Kakashi's Thoughts

Konoha Cemetery was silent, save for the gentle breeze that brushed past, causing the grass and trees around the graves to rustle.

In this tranquil place, several bouquets of fresh flowers lay before the tombstones of Rin Nohara and Obito. The petals trembled slightly in the wind, as if whispering endless longing.

Not far away, however, the grave marked with the name "Uchiha Shisui" had been dug up; the churned earth looked jarring and out of place.

Kakashi knelt on one knee, his hands buried deep into the soil. His palms were coated in damp dirt, and grime was packed tight beneath his fingernails.

Kakashi slowly stood up, his gaze locked onto the excavated grave as his thoughts surged like a tide.

Both geniuses, he had once walked side-by-side with Uchiha Shisui.

Having become a Jonin at a young age, he had believed he reached a new height in ninjutsu and strength, yet he had been left far behind by Uchiha Shisui.

He stared at the empty grave, his heart filled with helplessness and loss.

He could not understand how a dear friend who had grown up alongside him could suddenly become so unreachable, to the point where he couldn't even catch a glimpse of the man's departing back.

This gap left him feeling profoundly defeated and pained.

Now, Rin Nohara and Obito were long gone, and Uchiha Shisui had embarked on a path he could not comprehend.

He hated his own incompetence; he had failed to protect Rin Nohara and Obito at the most critical moment, and now, he was powerless to save Uchiha Shisui as well.

Kakashi clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, leaving behind trails of blood.

He swore to himself that no matter the cost, he would find Uchiha Shisui and uncover why he had become like this.

"Talking about peace in the Shinobi World—that could have been achieved right here in Konoha. It was just an excuse to defect from the village."

Kakashi's brows furrowed, his eyes filled with complex emotions as he stared deeply at the dug-up pit, his memory drifting back to the battle at the Valley of the End.

A former comrade now standing on the opposite side; those scenes of intense conflict were like sharp blades, piercing his heart.

Collecting his surging thoughts, Kakashi turned slowly and walked with heavy steps toward the tombstone of Rin Nohara.

He crouched down, his fingers gently brushing against her name on the stone, as if touching those beautiful days of the past.

Then, he spoke softly, recounting the recent events in the village to her, his voice tinged with nostalgia:

"Rin, did you know? Namikaze Minato has had me join the Anbu. Also, Kushina seems to be giving birth in a few months, and Namikaze Minato has assigned me the task of protecting her..."

His words flowed like a babbling brook, drifting through the quiet cemetery as he shared the trivial matters of the village.

Before he knew it, the sun had climbed to its zenith, casting blinding light over the graveyard. Kakashi had to leave for work, so he stopped his sharing.

He stood up, took one last deep look at the tombstone of Rin Nohara, and turned to walk toward the village, his shadow stretching long and lonely in the sunlight.

Not long after Kakashi left, Obito, clad in a black robe and wearing a tiger-skin mask, emerged quietly from the nearby woods.

His gaze remained fixed on the departing Kakashi, his eyes holding an inscrutable emotion; he had heard every word of the conversation between Kakashi and Rin Nohara.

He then approached the tombstone of Rin Nohara, glanced at her name, and suddenly reached out to scatter the bouquets before the grave.

The flowers dispersed in the air, their petals swaying gently in the wind as if weeping in silence.

"If I cannot protect those I am meant to protect, what is the meaning of this power?"

Obito whispered, his voice filled with agony. His figure appeared exceptionally lonely before the tombstone, as if abandoned by the entire world.

In the office of the Hokage Building, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patches of light and shadow across the wooden floor.

Namikaze Minato, dressed in his Hokage haori, sat at his large desk, his pen dancing across the documents with a rhythmic scratching sound.

Kakashi stood stiffly to the side; though his posture remained upright, his eyes behind his mask were unfocused, occasionally drifting toward the window.

In the brief intervals between signing documents, Namikaze Minato looked up, his gaze sharp, and glanced inadvertently at Kakashi.

He set his pen down gently, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Kakashi, you seem a bit distracted today. Are you still dwelling on that matter?"

Namikaze Minato's voice was gentle and steady, carrying a hint of concern that rang clearly in the quiet office.

Kakashi jolted, as if yanked back to reality from a chaotic train of thought. He looked up, his eyes filled with complexity, and said slowly:

"Namikaze Minato, I feel like a failure. I am not fit to have comrades."

Namikaze Minato looked at the young man trapped in self-denial, his eyes full of understanding.

He stood up, walked around the desk to Kakashi's side, and patted his shoulder gently, his tone soft yet firm:

"Kakashi, don't overthink it. After your teacher's wife gives birth, I can ask my teacher, Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, to take you on a journey through the Shinobi World. How about that?"

Namikaze Minato hoped that witnessing a new life would help Kakashi emerge from the shadow of his lost comrades, and that having Jiraiya take him on a journey would allow Kakashi to rediscover himself and perhaps find that lost friend.

Kakashi nodded, a flicker of relief crossing his lowered eyes.

Namikaze Minato was always like this, as if he could see through the most hidden thoughts in his heart; in front of him, his feelings had nowhere to hide.

Seeing Kakashi nod, Namikaze Minato nodded as well, a look of gratification appearing on his face. He looked out the window, seemingly seeing a bright future for Konoha, and said slowly:

"The village is beginning to flourish now, and there has been significant progress regarding the Uchiha clan as well."

"Namikaze Minato, does his defection have a major impact on the Uchiha clan?"

Kakashi frowned slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes as he asked.

Although he harbored resentment regarding the defection of Uchiha Shisui, he could not help but worry about the impact this would have on the Uchiha clan.

"Hmm, his defection has accelerated the plans between Fugaku and me; in a way, it can be considered a disguised improvement for the village."

Minato nodded slightly, his gaze deep as if he were contemplating something.

"The power of the Uchiha clan has always been formidable, and this incident has forced us to expedite the handling of certain underlying issues. In the long run, it might be an opportunity for the village."

"I see. That is indeed good news."

Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his gaze passing through the window to look into the distance.

Naturally, he hoped that the village would continue to improve, becoming increasingly prosperous and stable within this world of ninja.

"Speaking of which, Kakashi, there are very few missions in the village lately, so you should take a few days to rest properly."

"Being in a state of high-intensity missions for so long will inevitably lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Take this opportunity to let your thoughts settle."

After speaking, Minato returned to his seat and lowered his head to continue reviewing the remaining documents.

Kakashi nodded, exited the Hokage Building, and walked toward the streets of Konoha.