"Damn it."
Hatake Sakumo was furious at his son's lack of ambition; how could he have given birth to such a son?
Hatake Sakumo followed Kakashi as he left Minato Namikaze. That silly boy didn't even bother to chat with the girl; he just kept walking ahead in a huff.
"I didn't spread the news in the village."
"I know."
"Hmm? You know?"
Kakashi asked.
"Of course, although I haven't had much contact with you, Kakashi, I do know a little about your character and how you conduct yourself."
"Do you know who it is?"
After thinking for a moment, Shizune rested her chin on her hand and answered.
"There aren't many people who would joke about you. The older generation wouldn't, and your peers even less so, so there's only one person left, and that's your brother."
"That's right, it's him. He's caused us so much trouble."
As soon as Karot was mentioned, Kakashi started complaining, unknowingly recounting in detail how Karot had treated him. Perhaps because Kakashi wanted someone to confide in, Shizune didn't find it boring at all; on the contrary, she listened with great interest to Kakashi's account of how Karot had bullied her, occasionally even laughing out loud.
The laughter earned Kakashi Byakugan, Shizune quickly apologized.
I'm still a little envious of you.
After listening to Kakashi's accusations against Karot, Shizune sighed.
"I envy you having an older brother, and I envy the way you two get along."
Upon hearing Shizune's words, Kakashi spoke up as well.
"If he hadn't betrayed me, he wouldn't be such a bad older brother."
"Arrive."
Before they knew it, the two of them arrived at the Senju Clan's territory. Because of Tsunade, Shizune had also moved in here.
"You go in first!"
Kakashi said.
Seeing that Shizune remained unmoved, Kakashi looked puzzled.
"Kakashi, can we eat together again sometime?"
After asking the question, Shizune lowered her head, not daring to look Kakashi in the eye.
"Of course!"
Goodbye then.
"Goodbye."
After saying goodbye, Kakashi also headed home.
"Come out!"
Kakashi suddenly stopped and spoke to a certain spot.
Hatake Sakumo was shocked. Kakashi actually knew his location. He knew that he was very well hidden, and even ordinary Kage Level wouldn't be able to detect him.
Hatake Sakumo was unaware that Kakashi's strength had undergone a dramatic transformation after three days of cell fusion, to the point that even the slightest movement could be detected.
"If you don't come out soon, I'm going to take action."
He didn't sense any murderous intent from the other person; the other person simply wanted to follow him.
Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Hatake Sakumo revealed himself.
"Father, it's you!"
Kakashi was surprised to see that the person who came was his father.
"Would you believe me if I said I got lost after going out?"
Hatake Sakumo said somewhat awkwardly.
"Father, do you think I'd believe that excuse? Isn't Karot here too?"
Kakashi asked.
No, I'm all alone.
Seeing that Hatake Sakumo didn't seem to be lying, Kakashi believed him.
"Isn't this completely unnecessary, Father?"
"How can it not be unnecessary? You two brothers are both of marriageable age and neither of you is married. The Hatake Clan is about to end. How can I not care?"
"I just came to see if you had any chance of winning the heart of your sweetheart. But your performance has completely surprised me."
"If you could just show even a little bit of your talent in cultivation, I wouldn't be in such a hurry and get so worked up."
Hatake Sakumo gave Kakashi a good scolding, and given Kakashi's performance, he didn't continue the conversation, unaware that Kakashi and Shizune were actually having a good chat.
"Father, since my brother and I are no longer fit to shoulder this responsibility, why don't you marry another woman?"
Wow, Kakashi knows how to distract himself.
"How could you say such a thing? You expect our father, who is so old, to still have to work to continue the family line?"
Hatake Sakumo was completely shocked. He hadn't expected Kakashi to come up with such a method.
Hatake Sakumo immediately gave Kakashi a taste of his own medicine, letting him know the authority he held as the head of the family.
"I'm back."
As soon as Kakashi opened the door, he searched the house for Karot, determined to find the culprit who had dragged him into this mess.
Seeing Kakashi running around the house, Hatake Sakumo spoke up.
"No need to look anymore, your brother has moved out."
"What? Damn it, that bastard made a mess of things and then ran away."
Kakashi felt a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton. He couldn't swallow the anger, nor could he spit it out.
"Isn't this normal? He's not stupid. Do you expect him to come back and yell at him?"
Hatake Sakumo seized the opportunity to deliver the finishing blow, making Kakashi even more miserable.
"Hatch."
Who's talking badly about me behind my back?
Karot, who was resting in his room, suddenly sneezed and said...
"Senior, are you asleep?"
The sound of Shisui could be heard outside the door.
"Come in if you need anything! You're still awake."
Shisui opened the door to the room and went inside.
"Senior, I've brought Itachi with me. Would it be convenient for you to see him now?"
"Let him in! We'll have to see him eventually anyway."
Last time, Karot promised Shisui he would meet Itachi, but Shisui arranged it so quickly.
"Lord Karot, hello."
As soon as Itachi entered, he knelt on one knee in front of Karot.
"There's no need for that. I'm not used to people kneeling in front of me."
After seeing Shisui's signal, Itachi followed Shisui's example and sat down in front of Karot.
"Itachi, is there something you want to see me about?"
Karot wouldn't underestimate someone who started contemplating the meaning of life so early on.
"Lord Karot, I wish to join you."
"Um?"
Karot looked completely puzzled.
"Didn't your father stake the Uchiha Clan's future on Minato- senpai? Are you going to go against his will, Itachi?"
Karot was very puzzled. Logically speaking, Minato had no hostility towards the Uchiha Clan, and he was able to balance the conflicts between the Uchiha Clan and the village.
"Indeed, it is in the best interests of the Uchiha Clan for Minato to become Hokage."
"But things are different with you. After Minato takes power, he will definitely suppress the major clans to create a balance, but you and Lord Orochimaru are different. Because you have enough strength to suppress all the clans. The stronger the clans are, the happier you will be."
"Did Shisui tell you?"
"This is my own idea."
"Everyone underestimated you, Itachi. You saw further than many others. Now, tell me what Orochimaru plans are."
Karot also planned to take this opportunity to test Uchiha Itachi.