Kakashi was reading the evidence of Chiba's House crimes.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi continuously observed Kakashi's eyes.

Kakashi's pupils had constricted to their limit, and his hands trembled slightly, a look of disbelief on his face.

“Impossible, this is absolutely impossible! My teacher would never do such a thing!”

Kakashi kept denying it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, reaching a conclusion in his heart: it seemed Kakashi truly didn't know about these matters.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, “Kakashi, I know this is hard to believe. Not just for you, but even for me, it was incredibly hard to believe when I found out that Chiba, who made such significant contributions to Konoha, would commit such heinous acts.

However, the facts are laid bare; whether you believe it or not, you must. I don't doubt Chiba's House loyalty to Konoha when he fought for it before, but now… alas…

It's also my fault for not teaching well. Chiba's House teacher is Orochimaru, and Orochimaru has completely fallen into darkness. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Chiba became this extreme, cruel, and ruthless person.

This is Orochimaru's criminal evidence; you should take a look too. Chiba and Orochimaru are deeply intertwined, cooperating with each other and conducting all sorts of inhumane experiments.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi then produced Orochimaru’s criminal evidence and pushed it towards Kakashi.

Kakashi immediately picked up Orochimaru's evidence and began to read.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, “I didn't educate Orochimaru well, and Orochimaru didn't educate Chiba well. I don't want you, Kakashi, to become like Chiba and Orochimaru, so it's not too late now. Kakashi, I hope you can stop before it's too late, wake up soon, and don't sink deeper.”

Kakashi trembled slightly, unable to utter a single word.

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, “However, regarding this evidence, I don't intend to hold Chiba and Orochimaru accountable.”

Kakashi looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a bewildered expression.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said bitterly, “Kakashi, you also know Konoha's current situation. If the matters concerning Chiba and Orochimaru were exposed, it would be a severe blow to our Konoha. Therefore, I want to give them another chance.

Next, I will subtly hint to Chiba and Orochimaru. As long as they don't commit any more offenses, I will not pursue the matter further.

Doing this is not only for Konoha but also for you, Kakashi. I don't want to make things difficult for you, and I hope Chiba and Orochimaru can continue to be loyal to Konoha and serve Konoha.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi once again invited Kakashi, “So, Kakashi, I hope you can join Anbu and become my direct subordinate. What is your choice?”

Kakashi remained silent for a long time, then looked at Hokage-sama with lifeless right eye and said, “Hokage-sama… my mind is very confused right now. Can you give me a few days to think about it?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, “I know this news is hard for you to digest all at once. If that's the case, then go back and think about it carefully. Come find me when you've made up your mind. I'll wait for you, Kakashi.”

Kakashi left the Hokage's Office in a daze.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's benevolent expression gradually disappeared, his eyes becoming profound. He tapped on the desk, and two Anbu appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi, kneeling on one knee.

“Qing, Rinkaku, from today onwards, you two will track and monitor Kakashi 24 hours a day. All of Kakashi's movements must be reported to me immediately.”

“Yes!”

The two Anbu Ninja instantly vanished from their spot.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't quite believe Kakashi's performance was feigned, for caution's sake, he still had the Anbu Ninja monitor Kakashi.

If Kakashi, upon leaving, immediately went to Chiba's House place, then everything Kakashi did just now was an act for him.

However, even if Kakashi was acting, and Kakashi intended to tell Chiba what he and Kakashi discussed, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not worried.

After all, he just said that he intended to let this matter go.

With Chiba's House and Orochimaru's intelligence, assessing Konoha's current situation, they would be able to guess that what he said was true.

If Kakashi wasn't acting, then that would be even better.

Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured faintly, “Don't disappoint me, Kakashi.”

...

Kakashi, who had left the Hokage Building, shed his previous expression of disbelief and shock.

Kakashi's eyes were incredibly cold.

What Chiba and Orochimaru did had never been hidden from him.

Therefore, he knew everything about Chiba and Orochimaru's affairs perfectly well.

Kakashi, who had once emerged from the shadows with Chiba's House help and harbored extreme hatred for Konoha, had been taught by Chiba.

‘When you lack strength, you must learn to hide, to act. Don't let others see your hatred for Konoha. Make them believe you love Konoha, so you can steadily improve your strength until you grow to a point where you no longer need to hide, no longer need to act.’

Having followed Chiba across multiple battlefields, there were times when Chiba would have Kakashi disguise himself as others to infiltrate enemy lines and gather intelligence. During those times, Kakashi had long since honed his acting skills.

During his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi just now, what angered Kakashi the most was that Hiruzen Sarutobi actually had the nerve to use Sakumo Hatake to persuade him.

Clearly… clearly his father was betrayed by them, and they denied his father's Will of Fire, which he loved and fought for his entire life!

Kakashi took a deep breath, calmed himself, then sensed his surroundings. He immediately detected Qing and Rinkaku, who were tracking him.

Kakashi sneered inwardly.

As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi still didn't completely trust him.

But it was normal; it would be strange if he trusted him just like that.

A hint of mockery flashed in Kakashi's eyes.

Since he wanted to turn him, then let's see. If he dared to use him, he would have to pay the price.

Kakashi did not go to Chiba's House house, nor did he return to his own home, but instead headed into the forest.

Kakashi, seemingly venting, drew his Ninja Sword and began to destroy his surroundings.

Meanwhile, Qing and Rinkaku continuously monitored Kakashi.

However, in a blind spot that Qing and Rinkaku hadn't discovered.

Kakashi formed the Shadow Clone hand sign.

Kakashi's Shadow Clone used the Transformation Technique to transform into a snake and slithered towards Chiba's House house.

Inside Chiba's House house.

Uzumaki Kushina had already fallen asleep, but Chiba was not sleeping. He sat on the sofa in the living room, waiting for something.

Kakashi's Shadow Clone, transformed into a snake, slithered to Chiba's House doorstep.

Kakashi's Shadow Clone dispelled the Transformation Technique.

Before Kakashi's Shadow Clone could knock, Chiba had already opened the door: “I've been waiting for you for a long time. Come in quickly.”

Chiba and Kakashi's Shadow Clone sat on the sofa.

Chiba looked at Kakashi's Shadow Clone and said with a smile, “Since your Shadow Clone came to find me, that means Hiruzen Sarutobi has started monitoring you, right?”