Kakashi, Long Time No See!

Inside the training ground, a flash of white light streaked by, and the three wooden stakes in front of Shiraishi were all severed in a single stroke.

Kakashi stood firm before the stakes, his expression cold as he slowly sheathed a standard-issue samurai sword.

"Using Kakashi's body, I can exert seventy to eighty percent of my strength." Controlling Kakashi's body, Hatake Sakumo made a precise judgment after a careful test.

Shiraishi smiled and clapped; the god-like speed and cutting power Hatake Sakumo had just displayed were, in his view, quite exceptional.

A powerhouse who specialized in speed and one-hit kills like this was practically a natural predator against humanoid targets.

"That is enough. In the current Land of Rain, with your protection, Kakashi will not be in any danger," Shiraishi said approvingly.

Sakumo looked at Shiraishi, his gaze growing sharper. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Shiraishi, is your reason for sending Kakashi to the Land of Rain truly just to support the Akatsuki? Has this mission received the approval of the Third Hokage?"

Shiraishi did not mind the interrogation; he walked up to him with a smile and explained, "Of course. Please trust me—I am sending Kakashi to the Akatsuki for his own good. As for the Third Hokage's approval, I will produce the signed authorization for Kakashi to leave the village tomorrow."

"To show my sincerity, I will give Kakashi another gift later. Once he sees it, he will understand my intentions."

Seeing that Shiraishi had spoken to this extent, Sakumo let go of his final defenses. As a father who had returned from death, Sakumo's only obsession now was to take good care of Kakashi.

When he was alive, he had already contributed all his strength to Konoha; now, the only person he felt guilty toward was his son, Kakashi.

Sakumo nodded and then explained of his own accord, "I only wish to watch over Kakashi as he grows up safely."

"I understand your heart," Shiraishi said with a gentle smile. "As a friend of Minato, Kakashi is also my junior. I would never harm him."

Sakumo said no more and voluntarily withdrew his soul from Kakashi's body, manifesting as a spirit beside him.

"Father, Senior Shiraishi." Having regained control of his body, Kakashi first looked at his father, then turned to Shiraishi.

"Let's go, Kakashi! We are heading back to your home." With that, Shiraishi turned and walked out of the training ground.

Kakashi stood where he was, turning his head to look at his father.

"Go on, Kakashi." Sakumo smiled kindly, reached out to pat Kakashi's head, and then his spirit form rose, merging into the Broken Blade strapped to Kakashi's back.

Ten minutes later, the two returned to Kakashi's home.

Sakumo remained quietly inside the Broken Blade, leaving the space to Kakashi and Shiraishi.

Shiraishi stood in the center of the living room and gestured for Kakashi to come forward.

Kakashi walked up to Shiraishi and looked up at him, waiting for the senior to speak.

"Kakashi, prepare yourself. Tomorrow, I will hand you the authorization to leave the village. You are to depart immediately for the Land of Rain and make contact with the Akatsuki in a private capacity."

"I will pack my things tonight," Kakashi promised.

Shiraishi looked at the serious-faced Kakashi and continued, "I will give you the down payment for this mission now; consider it an extra guarantee for your task."

Hearing Shiraishi's words, a flicker of anticipation instantly appeared in Kakashi's eyes.

He had a vague, intuitive guess as to what the "down payment" Shiraishi mentioned might be.

"Hold out your right hand," Shiraishi said with a smile.

Kakashi obediently extended his right hand, looking at Shiraishi with expectation; his hand trembled slightly from the excitement.

Shiraishi grabbed Kakashi's right hand with his left, formed a sword-finger with his right hand, pricked Kakashi's palm, and used the blood to draw a seal upon it.

A chilling wind swept through the room, and a mass of soul energy appeared out of thin air above Kakashi's palm.

The soul mass rose, circled once above Kakashi's head, and landed beside him.

"Kakashi, long time no see." A gentle girl with short hair that brushed her ears looked at Kakashi with a blooming smile.

Kakashi's body shuddered. He looked at Rin beside him, his eyes shining with a brilliant light, and whispered with endless longing, "Rin!"

"Kakashi..." Rin looked at him, her eyes filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Kakashi! It's all my fault for making you suffer so much."

"No!" Kakashi turned his head away, trying to hide the tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.

Rin stepped closer to him, hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly to look at the weeping Kakashi with a face full of gentle smiles.

"Kakashi, I am truly happy to see you again!"

Kakashi's tears flowed like a broken dam. Not wanting Rin to see, he turned his back to her.

Rin did not give up; she moved in front of him again and reached out to grab the hand stained with tears.

She gripped that hand tightly—the hand that had pierced her heart; the hand that could never be washed clean; the hand now covered in tears.

"Kakashi, I'm sorry!" Rin knew clearly that her pain had lasted only an instant, while Kakashi, who had killed his own comrade, would be haunted by pain and guilt for the rest of his life.

Kakashi shook his head and lifted his face again. His already red and swollen eyes grew even more puffy. He looked at Rin and said in a hoarse voice, "Rin, I have missed you so much, too!"

A blush flashed across the girl's face; even though she was only a soul, Rin could feel her cheeks burning.

The dynamic shifted in an instant. With longing and the excitement of reuniting with his dearest friend, Kakashi looked directly at Rin.

Under Kakashi's gaze, Rin slowly lowered her head.

Shiraishi stood to the side, watching the young boy and girl, the corners of his mouth curling upward. Beside him, Hatake Sakumo had reappeared.

"What a warm and loving scene," Shiraishi said softly, turning to look at Sakumo.

Sakumo nodded, his eyes fixed on Rin.

He still remembered this girl—a very kind and gentle little girl.

"Shiraishi, are you able to bring the dead back to life?" Sakumo looked toward Shiraishi, asking in a similarly low voice.

As a father, Sakumo felt he should do something for Kakashi; he could see the young girl's love for his son, just as he could see Kakashi's longing and feelings for her.

Shiraishi did not answer directly, instead offering Sakumo a meaningful smile.

"Is it possible?" Although it felt inconceivable, Sakumo vaguely guessed the answer from Shiraishi's smile.

"Perhaps it is worth a try," Shiraishi said with a smile.

Even though he had already guessed the answer, Sakumo's heart was still filled with shock.

Bringing the dead back to life! This was a miracle that belonged only to the gods of myth, yet Shiraishi could actually achieve it!

Was he truly just a ninja from the village?