First chapter was short but it was the prologue so whatever. This should fix it. For the record, Kakashi's tanto is not broken here. I researched it a bit and there should have been no reason for it to break. So instead it was knocked out of his hands before he killed the stone nin with chidori.

The Third Hokage, known to some as the Professor, God of shinobi, or just Hiruzen Sarutobi was frowning. He seemed to be doing that far too often as of late. War takes a toll on all who are involved after all. Even leaders that have to appear stoic and unaffected by the carnage and death of war. Hiruzen, perhaps knew that best of all. Having lived through all of the shinobi world wars to date, a soldier in the first, ending it as hokage, led through the second world war, and was working on ending the third as he contemplated all of this. But presently he was frowning over the loss of a young chuunin. Obito Uchiha had much potential, and to any other kage that may have been all that matters, but to Hiruzen, he had lost a kind, friendly boy, and a fifth generation student of a line of teachers since the First Hokage. And he had been killed two weeks ago in the line of duty. And thus, Hiruzen had a far more severe frown than usual on his aging face.

But he was a leader and he couldn't afford to only contemplate one death. He had to notice the effects on other shinobi who had been close to him. And the effects were not good. His ANBU had reported some of the worst results he had seen since Dan had died, 16 years earlier. Reportedly, Rin Nohara hadn't left her house in two weeks and was refusing to eat. Minato Namikaze was hurtling through S-rank missions faster than he could give them. And if he wasn't on a mission he wasn't anywhere he could be found. Not even Kushina could find him. Kakashi hadn't left the training ground he had been in for the past two weeks. While he was getting stronger quickly, and he couldn't deny it, the boy hadn't properly rested in far too long and was going to need medical attention very quickly if he didn't take a break from non-stop training for a few days.

Any other twelve year old he could order into bed rest and they would obey. And so would Kakashi. But bedrest would last a few hours at most, and then he would be back to training.

He would send him on a mission but his squad leader was gone on yet another suicide mission.

Suddenly the realization hit him. Kakashi was a jonin now. He may only be twelve but he was a jonin. Send him on a few missions. Let him blow off some steam. Get his mind off the tragedy.

He spoke, seemingly to nothing, "Bring me Hatake Kakashi."

He felt a chakra presence leave his office.

Five minutes later there was a puff of smoke and Kakashi was there.

"You wanted to see me Lord Hokage?"

"Ah yes Kakashi. Are you alright?"

"Yes Lord Hokage."

And he was lying. But that wasn't important as he spoke, "Good. A mission has come up and we have decided it is a good first solo mission as a newly minted jonin."

Kakashi spoke then and said what Hiruzen had been expecting but still disappointed that it was said. "Forgive me Lord Hokage, but I don't think I deserve this rank any longer. With-"

"No," Hiruzen interrupted, "The results of the prior mission was by the definition of the word a success. But to anyone that knew Obito Uchiha, it was a failure. Myself included. But that mission should not determine your success. Tsunade lost people close to her as well, including her lover, but that does not make her any less deserving of her title as one of the three Sannin. Do not allow this tragedy to cloud your career. Allow it to make you stronger. Grieve, but do not let the memory of Obito hold you back. It is unbecoming of one of my jonin, and pitiful if you go downhill due to it. You may be young, and that makes you impressionable. Allow the impression that you gain from this tragedy be the need to make your team proud, Obito included, and strive to be the best ninja you could possibly be in this world of bloodshed and death. Now then, are there any more reservations on taking this mission?"

A pause.

"No Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen for the first time in weeks, smiled. "Good. This assignment is an A-rank solo mission in case anyone asks. It is not classified but please try to not share the details until it is complete. Send in the client."

A rather well dressed man entered the office.

"This is Kakashi Hatake, he will be your escort. Kakashi, this is Akihiro Katsu. He is a merchant who was near Konoha when he received a death threat from a group of rogue nin and samurai called the Madoka. It is your job to protect him on his way to the village hidden in the grass, his next destination on his journey."

Akihiro spoke up, "Ah Lord Hokage, is this boy really qualified for this. Has he had enough training?"

"Of course Mr Katsu. He is the greatest prodigy of this generation and possibly the last couple. You will be fine."

"Alright Lord Hokage. But if I die, I'm haunting you."

"Of course."

He leaves. Hiruzen turned to Kakashi, "You will be leaving in two days, make sure you rest."

"Of course Lord Hokage." Kakashi shunshins away. Hiruzen turns to one of the corners of his office, "Fox, keep an eye on him."

Fox leaves just as the door opens and a tall man walks in with long, black hair, earrings, and snake-like eyes enters. He speaks, "That boy is certainly interesting, don't you agree dear sensei of mine?" His voice like honeyed sugar, but with a quiet menace that sometimes, Hiruzen feels like only he notices.

"Yes Orochimaru, he is a very interesting boy indeed. Now, why have you chosen now to visit?"

He smiles and for a moment Hiruzen tenses but relaxes unnoticably.

"Well sensei, I was thinking it was high time for me to pass on my legacy, just like Jiraiya and Tsunade. I just wanted your blessing and advice on how to teach properly before I go talent scouting."

Something deep inside Hiruzen told him not to give him his blessing, said it would make the world worse. But this was his student. He taught him everything he needed to become stronger. His mind told him it was a bad idea, "Yes of course Orochimaru. As for advice lets see here…."

And that concludes the much longer first chapter where dear Orochimaru pops in for a visit. And now Kakashi's on a mission in two days. This could be interesting.