"Holy crap, so Kakashi-sensei was actually hiding a huge secret like this from us!"
As Hinata vividly described the back-and-forth between Kakashi and Yugito Nii, Karin's eyes lit up, and she spoke with some excitement.
"When I saw Kakashi-sensei and Yugito's chilly attitude when they first met, I thought there might be more to it."
Hinata ate a skewer of Three-Color Dango, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed and spoke to Karin.
"Mm, exactly. Otherwise, why would Kakashi-sensei never answer when I asked him if he liked anyone?"
"I almost thought he and Might Guy really had taken a shine to each other."
"Pfft."
A laugh came from behind them, drawing their attention.
"Huh? Izumi, what are you doing here?"
Karin looked in surprise at the disguised Izumi behind her. Although her appearance bore no resemblance to Izumi, Karin had recognized her immediately from her chakra fluctuations.
"Ah, I still couldn't fool little Karin."
Seeing this, Izumi dropped her disguise and greeted Hinata and Karin.
"Little Karin, little Hinata, long time no see!"
"Wow, Izumi, you're so sneaky!"
Karin pointed at Izumi, who had actually taken advantage of their inattention to eavesdrop on some juicy gossip.
"I was wondering why Kakashi-senpai hadn't been coming to the ANBU to hang out with Itachi and the others lately."
An impish glint flashed through Izumi's sly eyes. She tapped her lips with a finger and spoke in realization.
Whenever Kakashi had free time in the past, he often visited the Root Base. He would frequently bring Icha Icha Paradise and lie on the sofa in the leader's office.
Neither Itachi nor Tenzo could do much about it.
Kakashi was their senior, after all, and both of them had been under his care growing up.
But after returning from the Land of Iron,