Although Minato Namikaze sometimes liked to speak in riddles, once those topics passed, he returned to his usual self.
Since Haori had already brought up his desire to learn sealing techniques, Minato wasn't stingy about discussing the subject further.
In fact, he also wanted to see whether Haori truly had talent in this area—because sealing techniques were anything but simple.
Even the Flying Thunder God Technique demanded extremely strict physical conditions, as well as an exceptionally high level of proficiency in sealing arts.
After all, the Flying Thunder God formula was, in essence, a specialized variant of sealing techniques.
At the most basic level, the formula could be pre-inscribed onto kunai.
But at higher levels, it had to be placed instantly, at will.
Not to mention Minato's sudden, ghostlike arrival when saving Kakashi—
his fight against Obito was the most classic example.
He had silently left a mark on Obito's body, then used that mark to launch a surprise attack, ultimately severing Obito's connection to the Nine-Tails.
It could be said that Minato's mastery of sealing techniques had already reached perfection.
"Haori-kun, your foundations in sealing techniques are very solid…"
After their exchange, Minato couldn't help but sigh in admiration once again.
He had originally thought Haori was only dabbling out of curiosity, but now it seemed the boy truly had talent in this field.
And not only that—the fundamentals were exceptionally well established.
"You flatter me, Minato-jōnin," Haori replied calmly.
Sealing techniques were indeed something he could use—
even if he hadn't learned them by himself.
Regardless, they were abilities he had earned through risking his life to complete missions, and they now fully belonged to him.
That was precisely why he dared to make such a request of Minato—
because he truly knew sealing techniques.
If you already knew something, wanting to improve further was only natural, wasn't it?
"Minato-sensei, Kakashi has woken up!"
Just as Haori and Minato were chatting, Nohara Rin suddenly cried out in surprise.
Turning their heads, they saw that Kakashi—who had been unconscious—had opened his eyes.
He still looked dazed, clearly not fully recovered yet.
But once he took in his surroundings, his memories came flooding back.
Obito had died to save him.
When he had desperately tried to cover Rin's escape, Haori and Guy had arrived with reinforcements.
And just before he lost consciousness, Captain Minato had finally reached the battlefield and ended the fight.
Surviving something like that behind enemy lines was already unbelievable.
Yet Kakashi felt no joy at having survived.
What filled his heart was only grief over Obito's death.
He lowered his head, saying nothing, tears already welling in his eyes.
"Kakashi…"
Rin spoke anxiously, and at the same time, Haori and Minato walked over to him.
Even Guy and Aoba, who had been outside, heard the commotion and came in as well.
"You're awake, Kakashi," Minato said, sighing softly at the sight of him.
"I've already heard what happened from Rin. I'm sorry… I didn't make it in time."
"Sensei…"
Kakashi finally looked up when he heard Minato's voice, though his spirits remained low.
Seeing that Rin was safe brought him some comfort—
at least he hadn't broken his promise to Obito.
But Obito himself… would forever remain there.
Minato naturally understood what Kakashi was thinking, and he sighed again.
As his teacher, as his superior, it was his responsibility to guide his student through this.
But before he could speak, Haori stepped in.
"Kakashi—are you really going to stay like this?"
Haori tilted his head, looking at Kakashi's lifeless expression with apparent disappointment.
"You still have more important missions ahead. In this state, how do you plan to carry them out?"
"Haori…"
Both Guy and Aoba were surprised by his words, and Rin couldn't help speaking up as well.
But Haori didn't stop. He shook his head and continued.
"And do you really think this does justice to Uchiha Obito?
To the eye he gave you?"
Those words sounded like encouragement—but spoken at this moment, they were undeniably harsh.
Minato frowned slightly.
Rin bit her lip.
Kakashi lifted his head.
His Sharingan was now fixed on Haori, and his emotions finally began to stir.
Haori sighed, looking down at Kakashi as he spoke.
"I know you're in pain. Losing a comrade is unbearable.
But are you the only one who's experienced this?"
He continued calmly.
"I've lost teammates too.
And Guy… lost his father."
Those words made Kakashi's mouth part slightly, though he couldn't find anything to say.
Even though he hadn't been on the battlefield in the Land of Whirlpools, he'd heard bits and pieces.
Guy fell silent as well—Haori's words had stirred memories of his father.
"We've all endured pain like this," Haori said, his voice steady.
"But we never gave up on ourselves."
Kakashi still said nothing, but Haori pressed on.
"Life itself is filled with suffering.
But how one faces that suffering is what makes people different.
Some are crushed by pain and never recover.
But others can face it head-on—because they understand something."
The cave grew quiet.
"They understand that this pain isn't just suffering.
It's also expectation. It's also will.
Because from this moment on, they're no longer living for just themselves."
Haori paused slightly.
Everyone present fell into silence.
Minato, being an adult, kept his emotions well hidden—but he nodded faintly, clearly agreeing.
Rin, Guy, and Aoba were each caught in their own thoughts—sadness, resolve, contemplation.
Kakashi's gaze wavered.
What exactly was this Uchiha—his classmate, just like Obito—trying to tell him?
He didn't speak.
Haori reached out and placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder, then softened his tone, gently wrapping Obito into his words.
"We all carry these expectations.
We carry the will of our fallen comrades.
So we have to live well—with their will on our backs—and do what we're meant to do.
So that when we eventually reach the Pure Land, we can proudly tell them:
'Because of your sacrifice, there is now a beautiful future.'
I think Obito would feel the same way.
You wouldn't want to meet him again someday and tell him how you failed—
only for the two of you to end up fighting, would you?"
Kakashi was left completely speechless.
Rin, Guy, and Aoba all looked at Haori differently now.
Aoba and Guy already trusted Haori deeply—but at this moment, that trust turned into genuine reverence.
Especially Guy—his eyes reddened.
He hadn't forgotten Haori's earlier words, and what Haori said now struck straight through his heart.
Rin gazed at Haori with tear-filled eyes, but soon a small smile appeared on her lips.
Having a friend like Haori… is truly wonderful.
"What a trustworthy friend.
What a truly unique Uchiha."
Minato smiled as well—he now fully understood what Rin had meant before.
As for Kakashi, he sat there in a daze, staring at Haori.
For the first time since waking up, he felt as if something inside him had been filled.
After a long while, he finally murmured:
"Thank you, Haori…
Thank you."
~~--------------------------------
Visit my p@treon for advance chapter:
patreon.com/FicWarden