The Person in the Mire

The Hokage's office, shrouded in mist within the Hokage Building.

"Knock, knock, knock-" A strong knock echoed.

"Come in," Hiruzen Sarutobi called out, not looking up from the documents he was organizing.

"Third Hokage-sama," Aburame Keiichi pushed the door open and said respectfully.

"Ah, Keiichi. How are you finding your new role as a teacher?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked kindly, a pipe clenched in his teeth.

Upon hearing this, Aburame Keiichi's expression stiffened slightly, and he scratched his head.

"How should I put it... I just don't feel like I'm cut out to be a teacher."

"Hmph, I think you're just being lazy, kid..." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, revealing a slightly haggard face beneath his Kage robes.

"How could I be? This is a mission you assigned me, and as a ninja, I will absolutely obey," Aburame Keiichi said earnestly as he approached.

"And what about you, as yourself?" The old man stretched his back and stood up from his office chair, turning his back to Aburame Keiichi and gazing out the window.

"What are Aburame Keiichi's thoughts?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked meaningfully.

"Does that even matter, Lord Hiruzen?" Aburame Keiichi retorted after a pause. "As a ninja, obeying orders and completing missions is the only principle, isn't it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a helpless sigh, looking at the stubborn Aburame Keiichi with a headache.

"You, oh you, you're letting missions consume your mind entirely. That's precisely why I insisted you temporarily step down from the Anbu," Hiruzen said, shaking his head slowly.

"I still don't understand, Third Hokage-sama. My mission completion rate and intelligence gathering have always been top-notch. Why did you make me leave the Anbu?" Aburame Keiichi frowned, a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

"Sigh, I understand how you feel, Keiichi, but that's precisely why I must stop you. It's true that ninja serve their missions."

"But Keiichi, ninja aren't machines. We are all flesh and blood, beings with thoughts. If we only serve missions..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice grew heavy.

"Sooner or later, we'll be mired in the mud, becoming mere machines that only know how to kill..."

"I understand your concerns, Third Hokage-sama, and I know the drawbacks of doing so," Aburame Keiichi said. Even his usually placid face showed ripples of emotion.

"It's just... it's just... what else can I do? My loved ones and dear friends both fell on the battlefields of the Land of Rain. The moment I decided to join the Anbu, I felt I had nothing left to own and nothing left to lose..."

"Third Hokage-sama, can you tell me, what else can someone like me do besides immersing myself in missions?"

"That's why I placed you in the Ninja Academy to become a teacher, Keiichi. Everything and everyone, every era, eventually fades and ages. As mortals, we cannot change that," the Third Hokage turned around, his gaze meeting Aburame Keiichi's.

"However, we have successors, the next generation carrying hope. They are the continuation of our spirits, the symbol of ninja inheritance, and proof that we once existed here."

"Our deeds and names will be passed down through generations of ninja, becoming goals for the next generation to strive for. Even as we age, even if we lose everything, we can still be the kindling that ignites a new flame."

The Hokage, now in his twilight years, removed the "Fire" inscribed hat from his head and placed it on the table. His eyes held contemplation and worry, but no trace of greed.

"Because, where the leaves dance, the fire will continue to burn."

Konoha Pedestrian Street, Akimichi Barbecue Restaurant.

"Why are there so many people today? I know it's graduation day, but this is ridiculously crowded! Even that terrible dorayaki place over there has a line! It's unbelievable!" Morino Kei shouted as if he had been personally offended.

"Ah, didn't we win a decisive victory at Mount Kikyo a few days ago that turned the tide of the war? The Sand Ninja were so heavily damaged they can't fight anymore," Uchiha Kai said, stroking his chin.

"They'll probably shift their focus to the Stone Ninja next."

"Huh? What does that have to do with so many people?" Morino Kei asked, scratching his head with a look of feigned wisdom.

"Are you stupid? If they're shifting the front lines, the ninja out on missions will definitely return to the village to report, await further orders, and maybe rest and reward themselves," Hyuga Rei said, slapping her forehead in exasperation.

"Hahaha! Is that so? So complicated."

As they chatted, the three arrived at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant. Looking at the bustling establishment, Morino Kei suddenly said something nonsensical.

"Uh... are barbecue restaurants this profitable now? Why are there ninja guarding the entrance..."

Hearing this, the other two followed Morino Kei's gaze and saw two figures standing on either side of the restaurant entrance. One had an explosive hedgehog hairstyle, and the other had smooth, slanted bangs.

"Ha, they're probably just waiting for someone. Why do you have such a wild imagination?" the girl couldn't take it anymore and smacked Morino Kei on the head.

"You know, it's actually quite fitting," Uchiha Kai chuckled knowingly, looking at the two at the entrance.

It was none other than the inseparable duo from the original story, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, who guarded the gates of Konoha. Nicknamed the "gatekeepers," they truly embodied the spirit of Konoha even if the gate itself were gone.

It was a form of dedication in its own way.

The three walked past the gatekeepers and entered the barbecue restaurant.

The next moment, an enticing aroma exploded around them. The sizzling sound of griddles could be heard from all directions, the air filled with the charred scent of oil, and the aroma of food mingled with the sounds of conversation.

Instantly, all three of their stomachs rumbled in unison.

"Hello, how many in your party?" a waiter asked enthusiastically.

"There are three of us, thank you," Uchiha Kai replied softly.

"Ah, table number 18 has just been cleared. It's a four-person table, would that be alright?"

"No problem, as soon as possible," Uchiha Kai said.

"Then please come this way. Your table is the second from the left," the waiter said, pointing the way.

"Okay, thank you very much."

"I'm starving! I'm going to eat ten plates of grilled meat by myself!" Morino Kei, who could no longer contain himself, boasted.

"Oh, come on, you skinny kid with a big mouth and small stomach. You always order so much food and then pack leftovers every time. Can't you have a clearer understanding of yourself?" Hyuga Rei said mercilessly, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, hurry up and get to your seats. If more people come, we won't be able to squeeze in," Uchiha Kai urged the two of them before walking towards their seats.

Just as he was about to sit down, he heard a very familiar voice.

"Huh? Is that you, Kai, you brat?!"

A boy wearing a forehead protector and an orange scarf at the next table suddenly spoke.

Quite surprised, Uchiha Kai followed the sound and saw a sunny boy grinning widely and waving.

"Obito-senpai? When did you get back?" the boy asked, confused.

This boy with messy short hair, who always maintained an optimistic demeanor, was none other than Uchiha Obito, the great villain from the original story who had stirred up countless wars and disasters.

The fuse that ignited many major events, the first victim of the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan, a coward who chose to escape and deny the world after being unable to accept the blow, an escapist who pushed all the blame onto others.

He was currently sitting in an ordinary yakiniku restaurant, preparing to enjoy a hard-earned break during the war.

"Well, of course, the mission was a great success! With the reward, Teacher Minato is treating us to yakiniku!"

Obito turned his head to look at the gentle figure sitting by the grill, praying.