"Heh, can't I just visit you and Naruto?" Jiraiya laughed awkwardly, but his face betrayed his guilt.
He knew he had no right to say that—he'd been back for some time but only now came to see Naruto.
Kakashi was silent for a while, then said, "Lord Jiraiya, to be honest, you shouldn't have come back to entering a difficult times."
"Uh…" Jiraiya was at a loss for words at Kakashi's bluntness.
"Lord Jiraiya, neither Seiryu nor the Third would ever show your current expression," Kakashi said. "This isn't for you. Forcing yourself into it will only make things worse."
Jiraiya knew what Kakashi meant. Since being forced into the advisor role by Hiruzen, he'd felt out of place. He'd never dealt with politics before; it all seemed a hassle.
"Kakashi, I want you to help me." Jiraiya took a deep breath and got to the point.
"Lord Jiraiya, I'm a ninja of the village. If you need anything, just issue the order." Kakashi replied.
"Kakashi, you know that's not what I mean!" Jiraiya protested.
"Then what do you mean, Lord Jiraiya?" Kakashi countered.
…
The room fell silent. Kakashi calmly sipped his sake. After a while, he finally spoke: "See, Lord Jiraiya? I told you this isn't your thing."
"Kakashi, I have my reasons. Seiryu cannot become Hokage." Jiraiya sighed.
"Why?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"If Seiryu becomes Hokage, the future may spiral out of control—disaster could strike." Jiraiya said seriously.
"Mount Myoboku told you that?" Kakashi almost laughed. If Jiraiya had offered any other reason—even open discrimination against the Uchiha—it would've been better than hiding behind the prophecy.
Jiraiya said nothing, but his expression gave him away.
"Then, Lord Jiraiya, if you became Hokage, what would you do with the village?" Kakashi asked.
"I…" Jiraiya was stumped. He hadn't really thought about it, but forced himself to reply, "I'd keep the village at peace until I could pass the hat to the Sixth Hokage."
Kakashi smiled knowingly.
No wonder Seiryu never saw Jiraiya as a threat. Kakashi had worried over Jiraiya's recent public appearances, but every time he consulted Seiryu, the latter just calmly drank tea with him and said not to rush. Seiryu must've found Kakashi's anxiety amusing.
Kakashi's smile left Jiraiya puzzled.
"Lord Jiraiya, do you have a plan for the next 'Make-Out Paradise' sequel?" Kakashi suddenly asked. "If you're out of inspiration, shall we take a stroll in the Entertainment District?"
"N-no need." Jiraiya realized Kakashi was politely refusing him. "It's late; I won't trouble you further."
Kakashi stood up to see him out.
At the door, Jiraiya suddenly slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot something important."
"Kakashi, there've been a lot of missing-nin from the Mist showing up on the border. The village has received requests for help—even the daimyo has written about it. The Third wants to send someone; you're the best candidate to lead the team."
Kakashi's gaze darkened. Were they planning to send him out of the village?
"Alright. Understood." Kakashi nodded, face expressionless.
…
Not long after Jiraiya left, Kakashi headed to the Uchiha compound.
He learned from the housekeeper, Keiko, that Seiryu was out training, got the location, and hurried over.
Arriving at the training ground, he saw Seiryu meditating in the center of the woods.
"Coming to me so late—must be serious," Seiryu spoke without moving. "Jiraiya came to you?"
"Yes." Kakashi nodded. "He wants me to go to the border to deal with the surge of Mist missing-nin."
"They want to send you out of the village?" Seiryu exited Sage Mode and stood up. "Not necessarily a bad thing. You've been in the ANBU shadows all these years; you need some public achievements."
Though Kakashi had earned merit at Kannabi Bridge, most credited it to Minato. Compared to Seiryu's feats—terrifying whole villages—Kakashi's exploits couldn't convince everyone. Plus, Kakashi's ANBU deeds were secret.
So, if he completed this border mission, it would benefit him.
"If I go, will you be alright alone in the village?" Kakashi asked.
"What could happen to me?" Seiryu laughed. "Unless they dare to start a fight inside the village. But do they have the guts?"
"Instead, you should focus on completing the mission beautifully." Seiryu smiled. "If I'm right, they want to send you and Minato's old team out together. Genma and the others are strong, but if you're surrounded, it could be tough. Your strength has stagnated since the Third War. White Fang was much stronger at your age."
"Are you suggesting I remove this Sharingan?" Kakashi asked, touching his right eye.
"No," Seiryu shook his head. "That's your promise with my clansmen. The Uchiha always respect a hero's will. But I do have advice about your strength."