Bad News

As Kakashi emerged from the Hokage's office, Zhang Miao had just finished his daily sparring session with Itachi Uchiha. The two were currently sitting on the house's veranda, drinking tea and enjoying some snacks.

In their recent spar, Zhang Miao had once again defeated Itachi Uchiha with his elite-level Taijutsu fundamentals, successfully obtaining five Ninja Fragments from Itachi. This achieved his goal for the day, leaving him in a very good mood.

He held a skewer of Mitarashi Dango in one hand, with Itachi Uchiha slung over his other arm, a gentle smile on his face.

"Hey, Itachi, it's just a temporary victory or loss. Besides, Taijutsu isn't your strong suit anyway, so you don't need to dwell on it."

Itachi: "..."

Well, you're the one who won, so you can say whatever you want!

Seeing Itachi remain silent, Zhang Miao shrugged. He then quickly finished the Mitarashi Dango in his hand, a joyous expression on his face.

"Mmm... these dango are really sweet, don't you think? Itachi?"

Itachi: "..."

Mikoto Uchiha sat to the side, holding Sasuke, and a gentle smile spread across her face as she watched Zhang Miao and Itachi Uchiha sitting so close together.

"It's wonderful that Itachi has made a friend like Ryunosuke!"

Perhaps it was because he was born into the Uchiha Clan, or perhaps it was the halo of genius surrounding him, but the former Itachi Uchiha had been too reclusive, not having a single friend. However, Zhang Miao's arrival had changed this situation.

Firstly, Zhang Miao didn't discriminate against the Uchiha Clan. Secondly, Zhang Miao's strength was not inferior to Itachi Uchiha's; in fact, he even had an edge in Taijutsu. Coupled with Fugaku Uchiha's approval, it was precisely because of these factors that the two could sit together like this.

Moreover, Mikoto Uchiha could tell that her son genuinely got along well with Zhang Miao. Otherwise, given Itachi Uchiha's temperament, he wouldn't have allowed someone to put an arm around his neck like this.

In fact, Mikoto Uchiha also liked the optimistic and cheerful red-haired young man before her. Especially after he arrived, her husband seemed to have become more approachable.

Thinking about how Fugaku Uchiha had stuck out his tongue and imitated a sheep just now, Mikoto Uchiha couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

"Hee hee hee..."

"Huh?"

Hearing Mikoto Uchiha's laughter, Zhang Miao immediately let go of Itachi Uchiha's neck and leaned closer.

"Aunt Mikoto, what are you laughing at? Did little Sasuke start imitating a sheep again?"

As he spoke, Zhang Miao looked down at Sasuke in Mikoto Uchiha's arms and saw the little guy staring at him with his big, round eyes.

Zhang Miao's eyes darted, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"Heh heh, what a cute little guy. Come here, let big brother give you a kiss!"

With that, Zhang Miao cupped Sasuke's face and gave him a couple of wet "mwah" kisses. Afterward, he even stuck out his tongue and licked the boy's face with slobber.

The little guy had never experienced such a situation and was immediately startled by Zhang Miao, bursting into tears with a "Waa!"

"Waa... sob sob sob sob..."

Seeing this, Mikoto Uchiha felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. But before she could speak, a knock came from the door.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Please wait a moment!"

Hearing the knock, Mikoto Uchiha handed Sasuke to Itachi Uchiha and went to open the door.

However, she soon hurried back, her face serious.

"Ryunosuke, an Anbu member has arrived. They said the Hokage wants to see you and wants you to go over."

The Third Elder is back?

Hearing Mikoto Uchiha's words, Zhang Miao's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately stood up.

"Alright, I'll go take a look!"

After speaking, Zhang Miao quickly put on his shoes and ran towards the door. Seeing this, Mikoto Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha immediately followed.

But when Zhang Miao reached the door and saw the figure standing outside, his face lit up with a surprised smile.

"Kakashi? You're back?"

Although Kakashi was wearing Anbu gear and a mask at the moment, Zhang Miao recognized him immediately upon seeing his white hair.

Seeing that his identity had been exposed by Zhang Miao, Kakashi could only remove his mask and nod at Zhang Miao.

"Yeah, I'm back!"

"Haha, I knew it was you! Come on, let's get something to eat first!"

Looking at the familiar face before him, Zhang Miao's face was filled with joy as he grabbed Kakashi's hand and pulled him inside.

Kakashi had intended to say something, but seeing Zhang Miao's excitement, he could only lower his head slightly towards Mikoto Uchiha.

"Sorry for the intrusion!"

Looking at Kakashi bowing to her, Mikoto Uchiha smiled.

"Kakashi-kun, you're too kind. Actually, my Itachi is also Ryunosuke's friend. Please wait a moment, I'll go make you some tea!"

With that, Mikoto Uchiha turned to make tea, while Zhang Miao pulled Kakashi to sit on the veranda in front of the house and offered him a skewer of Mitarashi Dango.

"Kakashi, here. When did you get back?"

"I just got back an hour ago!"

Kakashi took the Mitarashi Dango from Zhang Miao's hand as he spoke, then pulled down his mask and took a bite. A look of relief immediately spread across his face.

He had been feeling quite weary from his constant duty as Hiruzen Sarutobi's bodyguard, but upon seeing Zhang Miao, he didn't know why, but his heart suddenly felt at ease.

Itachi Uchiha stood to the side, watching Kakashi with a gaze full of curiosity. He thought to himself, Is this the legendary genius ninja Kakashi?

At this time, Kakashi was recognized as a genius in Konohagakure. Even Itachi Uchiha was only referred to as "a genius of the Uchiha Clan." Clearly, in everyone's eyes, there was still a gap between them.

As if sensing Itachi Uchiha's gaze, Zhang Miao immediately went over, threw an arm around his neck, and said with a laugh to Kakashi, "Kakashi, this is my new friend, the Uchiha Clan's genius—Itachi!"

Hearing Zhang Miao's introduction, Kakashi turned his head to look at Itachi Uchiha standing nearby and nodded at him, acknowledging the greeting.

Seeing this, Zhang Miao laughed again.

"Haha, Itachi, Kakashi's personality is just like this, don't take it personally!"

Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Itachi Uchiha immediately shook his head gently, indicating that he didn't mind, and then sat down to the side.

Both Kakashi and Itachi Uchiha were introverted types, and Zhang Miao knew this. Therefore, he naturally didn't expect them to have a lively conversation. Seeing Itachi Uchiha sit down, he also came over and sat next to Kakashi.

"Kakashi, was the mission successful this time?"

"Mm!"

Hearing Zhang Miao's question, Kakashi nodded while eating the Mitarashi Dango. Seeing this, Zhang Miao grinned again.

"Haha, with you on the job, I knew it would go smoothly!"

Speaking of which, Zhang Miao seemed to remember something else and immediately asked Kakashi again.

"Oh right, Kakashi, Nightingale is back too, right?"

"Nightingale?" Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Kakashi frowned. "The Nightingale you're talking about, is it that purple-haired female Anbu who took care of you before?"

"Yeah, that's her!"

Seeing that Kakashi had recalled, Zhang Miao's smile became even brighter.

"It seems she went along on this escort mission as well. I haven't seen her in so long, I really miss her. Since you're back, she should be back too, right?"

As he said this, Zhang Miao looked at Kakashi with excitement, only to find the latter suddenly fall silent. He even put down the Mitarashi Dango in his hand.

Seeing this, Zhang Miao had a bad premonition. He immediately frowned.

"Kakashi, tell me honestly, did something happen to Nightingale?"

Kakashi didn't want to hide anything from Zhang Miao. He immediately nodded and said in a deep voice, "Nightingale... she sacrificed herself!"

Hearing Kakashi's words, Zhang Miao's eyes widened in shock. The teacup he was holding fell to the ground, shattering with a "crack."