Uchiha Itachi and the Man He Was With!

Hyuga Makoto's words stirred ripples in Kakashi's heart.

He naturally remembered that on the very first day Hyuga Makoto joined the team, he had said, "Companions are the people we should cherish most."

Moreover, Hyuga Makoto's performance in all his subsequent missions had been proof of this.

What Kakashi hadn't expected was that Hyuga Makoto's reason for thinking this way would be something like that...

"Obito-senpai gave his Sharingan to the captain because he cherished you as a companion, Captain."

Hyuga Makoto noticed the change in Kakashi's mood and continued speaking.

"I don't know the specific reason behind Rin-senpai's choice, but I believe she made it to protect you and more people, Captain."

"Yes."

Kakashi nodded lightly, his eyes filled with emotion and relief.

"They were both that kind of person. They were also true heroes."

"So, I came here today to pay my respects."

Hyuga Makoto spoke softly, then turned toward Kakashi curiously.

"Captain, this may be presumptuous, but if you don't mind, could you tell me some interesting stories about the two of you from back then?"

"Don't call me Captain anymore. Just call me by my name."

Kakashi glanced at Hyuga Makoto, a smile appearing on his face.

"As for us, we probably don't have that many interesting stories. After all, I graduated early..."

Kakashi was in a very good mood. He had already thought highly of Hyuga Makoto.

And now that he understood the source of Hyuga Makoto's "original intention," his approval had deepened even further!

Besides, he had kept many things bottled up inside and wanted to talk about them.

He spoke slowly, beginning with things from his childhood, while Hyuga Makoto listened very attentively.

"That's more or less how it was..."

After who knew how long, Kakashi finally finished telling his story, and he couldn't help scratching his head.

"I didn't expect to talk for so long."

"That just proves you've always kept them in your heart, Kakashi-senpai."

Hyuga Makoto didn't mind at all. He chuckled softly.

"I think they would definitely be happy if they knew."

"Perhaps..."

Kakashi nodded with a smile. He really was in a good mood now.

However, just then, Hyuga Makoto suddenly asked curiously, "But, senpai, after hearing your story, I realized that you never visited their old homes after they were gone."

"Uh, about that..."

Kakashi himself froze. Thinking about it carefully, he really hadn't gone!

At first, he hadn't dared to face them. Images of the past would constantly flash through his mind.

Later, after joining the Anbu, he gradually recovered, but the Anbu had so many missions that he never had much time.

Combined with some other reasons, he basically only came to the Memorial Stone.

"Rin's home was destroyed during the Nine-Tails Incident, and Obito was an Uchiha..."

"So what? Even taking a look would be better than doing nothing, wouldn't it?"

Hyuga Makoto looked at Kakashi and spoke quietly.

"After all, traces of their lives once existed there. That can also count as mourning them and encouraging yourself to move forward, can't it?"

"You little brat..."

Kakashi was caught between laughter and tears, but he had to admit that he was tempted.

Hyuga Makoto's words had truly touched the softest place in his heart.

He really felt that this kid was a lot like Obito...

However, more than ten minutes later.

"What the hell did you buy?!"

Kakashi stared at the book in his hand, even the exposed parts of his face flushed red.

"What's wrong with the book?"

Hyuga Makoto blinked in "confusion" and asked curiously.

"I saw that it was written by Jiraiya-sama. Isn't it supposed to be good?"

"Jiraiya-sama?"

The moment Kakashi heard that name, he immediately felt a headache coming on.

"No wonder it's this kind of book..."

"Huh? You don't like it, senpai? Then give it to me. I'll get you another one tomorrow."

"..."

"That's strange. It's clearly a bestselling book. I'll go back and read it carefully."

"No, I like it very much. Thank you!"

Kakashi immediately shook his head. This book definitely wasn't suitable for a kid like Hyuga Makoto.

He wondered if Konoha's bookstores were completely irresponsible. How could they let a child buy this kind of book?

But...

Kakashi felt as though his heart were being tickled. Although he felt it was wrong to read this sort of thing, he couldn't stop himself from wanting to!

"So this is Jiraiya-sama's literary talent?"

After thinking it over, Kakashi still opened the book and began reading as they walked!

Hyuga Makoto found this rather amusing. Kakashi was slowly starting to show the bearing of Team 7!

This is more like it. This is the way I remember him...

The two chatted as they walked and gradually arrived at the Uchiha Clan Compound.

The Uchiha had been relocated to the outskirts of Konoha. Strangely enough, however, they had moved all the undamaged buildings over collectively.

Thus, Obito's residence had also been preserved, which made Hyuga Makoto feel that ninjas were truly suited for construction work...

Kakashi was still reading with his head lowered, but his tone had become much more serious.

"We're here. Like the Hyuga, this is an Autonomous Region, but be careful. You know the Uchiha's situation."

"I understand. I won't provoke them."

Hyuga Makoto nodded, then sighed.

"Speaking of which, it's a real pity about Uchiha Shisui. He somehow committed suicide for no apparent reason."

"..."

Kakashi swallowed. He felt that bringing Hyuga Makoto here might not have been a wise choice.

But they were already here. What else could he do?

"Forget about that. Let's go."

"Oh."

As they spoke, the two of them stepped into the Uchiha clan compound.

The moment they entered, they sensed that many pairs of eyes were watching them from all around.

Those gazes were extremely unfriendly, as if they were looking at enemies!

However, neither of them paid any attention. Kakashi continued reading.

Hyuga Makoto, meanwhile, looked around curiously, his heart filled with even more emotion.

Uchiha Itachi is truly ruthless...

Like the Hyuga, the Uchiha also had a commercial street.

The people who worked and ran businesses on this street were ordinary people who couldn't become ninjas, along with the elderly, women, and children!

Hyuga Makoto truly couldn't understand it. These people had almost no say in the matter and no strength at all.

Since Uchiha Itachi intended to bear everything, wouldn't it have been better to eliminate the main forces behind the coup and have Konoha step in to protect these ordinary people?

Is there really something wrong with his brain...?

Hyuga Makoto pursed his lips. He had once read some records about the Warring States Period.

Even during that chaotic era, the various clans would exercise restraint when necessary for the sake of survival and succession.

After all, everyone would have times when they lost. It was precisely this restraint that allowed so many bloodline clans in the Shinobi World to survive to the present day.

But these "Madness Filial Twin Heroes" really went all the way to the bitter end...

Hyuga Makoto shook his head, sighed inwardly, and turned to Kakashi.

"Senpai, the people here aren't very friendly. Should we call Uchiha Itachi over?"

"Find him?"

Kakashi also cast an inconspicuous glance around before nodding.

"That would be helpful. Let him lend us a hand."

"Keep an eye on things here for me. I'll leave finding him to myself."

Hyuga Makoto immediately grinned, making Kakashi's eyes widen.

Using the Byakugan in the Uchiha Clan Compound? Aren't you afraid of causing an even bigger misunderstanding?

But he was still a little too late. Hyuga Makoto had already activated his Byakugan.

Seeing this, Kakashi's scalp prickled even more, but he could only shield Hyuga Makoto.

"Found him. He's in the rear mountains."

Fortunately, Hyuga Makoto was truly quick, which made Kakashi breathe a sigh of relief.

"Turn it off quickly. This is the Uchiha Clan Compound, after all."

"Senpai, something seems to be wrong."

At that moment, Hyuga Makoto's brows furrowed, and his voice grew somewhat solemn.

"Do you remember that man Hokage-sama told us about?"

"Hm?"

Kakashi froze. His gaze sharpened, but he asked in an unassuming tone, "The masked man?"

"Yes. Although he isn't wearing the black robes with red clouds, he has the same orange spiral mask described, and his right eye is a Sharingan!"

"A mask and a Sharingan..."

"Besides that, he seems to be together with Uchiha Itachi..."

"!!!"