The peak of the season quietly faded, and the humid, muggy wind secretly carried a hint of coolness.
The cicada's song grew thinner, like layers of fine gauze being drawn away, revealing a clear silence.
The deep green of summer gradually receded, and the dense forests on the mountains took on scattered specks of yellow, like an unfinished oil painting, with golden patches rippling across a deep and shallow green base.
Naraku, carrying a large stack of paper shopping bags and with a heavily laden vegetable basket hanging from his arm, hurried home. He tinkered in his room from late morning until sunset.
Looking at the colorful, mountain-like pile of boxes in front of him, he sighed deeply, lowering his head, and muttered to himself, "It's still not enough..."
Then, he picked up the prettiest empty box in front of him, took out a scroll and a thick stack of green healing talismans from his embrace, carefully placed them inside, and tied them tightly with a ribbon, forming a complex and elaborate bow.
There was no time for rest; after handling these things, Naraku carried the vegetable basket into the kitchen and began preparing dinner.
As the last trace of sunset disappeared below the horizon, and the evening glow was replaced by the brilliant star sea in the night sky, Kakashi finally returned from outside the village, pushing open the door with the moonlight on him, entering his brightly lit home.
"It smells so good."
His keen sense of smell immediately allowed him to identify the dinner dishes—all his favorite foods, and even, he suspected, a sweet cream cake.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome home, Kakashi."
Naraku poked his head out from the kitchen, his dark hair swaying behind him, a dab of cream, he knew not when it got there, on his face.
"I still need a little more time here... There's hot water in the bathtub, go take a bath first, it'll be ready soon."
"Mm."
Kakashi removed his weapons and outer clothing, took off his undershirt and other intimate garments, and after a quick wash, soaked in the warm, clear water, feeling all the accumulated fatigue in his body dissipate at that moment.
He scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on his face, wondering how Naraku managed to maintain the appropriate temperature.
The most likely method was that he came over periodically to test the temperature and add hot water.
-- Does Naraku really need to go to such lengths?
-- It's even more exaggerated than when he was a child... Kakashi submerged the lower half of his face in the water, glumly blowing bubbles.
Ever since Naraku came to live with him in the Hatake Household seven or eight years ago, he had always been so meticulous and considerate.
Whenever both of them were home, Naraku would always do everything he could for him first.
Sometimes Kakashi would wonder if Naraku, who always thought of others, might actually feel tired and long for the same care to be given to him.
So, from childhood, he often almost forcibly took care of his close friend when necessary and tried to stop those overly reckless behaviors—though the success rate on that front wasn't very high.
Given that Naraku had prepared dinner, Kakashi didn't soak for too long; after a short rest, he got out of the tub and put on his bathrobe, ready to eat.
Indeed, the dining table was already filled with steaming dishes of all kinds, with a small birthday cake in the center, on which a simple short candle was inserted, not yet lit.
"Ah, you're done bathing so quickly?"
Naraku took off his apron, pulled him to the dining table to sit down, lit the candle, and then sat opposite him.
"You can make a wish now."
Kakashi didn't make a wish immediately; instead, he looked up at the young man sitting across from him.
The candlelight reflected in Naraku's dim eyes, as if light had reappeared in his eyes, turning him back into the child who used to laugh loudly while hugging him.
He couldn't help but murmur softly, "I wish... Naraku will always be safe and happy in the future."
Naraku's pupils trembled imperceptibly, his hands under the table clenched into fists, wrinkling his pants.
-- Silly Kakashi... -- If you say your wish out loud, it won't come true.
He lowered his head, pretending he hadn't heard clearly, and instead picked up the gift box at his feet, handing it to Kakashi.
Kakashi took the box, pointed at the bow on it, and asked, "Can I open it?"
"Of course."
Receiving an affirmative answer, in less than a second, Kakashi untied the ribbon and opened the lid, seeing what was inside.
"Special healing talismans? So many?"
He picked up the stack of talismans and looked at their thickness, feeling that unless the Fourth Shinobi World War broke out, he probably wouldn't use them all up for several years.
Putting down the healing talismans, he then took out the remaining scroll, and his eyes widened abruptly after opening it.
"...Lightning Transformation Technique?"
Naraku nodded and explained:
"The person I caught earlier, Hozuki Mangetsu, he possesses a Bloodline Limit called the 'Water Transformation Technique'."
"He can turn his body into liquid, thereby increasing his strength, speed, and defense, and also use it for control and infiltration."
"I extracted his blood and Chakra, and mimicking this ability, developed a Secret Technique with similar functions..."
"There might be a slight difference in intensity, but I think it's very suitable for Kakashi."
Kakashi looked at his close friend, who spoke with a feigned casualness, his throat tight, unsure what to say.
Should he thank Naraku for the effort he put in for him?
Or should he complain that he was once again disregarding himself and only thinking of others?
After a long pause, Kakashi carefully put away the scroll and said decisively, "There is no difference. I will prove to everyone that your developed 'Lightning Transformation Technique' is stronger than Hohzuki's 'Water Transformation Technique'."
Naraku was stunned for a moment, his brows and eyes quickly softened, and he followed his words, "Mm, I believe Kakashi can definitely do it."
With the gifts exchanged, the two picked up their chopsticks and heartily enjoyed the feast of delicious food.
Kakashi also recounted in detail the interesting things he encountered during this mission, making Naraku's eyes fill with smiles.
After dinner, Naraku put the leftover dishes in the refrigerator, while Kakashi was busy in the kitchen "battling" with pots, bowls, and pans.
To prevent Naraku from coming to help, he created a Shadow Clone to wash the dishes, which not only occupied the space but also doubled the efficiency.
When it was time for bed, Kakashi had just entered his bedroom when he remembered he hadn't said goodnight to Naraku.
When he came out of the bedroom again, he just heard a distinct "click" from behind Naraku's door.
-- A door bolt...?
-- Naraku never used to bolt his door when he slept.
Kakashi originally intended to subtly inquire the next day, or even sneak into Naraku's bedroom to investigate, but an order issued in the early morning directly shattered his plans.
The Hokage personally issued the directive; he was temporarily conscripted into a mysterious team of fewer than ten people to carry out a top-secret mission, and he had to report to the designated location before seven o'clock today.
Before the mission ended, he could not go home, could not leave the base, and could not attempt to reveal his whereabouts to anyone.
Kakashi had no choice but to obey the order, put on his gear, and depart urgently...