Kakashi yawned as he closed the final scroll and set it aside. His fingers were stained with ink and chakra residue. He rubbed the back of his neck. Time had completely slipped away from him.
When he had gone down to the lab, it was just after lunch. Now…
He climbed the stairs and stepped into the house above, pausing when he noticed something strange.
It was dark.
The warm smell of miso, grilled meat, and steamed vegetables drifted into the air. A light clatter of plates and utensils came from the kitchen.
Kakashi blinked, confused for a moment.
Then he walked forward and was surprised to see the kitchen brightly lit, the table half-set, and four women bustling around, Tsunade, Kurenai, Anko, and Mei, with Karin helping them, practically skipping between counter and table with plates in hand.
Karin spotted him first.
"Ah! Kakashi-sensei! You're finally up here!" she said, beaming.
"I didn't even realize it was evening. Thought it was still mid-afternoon." He chuckled.
"You completely lost track of time again," Kurenai said, walking over with a soft glare. "Don't overwork yourself."
"That's right," Anko added, pointing a spoon at him. "You've been locking yourself in the lab too long. You're not some creepy scientist."
"Alright, alright. But I promise, my body's a lot stronger now. I'm not the old Kakashi anymore." Kakashi raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Still. Strength or not, you need rest too." Tsunade gave him a long look from where she was stirring the soup.
Kakashi smiled, quietly warmed by their concern.
Karin placed the last plate down and hurried over to Kakashi's side, practically bouncing.
"I've been helping in your lab!" she announced proudly.
"Yeah?" Kakashi knew that but still asked with interest.
"Mhm!" she nodded rapidly. "Orochimaru's clone is kind of creepy, but he's actually a really good teacher. He explains things super clearly, and he even taught me some advanced chakra manipulation techniques. And I've been helping with sealing work too!"
She grinned, then added, "Sakura's there too, and we've been working together on some of your notes. Oh, and guess what, Kushina-san taught me a few things too! Her chakra's gone, but her memory and knowledge are still. She taught me so much!"
"Impressive." Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"And Tsunade-sensei has been teaching me medical ninjutsu!" Karin added, then puffed her chest with pride. "At this rate, I'm going to surpass her soon!"
That earned her a sharp thunk on the top of her head.
"Don't get cocky," Tsunade said, setting a tray of grilled fish on the table.
"Ow… so violent…" Karin winced and rubbed her scalp, pouting.
Kakashi laughed softly. Karin had changed so much since he'd brought her home. She was no longer that timid girl hiding behind fear and anger. She had become full of energy, full of dreams, and proudly chasing her goals.
He was proud of her.
Soon, the table was full, dishes spread from edge to edge, rich aromas filling the space. Tsunade sat down beside him, and Mei, Kurenai, and Anko joined.
Mei gave him a gentle smile. She had already blended into the house like she'd always been a part of it.
This… was what Kakashi had always hoped for. A place where everyone could be in harmony. And Mei was a future family member, so the girls naturally treated her well.
He smiled at her, and she smiled back.
Once they began eating, the conversation picked up again.
"So…" Anko started, eyeing him suspiciously, "how was the lab today?"
"Did you discover something again?" Kurenai tilted her head, also curious.
Kakashi set his chopsticks down and leaned back in his chair, serious now.
"I did. Something… important."
Everyone paused.
"I managed to synthesize a bloodline limit into another person using the Genesis Seal."
A moment of stunned silence filled the room.
"You mean… like, transfer it?" Karin asked, eyes wide.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. A rogue chunin I used as a test subject. I gave him a weak version of Crystal Release. It took several attempts, but it worked."
"That's…" Kurenai whispered.
"Incredible," Mei finished, setting down her teacup. "You continue to surprise me."
"That's not all. I want to give you bloodlines too." Kakashi turned to look at each of them.
"Me?" Kurenai's eyes widened.
"You and Anko," Kakashi said. "You were born civilians, but now we can change that. I can give you something that will make you much stronger."
"Hell yeah, I'm in!" Anko grinned.
"If it helps you… if it helps us… Then yes." Kurenai nodded, a bit slower.
"I already have two kekkei genkai. I don't need more. But I'm still amazed." Mei simply smiled and shrugged.
Then Kakashi turned to Tsunade.
She hadn't spoken.
She looked thoughtful, her eyes fixed on the table.
"I also want to awaken Wood Release inside you," Kakashi said gently. "It's possible. The Senju bloodline still exists in you. If we give you just a bit of help…"
Tsunade finally looked up at him. Their eyes met.
"Grandpa's legacy…" she murmured.
Kakashi nodded. "Only if you want it. It won't be the full version. Just enough to bring it out naturally."
"To help you… to protect everyone here… I'll do it." She exhaled slowly.
Kakashi's expression softened. He reached over and held her hand.
"I want to use the cells we recovered from Danzo's hidden labs. Not the ones from your grandfather's body."
Tsunade hesitated. Then she gave him a nod. "Okay. I trust you. As long as his body isn't desecrated anymore… I'll allow it."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you."
Dinner continued after that, lighter again, with laughter and teasing. Anko challenged Mei to a drinking contest. Kurenai scolded Karin for trying to sneak pickles into Tsunade's sake. And Tsunade… she just smiled.
Kakashi barely touched his food after that. He was too content watching them. Watching his family.
….
Later that night, the house was quiet.
Everyone had gone to their rooms.
Kakashi stood alone on the veranda, staring up at the moon. The wind rustled through the trees.
The air was cool. Still.
He folded his arms, his mind working fast.
The Genesis Seal… had more potential than he imagined. If he perfected the process, he could create a new kind of shinobi force. Not just strong, but bonded. Loyal. Trusted.
His women would grow stronger too. Karin was progressing faster than expected. Kurenai and Anko would soon follow. And Tsunade…
Wood Release could be her rebirth.
But it was dangerous. One wrong calculation could destroy her body from the inside.
Kakashi looked at the red spiky mark glowing faintly in his palm.
"I won't fail," he said softly.
A single firefly drifted by, blinking gently.
And Kakashi stood still in the dark, plotting the next chapter of his grand plan, with his family standing strong beside him.