Looking at Tianyi, whose entire body radiated a warm light, Kakashi could no longer hold himself back.
He turned and threw himself at his father, who had just escaped danger. His small body clung tightly to that weakened frame as he burst into tears.
"Father—!!!"
His cries held fear, grievance, and the relief of having regained what he had nearly lost. His tiny shoulders shook violently, and his tears soaked Sakumo's clothes.
Hatake Sakumo frowned slightly.
Amid his son's cries, he slowly opened his eyes.
Everything before him gradually came into focus—Kakashi, crying his eyes out; Tianyi standing nearby; and the wound on his own abdomen, already treated.
He lowered his head for a look, then raised it again, his gaze falling on Tianyi's face. His lips moved, and his voice came out broken and hoarse, nearly inaudible:
"Tianyi... you... shouldn't have saved me..."
His eyes dimmed.
"I... am a sinner..."
Tianyi said nothing.
He merely looked quietly at the man, too weak even to sit up, at the guilt and despair in his eyes, at the way he did not even dare meet his son's gaze.
Then Tianyi's lips curved slightly, but it was not a smile.
"Senior Sakumo."
His voice was calm, yet it carried an indescribable weight.
"This world is not simply black and white."
Sakumo raised his head slightly.
Tianyi continued:
"You are too pure."
He paused, then spoke each word clearly:
"You... are an idiot!!!"
The words landed like a slap, ringing sharply through the silent room.
Sakumo froze.
Kakashi stopped crying as well. He lifted his tear-filled eyes toward Tianyi, his gaze full of confusion.
Someone had insulted his father.
Tianyi had insulted his father.
But...
Tianyi ignored their stares and continued:
"Senior Sakumo, did you really think the mission failed because of you?"