Watching Kakashi eat his ramen slowly, Naruto held his chopsticks still for a moment, staring at him in confusion. Kakashi noticed Naruto's gaze, paused mid-bite, looked up, and asked:
"What are you staring at?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Kakashi-sensei, didn't you say you had something to talk to me about?"
Kakashi simply nodded, calm as ever. "Eat first. We'll talk after."
Seeing that Kakashi wasn't planning to say anything yet, Naruto shrugged and continued devouring his noodles. He hadn't eaten breakfast, and since it was ramen—his eternal favorite—he had no hesitation ordering extra bowls.
By the time Naruto finished his second bowl and ordered the third, Kakashi had just finished his first.
Teuchi Ichiraku brought the third bowl with a smile, then turned to Kakashi.
"Hokage-sama, would you like another bowl?"
Kakashi waved it off. "No, that's enough."
Naruto happily slurped down the ramen. When he was done, he grabbed a toothpick and waved for the bill, only to see Kakashi already handing Teuchi the money.
"Let's go, Naruto."
Naruto blinked, realizing too late that he had forgotten the lifetime free coupon Ichiraku gifted him at his wedding. But Kakashi had already paid.
As they walked, Naruto nudged Kakashi.
"Alright, Kakashi-sensei. You can tell me now—what's going on?"
Kakashi inhaled slowly, his tone shifting.
"Naruto… tell me honestly. Lately you've been pushing everyone around us into relationships. Pairing people up. Encouraging romance everywhere. Is that because you're trying to make up for something?"
Naruto froze mid-toothpick chew. Kakashi's statement was too direct. Naruto laughed it off.
"Hahaha! Kakashi-sensei, you saw that, huh? Yeah, I wanted everyone to get together earlier so I could see some nice scenes sooner. Life's too short to not enjoy things when you can!"
Kakashi's heart sank. Shikaku had been right.
As Naruto laughed, Kakashi felt something tighten in his chest—guilt, responsibility, and sorrow mixing together. He had missed the signs. He, the Hokage, the sensei who raised Naruto, hadn't realized Naruto was carrying that much.
He stopped walking.
"Naruto… you don't have to carry everything alone."
Naruto blinked, confused. "Kakashi-sensei… what do you mean?"
With a sigh, Kakashi guided Naruto toward a park. They sat on a bench overlooking the lake. Kakashi turned to him with steady eyes.
"Ever since you came back—reborn—you've been trying to fix everything you regretted. You're rushing everyone's love lives to see beautiful things early. You're afraid of the future. Afraid of losing."
Naruto's hand froze mid-air.
Kakashi continued:
"You're afraid we won't win the war. So you're trying to enjoy things now… while you still can."
Kakashi's voice softened with worry.
Naruto stared at the water, took a breath, and slowly released the toothpick from his mouth.
"You're right… I was worried. I did want to see those things early. And yeah, I have regrets." Naruto smiled faintly, almost painfully. "But I'm confident too. I believe I can win. And I want you to believe in me as well."
Kakashi placed a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"I do believe in you. That's why I'm telling you this now—I won't let you shoulder everything by yourself. I'll carry it with you."
Naruto's smile grew sincere. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi's tone shifted again—firmer, decisive.
"Naruto, I have a request. I need you to agree to it."
Naruto sat up. "Go ahead."
Kakashi took a deep breath.
"I want you to transplant a Sharingan back into me. I know you have Sharingan stored."
Naruto jolted to his feet. "Kakashi! Why suddenly—?"
Kakashi closed his eye. "The ninja world knows me because of the Sharingan Obito gave me. My title as the Copy Ninja… disappeared when I returned his eye."
He looked down at his gloved hands.
"My strength isn't what it used to be. I can't leave everything to you. Not anymore. You have your Rinnegan… but I need to step up as well."
Naruto sighed. "Kakashi-sensei, my Rinnegan works for me because I'm both Uzumaki and Asura's reincarnation. That's why—"
Kakashi cut him off.
"I'm not asking for a Rinnegan. Only a Sharingan. My body handled Obito's Sharingan once. I can handle another."
Naruto frowned deeply. "But your chakra drained constantly! You had to suppress it nonstop."
Kakashi brushed it aside with a hand wave.
"If necessary, you can transplant Hashirama cells into me. That'll solve the problem. Naruto… try to understand. I'm not just your teacher. I'm Hokage. I can't let you always fight in front while I stand in the back."
Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but Kakashi raised his hand sharply.
"Naruto… promise me."
Naruto stared at Kakashi—the determination, the resolve, the weight of responsibility radiating from him. He exhaled.
"…Fine. But I have to discuss it with Orochimaru first."
Kakashi stood immediately. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Before Naruto could object, Kakashi was already dragging him toward Orochimaru's hideout.
Inside Orochimaru's Laboratory
Orochimaru was deep into research when he heard knocking. With a hiss, he instructed Kabuto to open the door.
Kabuto stepped out, smiling calmly.
"Well, well. Naruto I see often… but Kakashi visiting? That's unusual."
Orochimaru glanced up from his equipment.
"If Naruto comes alone, it's usually nothing serious. But if he brings someone—especially the Hokage—then something interesting must be happening."
Naruto laughed awkwardly.
"You got me, Uncle Snake. We're here to ask you about transplanting a Sharingan into Kakashi-sensei."
Orochimaru blinked, momentarily surprised.
"A Sharingan transplant? For Kakashi?"
He turned to Kakashi. "Is that truly what you want?"
Kakashi didn't speak—only nodded.
Orochimaru's golden snake-like eyes narrowed with interest.
"So… you want me to help you reawaken Mangekyou Sharingan."
Kakashi didn't respond. But his silence was enough.
Orochimaru folded his arms.
"But Kakashi… you do understand, don't you? The Sharingan is a kekkei genkai of the Uchiha. Only those with Uchiha blood can reach its full potential. You're Hatake. Even if I transplant it, the chances of awakening Mangekyou are slim, nearly impossible."
"I know," Kakashi answered. "But I still have a reason to do it."
Orochimaru leaned forward slightly. "And that reason is…?"
Kakashi met his gaze with utter resolve.
"Naruto shouldn't bear everything alone. As Hokage, I must become stronger. Strong enough to stand beside him in the battles to come—and share the burden."
Orochimaru stared at Kakashi for several seconds, then slowly smiled.
"Very well, Kakashi… then let's discuss the surgery."
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