That afternoon after the funeral, Hozuki Mangetsu brought Suigetsu and Kimimaro back to Kirigakure.
But with his personality, it was almost impossible for him to leave willingly.
After all, going back meant endless paperwork hell. Here, he could see his teacher again and call it an official trip. Of course, he'd drag it out for as long as he could.
So Satoru just watched as a huge flock of crows swooped down on Mangetsu like they were going to eat him alive.
What a sight—the Mizukage himself being chased by crows. If you didn't see it with your own eyes, you'd never believe it.
"I really want to stay longer, but I can't drag it out anymore! I'll come visit again when I have time!"
With Kimimaro in one hand and Suigetsu in the other, Mangetsu ran straight toward the ferry that was about to leave.
As he jumped onto the boat, he turned back and flashed a wide smile at Satoru.
On both sides of him, Kimimaro and Suigetsu practically had "don't embarrass us" written all over their faces.
"Oh, just hurry back already."
His abilities had grown a lot more reliable, but his personality really hadn't changed one bit.
Hatake Satoru rubbed his chin a little, then strolled back home from the pier.
...
Three days later.
"To celebrate that you three have fully recovered, and since things aren't too busy with the rebuilding right now,"
"I'll treat you to some ramen today."
Kakashi buried his whole face in the little yellow book in his hand, not even showing his eyes.
He spoke in a dull voice to the three walking ahead of him.
"Oh…"
Naruto and Sakura looked at Kakashi with a thoughtful expression.
Normally Kakashi read that little yellow book while walking, but this time it felt like his whole body was hiding inside the book.
Sasuke, looking a bit annoyed, turned to glance at the person behind them.
"Ah, that idea was mine~"
"I'm treating you, but Kakashi is paying."
Hatake Satoru stepped slightly to block Kakashi, tilted his head a little, and smiled at the three of them.
"Ah… sounds nice, but something feels off around here."
Sakura looked shocked as she noticed the growing crowd gathering around them. People stood along both sides of the road, keeping a not-too-close, not-too-far distance.
Some even held light boards and flower bouquets, staring at Hatake Satoru with starry eyes.
"Ah, I knew it! This isn't Kakashi-sensei's style at all, inviting us to eat and stuff."
Naruto's voice paused for a moment, and he scratched his head awkwardly.
Where did all these people suddenly come from!?
Sasuke glanced at Hatake Satoru with a restrained look, then shifted his gaze to Kakashi, who had his face buried in the book and had purposely put some distance between them.
"Sure, that guy is handsome, but does it really need to be this over the top!?"
"Don't these people have anything better to do? And you're an adult—say something at least."
Sasuke complained to Kakashi in frustration.
Then he pointed at the crowd on both sides, almost forming lines, eyes filled with hearts and pink bubbles floating in the air.
The one to blame showed no sign of toning down his charm, still walking with a bright smile.
Right after Sasuke spoke, a few people rushed over, holding autograph papers and cameras.
"Hey, you guys know that big brother behind you, right?"
"Can you ask him to sign for me?"
"A photo, please? Guys who look this young and cute are so rare! And he's tall too."
Once one person rushed in, more people followed.
The people who had stayed quietly on both sides of the street swarmed forward like a tide.
And not just women—even a few men who looked a bit… off joined in.
They shoved all sorts of things into the three's hands, yet not a single person got close to Hatake Satoru.
Smiling was fine, but being surrounded like that? Hatake Satoru had no interest in that kind of experience.
So, basically, anyone who tried to approach him was blocked by his Infinity Technique.
Because of this trait, Hatake Satoru was also called the "man of untouchable charm."
Kakashi hid his face behind his little yellow book, looking like someone quietly taking pride in his success.
"Ahhh—this is going way off track!"
"Why is everyone coming at us!?"
"Damn it, hurry up and put on your blindfold!"
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke, completely overwhelmed, used the substitution jutsu and threw away everything they were holding.
The three kids charged straight at Hatake Satoru as he walked into the ramen shop, looking like they were about to flip the tables over.
But Hatake Satoru leaned against a table and calmly blocked all three of them.
Then he turned his head slightly toward the person behind the counter and smiled.
"Sorry, they're too mischievous."
The daughter of the Ichiraku Ramen owner was standing behind the counter, and in an instant, her whole face turned bright pink.
"Keep your blindfold on properly!"
The three kids in front of Hatake Satoru immediately stood on tiptoe and started complaining.
"Well, well, people should follow their own preferences for things like this."
Kakashi tucked away his little yellow book and walked into the shop slowly and casually.
The five of them sat down in a row at the counter, with Kakashi and Hatake Satoru sitting on each end of the three kids.
After ordering ramen, Naruto couldn't help but shift his gaze from Hatake Satoru's face to Kakashi's face.
Sasuke and Sakura also looked nervously at Kakashi's mask.
Compared to Satoru's blindfold, Kakashi's mask seemed easier to take off.
Since they had already seen Satoru's face, they were now even more curious about what Kakashi looked like!
As Kakashi's fingers moved closer and closer to his own face, the three of them tensed up, staring intently at his mask.
"Ah."
Hatake Satoru suddenly called out from behind them, and the three kids jumped like they had been caught red-handed, quickly turning to look at him.
"The chopsticks broke."
Hatake Satoru blinked innocently and set down the broken chopsticks in his hands.
"Come on… don't scare us over something like that…"
For some reason, looking at that face made it impossible to stay mad—probably because it was too good-looking.
The three let out helpless sighs and turned back to look at Kakashi again.
"Thanks for the meal. I'm full."
Just as they turned their heads, Kakashi clapped his hands together with a cheerful smile.
The mask was already back on his face.
"You ate so fast!"
Sakura and Naruto looked at the empty bowl, then back at Kakashi's face.
"Damn it… you two really didn't plan this on purpose?"
Sasuke turned his head suspiciously.
"Well, we're brothers. A little coordination is normal."
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