Kakashi Returns

At night, Karot stumbled his way home. Those old drunks naturally hadn't let him off easy today, insisting on toasting him again and again.

It wasn't until the dead of night that Karot finally managed to make a pathetic escape.

When he arrived home, Hatake Sakumo was still waiting in the same spot where he had waited for Karot's return from his first mission.

"Father."

Karot collapsed onto the floor and called out. He was truly drained of all strength and couldn't control himself.

Hatake Sakumo shook his head. He had originally intended to have a father-son talk with Karot, but seeing the state Karot was in, he knew those plans were ruined.

"Hmph."

Hatake Sakumo let out a cold snort and returned to his room, leaving Karot to fall asleep in the hall without even bothering to cover him with a blanket.

"Ah-choo!"

Karot woke up with a sneeze, clutching his forehead. His throat was parched—the aftereffects of being drunk.

"You're awake."

Hatake Sakumo's voice rang out. He was sitting upright on the tatami mat, sipping tea. He poured a cup for Karot. Karot hurried over, grabbed the teacup, and drained it in one gulp.

"So refreshing!"

Karot couldn't help but shout.

Seeing Karot gulping it down like a cow, wasting his fine tea, Hatake Sakumo's mouth twitched. There was no helping it; even if he said something, the boy wouldn't change, and he would just use some of his own theories to argue back. It was a waste of breath.

"Karot, don't you think our house feels empty?"

"Hm?"

Karot was confused. Hadn't their house always been like this?

Seeing that his son didn't understand his meaning, Hatake Sakumo had no choice but to speak plainly.

"How about I arrange a marriage for you, Karot?"

"Hm?"

Karot stared at Hatake Sakumo, the tea in his mouth spraying out.

"Cough, cough."

Karot patted his chest. He had been shocked by Hatake Sakumo. He was only thirteen at most right now; he was still a minor!

"Father, are you sick? I'm still so young, and you already want me to take a wife!"

"How is that too young? When I was your age, your grandfather had already made me take a wife."

This couldn't really be blamed on Hatake Sakumo. Karot was simply too popular. Last night, a large group of old friends and comrades-in-arms had invited him out to eat, and throughout the meal, they kept introducing their daughters, bragging about how excellent they were, all in hopes of forming an alliance through marriage with Hatake Sakumo. He had intended to talk to Karot about it last night, but the kid had ended up getting drunk.

"Father, I'm not in a rush yet. Why don't you consider

"Ah."

The most sudden wounds are the deepest.

With that said, Karot and Sanada flanked Matsushita Hokuto on either side and walked into the restaurant.

"Hi, Kazumi, long time no see. You've become even more beautiful."

Karot greeted her. In their squad, Kazumi had always been the one to look after Karot's daily life.

"You're here."

Her sweet smile was very comforting.

The four of them sat around a table, constantly sharing how they had spent the past year. Kazumi was now working at the hospital, while Sanada had been promoted to Special Jonin a year ago and was currently leading a squad. War always tempers one's growth. Moreover, this brat was getting married soon to someone from the Hyuga Branch Family. Teacher Matsushita had successfully joined the Anbu, a goal he had always aspired to.

"What about you, Karot? Do you have any plans?"

Matsushita Hokuto asked, and Kazumi and Sanada were equally interested, looking straight at Karot.

"I don't know. The Hokage hasn't given me any assignments, and I also want to take a break for a while to focus on my training."

Karot said while gulping down food.

"You still need to train? You're already so strong."

Sanada asked; he was well aware of Karot's strength and his performance on the Cloud Ninja battlefield.

"There is no limit to learning. Once you relax, your strength will naturally decline. Only through perseverance can you make progress."

"Well said, Karot. You're right. Sanada, you've been a bit slack lately."

Matsushita Hokuto praised Karot while urging Sanada on. Both were his students, and he wanted them both to achieve greatness.

"Yes, Teacher, I understand."

Sanada was still able to listen to the words of Matsushita Hokuto and Karot. He cherished their bond as teacher and student, and as brothers, deeply, because in the ninja world, no one knows whether tomorrow or death will arrive first. The heavy topic drifted away with the wind, and the four of them drank and chatted happily. Karot kept his head down, focused on his meal, while Kazumi skillfully helped him pass the dishes.

The waiter kept bringing out food, barely able to keep up with Karot's eating speed. His three companions were accustomed to it, but the other guests were shocked, seeing someone eat that much in person for the first time.

After they were full of food and wine, everyone returned home. Only Matsushita Hokuto was left in a world where he was the only one suffering.

Back home, Karot saw Kakashi. Kakashi's eyes were bandaged, clearly indicating that he had been injured. He hadn't expected that Kakashi would still end up on this path.

"What happened, Kakashi? Are you okay?"

Hatake Sakumo, concerned for his son, spoke first.

"Obito... he died. He died saving me."

Tears streamed from Kakashi's eyes; the emotions he had been suppressing burst forth in that moment. Hatake Sakumo fell silent upon hearing this, for he too had experienced the sacrifice of a close friend. This was something one could only overcome on their own. Only Karot, who knew the plot, knew that Obito was not dead. Because Karot had been stationed at the Mist border, Rin had not become the Three-Tails Jinchuriki. She was still alive, which could be considered a disruption to the timeline, but that old schemer Madara Uchiha would not let Rin go. For the sake of his dear younger brother, Karot would have to go and see Madara Uchiha.