The Hokage Building.
Kazuhiko arrived at the Third Hokage's office to collect his mission scroll.
"The Anbu ninja assigned to escort you is here."
The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke.
"He'll lead the way and protect you until the treatment is finished."
Kazuhiko nodded, though he couldn't help wondering.
Could the Anbu ninja the Third Hokage had sent be Uchiha Shisui?
According to the Uchiha Clan's intelligence, the strongest available Anbu ninja in Konoha right now was undoubtedly Body Flicker Shisui.
With Shisui accompanying him, he wouldn't have to worry about Danzo pulling any tricks during this mission.
Kazuhiko knew that Danzo probably wouldn't act against him directly until he had uncovered every secret behind Kazuhiko's Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
But he still couldn't rule out Danzo suddenly losing his mind and trying to kill him.
So Black Charcoal would be accompanying him on this mission outside the village, too.
If Kazuhiko really found himself in danger, the Ninja Cat Clan would use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring him back to Konoha and out of harm's way.
Just then, someone pushed open the office door, and a highly recognizable ninja walked in.
He wore a black, skin-tight outfit beneath a standard Anbu vest. His Forehead Protector sat at an angle, covering most of his face.
His silver-white hair stuck out in every direction, like a clump of weeds tossed about by the wind.
A black mask covered most of his face, leaving only one eye exposed.
With both hands in his pockets and his shoulders slumped, he gave off a cold, keep-your-distance sort of air.
Hatake Kakashi!
Kazuhiko recognized him at once.
At fifteen, Kakashi was already a veteran of the Third Shinobi World War.
His strength was clearly no less than Shisui's.
The Uchiha's intelligence really was terrible. They didn't even know that someone as distinctive as Kakashi had returned to the village.
Kazuhiko had only just finished thinking that when the Third Hokage began introducing him.
"This is the Anbu ninja who'll escort you. His name is..."
"I know. Hatake Kakashi, an Elite Jonin."
Kakashi tilted his head slightly. A flicker of surprise showed in his one visible eye.
But he soon returned to his usual listless expression.
"You know him?"
"Who in Konoha hasn't heard of the Copy Ninja?"
Kazuhiko smiled, but his gaze fell on the eye Kakashi kept hidden beneath his Forehead Protector.
There was a Mangekyo Sharingan in there.
Things were finally looking up.
At last, he had a chance to unlock Kakashi's character card pool and draw that coveted space-type Mangekyo Sharingan.
If he could get Kamui, there'd be no need to choose a sensory-type ability for his advancement mission.
"Lord Hokage, we're leaving."
Kakashi turned to Kazuhiko, his voice flat.
"Let's go. We're short on time."
He turned and walked off, his steps so light they made no sound. His retreating figure radiated a coldness that kept everyone at arm's length.
Kazuhiko was about to follow when the Third Hokage suddenly called out.
"Kazuhiko, wait."
Kazuhiko turned back. The Third Hokage rose from behind his desk and came over, lowering his voice.
"Besides treating Tsunade, there's one more thing."
"Please, go ahead."
The Third Hokage glanced toward the door, his expression complicated.
"Kakashi... is a good kid. But his father, teammates, master and mistress, and all the people he cared about have died."
"Now he's cold and withdrawn. Aside from Guy, he has no other friends."
The Third Hokage placed a heavy hand on Kazuhiko's shoulder.
"I hope you'll use your Psychological Medicine to counsel him. Help him stop being so cold and withdrawn, and guide him out of the shadows and the darkness."
Looking at the Third Hokage's aged face, Kazuhiko couldn't help feeling that he'd been handed two jobs for the price of one.
No wonder the man had become Hokage.
"I promise."
Kazuhiko nodded solemnly.
"I'll do my best."
The Hokage had given an order. How could the Uchiha stand by and do nothing?
Konoha! Loyal to the end!
The morning mist had cleared from Konoha.
Kazuhiko and Kakashi walked one behind the other along the stone-paved street.
Kakashi kept both hands in his pockets, his pace unhurried and his gaze fixed three meters ahead. He didn't meet anyone's eyes.
Kazuhiko was racking his brain for a topic that might win Kakashi's favor and unlock his character card pool.
Suddenly, a green figure sprang out of a side street, bringing a gust of wind with him.
"Behold! My destined rival has appeared!"
The newcomer wore a green, skin-tight outfit. His thick eyebrows looked like a pair of caterpillars, his teeth gleamed white, and he was giving Kakashi a thumbs-up.
"Kakashi, let's have a fiery contest of youth!"
It was Might Guy, Konoha's Blue Beast.
The man who had nearly kicked his way to the grand finale.
Kazuhiko's eyes lit up.
Double happiness!
Sure enough, wherever Kakashi went, Guy was bound to show up.
The hidden dragon and young phoenix always came as a pair.
Still, Guy's appearance was almost too much to bear.
His outfit was downright bizarre.
The green, skin-tight suit outlined his exaggerated muscles, while his glossy black bowl cut gleamed in the light. There was no hiding either his large head or his little one.
Most striking of all was his pose:
His knees were bent, his arms spread wide, and he looked like a frog about to pounce. His whole being radiated an intensity of youth that was almost impossible to look at.
Maybe, possibly, perhaps...
That was Guy's idea of youth.
Kakashi finally stopped walking.
He sighed. His one visible eye was half-lidded, and his voice carried a deep weariness.
"I don't have time today."
"Have you forgotten our agreement?!"
Guy dashed in front of Kakashi, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him hard.
"The loser can't refuse the winner's challenge!"
"Come on, what are we competing in today?"
"Today's breakfast is on the line. I won't lose!"
Kakashi's hair flew about as Guy shook him, but his expression remained indifferent.
He fell silent for three seconds, then thought of a way to get rid of Guy immediately.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
Guy froze, his thick eyebrows bunching together.
"That's what we're competing in?"
"It really tests a ninja's insight and reflexes."
Kakashi's voice was utterly flat, as if he were stating a simple fact.
Guy tilted his head and thought seriously for five seconds. Then, as though he'd suddenly understood, he clapped his hands.
"I see! Kakashi, only you could make even a simple contest so profound!"
Watching the familiar scene unfold, Kazuhiko wanted to say:
Kakashi's just too lazy to bother, so he's fobbing you off!
And what chance did you have at rock, paper, scissors against a ninja with the Sharingan?!
If you really wanted to win, you'd need to open at least the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, wouldn't you?
"I accept!"
Guy struck a one-legged pose again, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"I absolutely won't lose! If I do, I'll run five hundred laps around Konoha!"
Kakashi rubbed his tousled hair and pulled his mask higher without saying a word.
With Kazuhiko there, he just wanted to get rid of Guy as quickly as possible.
Even someone as aloof as him felt that covering only half his face was far too modest when people were watching him with Guy.
"Then it's settled!"
Guy looked solemn as he put his hands behind his back, ready to throw.
Kazuhiko certainly didn't want their contest to end right away. He still wanted to use this opportunity to break the ice with Kakashi.
"What if you win?"
Guy turned to Kazuhiko and flashed his trademark brilliant smile. His White Fang gleamed in the sunshine.
"If I win, after I finish the breakfast Kakashi treats me to, I'll reward myself by running five hundred laps around Konoha!"
Kazuhiko: ...
How was that any different from losing?
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