IN NARUTO AS KURAMA

Kakashi stood motionless, watching the faint trail of smoke left behind by Shiro's abrupt departure. His mind churned with thoughts, his usual calm demeanor masking the storm within. Brushing off the dirt from his clothes, he began his steady walk toward the Hokage's office.

Inside the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzo stood opposite Sarutobi Hiruzen, his hand slamming on the desk with a resounding bang.

"What?! Hiruzen, you can't be serious! Canceling the surveillance on the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki?! Have you lost your mind? That child is the very foundation of the village's security!"

Hiruzen calmly puffed on his old pipe, the smoke curling around his weathered features. His voice remained measured. "Danzo, don't forget who the Hokage is. I make the decisions, and you are but an advisor. Do not overstep your bounds."

Danzo's face twisted in frustration, his fists clenching. "No one in their right mind would agree to this! The Nine-Tails' power is too dangerous to leave unchecked. I cannot allow this!"

Hiruzen's aura flared, and he stood abruptly, his voice sharp. "Enough, Danzo! I've tolerated your paranoia for years, but I won't have you interfering with this. Naruto is not a weapon—he's a child! If you act against my orders, I won't hesitate to remove you from power."

Danzo's face darkened, and he sneered. "You're blinded by sentiment, Sarutobi. This village will fall because of your weakness. Mark my words."

The tension in the room was palpable, both men locked in a battle of wills.

At that moment, a knock on the door broke the heavy silence.

"Hokage-sama, Hatake Kakashi requests an audience."

"Enter," Hiruzen said, his voice steady as he sat back down.

Kakashi Hatake strolled in, his ever-present mask hiding most of his expression. He placed a neatly folded letter on Hiruzen's desk without a word.

Hiruzen unfolded it, his brow furrowing as he read. "A transfer request? Kakashi, why do you want to leave the ANBU and personally oversee the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki?"

Danzo scoffed, his piercing gaze fixed on Kakashi. "This is absurd. Why would you, one of our most capable ANBU, make such a request?"

Kakashi's voice was quiet but firm. "I'm just a lonely man with little purpose beyond my work. If I can help guide the Jinchūriki, then perhaps I can make up for some of my past failures."

Hiruzen studied Kakashi carefully, his sharp eyes searching for hidden motives. Finally, he sighed and signed the letter. "Fine. But understand this, Kakashi: if anything happens to Naruto, the entire village will hold you accountable."

Kakashi nodded, his usual indifferent expression unchanged. "Understood."

He turned and walked out of the office, leaving Hiruzen and Danzo alone.

Danzo scowled. "You trust him with this? This is a grave mistake."

Hiruzen exhaled smoke, his eyes narrowing. "Kakashi has his reasons. And unlike you, Danzo, he hasn't forgotten the value of compassion. I suggest you stay in your lane."

Danzo glared but said nothing more, his lips pressed into a thin line. Without another word, he stormed out of the office.

As the door shut, Hiruzen called out, "Send someone to monitor Danzo. Keep it subtle. And place a single operative to keep an eye on Kakashi as well."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," came the response from the shadows.

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "Danzo, don't let me down…"

Later that night

Kakashi perched on a tree branch outside Naruto's apartment, his masked face hidden behind the pages of his beloved novel, Icha Icha Paradise. Through the window, he watched Naruto's small frame, sprawled on his bed in peaceful sleep.

"Sensei's kid… it's almost unfair how much he looks like Minato. Why didn't the Third ever tell me the truth? Tch. Genetics sure are something," Kakashi muttered, flipping a page absentmindedly.

Suddenly, Shiro's voice echoed in Kakashi's ear. "Enjoying yourself? Don't get too comfortable. Sarutobi sent another ANBU to watch over us. I'll deal with it."

Kakashi gave a lazy yawn, covering his face with the book. "Do your thing, boss."

Moments later, Shiro returned, holding an unconscious ANBU operative by the collar. Dropping the agent unceremoniously at Kakashi's feet, Shiro growled, "You better not actually be sleeping, or I'll make you regret it."

Kakashi sat up instantly, feigning alertness. "Of course not! Thanks for the hard work, boss." He began massaging Shiro's shoulders dramatically. "Let me help you relax."

Shiro eyed him suspiciously. "Why do I feel like you're up to something?"

Kakashi grinned behind his mask. "Oh, nothing much… but while you're here, any chance you've got some magical fox chakra to, you know, boost my stamina? My kidneys could use some help."

Shiro's eyes narrowed. "Weak kidneys, huh? Fine."

With a flick of his hand, a small orb of golden chakra materialized on Shiro's fingertips. "This chakra is for you alone. It's more potent than anything you've ever experienced. Use it wisely."

The orb entered Kakashi's body, sending a surge of energy through him. Kakashi shivered, his body momentarily glowing red before stabilizing.

Shiro smirked. "Now you're ready to protect Naruto. Don't mess this up."

Kakashi nodded, his tone serious. "I won't."

Shiro's expression turned grim. "I'll be training Naruto intensively soon. Hiruzen must not interfere. You'll need to cover for us. Understand?"

Kakashi gave a lazy salute. "Got it, boss. Consider it done."

Satisfied, Shiro vanished into the night, leaving Kakashi alone on the branch.

Flipping open his book again, Kakashi muttered, "Sensei, your son is something else. Guess I've got no choice but to stick around and see how this plays out."