Warning: SPOILERS for Naruto: Konoha's Story - The Steam Ninja Scrolls #3
The new Kakashi embarks on a trip with his best friend Guy to find a sacred place that holds a very special meaning for him.
Naruto: Konoha's Story is a new sequel to the popular series, based on a spin-off novel, that takes place right after the ending of Naruto, when the newly appointed Seventh Hokage is about to attend his first Kage Summitt. Kakashi, who stepped in as the Sixth Hokage after Tsunade retired, found the position ill-fitting for his lazy, laid-back attitude. Despite his incredible prowess, in fact, Kakashi always kept a low profile in Konoha. He never actually wanted to become Hokage, and was semi-forced to accept the position by Tsunade. Kakashi is always relaxed to the point of boredom, tardy, and very bad with paperwork. One of his defining traits is that Kakashi is often seen reading a book, even while talking to others or training his students.
In Konoha's Story, by Masashi Kishimoto, Sho Hinata, and Natuso Sai, Kakashi and Guy leave the village of Konoha for the Land of the Hot Water. They are accompanied by Sarutobi Mirai, a young and promising kunoichi who believes she has been selected to be the bodyguard of two important shinobi on a secret mission. In chapter #3, however, Mirai is taken aback by Kakashi and Guy's attitude, as they enjoy frivolous activities in a small resort town. Finally, Kakashi runs to a solitary tree standing in the middle of town, which Guy explains is a "sacred ground" for the Sixth Hokage. Kakashi is so moved that he even cries while touching the tree, which prompts Mirai into believing that the tree is the key to their sacred mission. However, that is simply a famous location in the Make-out Paradise book series.
Kakashi's "Lifelong Dream" Is Ridiculously Perfect For Him
Kakashi is, in fact, an avid fan of the Icha Icha (translated in English as "Make-out Paradise") series of adult novels, written by Jiraya. This has been a recurring gag in Naruto, to the point that Naruto himself once believed the books to be Kakashi's one and only weakness. As Guy points out, the Make-out Paradise series has been Kakashi's favorite since he was young, so coming to its "sacred place" is really a dream come true. Mirai quickly realizes, however, that this "mission" was just an excuse that Kakashi needed to leave the village for a vacation. Considering that she was removed from guard duty at the Kage summit to be assigned to this mission, Mirai begins to question her abilities and the trust that the Seventh Hokage has in her.
While Naruto is certainly most famous for its incredible action and battles, the series had plenty of comedy moments, and many of them featured Kakashi. Konoha's Story manages to recapture that spirit thanks to Kakashi's obsession with the Make-out Paradise series and his great dynamic with Guy, who takes everything seriously, including his best friend's tears for finally achieving his "lifelong dream".
The latest chapter of Naruto: Konoha's Story - The Steam Ninja Scrolls is available through Viz Media.
