Kaika Saisei

Chapter 13: Enigmas

Today was going to be one of those full days. First, there was Ino and that special task he had to discuss with her about. Then, he finished the work with Anko and Yamato. He dismissed them and next on his order of tasks for the day was to call for Naruto.

Being his teacher for such a long time, Kakashi knew that Naruto was bound to be the next Hokage in line.

Honestly, if it wasn't for Naruto's inexperienced self in political and administrative affairs, Kakashi would've happily denied the request for him to be the next in line after Tsunade. However, certain sensitive matters made it impossible to do so.

But, for as much as Naruto was a powerhouse, a strong prerequisite for the Hokage position, he still missed the delicate knowledge and experience to deal with the intricacies of the political and administrative world, and what it truly meant to be a leader.

So then, when Tsunade stepped down and his turn to be the next Hokage came, he saw himself obligated to respond to the duty.

Not that he was a big fan of it, on the contrary.

He would've gladly dodged it the way he did after Pein attacked Konoha and Tsunade was in a coma. But that experience also taught him a great deal of things. One of which being how Konoha in itself can very much raise snakes at its bosom and be attacked from the inside, without even knowing it.

And going through so many of these situations in life, he saw it fit to take on that duty. After all, Konoha was his home and he wanted nothing but to protect it.

And he stood firm by it from the moment he joined the ranks of shinobi.

Plus, it was now a time of great instability in the world, as the one under their very eyes was going through a great change. And change brings with it instability. And instability can mean vulnerability.

Yes, the shinobi world had allied. Yes, there were talks that the Alliance they formed should be kept.

But Kakashi had been witness to enough battles to know that the enemy of my enemy is indeed my friend. But what happens when the common enemy is gone?

Human nature and its tendency to pursue strife was always a threat looming around in the shadows, even if in the light, progress toward peace was being made.

But peace...

Peace, while beautiful and calming as warm light that shines hope over the world, is as frail and delicate as a dove's feather.

And the crows of darkness feast on the doves of peace.

That is why maintaining peace is a continuous effort.

Peace needs a symbol.

Like a beacon that reminds everyone of it in the darkest of times.

And in the war that had just passed, that symbol, that beacon of light was none other than his former student, Naruto Uzumaki.

But while mature in battle strength, he was yet a child in political and administrative affairs.

And if he ever wanted to be Hokage, he had to be a complete shinobi. In body, mind, and soul.

A leader.

He already was in body and soul, as his cries for what appeared to be his enemies already moved the coldest of stoned hearts.

All he needed was to sharpen his mind like a blade when the fights of politics were involved.

And for that, Kakashi had a plan. A plan to turn the dust into gold.