of you made your way out of the Shijimi estate.

A sorry sight to behold—the blonde had four long scratch marks running down the length of his face to which he attempted to nurse gingerly. He was also sopping wet from head to toe, a result of accidentally falling into one of the large tubs in the Shijimi manor's private bathhouse.

"And I can't believe you just stood there and watched!" He pointed a scornful finger at you.

"Hm?" You feigned ignorance, "That is what I've been assigned to do, though? I'm not permitted to interfere with your missions, did you forget?"

"Don't blame her, Naruto." Sakura sighed as she attempted to wring out the remaining drops of water from her hair. Although not as afflicted as Naruto, part of her hair and the front of her tunic had been stained wet. "You fell into that tub all on your own."

"Besides, if you had a better hold on that cat, you wouldn't have had to chase it all around the building." Sasuke drawled, taking off his soaked arm warmers.

"Yeah, Sasuke's right! So you have no right to complain!" Sakura chimed.

"Oh my. Teamwork's not looking too good right now." Kakashi commented behind the pages of his novel, sounding only mildly concerned.