Moonlight spilled across the narrow street, casting long shadows across the quiet alley.
A cold breeze blew through, prompting Hyuga Kei to pull his collar tighter around his neck as he calmly offered,
"If you have any questions, please ask. I'll answer whatever I can."
Kakashi was, in truth, somewhat puzzled by Kei's calm demeanor. Most people would show at least some emotional reaction to being suddenly approached and questioned by a masked ANBU.
But Kei?
He seemed not only unafraid, but perfectly composed, as if this had happened before.
Looks like the Third was right. This Hyuga Kei… isn't ordinary.
As the silence stretched on, Kei spoke again.
"What's wrong? Still thinking about what to ask? No rush, we can take our time."
"…No. I was just surprised," Kakashi finally said. "You don't seem the least bit shocked as me being here."
Kei gave a polite smile.
"Well, you're not the first to question me. The first time it happened, I was a little surprised. But after the third or fourth… well, you get used to it."
That much made sense. Kakashi nodded.
"Who else has questioned you? And what did they ask?"
"Hm…" Kei tilted his head as if considering, but then said flatly,
"Apologies. I'll have to refuse that question."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed beneath his mask.
"Didn't you just say you'd answer anything?"
"I did." Kei nodded, then calmly shook his head.
"But that particular question involves certain influential figures in the village. Unless I can verify your true intentions, I can't reveal their identities."
Kakashi stepped closer, stopping less than half a meter away.
"Why?"
Kei responded righteously,
"Isn't it obvious? I'm a proud member of Konoha. I can't carelessly leak village secrets."
Before Kakashi could speak, Kei frowned.
"…That should be common sense, shouldn't it? Unless, are you sure you're really from Konoha? I'm starting to doubt your identity…"
He looked alert, almost defensive, as if preparing to shout for help or retaliate.
Even Kakashi, usually the very picture of aloofness, twitched at the sight.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
"…My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm here on behalf of the Third Hokage."
He had to clarify it, Hiruzen had explicitly ordered this interrogation to remain covert. If Kei shouted or brought attention to it, the entire mission could be compromised. Kakashi couldn't afford that.
"Ah, so it's Kakashi-senpai. My apologies, I have poor eyesight these days," Kei said smoothly. His posture straightened as his tone turned more respectful.
"If you're here on behalf of Lord Third, then I will, of course, cooperate fully."
He even added a note of awe.
"I just never imagined Lord Third would pay attention to someone like me… what an honor! If only I could meet him in person someday…"
Then Kei clasped his hands, lifted his chin, and began to quote,
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village… and make new leaves grow."
"Kakashi-senpai, you agree, don't you? Thanks to the Will of Fire, the village has grown into such a thriving place, "
"Let's stop there." Kakashi finally interrupted. "Can we get to the questions now?"
"Ah, sorry. I got a little excited," Kei said innocently. "You understand, right? Lord Third is my idol."
"…Yeah, I noticed."
Kakashi wasted no more time.
"Just tell me, who came to see you, and what did they ask?"
This time, Kei didn't deflect.
He calmly explained how Yamanaka Kaze and Orochimaru had visited him, describing their questions and demeanor in detail.
He even added at the end,
"If you want to understand the root of this situation, I suggest you speak with Shisui directly. He's the real source of all this."
"I'll report that." Kakashi's voice returned to its usual indifferent tone.
"One more thing, keep this conversation secret. It's a directive from Lord Third."
"Understood!" Kei straightened his back again, slapping a hand over his chest.
"I would never betray Lord Third's trust!"
Kakashi nodded and turned away. A moment later, he leapt onto the nearby rooftop, preparing to vanish.
But before he could go far, Kei's voice drifted up.
"Kakashi-senpai… we don't know each other well, but as a psychologist, I think you should drop by my clinic sometime. There's something… off about your state."
Kakashi's next step halted mid-air. He turned slightly, looked down at Kei, and replied stiffly through gritted teeth.
"I'm not sick."
Kei's smile widened.
"Only drunkards say they're not drunk. There's no need to be nervous or embarrassed. I fully understand, "
But Kakashi was already gone.
Kei stood alone, 'gazing' toward the rooftop with a subtle shrug.
Then, with a tap of his cane, he headed home.
At the Hokage Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair, studying a folder labeled [Hyuga Kei].
Before him, Kakashi stood straight, delivering his report.
"I believe Hyuga Kei's connection with Shisui is coincidental," he said.
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a note.
"This is a transcription of our conversation. I recorded it in full."
Hiruzen accepted it, scanning the contents carefully.
"He was reluctant to talk at first," he said. "But as soon as you mentioned me, his attitude shifted completely?"
Kakashi gave a slight nod.
As Hiruzen read on, an image formed in his mind, one of a young man filled with admiration, quoting the Will of Fire, passionate about protecting the village.
But then he looked up.
"…Kakashi, do you think he was sincere?"
Kakashi's expression didn't change. He lowered his head slightly and simply replied,
"I don't know."
That answer, and the vacant look in Kakashi's eyes, made Hiruzen frown.
"Kakashi… you can't keep going on like this."
He knew all too well why Kakashi had become this way.
He had hoped, with time, the boy would recover, but clearly, the darkness was only growing.
Sure, in ANBU, this broken version of Kakashi made for a perfect blade.
But blades, left unmaintained, eventually break.
Hiruzen exhaled through his nose, scanning the final line of the report again.
Perhaps Kakashi really does need a psychologist.
As for Kei…
He wasn't sure yet. But he would be watching.
The Hyuga clan had recently shown signs of unrest.
With the Uchiha already drifting from the village, another fracture would be disastrous.
But if Kei truly embodied the Will of Fire…
Then perhaps, just perhaps, he could become a second Shisui, a loyal shinobi who would stand as a pillar between clan and village.
Hiruzen took a puff from his old pipe, letting the smoke trail from his lips.
"Kakashi," he said, "from now on, you will monitor Hyuga Kei. Quietly. I want to know his every move."
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>