After browsing the comment section for a while, Naraku saw that a few of the top comments had guessed pretty accurately, so he had a good idea of what was going on. He then continued to click on the next episode to watch it.
This episode opened with several empty shots imbued with a strong New Year's atmosphere.
From the freshly piled snow on the eaves to the various small decorations on doors and windows, everything clearly told the audience that a new year had arrived in the Ninja World.
The camera, like a swallow, darted through the streets and alleys, flew into the Uchiha Clan Head's residence, and settled in the spacious and cozy reception room, focusing on the four youths gathered around the kotatsu.
Shisui was describing to the others the scene where Kazuki and the others were caught red-handed by their parents.
Naraku and Kakashi clearly took this as a joke made by children; one had gentle eyes, and the other couldn't help but smile.
Little Itachi pouted, looking particularly unhappy. Shisui was sensitive enough to such subtle feelings and immediately saw that he was jealous, then was chased and hit by the embarrassed child.
[Our Baby Shisui is so naughty, he even ran to Naraku to tell on them.]
[Pouting Little Itachi is also so cute!]
[Itachi: I'm the only brother of my brother!]
[Oh, oh, oh, sure enough, he's jealous now that he knows he's not the only one with a seal!]
[Itachi: It was me, it was always me first… whether it was companionship, playing, or even loving brother…]
[Why is Shisui the only one who can tell Little Itachi is jealous? Is it because he himself has been equally jealous? (Smirking .jpg)]
[Shisui, you rascal, who told you to expose him? Now you're getting beaten, hahahaha]
[The Old Thief skipped so much again, I don't even know why Shisui and Little Itachi have such a good relationship now.]
[Quickly release spin-offs for these little Uchiha, you scoundrel!]
The first thing Mikoto saw upon her return was this joyful scene of playful bickering.
Seeing the heavy basket of vegetables in her hand, Naraku proactively offered to help prepare lunch, leaving Kakashi and Shisui to continue playing with Itachi.
This time, the animator didn't cut the scene; he fully presented the 'misunderstanding' he had deliberately shown, born of concern.
Naraku's incoherent panic, mistakenly believing Mikoto was ill, already made a significant portion of the audience's noses tingle;
Coupled with Mikoto's heartfelt confession later and the perfectly fitting background music, it brought tears to the eyes of many viewers, as expressed in the barrage of comments.
[Did Kakashi quietly nudge a little closer to Naraku? ...Scheming boy ~ (Witty .jpg)]
[I also really want to eat hot, fragrant curry and mushroom stew!]
[Is Mikoto sick? Take tonics! Naraku can't lose a second mother, boo hoo hoo]
[Naraku must have already seen Mikoto as a mother, right? Perhaps he even imagines Kako's appearance from her gentleness... (T ^ T)]
[Definitely, wasn't it like that back at Mount Kikyo?]
[Only in front of Mikoto does Naraku become flustered like a child.]
[Baby Naraku! You're going to have a little brother or sister again!]
[A harmless little misunderstanding ~ That's wonderful!]
[Fugaku is really on his game, keep it up, try to have ten or eight more kids for Naraku to raise, so he won't have time to be emo.]
[Wow, you in front are so cruel.]
[Why does Naraku always apologize? Because he's even afraid that expressing concern will cause trouble for others.]
[Could this be a manifestation of seeking a sense of security? If every apology leads to forgiveness, then it means people haven't grown tired of him yet.]
[Perhaps so, every 'it's okay' is his support for living.]
[I believe, if someone were to grow tired of this apology, Naraku would strip himself of his last source of security, no longer begging for any response with 'I'm sorry.']
[I'm a little unsure now... Is Naraku really healing little by little, as the forum says?]
Naraku rubbed his fingers: Apologizing to seek a sense of security? That's a good idea, let's see if there's a chance to use it later.
The animation continued to play, finally reaching the plot point he had always been curious about, which was the part where Itachi was emotionally broken.
After watching all the details from beginning to end, Naraku couldn't help but exclaim along with the comments:
Sure enough, only a biological mother can play with her own children so happily and recklessly, even instructing Kakashi and Shisui to use such a dirty trick.
And what's with the excited and expectant expressions on those two silly boys' faces at the end? Has their dark personality fully awakened? Look, Itachi was so angry he turned completely red.
On the screen, Itachi was complaining while nestled in Naraku's arms.
"Brother... Brother Shisui and Brother Kakashi are bullying me... saying their seals are the most special..."
After saying this, he asked if his seal was really ordinary. Naraku coaxed and promised, and it took him a long time to calm his younger brother down.
[You're so mean, Mikoto ~ Leading the charge to tease Little Itachi, hahahahaha]
[You in front, laugh a little quieter, I might even believe you're actually condemning them.]
[Mikoto: So what? What's the point of having children if you don't play with them?]
[Cherish this minute of KakaNara, these two rascals still have some conscience.]
[What, is it gone in the next minute?]
[It really is gone... They had so much fun...]
[When other kids cry: Annoying! When I make them cry: Heavenly music!]
[I can already imagine what kind of blow Little Itachi will suffer, hahahahahaha]
[Now there's not a trace of guilt for Little Itachi in Shisui's eyes, only anticipation for the success of his prank.]
[Shisui really has a seal! The netizens didn't lie to me!]
[Why did you even wink, Kakashi!? You're killing him! ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ]
[Kakashi & Shisui: Teasing kids is so much fun!]
[I'm really going to die laughing, please, you two be decent, that's too wicked hahahahahaha]
[Little Itachi complaining to his brother is so cute, I want to pinch his face!]
[Kakashi tried to be clever but ended up losing out.]
[Originally, his Yin Seal: Modified was indeed the most special, but now it's not necessarily so ~ hahahahaha ~]
Naraku returned to the dining table, holding the comforted Itachi. Facing the one adult and two children who dared not look at him, even with his good temper, he couldn't let the matter slide easily this time.
Kakashi and Shisui, who had been called out, were already feeling guilty and immediately begged for forgiveness and made promises, finally earning the victim Itachi's pardon.
[Naraku's family status (Thumbs up .jpg)]
[The mastermind Mikoto not only played with the kids but also didn't get scolded by Naraku, a total win.]
[I think Mikoto probably wanted to stir things up with this incident to make Naraku and Little Itachi temporarily put aside their respective worries.]
[Yes, I have that feeling too.]
[Boo hoo hoo, Mama Mikoto, you really, I'm crying my eyes out.]
[As carefree as they were bullying Itachi just now, they're just as flustered coaxing him now.]
[Itachi: Ho ho ~ To keep brother from getting angry, they can even call out 'adults'? You two, Hajikaka, Hajishisui...]
[If Itachi had a tail, it would be wagging right now, hahahaha]
After the scene change, it was afternoon, and Naraku and Kakashi returned home together.
Kakashi looked dejected, occasionally glancing at Naraku's back, wanting to speak but hesitating. He was clearly worried that Naraku would misunderstand him as a bad guy who bullied children.
Just as he mustered up the courage to utter a syllable, a guest arrived.
It was a family of three; viewers with good memories recognized them as the family Naraku had saved at Mount Kikyo.
Kakashi had no choice but to lead them into the reception room, brew and serve tea, then retreat to sit on the veranda, sighing at the sky.
[Scapegoat Kakashi, Mikoto was clearly the one who made him do it (Gleeful .jpg)]
[Oh ~ Isn't this Konoha's famous male ghost Hatake Kakashi? Why isn't he being a ghost today~?]
[He bullied a child and made his close friend angry ~ hahahahahaha]
[Holy crap, this family actually made it to Konoha despite the raging war.]
[They're quite lucky, no one was lost.]
[Indeed, given the situation at Mount Kikyo, it's a miracle that all three of them are alive.]
[Hahahahaha, Kakashi really looks miserable like this, he can't even get inside.]
The camera followed Kakashi's gaze to the sky, followed by a few seconds of empty shots: the sun setting, orange clouds filling the sky.
What happened in the reception room was thus omitted by the animator.
Kakashi stepped into the kitchen, hesitating on how to explain himself, when he noticed something unusual about Naraku's right hand.
Before the Medical Ninjutsu finished, he pried open Naraku's curled fingers and saw the long, thin scar.
He pondered when the wound had appeared, lost in thought, and didn't notice that he had been holding Naraku's hand, stroking and rubbing it for a long time.
Naraku's visibly embarrassed expression made a significant portion of the comments shriek, and when he uttered that light, hesitant whisper, trying to stop him, it truly caused a sensation.
Coupled with Kakashi's sudden change from his previous timidity, revealing his male ghost nature once again, it directly sent Sister Kanai to heaven.
[This matter is really tricky. Pushing the blame back on Mikoto seems irresponsible, but if he doesn't explain clearly, being misunderstood is also very uncomfortable.]
[Holy crap, you can get such a long cut washing vegetables? What kind of vegetable spirit, quickly appear!]
[Kakashi's pained gaze, so perfect.]
[Touching hands is a bit too intimate, isn't it!]
[It's only been a short while, and Kakashi has already revealed his true colors.]
[Sometimes I wonder if Kakashi is really a child with an old soul? Whenever he faces Naraku, his actions of touching hands, hugging, and putting his arm around his waist are all natural and ambiguous.]
[He's very experienced in taking advantage of his close friend.]
[Naraku, why are your ears red? (Enjoying the show .jpg)]
[Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah this sentence! Sister Kanai is ecstatic!!]
[I'd like to see how those Naraku fans will resist now, hehehehehehe...]
[To be honest, with just this sentence, I can imagine ten thousand words... 〃 ∀ 〃]
[Sisters, I have a non-existent thing that just stood up!]
[The existent one actually also...]
[You perverts, shut up! Naraku isn't even 14 yet! (Horrified .jpg)]
Under Kakashi's repeated questioning, Naraku vaguely stated that it was to test a hemostasis Jutsu and tried to change the subject.
Unexpectedly, this backfired, making Kakashi's expression grow darker.
Even when he had other options, Naraku still chose to harm himself first.
Realizing this, Kakashi frowned sadly.
Nothing was more painful than watching his close friend persistently torment himself.
Although he had many things he wanted to say, in the end, he only muttered in a low voice: "Don't do that again, I don't want you to get hurt."
[Kabuto? It does sound better than Ichiro.]
[Hemostasis Jutsu, so he must have Medical Ninjutsu talent then.]
[This family shouldn't be meeting Naraku for the first time, otherwise, where would a civilian child learn Ninjutsu?]
[Damn The Old Thief, I order you to release all the previous events!]
[Naraku casually saves someone who turns out to be a talented child, his luck is comparable to a protagonist in a wish-fulfillment novel browsing a street stall.]
[Yes, even when there are options, why is Naraku's first reaction to use himself? Boo hoo hoo hoo...]
[As a Naraku fan, I truly understand how Kakashi feels right now (╥_╥)]
[Can't persuade him, can't scare him, witnessing him burn his life again and again, feeling so helpless I want to cry, boo hoo hoo hoo hoo]
Later, Kakashi finally intended to explain the whole story behind bullying Itachi, but he started to stammer again at the crucial point.
Just as the audience was scratching their heads in frustration, worried he would give up halfway, Naraku proactively finished the second half of the sentence.
"Aunt Mikoto asked you and Shisui to do it, right?"
"Kakashi is a very gentle person... he definitely wouldn't bully children on his own accord..."
"No... How could I be angry with Kakashi..."
As he spoke, the camera zoomed in on Naraku's vacant eyes, his hands that had stopped moving at some point, and his trembling lips as he mumbled to himself.
Because he was always facing away from Kakashi, the latter couldn't see any of this.
A second or two later, he snapped out of his daze and quickly explained why he had asked Kakashi to apologize to Itachi at the time, to cover up his earlier unusual behavior.
[Damn it, hurry up and say it! You're killing me!]
[Baby Naraku is so smart, his mind is clear as a mirror!]
[So sweet ~ Naraku understands Kakashi so well, he unconditionally trusts Kakashi's character, it's so shippable!]
[Now that 'secretly pleased' guy is going to be secretly pleased again.]
[Wait! A sudden stab that caught me off guard QAQ]
[Naraku will never be angry with Kakashi, just as he will always only blame himself.]
[You're giving me a harsh blow right after a mouthful of candy, aren't you? The Old Thief, you're something else!]
[Naraku seems to be under a lot of psychological pressure, what has he been thinking all this time, boo hoo hoo hoo (ㄒoㄒ)]
[He even zones out in front of Kakashi, Naraku's mental state can no longer be described as just 'bad'.]
[I feel like I'm watching him slowly crumble, but there's nothing I can do.]
[My Baby Naraku, boo hoo hoo hoo X﹏X]
Kakashi happened to be looking down and rolling up his sleeves, so he didn't notice anything amiss.
Then he came over to Naraku's side to help wash vegetables, getting closer and closer, making it so crowded that Naraku almost had no space to work.
After realizing it was a bit cramped, he simply used that as an excuse to take over the sink, monopolizing all the remaining chores.
[Kakashi, why are you messing with your sleeves now, I'm done ( ･_･)ﾉ ⌒ ● ~ *]
[KakaNara are children already toyed with by fate through various coincidences.]
[Holy crap, the person in front of me just stabbed me in the heart.]
[Oh, oh, oh ~ wuli Kakashi is a clingy little male ghost ~]
[I reasonably suspect that Kakashi subconsciously always wants to lean on Naraku, so he doesn't miss any opportunity to get close.]
[That's right, he was secretly leaning against Naraku at Mikoto's house earlier.]
[It's understandable, if Naraku were next to me, I wouldn't be able to resist getting close to him either.]
Naraku had no choice but to turn and busy himself on the other side, placing the cutting board on the counter, and secretly tracing Kakashi's profile with his gaze.
At this moment, a close-up showed his eyes hidden in the shadows.
There was a clear softness born of happiness and contentment, but also a hint of sadness.
The animator finally deigned to reveal just the tip of the iceberg of Naraku's profound pain; even this much was enough to break many viewers' hearts.
-- Kakashi, every day I spend with you now, to me... -- is like a daytime dream made of dew.
-- All I can do is pray... -- pray that the sun allows me to linger in this dream a little longer before it causes it to vanish.
The final shot froze on Kakashi's calm expression and capable profile.
It was as if mimicking Naraku's perspective, observing with his eyes, devoutly and intently, this person who was most important to him.
[Naraku's gaze breaks my heart, boo hoo hoo hoo]
[If you have something on your mind, tell Kakashi. No matter what it is, he will never abandon you.]
[Baby, why do you live such a bitter life... (i Д i)]
[Perhaps for Naraku, all beautiful things are like morning dew and fleeting shadows, disappearing in an instant, and he ultimately can't hold onto anything (ಥ _ ಥ)]
[Pessimism is a seed buried in his flesh and blood, its roots embedded in his bone seams, its branches and leaves blooming in his soul.]
[I think Naraku is just too afraid.]
[Naraku has experienced going from nothing to something, and then back to nothing, which makes him constantly worry that he will lose everything he has now.]