I Can Dance Again

The short blade danced in his hand, Kakashi's figure blending into the hazy mist...

The trajectory carved by the blade gradually carried a sense of confusion and hesitation.

Kakashi's thoughts drifted further and further away.

Many familiar faces, figures that had once warmed his life, appeared before his eyes one by one.

Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, a powerful ninja in his own eyes, who had been driven to suicide by the village over the dilemma of mission versus comrades...

His teacher, the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, who gave everything for the village and ultimately sacrificed himself during the Nine-Tails incident.

And Rin...

All those he cherished had departed one by one, leaving behind nothing but lingering regret and nostalgia.

The only thing that brought him comfort was the fact that Obito was actually still alive.

Although the current Obito had become extreme and insane, even wishing to heal his inner wounds by destroying the entire Shinobi World, Kakashi could not bring himself to harbor true hostility toward him.

When it came down to it, Obito remained his dearest friend.

They had once fought side by side, enduring the most brutal years of the Third Shinobi World War together, as vital partners who had entrusted their backs to one another.

For Kakashi, the softest part of his heart had always reserved a place for Obito.

He did not agree with Obito's methods, yet he could not bring himself to stop him, even harboring a faint, hidden desire to accompany him.

But as soon as this thought crossed his mind, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a surge of intense guilt...

If the Shinobi World truly marched toward destruction because of Obito's madness, then was he not an accomplice, or perhaps even the primary culprit?

At this moment, Kakashi's blade work grew increasingly chaotic...

So chaotic that even Obito sensed something was wrong...

What is wrong with Kakashi...

The blade reflected the fragmented ice mist, appearing even colder and more lost.

The moment he landed, Kakashi let out a soft sigh...

His gaze gradually dimmed: "Teacher... have I disappointed you?"

"But I need to protect Obito..."

Protect Obito...

As these words left his lips, the look in Obito's eyes from the shadows became even more complex...

This bastard, why does he have to be so sappy...

Sigh...

However, at this moment, Kakashi seemed to recall something...

His teacher, Namikaze Minato, once had a child.

The child born on the night of the Nine-Tails, Naruto Uzumaki.

That was a child destined from the moment of birth to bear the fate of a jinchuriki.

Over these years, after the teacher and his wife passed away, the situation of this child...

Why hadn't he shown any concern?

Perhaps...

It was because his past self was unwilling to face these things...

Kakashi had always deliberately ignored this fact, because he did not want to touch those memories filled with pain.

But now, as he thought of Naruto's existence once more, a strong and irrepressible yearning surged within his heart.

In the past...

He had completely ignored Naruto...

He really ought to go and understand how this child was living.

Kakashi wanted to know how this child, who carried all of his teacher's hopes, was faring now.

Had he inherited his teacher's optimistic and positive personality, or had he become gloomy and depressed amidst the village's misunderstanding and isolation?

Once this intense desire took root, it spread like wildfire, making it impossible for Kakashi to suppress the impulse in his heart any longer.

Soon, he made his decision...

To personally pay attention to Naruto, to observe and understand everything about him up close.

"Naruto..."

He slowly sheathed the short blade in his hand, standing at the edge of the waterfall, letting the mist gently pat against his cheeks.

"Kakashi, I didn't expect you to be using a blade again."

A low, slightly hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind, interrupting Kakashi's chaotic thoughts.

"Obito..."

Obito stood quietly in place, his mask obscuring most of his expression, yet the single eye visible revealed a depth and conflict entirely different from the past.

He watched Kakashi, who held a short blade, a faint trace of nostalgia and guilt flickering in his gaze.

When Kakashi had been practicing his swordsmanship, Obito had already been lurking in the shadows, observing him silently for a long time.

Watching Kakashi's skilled and fluid blade technique, his memories instantly returned to their youth.

Back then, Kakashi was young and triumphant, a genius of Konoha with exquisite swordsmanship and impeccable chakra control.

In Obito's eyes, the Kakashi from just a moment ago seemed to have regained that spirited appearance from years ago.

But immediately, his heart was once again occupied by profound self-reproach and guilt.

The words Kakashi had spoken earlier, as if to himself, about protecting him...

Stung Obito's heart deeply.

After a moment of silence, Obito finally spoke with difficulty: "Kakashi, actually... there is one more thing I have never told you."

"What is it?"

"The Nine-Tails incident all those years ago—I was the one who orchestrated it."

Upon hearing these words, Kakashi's pupils constricted violently, and the short blade in his hand trembled slightly.

"Obito, you..."

Kakashi's voice choked, his heart churning with emotions too difficult to put into words.

In truth, when Obito had reappeared before him, resurrected, Kakashi had vaguely suspected as much...

He just hadn't expected Obito to admit to it so proactively this time.

Obito's voice grew even hoarser, heavy with deep self-reproach: "Sensei, and his wife... they both died because of my foolishness."

"They could have lived a happy and peaceful life; Naruto should have had his parents by his side... I am the one who caused all of this. Will you blame me, Kakashi?"

After a long silence, Kakashi sighed softly, a faint bitterness and sense of relief appearing on his face.

Walking up to Obito, Kakashi gazed at his childhood companion.

"Obito, since you did not blame me for Rin's death back then, how could I possibly blame you for what happened to Sensei?"

"Just as you said, the root of all these tragedies lies in this Shinobi World, shrouded in hatred and distortion."

"This blade... has been silent for too long... but now, for your sake, it can dance once more..."

As Kakashi spoke these words, the ocular power of their Sharingan began to resonate intensely...

Sharingan...

Growing stronger due to intense emotions...

"Kakashi, you..."

Obito looked at his dear friend in surprise, his heart filled with intense emotion and guilt.

He had expected Kakashi to hate him for this, or even despise him...

He had not expected to receive such an answer, his heart filled with a long-lost warmth.

Kakashi slowly sheathed his short blade at his waist, his gaze resting gently on Obito.

"Obito, we cannot undo what happened in the past. But we can choose what to do next."

"I have decided to go see Sensei's child, Naruto, to see the boy in whom he placed all his hopes. Obito, will you come with me?"

Obito's heart jolted; he had not expected that after all these years, hearing such a promise would move him so deeply.

No matter how paranoid and insane he had become, in Kakashi's eyes, he remained that dear friend who had once fought by his side.

"Thank you, Kakashi."

Obito finally said only this, yet it contained endless reflection and apology.

"However... I will leave Sensei's child to your care."

Compared to Naruto, what Obito cared about most was still Sasuke...