This Is My Dearest Friend, My Own Brother

"Ten, nine, eight."

At six in the morning, Kitagawa Gen silently counted down.

"Three, two, one!"

The countdown ended, and he immediately beat the alarm to it, pressing it down before it could ring.

If he had not still been without freedom from missions, he really would have smashed this alarm clock that had been tormenting him for years!

After quickly getting dressed, he looked at himself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

Looks were important combat power. Whether he could test the depths and flavors of pretty female ninjas in the future depended on them.

Once everything was ready, Kitagawa Gen finally went out. Although Kakashi said going early was basically useless, he knew where to find him.

"Huh, Naruto?"

What he had not expected was that not long after he left, he happened to see Naruto climbing out of a window.

"Why are you up so early?"

"Tch, I'm going to work hard!"

Naruto snorted softly, then clenched his fist.

"I'm definitely going to graduate successfully and become Hokage in the end—whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa—"

Before he could finish, Naruto's foot suddenly slipped, and under Kitagawa Gen's dumbstruck gaze, he plunged headfirst straight down from the second-floor window.

"Ow, ow."

Seeing Naruto lying on the ground and still having the energy to yell, Kitagawa Gen could not help but sigh. Ninjas might be a fragile profession, but it depended on the person.

Some people were finished after being stabbed once by a Kunai, some could have their hearts dug out, and some just could not be beaten to death no matter what.

"I think you should just enjoy the process."

Kitagawa Gen shrugged, turned, and left, not forgetting to give a reminder as he went.

"Also, after I leave, remember to water the flowers on the balcony for me. Don't let them die."

"You bastard, I'm definitely going to become Hokage!"

Naruto was naturally unconvinced and roared loudly behind Kitagawa Gen. Only, he did not know that a trace of regret had appeared on Kitagawa Gen's face too.

"What a pity, no mission triggered."

To get his hands on Indra and Asura's Chakra, Kitagawa Gen felt he still needed to rely on the system.

But he did not mind. After all, there was still plenty of time.

"Teacher Kakashi, morning!"

Konoha Cemetery, in front of Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara's Memorial Stones.

Kitagawa Gen greeted Kakashi with a face full of smiles, but Kakashi's expression was somewhat stunned.

"How did you know I was here... Forget it, it was Guy again, wasn't it?"

"."

Kitagawa Gen shrugged and smiled without speaking.

He had discovered that after building a good relationship with Guy, many things no longer needed explaining. Kakashi would fill in the blanks himself.

"Teacher Kakashi, what are we doing next?"

"I've already prepared it for you."

Kakashi rubbed his brow, took several scrolls from his Ninja Tool Pouch, waved them, and only then spoke.

"There are five Rank C missions and one Rank B mission. They're all on the way, so we'll handle them in one go.

"Although I think you'd have no problem carrying out Rank B or even higher-level missions, you lack experience, so we'll take it slow.

"Also, I'll be giving you necessary training along the way. Prepare yourself mentally."

In truth, Kakashi had also been torn over whether he should take a few more Rank B missions. After all, missions of this level really were not difficult for him.

But this was, in the end, his first time taking up a post as an instructor, and he still had some Anbu ways of thinking. He was supposed to properly temper this kid, not be his nanny.

And this kid was someone Guy acknowledged, someone he himself also relatively approved of, and no matter how strong this kid was, he was still a genin who had just walked out of the academy. So he decided to be a little careful.

"No problem!"

Kitagawa Gen was not picky either. Once they were out, there would always be opportunities.

"By the way, what's our route?"

"."

At this question, even Kakashi paused for a moment before speaking faintly.

"In the direction of the Land of Waves, but don't you go acting recklessly!"

"Oh."

Kitagawa Gen nodded, but could not help grumbling inwardly. They were just going to pass up all that bright, shiny money?

But if nothing unexpected happened, he should still be able to run into it three years later. He could think about it then.

"In that case, let's set out."

Kakashi wasted no words. After glancing once more at Obito and Rin's gravestones, he turned and left with Kitagawa Gen.

Their departure from the village went very smoothly. They simply filled out a form, then relied on Kakashi's face, and everything was settled.

In the current era, Konoha's mainstays were all people from Kakashi's generation.

Sometimes Kitagawa Gen also thought that it would have been nice if he were the same age as Kakashi. Even if he could not out-grind his peers to death, he should still have made a name for himself.

Of course, the premise was that he did not die on the battlefield and did not get abducted by Danzo...

"The current ninja world is much better already. At least it isn't like back then, when war was everywhere."

Kakashi had no idea what Kitagawa Gen was thinking. As they headed outside, he spoke casually.

"However, one thing about the ninja world has never changed. Danger is everywhere, and competition between great nations has never ended. It has merely changed form.

"At the same time, there are all sorts of mercenary organizations, wandering ninjas, and so on in the ninja world. Those people are all extremely dangerous."

"Mm, I know, Teacher Kakashi."

Kitagawa Gen nodded. He more or less knew about these things.

For example, the Akatsuki that Kakashi's old best friend Obito Uchiha belonged to could also be considered a newly emerging mercenary ninja organization.

Thinking of Obito Uchiha, he suddenly tilted his head and asked.

"Teacher Kakashi, were those two your teammates?"

".Mm."

Kakashi was silent for a moment, but still nodded.

"Didn't Guy tell you?"

"Teacher Guy didn't say much. He only told me Teacher Kakashi's name as the Copy Ninja came from them."

Kitagawa Gen blinked and replied softly.

"He also emphasized that they were both heroes of Konoha worthy of respect, just like Teacher Kakashi."

"I'm no hero. They are. I'm only enjoying the fruits of victory they brought."

Kakashi shook his head and sighed lightly, then changed the subject.

"I heard you and that little Naruto get along pretty well?"

"Mm, we're neighbors."

Kitagawa Gen nodded. He would not lie about this sort of thing. Rubbing the back of his head, he said somewhat awkwardly.

"Although there are always some bad voices in the village, and I was scared before too.

"But after spending some time with him, I found that although he's kind of silly, he's still a pretty good person.

"Besides, his subsidy is a lot, so..."

"Did you set your sights on his subsidy?"

Kakashi looked at Kitagawa Gen, both annoyed and amused, but in the end he still shook his head and said with great seriousness.

"Forget it. That kid won't care anyway.

"His situation is somewhat special. As for those voices... you don't need to take them too much to heart.

"You only need to remember that he isn't some bad person, and I believe he definitely treasures you as a friend.

"Friends are extremely important to anyone, especially to us ninjas."

"I understand, Teacher Kakashi."

Kitagawa Gen nodded seriously. No matter the reason, Naruto was a good friend. There was no doubt about that!

"Mm?"

Only, Kitagawa Gen's brows soon furrowed, because his system had reacted.

Obtained Kakashi-exclusive Side Quest

This Is My Dearest Friend, My Own Brother

Help Kakashi find his friend, Obito Uchiha

Exclusive Side Quests will not affect normal Side Quests

Accept?

"."

Kitagawa Gen stared at this quest, utterly dumbstruck, while Kakashi's exposed eye curved into a crescent moon.

"As long as you know. But for now, focus on what's in front of you. The days ahead won't be easy."