Naruto: Wait, I'm Not Kakashi the Fifty-Fifty!

Chapter 16: The Sieve and the Spycraft

Infiltrating spies, incited civilians—Ever since the death of Tobirama Senju, the seemingly impregnable defense system of Konohagakure has begun to reveal countless glaring weaknesses. This wasn't merely due to the cunning strategies of rival villages, but also the result of the utter ineptitude of Hiruzen Sarutobi's leadership.

Compared to the Second Hokage, who had founded numerous institutions and implemented strategies that were both visionary and practical, the so-called "Konoha F4" led by Sarutobi lacked not only power but also foresight, courage, and tactical acumen—qualities any true leader should possess.

Take the Uchiha problem, for example.

Tobirama didn't just suppress their rebellions with ease—he even co-opted them by creating the Police Force, a clever political trap they walked right into. And with Uchiha Kagami as the linchpin, he managed to pivot the entire clan into a controllable asset. Whether Tobirama's ethics were questionable is another debate, but as a leader? Among the five great ninja villages, none could rival him.

Sarutobi and Danzo, in contrast, inherited the so-called "Will of Fire," but couldn't even wield a fraction of their predecessor's ability.

When it came to the Uchiha, they relied solely on suspicion and oppression, escalating tensions and internal divisions while exhausting Konoha's strength to no benefit.

With the Third Shinobi War looming on the horizon, the village's internal security was riddled with holes—and the rift between the Uchiha and Sarutobi's administration was the key reason why. The leadership didn't trust the Uchiha Police Force, yet still assigned ANBU to monitor them.

What kind of farce was this?

It's no wonder the Uchiha eventually rebelled. That catastrophe was as much their fault as it was the village's.

Kakashi had suspected this for a while, but after entering the ANBU, the truth became increasingly obvious.

The existence of Root as an independent faction, the endless back-and-forth of indecisive orders—

All of it perfectly encapsulated Sarutobi's governing style.

Kakashi had studied the man's history thoroughly. In his youth, Sarutobi was undeniably exceptional—a prodigy deserving of Tobirama's praise, and a key figure who stabilized Konoha after his master's death. He had earned the title of the "Professor."

But after fifty?

He fell apart.

The clearest turning point was the death of Kakashi's own father, Sakumo Hatake.

From then on, Sarutobi stopped leading Konoha to its peak and instead began dragging it into decline.

And so, Kakashi made up his mind.

He would not walk that same predetermined path again.

The title of Sixth Hokage?

Hah. A hollow gesture, a hand-me-down honor.

He wanted no part of it.

If he was going to climb to the top, it would be on his own terms.

Back at the ANBU base, Kakashi handed off the unconscious man he'd captured to the interrogation unit. As the operative took the suspect away, Kakashi's eyes flickered with a faint, unreadable emotion.

Strength.

That was what he needed first and foremost.

Only strength grants freedom.

---

"Yo, Shadow, Foxhound—back already?"

Their captain, Black Hawk, returned just then, dragging along his own unconscious prisoner—a middle-aged man clearly identified as a ninja, unlike the civilian decoy Kakashi had brought in.

"He slipped up during the hand-off. Otherwise, we might never have tracked him down," Black Hawk explained.

Foxhound stepped forward. "Captain! The one Shadow captured earlier is likely just a decoy, but your guy—he might be the real target. Any idea which village he's from?"

"Hmm, valuable catch for sure. Based on initial signs, probably from Sunagakure. Still needs to be confirmed, though."

"Sunagakure? Hah, I thought it'd be the Cloud or Mist. Figures it's just those sneaky scavengers," Foxhound sneered.

In truth, over the past two great shinobi wars and a litany of small-scale skirmishes, Sunagakure had repeatedly embarrassed itself, rarely scoring a proper victory—especially not against Konoha.

Most Konoha shinobi harbored an innate sense of superiority over Suna-nin.

A village from the poorest region, constantly losing—what threat could they possibly pose?

Some even ranked Sunagakure below Amegakure in terms of danger. At least Hanzo the Salamander, their leader, was acknowledged as a legend—a demigod even. Konoha's very own Sannin had earned their title fighting him.

Meanwhile, the likes of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure had all given Konoha serious trouble over the years.

But Sunagakure?

They were just a joke—loud bark, no bite.

"Heh. You never change," Black Hawk chuckled. He knew Foxhound well—three or four years of fighting side by side meant you learned someone's temperament. He didn't bother correcting him.

ANBU were expected to be shadows in the dark, not soulless puppets. Suppressing individuality? That was idiocy. Even the Third Hokage knew better.

Hell, some of the most trusted ANBU came from his own bloodline—like his eldest son.

Black Hawk handed off his own captive to the interrogation unit before turning to his subordinates. "The rest is up to the analysts. Today's patrol is over. Head back and get some rest."

"Understood!"