After Shikaku Nara left the office, Shizune walked in.
"What did Shikaku say to you just now?"
She entered and saw Kakashi sitting in his chair, deep in thought, one hand resting against his desk. Shizune stepped closer, placed her hands gently on Kakashi's shoulders, and looked at him with concern.
Kakashi took one of her hands, giving a small, reassuring smile.
"It's okay. You don't need to worry about this."
Shizune frowned, pouting slightly.
"What's going on? Even I, the Hokage's assistant, can't know?"
Kakashi remained silent for a few seconds. Then he looked up at her seriously.
"Shikaku came in just now to talk to me about some things… reminding me of my current state. And he shared a conjecture. That guess… feels like it might be right."
Seeing his unusually serious expression, Shizune asked softly, "What conjecture?"
Kakashi exhaled lightly.
"Shikaku said Naruto has been strangely eager to push everyone's relationships forward… promoting love, marriage, closeness. So Shikaku wonders — is Naruto doing this because he thinks he might not survive the future? Is he trying to settle regrets from his previous timeline before it's too late?"
Shizune's eyes widened slightly. She had always known Kakashi to be rational and calm, but the look in his eyes now made her heart tighten.
"Kakashi… do you also think Naruto is worried about what's ahead?"
Kakashi nodded slowly.
"Yes. Naruto's behavior has been abnormal lately. He's forcing connections, rushing emotions. And the way he looks sometimes… it feels like he's hiding something."
Shizune grew quiet, thinking deeply. She also felt that Kakashi's suspicion wasn't baseless. If Naruto truly feared some future event, his behavior suddenly made sense. But even understanding that, she had no idea how to help him.
"…What should we do?" she finally asked.
Kakashi squeezed her hand gently, his gaze firm.
"Shikaku is right. We can't let Naruto carry everything alone. I need to grow stronger too."
Shizune looked at him, worry written all over her face.
"And what are you planning to do?"
Kakashi gave a soft smile — warm, steady, like morning sunlight.
"My strength isn't what it used to be. I lost Obito's Sharingan… and with it, my title as the Copy Ninja barely means anything now. The only jutsu I still truly excel in is Raikiri."
He took a slow breath, determination sharpening his eyes.
"But I am Hokage. I have to stand up."
Shizune watched him, seeing the seriousness and bravery radiating off him. At that moment, he looked incredibly strong… and incredibly handsome.
"No… I need to talk to Naruto," Kakashi said, abruptly standing up.
"You're going now?" Shizune asked with a small sigh.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. I'll find Naruto first. And… I won't be coming to your place tonight."
He turned and walked out, his silhouette straight and unwavering — like a warrior who refused to yield no matter how heavy the burden.
The gentle warmth of home was tempting… but as Hokage, he knew what he carried on his shoulders. For Konoha, for his beliefs, he had to push forward and surpass his limits.
Kakashi opened the door and stepped into the sunlight.
Shizune watched his departing figure, a swirl of thoughts inside her.
She knew her own ninjutsu could no longer grow much, but she could support Kakashi by handling the administration of Konoha, freeing him time to train, strategize, and strengthen himself.
She clenched her fists lightly.
She would support him in the way she knew best — silently, steadfastly, through action. For the village. For Kakashi. For the future.
And with that resolve, Shizune hurried toward her duties.
Meanwhile…
After handling Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade's marriage preparations, Naruto slept until almost eleven. He was exhausted.
He honestly felt that the work he had been doing lately was as tiring as being Hokage.
"Naruto, get up. It's time for lunch!"
Hinata stepped into the room.
Naruto groaned sleepily.
"I wanna stay in bed a little longer…"
Hinata sat beside him, smiling gently.
"The sun is already shining directly on your back. And it's almost lunchtime. If you don't eat now, don't blame me when you're starving later."
Naruto touched his stomach — he really was hungry.
"What should we eat?"
Hinata replied, "I came here to ask you that."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Let's get ramen! Remember? When we got married, old man Teuchi gave us lifetime free ramen coupons!"
Hinata giggled softly.
"Oh, right… he really did."
"Then let's go!" Naruto said, jumping up to wash and get ready.
Just as they stepped outside, they ran into Kakashi.
"Hey! Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi smiled. "Ah, Naruto."
Hinata greeted politely, "Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi nodded. "Hinata."
Naruto blinked. "What brings you here, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi scratched his head. "Actually… I came to talk to you about something."
Then he glanced at Hinata, hesitating.
Hinata immediately understood she should give them space.
"Ah—Naruto, I just remembered I need to return to the Hyuga compound. Something came up."
"What? But you just told me we were going for ramen together!"
Hinata smiled softly.
"I remembered it just now. You two talk. I'll go ahead."
She turned and walked away.
Naruto reached out, "Hinata—" but she waved with a smile and kept walking.
Kakashi sighed lightly.
"Naruto… I understand why you kissed Hinata the moment you returned from the previous timeline. She's a wonderful wife."
Naruto watched Hinata disappear down the street, smiling warmly.
"Yeah… marrying Hinata is the happiest thing in my life."
He turned back. "So, Kakashi-sensei, what did you want to talk about?"
Kakashi smiled.
"Let's go eat ramen first. I haven't had lunch either."
They walked into Ichiraku Ramen, and several customers greeted Kakashi warmly. Kakashi and Naruto greeted them back before sitting down.
Teuchi came to them with his usual smile.
"Long time no see, Hokage, Naruto. Same order?"
"A bowl of ramen with an egg," Kakashi said. "Naruto?"
"I want a super-deluxe bowl! Extra egg! Extra char siu!"
Teuchi laughed. "Coming right up."
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, nostalgia washing over him.
He remembered Naruto as a scrawny little kid — loud, stubborn, and always hungry. And now he was a powerful shinobi carrying the weight of the future.
Seeing Naruto's Rinnegan only deepened Kakashi's worry.
He can't be the only one sacrificing… Kakashi thought. I have to catch up. I must not fall behind.
Naruto noticed Kakashi zoning out.
"Kakashi-sensei? What are you thinking?"
Kakashi blinked.
"Nothing. Just remembering the old days. Do you remember the first time you came here for ramen?"
Naruto grinned.
"Of course! I was still a kid back then. I wasn't even a genin."
"Time passes too fast," Kakashi murmured.
Naruto laughed.
"Kakashi-sensei, what's with you? Getting nostalgic all of a sudden."
Before Kakashi could answer, Teuchi arrived with their bowls.
Naruto's eyes sparkled as he dove into his massive ramen.
"Slow down, Naruto," Teuchi chuckled. "No one is stealing it from you. If you want more, just tell me!"
Naruto kept eating but nodded enthusiastically.
"He skipped breakfast," Kakashi said with a soft smile. "That's why he's eating like a starved wolf."
"Ohhh, that explains it." Teuchi laughed before returning to the counter.
Naruto slurped loudly, savoring every bite, and soon finished the entire bowl.
"Uncle! Another!"
Teuchi held up fresh noodles.
"Coming!"
He handed Naruto a second bowl.
Kakashi had only reached halfway through his own ramen… while Naruto was already devouring the next one.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon