Kakashi, Long Time No See!

A flash of white streaked across the training ground, and all three wooden posts in front of Shiraishi were sliced clean through.

Kakashi stood before the posts, his expression cool as he slowly sheathed a standard-issue katana.

"Using Kakashi's body, I can bring out seventy to eighty percent of my strength." After carefully testing it, Sakumo, who was controlling Kakashi's body, reached a precise assessment.

Shiraishi smiled and clapped. In his eyes, the incredible speed and slashing Sakumo had just demonstrated were truly impressive.

A powerhouse whose specialty was speed and killing with a single strike was practically a natural counter to humanoid beings.

"That's more than enough. With you protecting him, Kakashi won't be in any danger in the Land of Rain as it is now," Shiraishi said approvingly.

Sakumo looked at Shiraishi, his gaze growing sharper. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Shiraishi, are you really sending Kakashi to the Land of Rain just to support the Akatsuki? Did the Third Hokage approve this mission?"

Shiraishi paid no mind to Sakumo's questioning. He walked over with a smile and explained, "Of course. Please trust me. I'm sending Kakashi to the Akatsuki for his own good. As for the Third Hokage's approval, I'll get you the authorization for Kakashi to leave the village tomorrow."

"To show my sincerity, I'll give Kakashi another present later. Once he sees it, he'll understand how I feel."

Seeing that Shiraishi had gone so far as to say all that, Sakumo finally let go of his last reservations. As a father who had returned from the dead, Sakumo now had only one desire: to take good care of Kakashi.

While he was alive, he had already given all his strength to Konoha. Now, the only person he felt he had failed was his son, Kakashi.

Sakumo nodded, then explained of his own accord, "All I want now is to protect Kakashi and see him grow up safely."

"I understand how you feel." Shiraishi smiled warmly. "As Minato's friend, I also see Kakashi as a younger generation. I'd never hurt him."

Sakumo said nothing more. He withdrew his soul from Kakashi's body and appeared beside him as a spirit.

"Father. Shiraishi-senpai." Having regained control of his body, Kakashi first looked at his father beside him, then at Shiraishi.

"Come on, Kakashi! Let's go back to your place." With that, Shiraishi turned and headed out of the training ground.

Kakashi stayed where he was and turned to look at his father.

"Let's go back, Kakashi." Sakumo smiled fondly and reached out to pat Kakashi on the head. Then his spirit rose into the air and slipped into the Broken Blade strapped to Kakashi's back.

A little over ten minutes later, the two of them returned to Kakashi's house.

Sakumo stayed quietly inside the Broken Blade, leaving Kakashi and Shiraishi alone.

Shiraishi stood in the middle of the living room and beckoned Kakashi over.

Kakashi walked up to him and looked up, waiting for the older man to speak.

"Kakashi, get ready. I'll give you the authorization to leave the village tomorrow. Once you have it, head straight for the Land of Rain and approach the Akatsuki as a private citizen."

"I'll pack my things tonight," Kakashi replied.

Shiraishi looked at the solemn Kakashi and continued, "I'll give you the deposit for this mission now. It should also give you a little more assurance while you're out there."

At Shiraishi's words, a hint of anticipation immediately appeared in Kakashi's eyes.

He had a vague idea of what Shiraishi meant by the deposit.

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

Kakashi obediently held out his right hand and looked at Shiraishi expectantly. His hand trembled slightly with excitement.

Shiraishi took Kakashi's right hand in his left. With the index and middle fingers of his right hand held together like a sword, he pierced Kakashi's palm and drew a seal there with his blood.

Gusts of yin wind swept through the room, and a soul appeared out of nowhere above Kakashi's palm.

The soul rose into the air, circled over Kakashi's head, then landed beside him.

"Kakashi, long time no see." A gentle young woman with short hair that fell past her ears smiled at him.

Kakashi's body shuddered. He looked at Rin beside him, his eyes shining brightly with boundless longing. In a quiet voice, he whispered, "Rin!"

"Kakashi..." Rin looked at him too, guilt appearing in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Kakashi! It's all my fault you've been hurting so much."

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

Rin came closer, clasped her hands behind her back, and leaned forward slightly. She looked at Kakashi through his tears, her face full of warmth.

"Kakashi, I'm so happy I can see you again!"

Kakashi's tears spilled like a burst dam. Not wanting Rin to see, he turned around and faced away from her.

Undeterred, Rin came around to face him again and reached out to take his hand, drenched in tears.

Rin held on tightly to that hand—the hand that had pierced her heart; the hand that could never be washed clean; the hand now drenched in tears.

"Kakashi, I'm sorry!" Rin knew all too well that her pain had lasted only a moment, while Kakashi, who had killed his comrade with his own hands, would be haunted by pain and guilt for the rest of his life.

Kakashi shook his head and lifted it again. His eyes, already red and swollen, were even more puffy now. Looking at Rin, he rasped, "Rin, I've missed you so much too!"

A blush flickered across the young woman's face. Though she was only a spirit, Rin could still feel her cheeks burning.

In an instant, the balance shifted. Kakashi gazed directly at Rin, overwhelmed by longing and the joy of seeing his dear friend again.

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

Shiraishi stood to one side, watching the young pair with an ever-widening smile. At some point, Hatake Sakumo had reappeared beside him.

"What a heartwarming scene!" Shiraishi said quietly, turning to Sakumo.

Sakumo nodded, his eyes fixed on Rin.

He remembered this girl. She had been kind and gentle.

"Shiraishi, can you bring the dead back to life?" Sakumo asked, looking at him and lowering his voice as well.

As a father, Sakumo felt he ought to do something for Kakashi. He could see the girl's love for his son, and he could see Kakashi's longing and feelings for her.

Shiraishi didn't answer directly. Instead, he gave Sakumo a knowing smile.

"Can you?" Though it seemed impossible, Sakumo could just about guess the answer from Shiraishi's smile.

"Perhaps we can try," Shiraishi said with a smile.

Even though he had already guessed the answer, Sakumo was still stunned.

Bringing the dead back to life! That was a miracle reserved for deities in mythology, and Shiraishi could actually do it!

Was he really just an ordinary shinobi from the village?