Wait, shouldn't I take some time to keep an eye on Kakashi? Who knows whether that guy was just stringing me along? If I tell Kushina he's coming and then he stands her up, where am I supposed to cry?
Amid the curtain of rain, Chiba walked back toward the Japanese-style wooden house when this warning suddenly arose in his heart.
No, no, no! I have to watch him. At least on the day itself, I need to keep an eye on him and make sure he comes. Even if he wants to stand us up, I'll make sure he attends the banquet.
A whole series of plans then flashed through Chiba's mind.
"Still, it seems Kakashi has gone down the same road as in the original story. If Kushina's invitation can help him step out of the shadows this time, that would count as tremendous progress in breaking the established course."
After weighing things over, Chiba's vigilant expression faded, replaced by a hint of heaviness.
Judging by how Kakashi had looked just now, Chiba did not need to think hard to guess that he wanted to be alone in peace and quiet. He neither wished to make new friends nor intended to interact with others. Clearly, he was going through the isolation that came with losing a close friend.
This was probably the same as Kakashi's situation in the original story. In the Naruto era, Kakashi had also spoken of his state after losing Obito and Rin.
Honestly, the reason Kakashi's strength had remained stuck at the Elite Jonin level, never entering S-rank, was not because he lacked talent. So long as he persevered, becoming someone on the level of the Sannin by the Naruto era would not have been difficult for him at all.
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