Crying While Holding Koki

Amid those tears, Koki deeply felt the grief buried in Sakumo's heart. The tears were like a fine, silent drizzle, weaving a sorrowful melody as they quietly fell upon his heart.

It was as though space and time had frozen. The air around them grew still, and time stopped in that moment.

[Ding! The Hokage Redemption System is online! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully completed the mission to save Hatake Sakumo. Your mission reward of 500 points has been credited.]

The system's electronic voice suddenly rang in his ear. Fortunately, Koki was already used to how it came and went without a trace, so he remained unruffled.

"System, that mission was pretty easy." That's it? The mission's complete? A few words were enough to talk White Fang out of killing himself? No wonder Naruto's Talk no Jutsu was invincible.

Looks like that's what works on people in Hokage.

They've been thoroughly brainwashed.

[Yes, Host. According to my scan, Hatake Sakumo no longer has any suicidal tendencies. Your mission has been successfully completed with remarkable results.]

"In that case, what's the next mission?" Koki could hardly wait to earn points and draw prizes.

[Sorry, Host. There are currently no new missions. Please continue living your life and do as you please.]

"?"

"Seriously? Is your redemption system this lazy? I can't even do a mission when I want to."

[You'll be notified when there's a mission. I'll be going now. Contact me if you have any questions. Goodbye, Host!]

"Go on, get lost! What's wrong with you?" Koki was utterly speechless. He shouldn't have bound himself to the system so readily back then. Sure enough, things obtained too easily were never cherished.

After an unknown amount of time, Hatake Sakumo finally calmed the turmoil in his heart and gently released his son and Koki from his embrace.

He stood up, looking a little embarrassed, and did not dare meet the other two's eyes.

But Koki had barely gotten a taste of freedom when Kakashi, beside him, pulled him into another tight embrace. Kakashi gripped Koki's shoulders, as though he wanted to press him into his own body. His breathing was quick and deep, and every gasp was accompanied by a muffled sob.

Koki could feel Kakashi's body trembling with uncontrollable pain and sorrow. Tears streamed down his cheeks, wetting Koki's hair and the front of his clothes.

Seriously, what's with this father and son? Why are they taking turns holding me and crying?

Fortunately, they were at a corner in a dim alley, where there were few passersby.

"Kakashi..." Koki called softly, a little concern in his voice.

Kakashi did not answer. He only held Koki more tightly, his tears flowing without end, as though he meant to release all the pain and sorrow in his heart.

This period had been far too painful for him.

Koki patted Kakashi's back, trying to comfort him, but he didn't know what to say. He was truly at a loss for words.

In the end, he could only sigh softly and hold Kakashi tightly in return.

Poor child. He's only a few years old, yet he's had to bear so much. Sigh! How heartbreaking!

"All right, Kakashi. You're holding Koki so tightly that he's uncomfortable," Hatake Sakumo said gently. He had completely calmed down.

Kakashi's body trembled slightly. He let go, raised his head, and looked into Koki's eyes. "I'm sorry. I was just a little sad and couldn't control myself." His voice was still thick with tears.

"It's all right! Are you feeling better now?" Koki asked with concern.

"Mm." Kakashi's cheeks flushed again beneath his mask.

"That's good. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave. Someone's still waiting for me." Koki pointed in the direction of the barbecue restaurant.

"All right. I'm very glad to have met you today. And thank you, little Koki," Hatake Sakumo said, looking at him.

Koki nodded, then turned and headed toward the barbecue restaurant.

"Let's go," Sakumo said to Kakashi, who was still standing in place, watching Koki leave.

"Okay." Kakashi turned to leave, but kept looking back with every few steps.

Seeing this, Sakumo couldn't help feeling amused.

"Wait a moment, Koki!" Sakumo called out just as Koki was about to leave the alley.

"What is it?" Koki turned to look at Sakumo and Kakashi, a puzzled expression on his face. He didn't understand why Sakumo had called him back.

Sakumo led Kakashi over to Koki and said with a smile, "You see, Kakashi hasn't eaten tonight either, and I'm not much of a cook. His classmate seems to be dining with you, so why don't you all have dinner together? The meal's on me, and you can take this chance to make friends."

With that, Sakumo took out his wallet and handed it to Kakashi.

"Dad?" Kakashi tilted his head, surprised.

"And I know you're happy to have just made a friend, so it's fine no matter how late you stay out tonight." Sakumo winked at Kakashi.

"Of course, no problem!" Koki answered without hesitation. This was Kakashi standing before him, after all. He was more than happy to befriend Sakumo and his son; it could only benefit him.

But... He glanced at Kakashi's cool eyes, hesitated, and added, "I just don't know if Kakashi wants to..."

"I do!" The boy eagerly interrupted Koki, a trace of eagerness in his voice. "I'd love to have dinner with you."

"That's good, then. Let's go." Koki nodded.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." Kakashi looked at Sakumo. He had a thousand things to say, but didn't know how to begin.

"All right. We'll have plenty of time to talk about the rest when we get home. Now, go eat." Sakumo gestured to Kakashi that Koki was waiting for him.

"Okay!" Looking into his father's deep eyes, Kakashi felt a warmth well up in his heart. He nodded to Sakumo, then glanced at Koki, who was waiting for him. Without further hesitation, he turned and followed Koki toward the alley's exit.

"Wait, Uncle Sakumo." Just as he was about to leave the alley, Koki remembered something. He turned and called out to Sakumo.

"What is it?" Sakumo turned around.

"Uncle Sakumo, back at the barbecue restaurant, I noticed that those ninja seemed to be deliberately spreading word about what happened to you. Someone's manipulating public opinion and stirring up the villagers' anger to ruin your reputation. I'm afraid it won't be more than a few days-oh, no! Maybe tomorrow, this will have spread through every street and alley in Konoha. Please don't be too upset." After speaking, Koki carefully watched Sakumo's expression. He was still worried that Sakumo wouldn't be able to bear the rumors.

"What?" Kakashi shrieked from beside them. He had never imagined that someone had done this deliberately! He walked over to Sakumo and asked fiercely, "Dad, who was it? I'll make them pay."

"Haha." Sakumo's expression remained unchanged, as though he had expected this all along. He patted the furious Kakashi on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Kakashi, calm down. We need to think this through carefully."

Having been given another chance, how could Sakumo still be as ignorant as he had been in his previous life? He had thought everything over and long since realized that this was a conspiracy by the Konoha High Command!