As the heavy doors creaked open, a wave of ancient history and the scent of ink washed over him.
With a grave expression, Uchiha Fugaku walked between rows of ancient bookshelves, carrying an oil lamp and searching for the Uchiha clan's migration records from before the founding of Konoha.
He had not lied to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He was indeed searching for any Uchiha clansmen who might have been lost.
It's just that...
Over a thousand years, even though the Uchiha clan had migrated very few times, it still wasn't an easy task to find such records.
If there really were records of Uchiha clansmen being lost, then he could use the location of their disappearance to conduct local investigations, follow the clues, and uncover the identity of the unknown Uchiha, as well as which branch he descended from.
"This is a huge undertaking..."
Uchiha Fugaku arrived at his destination. Looking at the rows of bookshelves before him, reeking of history, he felt a headache coming on.
...
Kakashi took his leave of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Having received his approval, the matter of having the Ninja Cats forge his sword was now set in stone.
After this incident with Uchiha Obito, Kakashi knew he could no longer live a quiet life.
Even if he hadn't changed his eye, even if his Sharingan hadn't been destroyed, with his status, he was destined to be unable to escape the series of events to come.
Now, he was Kakashi.
Hatake Kakashi.
"Guy, once my sword is forged, help me with my rehabilitation training."
Kakashi and the green-clad boy walked along the bustling streets of Konoha. The distant sunset cast its light upon them. Kakashi stared at the road ahead, his tone calm yet with a hint of inexplicable determination.
He had abandoned his swordsmanship for two years. Even with his previous foundation, regaining his skill wouldn't happen overnight.
"Help you with rehabilitation training, Kakashi?"
"Of course, you can count on me!"
"It's a deal! This is a manly and passionate promise of youth!"
Hearing his friend's request, Might Guy had no reason to refuse. He pounded his chest, gave Kakashi a thumbs-up, and flashed his bright white teeth.
[Might Guy's Emotional Fluctuation +1]
[Chakra +1%]
Guy, you rascal...
"Well, even though it's rehabilitation training, I think it's better not to get too passionate about it."
Looking at the highly motivated Might Guy, Kakashi subconsciously broke out in a non-existent cold sweat.
Although Guy was powerful, and an existence to whom he could entrust his back against an enemy, this passionate youthful nature of his...
Sometimes Kakashi really couldn't handle it.
Though, he didn't dislike this passionate personality.
"I'm going to the Uchiha clan's place now."
"Guy, do you want to come along?"
Kakashi put his hands in his pockets and spoke slowly.
"I'll pass."
"I haven't finished my daily training yet!"
"Five hundred laps around Konoha running on my hands!"
Hearing Might Guy's words, Kakashi was somewhat speechless.
He hoped that when his rehabilitation training began soon, this guy wouldn't go too hard on him...
—
Uchiha Archives
Under the lamplight, Uchiha Fugaku flipped through one ancient book after another. With his Sharingan, he was reading ten lines at a glance.
His speed was such that he never took more than three seconds to read a page.
So even though only an hour or two had passed since he left Hiruzen Sarutobi, a thick pile of ancient books was already stacked beside him.
But even so, several more bookshelves still awaited him.
As Uchiha Fugaku closed the book in his hand and prepared to pick up the next one, the door to the archives was suddenly pushed open.
Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly and said:
"Didn't I say not to disturb me unless it's important?"
However, the Uchiha clansman had a strange expression on his face as he spoke:
"Clan Head, that Kakashi is here."
Uchiha Fugaku frowned upon hearing this.
Hatake Kakashi...
What does this disciple of the Fourth Hokage want with me?
"I understand. Have him wait for me in the tea room."
Putting down the ancient book, Uchiha Fugaku stretched his old back and stood up to receive the famous disciple of the Hokage.
...
Tea Room
Kakashi watched the man in front of him preparing tea.
Warming the cup, placing the tea, rinsing the tea, brewing, and pouring.
Although Uchiha Fugaku was a ninja, he had been deeply influenced by the thousand-year history of the Uchiha clan since childhood. Even in the art of tea, which was of little use to a ninja, he knew a thing or two.
Kakashi wasn't surprised by this; the neighboring Hyuga clan had even stronger traditional views.
The white-haired boy sized up the man making tea, and the man sized up Kakashi in return.
At the age of five, his father, Hatake Sakumo, committed suicide at home due to rumors.
At twelve, he witnessed the death of his friend, Uchiha Obito, and received his Sharingan.
At thirteen, due to a plot by Kirigakure, he was forced to kill his own comrade.
At fourteen, just half a month ago on the night of the Nine-Tails attack, both his beloved teacher and his teacher's wife perished. He himself also lost the Sharingan gifted to him by his friend in the chaos.
Although his talent was extraordinary, becoming a Jonin at the age of twelve, these short nine years of his life were filled with pain and suffering.
Such repeated blows would be unbearable for anyone else, but the Kakashi before him had endured.
At the very least, this white-haired boy showed no signs of world-weariness or similar emotions.
"Kakashi-kun, come and try this new tea."
As the tea was poured into the cup, a fragrant, hot cup of tea was pushed in front of Kakashi by Uchiha Fugaku.
Kakashi didn't know anything about tea. He simply picked up the cup, blew on it, and drank it all in one gulp.
Uchiha Fugaku wasn't surprised by Kakashi's unrefined way of drinking; very few ninja studied such things.
"Clan Head Fugaku, I have a request."
After downing the hot tea, Kakashi felt a slight warmth in his body and then looked seriously at the man before him.
"What is it?"
"If it's within my power, I will do my best to fulfill it."
Uchiha Fugaku didn't over-promise, only glancing lightly at Kakashi's dark left eye.
As long as he didn't ask for a Sharingan, it would be fine.
Hearing the Uchiha clan head's words, Kakashi took out the broken White Fang and placed it on the table.
"Clan Head Fugaku, I ask that you request the Ninja Cat clan to help me reforge the White Fang."
Uchiha Fugaku felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing this. He then picked up the White Fang that Kakashi offered and examined it closely.
He was clearly very interested in the White Fang.
The Uchiha clan was a clan of ninja who were extremely skilled with swords, and Uchiha Fugaku himself was no exception.
This sword had once belonged to the renowned Hatake Sakumo, a rare sight indeed.
"To think it's a ninja sword made entirely of chakra metal..."
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's murmur, Kakashi's expression changed slightly.
Chakra metal?
No one ever told him that.
In his memory, he just seemed to always use this sword to clash head-on with others.
Kakashi, you prodigal son