The sky dimmed, and night began quietly creeping in. One after another, the streetlights came on. Some villagers had already left their homes to find something to eat, and everything grew lively.
After wandering around, Sōkyū Hatake arrived at the entrance to the Hatake Clan Compound. Looking at the gate, he realized this was the first time he had been away from home for so long.
He knew Kakashi Hatake was still on the battlefield and had not returned. That meant no one should have cleaned the house for quite some time.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
I'll have to give this place a thorough cleaning, too.
He took out his key and opened the gate.
Bang, bang, bang!
Just then, the sound of blows came from inside, sounding utterly abrupt.
"Someone's inside?" Sōkyū Hatake frowned. Kakashi Hatake could not possibly be here, which meant whoever was inside now was not from their Hatake Clan.
But who would show up here at a time like this?
Creak, creak.
As the gate creaked open, the sounds of blows inside the Hatake Clan Compound instantly stopped.
"Who's there?!" Two girls' voices rang out, quickly snapping Sōkyū Hatake out of his thoughts.
He was all too familiar with those two voices.
"So it was you two in here, Ayame, Anko." Once he opened the gate, everything inside came into view.
Ayame and Mitaraishi Anko had taken fighting stances and were staring at Sōkyū Hatake as he entered.
When they saw Sōkyū Hatake, a trace of disbelief appeared on both girls' faces.
"Sōkū?!"
"You're back!?"
In an instant, both figures came straight to Sōkyū Hatake's side, looking at him with some excitement.
"Yeah. What are you two doing here?" Sōkyū Hatake reached out and patted Ayame and Mitaraishi Anko on their heads, speaking with a touch