.
.
"I hear you are acting Hokage instead of my idiot apprentice," Madara says.
Kakashi looks up. It's the middle of the night and Kakashi is in his office, trying to go over the reams and reams of paper Shizune had set upon his desk. He had heard from Obito that Madara had a tendency for midnight visits, that no matter what security was available, he'd still find a way in.
"Madara-san," Kakashi says. He sets down his papers. "Well this is unexpected."
"Hm."
"What can I help you with?" Kakashi says. He'd also heard from Obito that indulging Madara on whatever complaints he had was the quickest way to get him out of the office; calling security on him was pretty pointless.
"I am here to talk about my earstwhile disciple's so-called 'improvements' to the curriculum," Madara says. He tosses a pamphlet onto the desk, which Kakashi picks up, reading. It's an explainer of the example curriculum that would be put in place at the high school level should these changes be voted in, meant to inform the village populace. "This is idiotic," Madara says. He pokes a finger on the desk, squarely on the words Trigonomety and Shinobi History. "Pray explain to me how doing math will help in the middle of battle," Madara says.
Kakashi starts to speak but Madara cuts him off. "You are gutting shinobi tactics and valuable practice time to stuff these worthless classes into the curriculum," Madara says. He crosses his arms, glaring. "Hashirama and I had a hand in developing the current education system. Each and every subject the children learn is necessary to their survival. I have seen what happens if they do not learn them firsthand."
"Madara-san, I understand your concerns, however-"
"Practice time is not frivolous," Madara says. "They cannot master basic techniques if you do not allow them ample sparring time. And yet my idiot apprentice wants to replace it with-" Madara leans forward to read the pamphlet, then wrinkles his nose when he sees the words, "-primary school mathematics, long division and multiplication. These 'subjects' are only an unnecessary distraction."
"Have you spoken to Obito about this?" Kakashi says. Madara sniffs, looking down at him.
"Of course I have," Madara says. "But unlike my stupid student, I do not engage in tricks or petty manipulations. I have been thus far unable to convince him."
Kakashi rubs his head. "To be honest, Madara-san, I have similar concerns about the curriculum," Kakashi says. "As it is now, the children complete their formal education when they become genin and spend the rest of the time learning on teams under the guidance of a jounin. Obito would rather they stay in class."
"He wants to broker peace by weakening the next generation."
Kakashi sighs, tossing the pamphlet. "I'll talk to him," Kakashi says. "He isn't doing this unilaterally, he's soliciting everyone's opinion. And if it's voted down I don't think he'd be able to pursue it."
"And pray, tell me what you're doing to ensure this ridiculous vote does not get accomplished?"
"I tell him my objections," Kakashi says. "He takes them into consideration."
Madara crosses his arms. "You would be better off taking the Hokage title by force than attempt those pathetic negotiations."
"I'm not going to challenge Obito for the Hokage title, he's my friend and I support him. Besides, I thought you were the one who recommended him."
"Unfortunately, I failed to realize that for all his strengths, they are undermined by his limitless stupidity. He is a lot like my idiot wife," Madara says. He scratches his chin, frowning. "Being surrounded by half-wits seems to be my lot in life."