After accepting the mission, the ANBU squad left the Hokage Building to prepare for it.
According to the original plan, they should have headed straight to Kushina to make preparations for her protection, but Kakashi was not heading toward the Fourth Hokage's courtyard.
Stopping in his tracks, Zou Hyuga looked at Kakashi and asked, "Captain Kakashi, that isn't where Kushina is, is it?"
"No, it isn't."
Kakashi nodded and said, "The mission doesn't officially start until tomorrow. You two can head back for now. I'll come notify you tomorrow morning..."
Zou Hyuga frowned, sensing that something was wrong. There were few things Kakashi considered more important than a mission, and only a handful could make him wear that expression.
After a moment's thought, Zou Hyuga said, "Oto and I happen to be free today, so we'll walk with you. You wouldn't be that cold to us, would you, Captain Kakashi...?"
As he spoke, Zou Hyuga glanced at Oto, who nodded in agreement.
Kakashi gave Zou Hyuga and Oto a long look, but did not refuse. He headed toward the village streets.
Zou Hyuga and Oto followed behind Kakashi. If his guess was right, Kakashi was going to pay his respects to the departed again.
Before long, the three arrived at a flower shop in the village.
Kakashi picked out a few bunches of lilies, while Zou Hyuga and Oto chose some white flowers as well.
"So you were going to pay your respects, Captain Kakashi!" Oto Uchiha said, picking up her flowers.
"Yes. Captain Kakashi has people he can't forget, too." Zou Hyuga gave Kakashi a thoughtful look, feeling a little wistful himself.
Come to think of it, he and Oto had not visited the Heroes' Cemetery in a long time either. They had once had a Jonin leading their