A few of the lackey students snapped out of their shock and ran toward the trash bin to check on their fallen companion.
When they pulled him out, a perfect shoe print was stamped across his face, and he was completely knocked out.
"To the infirmary! Hurry!"
With their urgent shouts echoing, the group hurried off, leaving the area silent.
"Hey, Ryosuke, wake up—it's time to go home!"
Obito's voice prodded at his ear.
Ryosuke rubbed his eyes.
"Ryosuke, you okay? Are you still sick? Not feeling well?"
A gentle voice made him glance toward Nohara Rin.
Her pretty face was marked with two purple streaks of face paint.
She wore a plain white shirt under a brown vest, with a neat blue bow on the front.
Her soft brown hair draped over her shoulders, the slightly curled tips adding a touch of playfulness.
"Rin—you're looking even prettier."
At his teasing shift of topic, a blush spread over her delicate features.
"Hey, hey! Ryosuke, don't tease Rin!"
Her childhood friend Obito instantly flared up, stepping in front of Ryosuke to block his view of her.
"What's this, Obito—you saying Rin isn't pretty?"
Ryosuke grinned at him.
"Of course Rin's pretty! You bastard—you're trying to set me up again, aren't you?!"
Obito's eyes narrowed as he recalled how Ryosuke had trapped him with this line before.
"All right, all right, Obito, Ryosuke was just joking. Weren't we going to see Kakashi today? Let's go."
Sensing Obito's mood, Rin stepped forward with a helpless smile and soothed him.
At her voice, Obito calmed down and scratched his head.
"I'll listen to Rin."
"Ryosuke, what kind of gift should we bring for Kakashi?"
After easing Obito, Rin turned to Ryosuke.
"Or… do you know what he likes?"
Ryosuke wasn't sure about gifts, but he certainly knew what Kakashi liked—Icha Icha Paradise books.
Unfortunately, I can't get them right now.
"Let's bring some pacific saury. Tastes great—we'll buy a few to take over."
"Fish? Then why not just catch some in the river?" Obito protested.
Ryosuke gave him a sidelong glance.
"By the time you catch anything, Kakashi will be off on another mission."
"Obito, let's just do what Ryosuke says, okay?" Rin said gently after a moment's thought.
"If Rin says so, then I'm fine with it."
Ryosuke eyed Obito with open disdain.
This guy… was he a total pushover for her?
"What's with that look?!"
Obito turned away in embarrassment, just in time to see Ryosuke's gaze, his cheeks heating red.
Ryosuke ignored him and headed out.
"Come on, Obito, let's go," Rin called, following after.
"Hmph."
Obito gave a dissatisfied snort and trailed along with her.
They bought six fresh saury at the market, then headed for Kakashi's home.
"Kakashi? You home? It's me, Obito!"
Obito called out twice, worry in his eyes.
On the way over, Rin had explained the reason for the visit.
A few days ago, Obito had run into Kakashi and tried to greet him.
But Kakashi had acted like a completely different person—cold and indifferent.
When Obito told Rin, they both grew concerned.
After asking around, they learned that ever since Hatake Sakumo's death, Kakashi had become unyielding and distant.
Ninjas who went on missions with him rarely came back alive; he prioritized the mission above all else and disregarded his comrades.
Many in the village criticized him for it.
Rin and Obito had decided they needed to check on him.
Hearing all this, Ryosuke understood.
Kakashi's father, the White Fang of the Leaf, had once been more renowned than even the Three Sannin, a name feared across the ninja world.
Yet for the sake of his comrades, he abandoned a mission, only to return to the village and be met with scorn. Under immense pressure from all sides, he took his own life.
From Kakashi's perspective, it was no wonder he decided his father had been wrong—that the mission came first, comrades second.
Getting the current Kakashi to open up and change his thinking… would be hard.
"Not easy," Ryosuke murmured.
Rin's brows furrowed at his tone.
"Ryosuke, what should we do?"
He glanced at her.
"You don't just get over your father's death that easily. Better to leave it to time. Maybe someday he'll have teammates who truly value him, and then… maybe he'll change."
To Obito, it sounded like vague nonsense, and he gave a cold snort.
But Rin's worried face showed she understood at least part of it.
"So… will today's visit even help?" she asked, her eyes fixed anxiously on Kakashi's home.
"It'll help—a little. And honestly, showing you care is worth something. Who knows? Maybe someday, it'll be you two who change his mind."
Ryosuke didn't elaborate further, instead glancing at Obito.
Obito blinked back in confusion.
Why are you looking at me when we're talking about Kakashi?
Rin looked at Obito too, and a hint of realization dawned in her eyes. Her worries eased into a faint smile.
"Obito, get the fish ready. We are going to see Kakashi today."
"I've got it!"
Obito grinned, pulling up the hook with the tied fish.
Bang, bang, bang!
"Kakashi!"
Thinking of the miserable look he'd seen on Kakashi days before, Obito took a deep breath and knocked hard.
A cold voice called from inside.
"Leave me alone."
"Kakashi, open up! It's me, Obito!"
Ignoring the brush-off, Obito kept knocking until his hand went numb.
Finally, Kakashi opened the door, his dead-fish eyes locking on Obito.
Rin quickly stepped between them, blocking his gaze.
"Kakashi, it's been a while."
Her gentle voice softened the tension in the air.
Then a hand clapped down on Kakashi's shoulder.
"Kakashi, here's some fresh saury. Where's your kitchen? We'll have dinner here."
"Ryosuke, wasn't this a gift for Kakashi? Why are we—"
Obito started to blurt it out, but Rin quickly covered his mouth.
"Obito!" she hissed softly.
Kakashi's gaze shifted to the two of them, taking in the worry in their eyes.
His heart warmed, but his expression stayed icy.
Ding. Uchiha Sasuke Card Points +1.
[End of Chapter]