October 20th, Konoha Year 48.
Fallen leaves, accompanied by the patter of rain, clung to the ground.
Inside the hospital room, filled with the smell of disinfectant, a pair of dark eyes silently watched through the window at the muddy, withered yellow on the ground outside.
Kakashi Hatake.
He died.
He died during the night of the Nine-Tails' attack.
A Tailed Beast Ball struck Konoha's shelter.
The original owner of this body tried to block that Tailed Beast Ball with an Earth Style: Wall to protect the villagers.
Evidently.
He failed.
The future Sixth Hokage died prematurely.
Now standing here was merely a wanderer from an unknown place.
Is this world a timeline similar to a parallel universe... The wanderer... No, Kakashi subconsciously reached out and gently touched the bandage over his left eye.
Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan.
The Mangekyō Sharingan at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
It was pierced by a steel bar from an unknown wall.
The damage was irreparable, even with medical ninjutsu.
"Kakashi, someone's here to see you."
A gentle call from the nurse came from outside the slightly ajar door.
"Ah, please come in."
Kakashi's expression remained unchanged as he responded to the nurse.
No sooner had he spoken than a green whirlwind burst into the room.
"Kakashi!"
Accompanied by a cry like a wild beast, before Kakashi could react, the person embraced the white-haired youth's body, weeping profusely.
[Might Guy emotional fluctuation +1]
[Chakra +1%]
[Current Chakra 101%]
"Waaah!"
"Kakashi, it's so good that you're okay!"
Looking at the watermelon-headed youth hugging him, Kakashi twitched his lips.
"Might Guy, I'm fine."
"If you don't let go, I probably won't be."
Facing Might Guy's enthusiasm, Kakashi's exposed dark eyes revealed a hint of helplessness.
Perhaps he would have a headache in the future figuring out how to get along with this 'rival for life.'
"Waaah!"
"Kakashi, I'll wait for you to recover for our 157th duel!"
Might Guy immediately wiped away his tears and released Kakashi, carefully patting Kakashi's shoulder as if he were a precious, fragile item, and after confirming his dear friend was alright, he continued to weep profusely.
Kakashi's brows furrowed slightly with helplessness at this sight.
"Might Guy, don't be like that."
"Kakashi, he..."
A clear voice came from behind Might Guy.
Besides Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi had also come together to visit their talented peer.
After all, when the Tailed Beast Ball struck, they were also in the shelter, and if Kakashi hadn't risked his life to resist and alter the Tailed Beast Ball's trajectory, they too would have perished that night.
It was just that... Kurenai Yuhi's words got stuck halfway through.
A pair of gentle, crimson eyes stared blankly at the white-haired youth sitting on the bed.
[Kurenai Yuhi emotional fluctuation +1]
[Chakra +1%]
[Current Chakra 102%]
"...Kurenai."
Seeing the somewhat dazed girl, Kakashi gently spoke to remind her.
"!"
"..."
"Might Guy, don't be like that—what if Kakashi's injuries worsen..."
She blinked, and as time passed, a blush subtly appeared on the girl's face.
The black-haired girl, somewhat shy and flustered, averted her gaze and began to scold the bewildered Might Guy.
Her words went from initial fluster to exasperation, then grew softer and softer.
Finally, they were barely audible.
"I didn't mean it like that!"
The girl realized her gaffe and quickly waved her hand at Might Guy, saying:
"Kurenai cares about her comrade; she was just anxious for a moment."
"Might Guy, don't take it to heart."
Facing Kurenai's embarrassment, Kakashi kindly looked at the still clueless Might Guy.
Kakashi understood Kurenai's slip-up.
After all, this face was simply... too handsome.
For women, it was almost an existence that broke the rules.
One could say he was in no way inferior to the future Sasuke Uchiha.
[Kurenai Yuhi emotional fluctuation +1]
[Chakra +1%]
[Current Chakra 103%]
"Well, that... Kakashi."
"You, you take care of yourself first."
"I have something to do; I'll come see you in a couple of days..."
Kurenai Yuhi's face was slightly flushed, and ignoring the subtle oddity on Asuma Sarutobi's face beside her, she left the hospital room as if fleeing.
"Well, Kakashi."
"I'll be going too; I'll accompany you for rehabilitation training when you're discharged."
The mature-looking black-haired youth looked at the serene Kakashi sitting on the hospital bed, a hint of sourness in his words.
Asuma originally had many things he wanted to talk about with Kakashi, but Kurenai's behavior made him swallow all those words.
"Oh right, Kakashi needs rest now!"
"Kakashi!"
"I'm waiting for our 157th duel!"
Might Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs-up, revealing his signature bright white teeth, which made Kakashi instinctively give him a deadpan look.
Watching the once lively hospital room fall silent again, the white-haired youth's brows furrowed slightly.
Emotion... fluctuation?
Ever since Might Guy and the other two entered the room, three prompts had appeared in his mind.
Kakashi subtly suppressed his inner astonishment.
Only now did he ponder it carefully.
But no matter how Kakashi investigated, the prompts that had appeared earlier never sounded again.
Or rather, did he need to do something to others for those so-called prompts to appear again?
And a 1% increase in chakra?
Kakashi tried to sense his chakra.
But the increase was too small; Kakashi tried for a long time before confirming that his chakra had indeed increased.
After all, there was almost no difference between one hundred grains of rice and one hundred and three grains of rice.
Even with three more grains, it wouldn't be enough to feel full.
"Kakashi?"
"Did Asuma and the others leave?"
Just then, a clear voice sounded.
A short-haired girl with a clear face, wearing a white coat, walked in, holding a file that looked like a document.
"Is that... Shizune?"
Kakashi said, somewhat uncertain, relying on the memories in his mind.
"Ah, Kakashi still remembers me."
"That's truly delightful."
Shizune came to Kakashi, holding the file, and spoke with a gentle smile.
Two years ago, after the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze took office, she and Lady Tsunade left Konoha Village. Hearing that the Nine-Tails had broken its seal, Lady Tsunade hurriedly brought her back to Konoha.
"Kakashi, your Sharingan was lost in this chaos..."
Shizune looked at Kakashi with some hesitation and handed him the file she was holding.
"If you don't get a new transplant, it will significantly impact your daily life and strength..."
"Of course, it definitely won't be as good as a Sharingan..."
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