Eight Gates Formation, I'll Take It

At Konoha's gate, Kakashi's pen paused slightly. He turned to look over, his left eye long concealed beneath his forehead protector.

Beside him, when Nohara Rin heard Huayue's voice, she had wanted to greet him with a smile. But upon hearing "good eye," her expression immediately dimmed.

"Huayue, this isn't Kakashi's—it's Obito's..."

"What a shame. Uchiha Obito's eye contained immense talent. My eye for talent is more accurate than anyone's. Treasure the jewel in your left eye."

"Also, don't wait until you've lost something to regret it, Kakashi-senpai. Whether it's Obito, or..."

Those pointed words made Kakashi recall the day they had headed to the Land of Grass, and the inexplicable look in Uchiha Huayue's eyes.

"This is Obito's will. I'll use his eye without hesitation to see the arrival of peace. I won't lose anything again, and I won't regret anything either. This is my promise to..."

Kakashi's gaze was like stagnant water. No change in expression could be seen beneath his mask, as though he were speaking of some trivial matter—even his own life was no different.

"That's enough small talk. I need to hand in the mission now. I'll be going."

Seeing this, the few ninjas who had stopped to watch hurried toward the Hokage Office Building to make their report. Nohara Rin looked at the retreating figure in Black Cloak, her feelings even more complicated.

At noon, Huayue left the Hokage Office Building and looked up at the sky, lamenting life.

"Low pay, too much work, far from home, no days off all year long... One day, I'll change this damn world. I'll climb to the very top, step by step. I'll become..."

A weight landed on his shoulder, interrupting Huayue's lofty ambitions. Turning around, he discovered that two watermelon heads gleamed jet-black under the sunlight.

"Long time no see, Captain! You're as spirited as ever! Today is another perfect day to burn with youth!"

Might Duy burst into hearty laughter. The bandages wrapped beneath his green jumpsuit could not contain his passion for youth. Beside him, Might Guy nodded as well, his eyes falling on the cold figure slowly approaching behind Huayue.

"Oh, my eternal rival! Let's settle who's stronger today! Stronger!"

In an instant, he shot out and clung stubbornly to Kakashi's side. Might Guy was boiling with fervor as the two gradually vanished into the distance.

"You're as fired up as ever, Duy. Your son is practically your spitting image. How are your injuries?"

Tilting his head slightly, Huayue removed the Demon Fox Mask and asked with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern. If you hadn't promptly identified the chakra points of the Eight Gates Formation and suppressed that chakra, even my body would have been burned to ashes by the overwhelming heat. Lady Nonō told me so."

Might Duy was filled with emotion. He had opened the Eight Gates Formation fully prepared to die, yet he had unexpectedly managed to survive. It truly was a blessing.

"No need to be polite. I've already received the payment, and I'm quite satisfied with it. Live well and watch the day your son becomes a jonin."

Huayue waved behind him and turned to leave. Although he had reclaimed his life, Might Duy—whose chakra pathways had been severely damaged, leaving him unable to live as a ninja—still wore a brilliant smile.

"Oh! Thank you, Captain! The dashing spring has passed, and next comes the blazing summer! Work hard on your missions!"

"Blazing summer? That doesn't suit me."

Character Check-in: Might Duy

Ability Possessed: Eight Gates Formation

Check-in successful. Obtained the Eight Gates Formation Array today!

"I've properly accepted the payment. Now, where should I go slack off?"

"Um, excuse me, Huayue. Do you have anything to do next? If not, could you take a walk with me? You and Obito were friends, right?"

Just as Huayue was planning to wander around the entertainment street outside Konoha, he turned his head. Nohara Rin, who had hurried after him, wore a serious expression and spoke with determination.

"I want to know more about Obito. Please."

Looking at Nohara Rin's resolute face, as though she were prepared to face death, Huayue glanced around before finally fixing his gaze in a certain direction.

"I understand. Then I'll have to trouble you to treat me. As for Obito, I'll tell you everything I know."

Rin looked up. Not far away, Ichiraku Ramen gave off an enticing aroma. She hurriedly took out her wallet, then nodded solemnly.

Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were set down.

"Sorry for the wait. Special seafood ramen and tonkotsu ramen. Enjoy."

The uncle from Ichiraku Ramen went back to serving other customers. As Huayue was about to enjoy his meal, he felt an unusually startled gaze from beside him.

Turning his head, he saw Nohara Rin's cheeks flushed red from the steam rising off the ramen. Huayue pondered for a moment before remembering that she apparently had never seen his real face.

"Now then, down to business. Uchiha Obito... honestly, I didn't know him any better than you did. But we were both orphans, and our homes were close together, so we inevitably crossed paths."

"Come to think of it, that rainy day... he ran out all excited, then arrived at my house looking completely dejected. I suppose he confessed to you, didn't he? Hahaha..."

The laughter gradually faded. Nohara Rin could not stop herself from lowering her head as teardrops rolled down. Seeing this, the uncle from Ichiraku Ramen instinctively stared at Huayue, his face full of suspicion.

He looked as though he suspected this guy had been two-timing outside and been caught by his official girlfriend.

"That day, I..."

"You encouraged Obito as you rejected him and told him that you liked Kakashi-senpai, right?"

Her sobbing abruptly stopped. Rin stared in shock, with a trace of curiosity and inexplicable shyness. Had Obito even told Huayue that?

"He didn't! It was just a reasonable deduction based on your personality. Besides, the moment you walked in, all you did was call out 'Kakashi, Kakashi.' Wasn't it obvious at a glance?"

His brows and eyes were open and clear, his smile fresh. That inexplicable sense of reassurance made Rin subconsciously feel as though she were facing the gentle Minato-sensei, though that young face resembled Kakashi more.

"Huayue, can your eyes see through people's hearts?"

"You're just too easy to read. Your feelings are written all over your face, and that isn't a good habit. Don't do that during missions. Thanks for the meal. See you."

Huh? Rin sat stunned for a moment. Looking at the ramen bowl beside her, already completely empty, she could not help exclaiming in amazement.

"So fast! When did he finish eating? And that reassuring aura was..."

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulder. Rin looked up blankly, and a familiar pretty face entered her vision, faintly tinged with concern.

"Rin, are you okay? I already heard about Obito from Orochimaru-sensei. Are you alright?"