The fireworks were in full bloom, lasting for a long time.
Akashi looked around and happened to see Guy still jumping and waving. It seemed Kakashi had been late for quite a while.
Among ninja, that habit was unforgivable.
In fact, Kakashi had always been punctual in the past. The change had begun with the death of his close friend.
"I have something to do. I'll be right back." Knowing where he was, Akashi greeted Shingetsu.
"Hey..."
Before Shingetsu could even react, his figure had already vanished.
Before the Memorial Stone.
Kakashi stood loosely with his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on a familiar name as he remained lost in thought for a long time.
Whenever he came here and remembered his departed friends, it was as though time outside had stopped.
He had entered his own world.
He could not hear Konoha's clamor or see the brilliant fireworks. His thoughts returned once more to the Kannabi Bridge Battle.
Over and over, he imagined whether Obito might have survived if he had not made that mistake.
He desperately wanted to travel back and do it all over again.
Even if he had to sacrifice himself, he would save Obito and save Rin.
In his fantasies, he replayed different versions of the story again and again.
In the end, he still could not escape the trap of guilt and regret.
After all, in reality, not only had he failed to protect his comrades, he had not even kept his promise to Obito.
There was no one with whom he could share the pain in his heart.
Akashi watched from afar, as though he were looking at a statue.
If he remembered correctly, Kakashi had stepped into darkness at least three times.
After White Fang's death, he had languished for