The next day, the sun shone brightly over all of Konoha.
Haori got up early. After washing up, he left home.
Looking at the vibrant village of Konoha, he felt a jumble of emotions.
"That old man is really annoying."
As he walked along Konoha's streets, Haori couldn't help shaking his head.
Thinking back over everything that had happened the day before, he realized it had left a deep impression on him. He also understood Uchiha Setsuna a little better now.
The old man seemed gentle, but beneath that gentleness lay a cold, perceptive nature.
Haori really hated dealing with people like him. It wasn't that he was bad at it; it was simply exhausting.
He had to carefully puzzle out what the other person really meant by everything he said.
At the same time, he had to weigh his own words carefully, doing his best not to say anything wrong.
That was why he liked spending time with his friends and fair-weather buddies in Konoha. He could feed them a little chicken soup for the soul or shoot the breeze with them to his heart's content.
He didn't have to think so much or worry about saying the wrong thing. That was what made him feel most at ease.
"Besides, that old man is extremely controlling, and just as I expected, his head is full of the clan."
Although he had interacted with Uchiha Setsuna several times, yesterday had been their first truly in-depth conversation.
That encounter had given Haori a clearer picture of Uchiha Setsuna and made him realize that there were some serious problems.
Could he really persuade this man, whose every thought revolved around the clan, to support him in overthrowing Uchiha Fugaku?
And if he managed to convince him and succeeded, would he become the next "Uchiha Fugaku"?
"Would I even become 'Uchiha Fugaku'? That's a question in itself."
Yesterday, Uchiha Setsuna had constantly tried to impress upon him that the clan must always come first.
It had shown Haori just how firm Uchiha Setsuna's convictions and will were.
A man with convictions so firm they bordered on obsession would probably only keep following his own ideas.
Haori didn't deny that the old man loved the clan, but he probably believed that only his own ideas and methods were right!
This realization made Haori feel even more pressed for time.
There was no point in counting on this man, and he could forget about the doves as well. He would have to find a way forward on his own.
Power was undoubtedly what he needed most, so he couldn't help focusing on the "Uchiha clan's ultimate weapon."
"I didn't expect you to be so energetic, Haori."
Kakashi led Haori toward Namikaze Minato's house.
They had only returned to Konoha the day before. Kakashi had planned to get some proper rest, but he hadn't expected Haori to wake him up so early.
Still, he wasn't bothered. His good friend needed help, and he was only too happy to lend a hand.
"What can I say? I'm interested in Sealing Jutsu."
Haori shrugged at Kakashi and said with a teasing smile.
"Jonin Minato asked Rin to tell me that I could visit Jonin Kushina if I needed anything.
"Unfortunately, I don't know Jonin Kushina very well. I hope I didn't disturb your rest."
"Come on, I'm a qualified ninja."
Kakashi's visible eye instantly turned into a dead fish eye, but soon he looked curious.
"Speaking of which, why didn't you ask Rin? I'm sure she'd be happy to help you."
Because you live closer to my house.
Haori couldn't help thinking that as Kakashi spoke. At the same time, he felt sorry for Obito once again.
In the original story, Rin had been very friendly toward Obito, but she had liked Kakashi.
Kakashi, however, had been emotionally scarred and rejected Rin without hesitation.
But now, although Rin and Obito were still close, it was hard to say whether she still liked Kakashi.
Besides, after Haori had poured a ton of chicken soup for the soul into Kakashi, he seemed to have changed quite a bit.
Still, none of that was a bad thing. Anyway, Obito couldn't see it.
He was probably dreaming right now, repeating Kakashi and Rin's names over and over in his sleep.
"By the way, if you hear any rumors about your Sharingan, keep an eye out."
Haori shook his head, put Obito out of his mind, and suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"If anyone gives you trouble, avoid a confrontation if you can. Wait until Jonin Minato gets back."
"The Sharingan?"
Kakashi touched his eye, and at once understood what Haori meant.
His Sharingan was an extremely sensitive subject.
After all, he was an outsider who had acquired someone else's bloodline power. The Uchiha Clan would never let that go!
Suddenly, Kakashi turned to look at Haori. He realized something.
Haori had never said a word about Kakashi's eye on the battlefield, nor had he done anything about it.
Yet on their second day back in Konoha, he had sought Kakashi out and carefully brought up the subject.
Could Haori have been under pressure from his clan?
"Yeah, that must be it. After all, he didn't do anything back then."
At that moment, Kakashi thought he understood.
Doing nothing was the biggest problem of all for a bloodline clan.
Haori must have been punished for it, right?
And yet, even after being punished, he was still warning Kakashi to be careful.
Thinking of this, Kakashi seemed to understand why Haori hadn't asked Rin to accompany him to see Kushina, and had come to Kakashi instead.
He was even more moved. Perhaps this was what it meant to be good friends!
"I understand, Haori."
Kakashi took a deep breath and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"I won't get into a conflict with anyone and make things difficult for you.
"And I'll definitely help you learn Sealing Jutsu from Sensei Kushina. I swear!"
"?"
Haori looked at Kakashi in confusion. He had no idea what had gotten into him.
He had gone to Kakashi partly because Kakashi lived nearby, and partly because he hoped Kakashi could help him get closer to Kushina.
His real goal was the Uzumaki Clan's ancestral home. He wanted to explore it thoroughly and find what he was looking for.
Still, Kakashi's attitude was pretty nice. Haori didn't know what had brought it on, but with Kakashi helping, he could make a few "reasonable requests," right?
"Then I'll leave it to you."
The two chatted off and on as they walked, and before long they arrived at Namikaze Minato's front door.
But to their surprise, they ran into Uzumaki Kushina just as she was heading out with two Anbu.
"Minato asked you to come? You want to learn Sealing Jutsu?"
Kushina was surprised to run into Kakashi, but even more surprised that Haori wanted to learn Sealing Jutsu.
She didn't know Haori well, but she could tell he was an Uchiha.
Still, it seemed a little strange to her that an Uchiha wanted to learn Sealing Jutsu.
But she trusted Kakashi very much, and Kakashi had explained that Minato had asked him to come.
There was no need to overthink it. She trusted Minato completely!
"If Minato asked you, then of course it's fine. But I have something else I need to take care of right now."
Kushina thought it over, then spread her hands. Soon, though, a sly smile appeared on her face.
"How about this? Kakashi, take your friend to my house and wait for me. There are more materials over there, too.
"I haven't been there in a long time, so why don't you two give the place a clean while you're at it?
"Just like when Minato used to take you along to do it."
At Kushina's words, Haori almost lost his composure.
He had been racking his brains over how to get into Kushina's ancestral home, even coming up with a whole pile of plans.
And now the problem had been solved just like that. He realized he might have misunderstood something.
Thanks to the generous reader Dream of Searching for This World for the reward. Thank you, thank you~
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Thank you, everyone! Onz