Uchiha Obito paused in thought for a moment before saying, "I'm doing fine here. There are many familiar faces around me… I even saw your father."
Kakashi's breath caught in his throat as he heard those words. "Obito… did my father say anything to you?"
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Obito smirked. "Your father said he missed you. He told me to tell you to go down and keep him company."
The faint smile that had been forming on Kakashi's lips froze instantly. For a long moment, he was silent, then cautiously asked, "…Is that true?"
Obito snorted. "Of course not! I'm not his son—why would he come to me with such a message?"
Realizing he had been tricked, Kakashi scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish laugh. "Haha… I should've known."
After some back-and-forth banter, Obito noticed that Kakashi showed no signs of leaving, and his patience began to wear thin. With a slightly irritated tone, he asked, "What are you doing here, anyway?"
Kakashi blinked, puzzled. "Doing? Nothing really. Why?"
Obito frowned. "Well, if you've got nothing to do, then why not leave already? I'm busy, you know. I make millions a minute. My time is valuable."
Kakashi tilted his head, even more confused. "Millions? What kind of business are you running over there? Sounds like it's making you rich."
Obito's forehead twitched in annoyance. Why was this guy always getting distracted by the strangest details?
"What I do is none of your business! If you're done here, then get lost!"
Obito had assumed that Kakashi would soon take the hint and leave, but as the sky began to darken, it became clear that his old comrade had no intention of budging. Growing increasingly agitated, Obito made one final attempt to send him away—he needed him gone so he could retrieve his eye without interruption.
Kakashi, however, didn't move. Instead, he stood in silence before finally speaking in a hoarse voice, his eyes fixed on Obito's tombstone. "Obito… are you really chasing me away?"
Obito was speechless for a moment.
Seeing that Obito didn't respond, Kakashi slowly stood up, brushing the dust from his clothes. "Since you're busy… I won't keep bothering you."
He turned and walked away, his steps heavy with disappointment.
But as he moved farther from the grave, a sudden voice called out.
"Wait… Kakashi!"
Kakashi immediately stopped and turned around with hope in his eyes. "Obito? What is it?"
Obito's voice was slower now, more serious. "Go check in on the teacher's child. If he knew how you've been acting, he'd be furious."
Kakashi had expected something heartfelt, perhaps even a confession of camaraderie—but instead, Obito's words were just a reminder of responsibility. His heart sank a little.
Still, he nodded solemnly. "I understand. I'll go see Naruto."
"Good. Then go already," Obito said, waving him off.
Kakashi let out a quiet sigh and walked away from the cemetery without saying another word.
---
Inside the Kamui Dimension
Obito watched Kakashi's figure disappear into the distance, then rubbed his hands together in delight. "Finally! That guy took long enough."
He remained hidden inside the Kamui space for a few extra minutes, just to make sure Kakashi didn't double back unexpectedly. Only when he was sure the coast was clear did Obito step out of the space.
He reached into his cloak and retrieved a small bottle. From it, he carefully pulled out his left eye and inserted it back into the empty socket. Closing his eyes tightly, he took a deep breath—and then opened them again.
The eye transplant was complete.
"Man," Obito muttered, "why does something so simple have to be so difficult?"
He didn't leave right away. Instead, he walked over to another grave nearby. He stood before it for a moment before speaking softly.
"Rin… I came to see you."
He smiled bitterly.
"Kakashi's still a fool. I tricked him so easily."
His voice grew wistful. "If only you could really talk to me from the other side…"
---
Elsewhere…
After leaving the cemetery, Kakashi made his way to the village's commercial district. He bought several bags full of supplies—clothes, food, and some toys—before heading toward a familiar yet heart-wrenching destination: Naruto's home.
Standing in front of the worn, aging house, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow stir in his chest. The structure looked as though it hadn't been properly maintained in years. The wood was cracked, the windows dusty, the roof patched in several places.
"Is what Obito said… really true?" Kakashi murmured to himself.
He found it hard to believe that the Third Hokage would allow Naruto—the child of the Fourth Hokage and the village's hero—to live in such shabby conditions. He had entrusted baby Naruto to the Third Hokage himself. And yet…
The memories of a tiny, swaddled Naruto resurfaced. The baby had been full of life, crying loudly when touched or moved. At the time, everyone believed he would be raised with care.
But seeing this house now—Kakashi was filled with guilt.
His hand trembled as he knocked gently on the door.
A small voice answered quickly, "Who is it? I'm coming!"
Kakashi's heart ached as he recognized the childish tone. He hadn't seen Naruto in years—not since he was a newborn.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing a small face peeking out with wide, curious eyes.
"Who are you?" the boy asked, blinking.
For Naruto, visits were rare. Apart from the occasional check-in from Grandpa Third Hokage or the mysterious Uncle Obito, nobody really came to see him. So the sudden appearance of a stranger—especially one with silver hair and a gentle smile—made him both nervous and excited.
Kakashi lowered his gaze and noticed that Naruto was at least wearing clean, new clothes. That was a small relief. He had feared finding the boy dressed in tattered rags.
Smiling gently, Kakashi said, "Naruto… I'm your father's student. I came here today to see how you're doing."
He held up the bags of items he had brought. "These are gifts I bought for you. Will you let me in?"
Naruto's eyes lit up instantly. "You brought presents? Come in!"
He swung the door open wide, eager to welcome his visitor.
---
Inside Naruto's Home
Kakashi stepped inside and took in the simple interior. It was cramped, but tidy. The walls were plain, and the furniture looked old. However, in one corner of the room, he noticed a colorful pile of wrapped gift boxes.
He turned to Naruto and ruffled his hair affectionately. "My name is Kakashi," he said softly.
Naruto's eyes brightened. "Brother Kakashi?!"
Kakashi chuckled. "Brother, huh?"
Naruto nodded. "Uncle Obito mentioned you before. He asked if I knew someone named Kakashi. I guess he sent you here."
If Obito had been listening, he might have fainted on the spot. How was Kakashi the brother and he the uncle?!
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat. "Wait… Naruto, did you say Obito? You… you know Obito?"
Naruto nodded seriously. "Of course I do! Uncle Obito gave me so many presents and even helped with living expenses!"
He pointed at the pile of gifts in the corner. "See? All those came from Uncle Obito! He also bought the clothes I'm wearing now!"
Kakashi followed Naruto's finger and saw the unmistakable collection of items. A wild thought suddenly raced through his mind—could Obito really be alive?
"Brother Kakashi," Naruto said curiously, tilting his head. "Why are you just like Uncle Obito? You both have only one eye!"
Kakashi's expression turned serious. He could no longer sit still...
"Sorry, Naruto. I need to go right now," he said urgently. "But I promise I'll visit you again soon!"
Before Naruto could respond, Kakashi rushed out of the house at lightning speed, heading straight for the cemetery.
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