Ever since Kakashi was dragged out of his house by Minato Namikaze that afternoon, transforming from a walking corpse back into a living person, he was frequently invited by Minato to team up for missions.
Whether it was work or life, Minato and Kushina took great care of him.
Sometimes, they even invited him to dinner.
His seniors probably treated him with such care out of respect for his father's friendship.
He thought about this often, a hint of bitterness rising in his heart.
Since he was a child, he had wanted to surpass his father.
But now, having lost his protection, he still received preferential treatment because of his father's halo.
Whenever he thought of this, Kakashi couldn't help but recall those past times.
He realized that ever since he became a Chunin, he hadn't had a heart-to-heart talk with his father in a long time.
The most recent time was when he lost his way in the dark tide, asking his father which was more important: comrades or missions.
Why didn't he talk to his father more in the past?
Why was he always rushing to catch up instead of spending time with him?
Why was it only now that he knew to cherish everything he once took for granted?
Alas, no matter how much he chastised himself, time would not grant a repentant person a second chance.
It would not allow him to return to his father's arms as the child who could act spoiled and receive his loving smile.
Kakashi had also considered learning medical ninjutsu.
However, the reality after his efforts showed that he had little talent in that field.
All he could do was wait.
Waiting for a miracle...
Another mission ended, and Kakashi returned to the village to rest.
In truth, he disliked going home now.
The empty room was filled with a chill, and the single set of chopsticks and bowl on the table also dampened his spirits.
A home without his father and Naraku was just a house.
But there was no other way; he always had to return.
It was late autumn.
Upon entering the main gate, one could see that the entire Hidden Leaf Village, like him, was tinged with a grayish, desolate color from the inside out.
It was even more desolate after the cold rain.
Withered yellow leaves were heavily beaten down by the thick curtain of rain, covering both sides of the street.
They left only dry, gnarled branches reaching fruitlessly skyward, trying to catch the sun's last bit of warmth in the cold wind.
He walked with his head down.
Two younger boys ran past him, laughing and playing, discussing how many dango skewers their combined pocket money could still buy.
The innocent, joyful laughter reached his ears, but it became silver needles piercing his heart.
Each heartbeat, each breath brought pain, reminding him of how precious a thing he had lost.
Those things he should have had were now long since extinguished in the biting cold wind, existing only as ethereal illusions in his memory.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already drifted so far from his original life.
He had drifted so far that he even somewhat forgot how he had once agonizingly and bewilderedly made his choice.
He forgot how he had been so heartless as to abandon even the mementos of the two of them.
Recalling it again and again had transformed that past "Kakashi" into a stranger.
He stood downstream in the river of time, gazing at his "self" upstream, increasingly falling into confusion and bewilderment.
What was that "Kakashi" thinking back then?
Kakashi looked up at the sky.
Beneath the gray-blue firmament, a pale white sun slowly peeked a sliver of its edge from behind the clouds.
It bestowed a little mercy upon the soul wandering in memories.
"Kakashi...?"
A genuine and familiar call came from behind him, seemingly very close.
Kakashi suddenly turned his head, but there was no one behind him.
"Kakashi...?"
The voice seemed to rise from his heart, echoing in his mind.
It was as if the sealed part of his soul had loosened with the passage of time, blooming a tiny, mysterious crack.
From that crack, a glimmer of light leaked out, transforming into calls to him.
"Naraku?"
He saw the cold wind carrying fallen leaves, swirling into a small vortex by the roadside, as if in response to him.
Hokage Building, Hokage Office.
Minato stood in front of the desk, receiving a mission from the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Behind him were Akimichi Choza and Aburame Shibi, both old acquaintances of his.
After reading the mission intel, he requested Hiruzen to allow Kakashi to join the team for this mission.
"Lord Hokage, Kakashi is an exceptionally outstanding and dedicated shinobi, fully capable of undertaking this mission."
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
"Alright, you handle it as you see fit."
He knew that Minato had been frequently taking Kakashi Hatake with him recently, clearly intending to look after him.
If it were anyone else forming such a faction, it would certainly be unacceptable.
But Minato was, after all, his grand-disciple, having grown up under Jiraiya's watchful eye during his youth.
He naturally trusted his character and loyalty.
Moreover, he was also somewhat concerned about the current state of the White Fang's son.
Such a fine genius should be fully utilized, allowing him to become a shinobi who embodies the Will of Fire, not simply wasted away.
Having Minato watch over him was also good; perhaps it could save him some trouble.
After his comrades dispersed, Minato walked out of the Hokage Building alone.
He glanced at the white-haired man waiting not far away, seeing that he still looked utterly defeated, as if he had suffered a fatal blow.
Minato smiled helplessly.
"Jiraiya-sensei, haven't you recovered yet?"
"How do you expect me to recover?"
Jiraiya suddenly appeared in front of Minato, gripping his shoulders with both hands.
He complained in a low, mournful voice.
"Why didn't you tell me Lady Tsunade was in the village a while ago? I was so, so close."
"This..." Minato was full of questions. "You and Lady Tsunade don't go a whole year without seeing each other; why are you so distraught this time?"
Jiraiya put his arm around his disciple and walked back, taking the opportunity to impart life philosophy with earnest words.
"Minato, you don't understand; a person can lose opportunities again and again, but it cannot be a near miss, nor can it be a missed chance."
"You haven't experienced this feeling; you're still too young..."
"Oh, right, what mission did you take on, you rascal? I just got back, and I was going to give you some guidance."
"Didn't you say that ninjutsu you're researching is almost complete?"
As usual, the conversation went off-topic, Jiraiya-sensei.
Minato was confused, Minato didn't understand, but Minato still maintained a dignified smile.
"I'm truly sorry, Sensei. Lord Hokage assigned me to Roran; it will probably take one or two weeks before I can return."
"That's fine, it's not a long time. I'll wait for you in the village until your mission ends, then we can talk."
After Jiraiya finished clowning around in front of his disciple, his worries were cast aside, and his mind began to liven up.
Although it was a pity not to see Tsunade, the weather was getting colder now.
There would surely be plenty of material to gather in the hot springs, hehe~
Minato saw Jiraiya's expression and knew what his sensei was thinking.
To minimize his moral debt, he quickly grabbed Jiraiya.
He suggested that since they hadn't seen each other in a long time, the two of them should go to a tavern for a good drink first.
Anyway, the mission was departing tomorrow, so it wouldn't delay anything.