Obito made a racket on the sidelines, occasionally trying to get closer for a look, only to be shocked into grimacing again.
Uchiha Makoto sat on a nearby treetop, his back against the trunk and a blade of grass between his lips, quietly watching the scene.
Sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled light and shadow across his face.
Nine years old, he thought.
It had already been nine years since I came to this world.
The White Fang incident was on hold for now, but an even greater storm was waiting four years down the line.
Kannabi Bridge, Obito's "death," Kakashi's Sharingan, Rin's tragedy... that chain of events that would change countless lives hung over his head like the sword of Damocles.
He spat out the blade of grass and turned his gaze toward the towering Hokage Rock in the distance.
The faces of the First, Second, and Third were clearly visible in the sunlight.
"Konoha..." he murmured, so softly that only he could hear.
In Hatake Sakumo's house, a complicated blend of burnt food, cloying sweetness, and eggs filled the kitchen.
Kakashi wore an apron that was clearly far too big for him, a few flecks of flour clinging to his hair. He stared fixedly at the oven timer, his expression as solemn as if he were performing the final step of some S-rank Sealing Jutsu.
Several unfinished "cakes" with... well, rather abstract shapes already sat on the counter beside him. Some had collapsed as though struck by Earth Release, while others had bizarre colors that looked like the work of some Genjutsu.
"Attempt number eleven..."
Kakashi muttered under his breath, clutching a library copy of the Shinobi World Sweets Encyclopedia with curled page corners, open to the page for "Basic Cream Sponge Cake."
He had never