"Thanks!" Anko replied to Kakashi, though her expression remained troubled. She had something on her mind, her face displaying her inner turmoil.
"Is something bothering you?" Kakashi asked, noticing her demeanor.
"I…" Anko started, then hesitated, unsure how to express her concerns to Kakashi.
"Let me treat you to some dango," Kakashi smiled. "You can tell me what's on your mind after."
Kakashi sensed the issue and knew this wasn't the best place to discuss it. He had a good idea of what was troubling Anko, which all traced back to Orochimaru. Although Anko hadn't followed Orochimaru when he defected, the higher-ups in Konoha still isolated her, leaving her without a Jonin mentor.
Anko seemed isolated and adrift, feeling the weight of the village's suspicion. Kakashi had previously mentioned this to his teacher, Minato Namikaze, but the Hokage had said the council's decision was unanimous and he couldn't interfere. Knowing from the original story that Anko had always remained loyal to Konoha, never contemplating defection, Kakashi felt it was unfair.
"Dango? Sure!" Anko's eyes lit up at the mention of her favorite treat, her earlier troubles momentarily forgotten.
Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle to himself. That was Anko for you. Her carefree nature helped her endure the village's suspicion and eventually earned everyone's trust.
As they ate dango, Anko finally opened up to Kakashi. Just as he had suspected, her isolation and lack of guidance had left her feeling lost and uncertain about her future in the village.
"Orochimaru might have defected, but I never thought about betraying Konoha!" Anko said vehemently, tears brimming in her eyes.
Kakashi reassured her, "I believe in you, Anko. I know you won't betray Konoha."
"Do you really believe me, Kakashi?" Anko asked, her eyes wide with hope.
"Of course," Kakashi replied with a smile. He knew better than anyone that Anko was not a traitor.
"Then, Kakashi, can you be my mentor?" Anko asked, her voice full of hope.
"Uh…" The request took Kakashi aback. He hadn't expected this.
"Do you not want to mentor me either?" Anko asked, looking downcast.
"It's not that. I would love to mentor you, but I have my own missions to handle daily," Kakashi explained, knowing the higher-ups hesitated to assign a mentor to Anko, fearing another Orochimaru.
"You don't have to mentor me every day. Just guide me whenever you have some free time," Anko suggested eagerly, not wanting to miss this chance with Konoha's youngest genius who believed in her.
Kakashi hesitated, knowing that accepting might bring trouble from Danzo. Seeing Anko's hopeful yet worried expression, he felt sympathy.
"You're worried about the Hokage, right?" Anko said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I understand. Thank you for believing in me and for the dango."
Hearing the faint quiver in Anko's voice, Kakashi's resolve strengthened. "It's fine. The Hokage is my teacher, and he believes in you just as much as I do."
"Really? That's great!" Anko's face lit up with a radiant smile, the first genuine one since Orochimaru's defection.
Seeing her bright smile, Kakashi felt a warmth in his heart. Forget about Danzo, he thought. He wouldn't let fear of an older man dictate his actions.
"I have some free time this afternoon. Let's start your training then," Kakashi said with a smile.
"Thank you, Kakashi!" Anko exclaimed, her spirit lifted. The shadow of her mentor's betrayal seemed to lift a little, and for the first time in a long while, she felt hope for her future.