Chapter 289 : Never regret
On top of the building closest to the Hokage Building.
Naraku looked at Minato, who was sparkling under the scorching sun, and felt that his soul was so brilliant that it was like a second sun rising from the ground.
The warm, pure light emitted by this sun made the depths of his soul faintly burn.
Thinking about what he had recently made Ash do, and the even more sinister plans he had for the future, he couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed.
Compared to Minato Namikaze, he didn't seem to be a pure and noble good person.
However, this feeling of melancholy lasted only for a very short time, quickly dissipating with the wind.
Naraku would not force himself to grow a conscience that wasn't there.
Whether good or bad, he fully accepted his truest self.
The feeling of their hands touching brought Naraku back to his senses slightly, and he turned to look at Kakashi, who stood by his side like a pine tree.
That handsome profile, just beginning to show its full potential, was outlined by the sunlight in soft lines, making him unintentionally get lost in thought again, and ideas he had never had before kept popping into his mind.
-- But would Kakashi accept it?
-- Would he accept a 'Naraku' who wasn't perfect?
Just like the girls who sent him love letters, Kakashi had never seen the complete 'Naraku'.
The one who appeared before him was always 'Uchiha Naraku,' whose true personality was partially concealed and who always thought of others, not 'Naraku' himself.
After everything was over, Naraku could perform the role of 'Uchiha Naraku' for Kakashi his entire life without showing any flaws—he had originally planned to do just that.
But now, an inexplicable reluctance arose within him.
-- This really isn't fair, Kakashi.
-- No matter what you become, I will accept it, whether it's decadent, dark, or insane...—I will accept you no matter what.
Naraku stared blankly at the profile he had traced countless times with his gaze; ever since he realized he didn't want to leave Kakashi alone, a subtle and deep pain once again welled up in his heart.
He was almost uncontrollably annoyed and jealous.
Although he knew perfectly well that Kakashi was completely innocent in this matter, and could even be said to be a victim who had been deceived for many years.
But at this moment, he was genuinely sad about it.
-- Why do I have to perform an incomplete version of myself to receive the same affection?
-- I'm so... Startled by the sudden thought, Naraku hastily lowered his head, no longer looking at the other person's face, desperately suppressing his wildly beating heart.
He forced himself to cut off his train of thought, no longer delving deeper, and no longer considering why he had such thoughts.
His intuition told him that once he understood this problem, it might be even more painful than not understanding it.
Kakashi felt that the person next to him was a bit off, and asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Naraku?"
His long black sideburns and bangs covered most of his profile, and Kakashi could barely see Naraku's expression at the moment.
"N-nothing..."
For the first time, Naraku didn't react in time to comfort Kakashi, simply replying without lifting his head, and then hastily left the scene.
"Wait, Naraku...!"
Kakashi quickly chased after Naraku's figure, but still lost track of him in the vast crowd.
The crowd was so dense, and the smells so mixed, that even summoning Pakkun wouldn't yield many clues.
Kakashi inexplicably had a bad premonition, as if he wouldn't be able to find Naraku in time, and he would miss the most important thing in his life... Away from the bustling crowd, Naraku walked aimlessly through the streets, not knowing where to go.
Actually, it wasn't just Kakashi; Tsunade, Fugaku, Mikoto, Kana, Rin, Fūyō, Kushina, Minato, Guy... everyone had never seen the real 'Naraku'.
To whom else could he confide this confusion?
The cool air under the shade of the trees gradually calmed his overheated mind, and rationality once again took over.
-- It's nothing.
-- It's okay to only show a part of yourself.
-- Who doesn't live like this?
He self-deceivingly comforted himself until the reluctance in his chest gradually subsided.
After circling around, Naraku finally stopped at the main entrance of Konoha Hospital.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly stepped inside and walked towards that incredibly familiar hospital room.
Upon entering, seeing that incredibly familiar yet somewhat gaunt face, his much-stabilized emotions stirred slightly again.
"Master..."
He walked step by step to the bedside, knelt on both knees, and held Hatake Sakumo's pale hand against his forehead.
After hesitating for a while, he continued, "Master, actually I..."
His rationality made him perfectly aware that what he was about to say might reveal something, but a surging emotion urged him to pour it all out.
Torn between two different forces, Naraku could only vaguely express his hidden pain.
"...I'm not a good child at all."
Only the mechanical ticking of instruments echoed in the room; besides that, there was nothing.
-- Sigh.
-- What am I doing...?
Naraku sighed heavily in his heart, composed himself, and began to skillfully perform body care for Sakumo, while also pondering how to save him next.
-- Sakumo's condition is good; he's still full of life after all this time.
-- I must find a way to upgrade the Senra Tensei Rinne Array, otherwise, if this continues, it will drag on for too long.
"Naraku!"
Kakashi, who had finally searched from home all the way to here, rushed into the hospital room, panting heavily.
Naraku was still contemplating the direction of the array's improvement, and his reaction was half a beat slow; he only looked up and responded blankly when Kakashi was already by his side.
"What's wrong?"
This state, in Kakashi's eyes, was definitely not right, but he knew it was useless to ask, so he just brought up the most irrelevant thing.
"You suddenly left just now; I thought something was wrong...?"
"Ah..."
Naraku lowered his head and continued to massage Sakumo's muscles, his tone exactly the same as usual, gentle with a hint of apology.
"I'm sorry, I just remembered it was time to come and take care of Master... and I can also talk about Minato-senpai becoming the Fourth Hokage; Master should be very happy..."
The more he pretended as if nothing had happened, the more bitter and unbearable Kakashi felt inside.
-- Liar.
-- From childhood to adulthood, you've always been so clumsy.
-- Please tell me the truth, Naraku.
Even though he saw through Naraku's lie, Kakashi just slowly leaned down, hugging Naraku's slightly thin shoulders from behind, his forehead resting on Naraku's neck.
"It's okay..."
Kakashi's voice was muffled, as if something was blocking his throat: "As long as it's Naraku... anything is fine..."
Naraku's hand movements paused for a moment, his eyes trembling, and he finally closed his eyes as if resigned to fate.
Using the opportunity to turn around and massage Sakumo's calves, he adjusted his expression and voice, and replied softly, "I know."
-- Kakashi.
-- You said it yourself.
-- Never regret it...
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