At Konoha's gatehouse, Kakashi's pen paused. He turned toward the voice, his left eye long since hidden beneath his Forehead Protector.
Beside him, Nohara Rin had been about to smile and greet Hanazuki when she heard his words. But at "good eyes," her expression immediately darkened.
"Hanazuki, this isn't Kakashi's eye. It's Obito's..."
"What a shame, Uchiha Obito. His eyes are full of potential. I'm better than anyone at spotting talent, so cherish the treasure in your left eye."
"Besides, don't wait until you've lost someone to regret it, Kakashi-senpai. Whether it's Obito or..."
Those pointed words brought Kakashi back to the day he had gone to the Land of Grass, and to the strange look Uchiha Hanazuki had given him.
"This is Obito's will. I'll use his eye without hesitation to see peace arrive. I won't lose anyone again, and I won't regret it. That's my promise to..."
Kakashi's gaze was like a pool of dead water. No change in expression could be seen beneath his mask. He spoke as if discussing some trivial matter, as if his own life meant no more.
"That's enough chatting. I have to hand in my mission report. I'll be going."
The few ninjas who had stopped to watch hurried toward the Hokage Office Building to report what they had seen. Nohara Rin watched the black-clad figure disappear, her heart even more troubled.
Under the midday sun, Hanazuki left the Hokage Office Building and looked up at the sky, reflecting on life.
"Little pay, lots of work, far from home, no days off all year. One day, I'll change this damn world. I'll climb to the very top, step by step. I'll become..."
A weight on his shoulder cut off Hanazuki's lofty ambitions. He turned and saw two bowl cuts gleaming black in the sunlight.
"Long time no see, Captain! You're as energetic as ever. Today's another perfect day to burn with the fire of youth!"
Might Duy burst into laughter. The bandages wound beneath his green jumpsuit couldn't dampen his youthful enthusiasm. Beside him, Might Guy nodded too, his gaze fixed on the stern figure approaching behind Hanazuki.
"Oh, my eternal rival! Let's settle things today! A contest to decide the winner!"
He darted off in an instant and clung stubbornly to Kakashi's side. Might Guy burned with passion as the two gradually disappeared into the distance.
"Still as fired up as ever. Duy, your son is the spitting image of you. How are your injuries?"
Hanazuki turned slightly, removed his Demon Fox Mask, and asked with a smile.
"Thank you for asking. If you hadn't recognized the Eight Inner Gates' chakra points in time and suppressed the chakra, the heat would have burned my body to ashes. That's what Lady Nonō told me."
Might Duy sighed with feeling. He had opened the Eight Inner Gates fully expecting to die, so to have escaped with his life was truly a blessing.
"Think nothing of it. I've received your payment, and I'm quite satisfied. Live well, and see the day your son becomes a jōnin."
Hanazuki waved over his shoulder and turned to leave. Though he had narrowly survived, Might Duy's chakra pathways had been severely damaged, leaving him unable to live as a ninja. Even so, he kept smiling brightly.
"Oh! Thank you, Captain! The dashing springtime of youth has passed, and now comes the blazing midsummer! Keep up the good work on your missions!"
"Blazing midsummer, huh? That doesn't suit me."
[Character Sign-In: Might Duy]
[Ability Owned: Eight Inner Gates]
[Sign-In Successful. Today's Reward: Formation of the Eight Inner Gates!]
"I've collected my payment. Where should I go slack off now?"
"Um, excuse me, Hanazuki. Do you have anything to do next? If not, could you take a walk with me? You and Obito are friends, right?"
Hanazuki had been planning to visit the entertainment district outside Konoha. He turned around to see Nohara Rin hurrying after him, her expression serious and her voice resolute.
"I want to know more about Obito. Please."
Looking at Nohara Rin's determined face, as if she were heading to her death, Hanazuki glanced around, then settled on a particular direction.
"All right. Then you can treat me. I'll tell you as much as I can about Obito."
Rin looked up. Ichiraku Ramen was just up ahead, its enticing aroma wafting through the air. She hurriedly pulled out her wallet, then nodded solemnly.
Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were served.
"Sorry for the wait. Special seafood ramen and tonkotsu ramen. Please enjoy."
The owner of Ichiraku Ramen went back to greeting other customers. Just as Hanazuki was about to enjoy his meal, he noticed the astonished look from the person beside him.
He turned and saw Rin's cheeks flushed red from the steam. Hanazuki thought for a moment, then remembered that she probably hadn't seen his real face before.
"Now, to get down to business. Uchiha Obito? To be honest, I don't know much more about him than you do. But we were both orphans, and our families lived close to each other, so we crossed paths now and then."
"Come to think of it, that rainy day, he ran out of the house in high spirits. When he showed up at my place looking devastated, I figured he'd confessed to you. Hahahaha..."
His laughter slowly faded. Nohara Rin lowered her head, unable to stop the tears from falling. Beside her, Teuchi instinctively stared at Hanazuki, his face full of suspicion.
He looked as if he thought Hanazuki had been two-timing someone, only to get caught by his real girlfriend.
"That day, I..."
"You rejected Obito as kindly as you could and told him you liked Kakashi-senpai, right?"
Rin's sobbing stopped abruptly. She stared at him, astonished, with a hint of curiosity and an inexplicable touch of embarrassment. Had Obito even told Hanazuki that?
"He didn't. I just made a reasonable guess based on your personality. Besides, you've been calling out 'Kakashi, Kakashi' since you walked in. Isn't it obvious?"
With his open expression and refreshing smile, Hanazuki put her inexplicably at ease. For a moment, Rin felt as if she were speaking with her kind Minato-sensei, though Hanazuki's young face looked more like Kakashi's.
"Hanazuki, can you see into people's hearts?"
"You're just easy to read. Your feelings are written all over your face, and that's not a good habit. Don't do that during missions. Thanks for the meal. See you."
Huh? Rin sat there in a daze for a moment, then looked at the now-empty ramen bowl beside her and couldn't help exclaiming.
"So fast! When did he finish eating? And that reassuring presence of his..."
Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder. Rin looked up in confusion and saw a familiar, pretty face gazing down at her with concern.
"Rin, are you all right? I heard about Obito from my teacher, Orochimaru. Are you okay?"
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