"Did I ever mention that I don't really like waiting for people?"
At seven forty-five the next morning, Kakashi found himself visiting Obito's grave, drawn there by the fact that he had once again been teamed up with a member of the Uchiha Clan. Just after he set down the flowers and spent a minute lost in thought, a cold voice came from behind him.
Even within Konoha, Madara Uchiha's voice startled Kakashi.
It had been a long time since anyone had managed to appear behind Kakashi without making a sound. He studied Madara Uchiha carefully.
When the Third Hokage first said he was considering letting nine-year-old Madara Uchiha attempt to become a Jōnin, even Kakashi had thought he was rushing the boy's development. But now, perhaps this nine-year-old child really did harbor power beyond anything he could imagine.
"How did you know I was here?"
The Uchiha Clan lived on the outskirts of the village. If Madara Uchiha had taken the normal route to the gate, he would never have passed this spot. Konoha's Heroes' Cemetery was also a kilometer away from the Uchiha Clan compound. Surely Madara Uchiha hadn't taken such a long detour just because he had nothing better to do.
"Who are you mourning here?"
Madara Uchiha did not answer Kakashi's question. Asking a question he already knew the answer to, he looked at the eyes hidden beneath Kakashi's mask. In Madara Uchiha's eyes, Kakashi saw the child's challenge.
Tell me who you're mourning, and I'll tell you how I knew you were here.
"Let's go."
Faced with Madara Uchiha's challenge, Kakashi was the one who backed down. Rather than answer his question, he headed straight for the Konoha Gate. Madara Uchiha smiled to himself and followed.
As Kakashi ran ahead, he watched Madara Uchiha following