Connecting the Dots

The information Kakashi learned from Sasuke while they were eating the best apple pie he had ever tasted left him cold, contemplating the possible implications.

Upon hearing about his mother's frequent visits and comparing the information he had access to with his rank in the village, he realized that the man he saw years ago in the village cemetery was the Kage of Seimeigakure in person.

A Kage from another village frequently visited the Uchiha, and the village had no knowledge of it.

How did he manage to pass through the barriers surrounding the entire village, barriers that were the work of the best (now extinct) sealing masters in the world?

While his strength was unknown at the moment, anyone with the courage to found a new village ALWAYS had something to back them up.

This man was not simple; he had managed to make Ameyuri Ringo, one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist known for her difficult personality, desert her village. Somehow, he seemed to have cured her impossible-to-treat illness.

Pakura from Sunagakure also revealed that she was not only alive but had also joined the same village. Her apprentice disappeared shortly after the news became known; supposedly, she also deserted to join her master, but there was no confirmation at the moment.

Two high-level and famous kunoichis with a reputation that supported their strength might seem like something to trust, but it wasn't everything. Three people couldn't form a village.

At least one surviving Uzumaki woman associated with that village was confirmed, and there were rumors of a possible second, easily recognizable by her hair. Now he also knew that Anko, whom everyone believed had been kidnapped by Orochimaru, had also joined the village.

Perhaps the kunoichi had been underestimated by Konoha's superiors; after all, it was true that she was under Orochimaru's tutelage, and there had to be a reason why she caught his attention.

She even had the contract with the Ryuichi Cave!

The potential was there, and Kakashi guessed that the "aggressive reform" she underwent was to mold her and ensure that her potential served only the village.

More importantly, Anko had been exposed to numerous secrets, not too important due to her "rough" state, but not few. And from the attitude he saw, they no longer seemed so secret.

Any important information, secret techniques, poisons, and more that she knew could potentially have been exposed and delivered to Seimeigakure.

And if that wasn't enough, the shit hit the fan when the Third Hokage decided it was time for Tsunade Senju to return to the village and opened the box that ANBU gave her back then.

By coincidence, he was present when the decision was made, and he didn't know what was inside due to the arrangement of the office. But the Third Hokage went from an expression of bewilderment to having a completely pale face, before turning liver-colored and clutching his chest tightly to try to calm himself as he closed the box with force.

After that, he sent ANBU to search for her with all their might throughout the casinos of the Land of Fire, and there were no results.

This was unprecedented. The rumors of the "fat sheep" had always been very easy to find and were one of the main reasons why Princess Tsunade was allowed to leave the village.

It was like an immense smoke signal that could be seen for kilometers; there was simply no way they couldn't find her when they wanted to.

But suddenly, it was as if she had stopped gambling and had found something more interesting to do. Something more discreet that didn't constantly reveal her whereabouts easily.

Tsunade Senju not gambling in a casino for three consecutive days? Impossible.

And then came the horror.

Tsunade and her apprentice, Shizune Sato, were seen one night in the Land of Hot Springs accompanied by Ameyuri, Pakura, and a kunoichi with black hair who seemed sick, having a good time and talking as if they were lifelong friends while drinking and eating.

The information made the temperature in the Hokage's office drop a few degrees, especially because Tsunade's bill was attached for Konoha to pay.

A terrifying possibility crossed Kakashi's mind, utterly ridiculous.

After the cases of Ameyuri and Pakura...

Were Tsunade and Shizune next?

Had the princess of the Senju clan deserted the village founded by her grandfather?

Sarutobi immediately ordered a ban on all present, but the unease in the back of their minds couldn't be calmed until they saw the Sannin return to the village.

Needless to say, the attention Seimeigakure received from Konoha almost quintupled instantly, and due to an accident, they discovered that Kumogakure, which had lately been showing very strange ninjas, seemed to have a very happy deal with this village.

So happy that they didn't even try to steal, assassinate, or seduce anyone.

Not even once! It was madness.

There were rumors that the deal involved medicines, organs, weapons, and all kinds of speculations. Nothing really reliable, as the strangest one was about a fruit that gave powers.

Clearly, a cheap and unimaginative invention.

Now, in the black market, information appeared about something that alarmed the Hyuga clan and sent them into a frenzy to confirm it at all costs.

Artificial Byakugan.

They could trace the source of the information back to Iwagakure because, for some unknown reason to them, Onoki seemed to have a grudge against the Kage of Seimeigakure.

The conflict between the main and branch families erupted like never before.

What's the point of using the Caged Bird Seal when others can buy your dojutsu in bulk?

To the surprise of many, including the Hyuga patriarch himself, his daughter and heir stood up to defend Enel with great determination. It is rumored that Hiashi Hyuga fainted on the spot upon hearing Hinata, while her words made the branch family view her very favorably.

(It's not a pun, I swear!)

Now? Let's say that no one messes with the Hyuga heiress, not within the clan, unless you want to receive a heated response from the branch family. The branch that is in ALL aspects and affairs of the clan.

Ironically, the heiress of the main branch won the goodwill of the branch without even having to use the Caged Bird Seal that would force them to obey.

Everyone knows that this made the patriarch silent, as it was a good development for his daughter and he no longer had to endure so much pressure, which caused him to start improving in his training. But he began to have a possible idea of why Onoki held a grudge against Enel.

And Kakashi suddenly remembered a point from his conversation with Anko, apparently insignificant.

Something about being in love?

Suddenly, he widened his eye a lot and believed he understood how Anko had the courage to say that if something happened to her, the whole village would go against Konoha.

"Damn," he couldn't help but curse aloud out of nowhere.

"Kakashi-sensei, language!" Sakura corrected, unaware of the consequences of their encounter.

Kakashi looked at her, and Sakura fell silent.

Why was her sensei giving that scary look?