Kakashi glanced at Danzo, his expression unchanged.
This was the same man who had once tried to manipulate him into assassinating Hiruzen Sarutobi—and who had worked hand in hand with Orochimaru on forbidden human experiments.
Even now, Kakashi couldn't understand why the Third Hokage kept someone like that so close… why he continued to entrust him with the position of Hokage's advisor.
But years in ANBU had hardened him.
There were questions one simply did not ask.
Hiruzen looked toward Danzo.
"Everyone, return for now. We'll hold the pre-war meeting tomorrow."
As for sabotaging the budding relationship between the Uchiha and the Hyuga—
That was not something Hiruzen could do openly.
It would have to be left to Danzo.
Kumogakure's declaration of war had already spread across the shinobi world.
It was time to prepare in earnest.
Kakashi was the first to leave.
He returned home swiftly, removed his ANBU uniform, and changed back into ordinary clothing.
When he stepped outside again, Might Guy was already waiting at the gate.
"Kakashi! Let's have a youthful duel!"
Guy struck a dramatic pose, brimming with burning enthusiasm.
Kakashi rolled his eye and ignored him completely, walking straight toward Ichiraku Ramen.
It was dinner time.
He had no intention of indulging a muscle-brained maniac's antics.
Guy didn't press him. He simply followed along.
After a full day of training with no mission assigned, he was starving anyway.
A duel could wait until after dinner.
"Large tonkotsu ramen."
"Same for me."
They placed their orders the moment they arrived.
"You two are here? Long time no see!"
Just as they sat down, someone nearby lifted his head from his bowl and greeted them casually.
Kakashi and Guy turned at the same time—
And saw their former classmate, Uchiha Yusuke, eating his ramen with evident enjoyment.
"Yusuke?!"
Guy shot to his feet in shock.
Though they had once attended the Ninja Academy together, Yusuke was now the clan head of the Uchiha.
Seeing someone of that status casually eating ramen in a small shop was… unexpected.
Kakashi, however, only nodded slightly, though a faint flicker of surprise passed through his visible eye.
He had graduated early and hadn't been particularly close with Yusuke.
But because of Obito…
He had always paid attention to the Uchiha.
And working in ANBU meant he knew more about the clan than most.
"What? Surprised?"
Yusuke smiled at Guy.
Though he was the Uchiha clan head, he never indulged in special privileges.
He lived alone and rarely cooked.
Most of the time, he either ate out or shamelessly mooched meals from Fugaku, Inabi, or Tekka.
He trained hard every day.
Who had time to cook?
Usually, when he dined out, he supported restaurants owned by Uchiha clansmen.
But tonight, he happened to crave ramen.
He hadn't expected to run into Kakashi and Guy.
"Haha… yeah, it has been a while!"
Guy scratched his head awkwardly before sitting back down.
"Oh! And congratulations on becoming the Uchiha clan head!"
He suddenly remembered and hurriedly added it.
After all, they were old classmates.
Failing to offer congratulations felt a bit embarrassing now that they were face-to-face.
"I never imagined your strength would grow so quickly."
Guy spoke sincerely.
Back at the Academy, Yusuke had been solid—above average—but not exceptional.
Not a dead last like Obito.
But nowhere near a prodigy like Kakashi.
Yet after graduation, Yusuke's strength skyrocketed.
During the Third Shinobi War, he earned the title "Flame Demon."
Now, his power had surpassed even Kakashi's brilliance.
The Uchiha bloodline…
Truly terrifying.
Once the Sharingan awakened, one could ascend in a single leap.
Ordinary jonin simply couldn't compete.
Yusuke's smile stiffened slightly.
"I was just lucky."
He knew Guy's personality well.
This was a man who challenged strong opponents the moment he met them.
So Yusuke quickly shifted the topic.
"Kakashi, have you grown accustomed to using the Uchiha's Sharingan?"
Kakashi lowered his head, silent.
A shadow flickered in his eye.
Every time he saw Yusuke—
He thought of Obito.
If Obito were still alive…
Wouldn't he be just as strong?
"Sorry. I'm leaving."
Kakashi abruptly stood, placed money on the counter, and walked away.
The direction he headed—
Was toward the Memorial Stone.
Yusuke watched his retreating figure calmly.
"Looks like seeing me stirred up old memories."
He had clearly seen the guilt in Kakashi's eyes.
That guilt…
Could be useful someday.
In the original timeline, Kakashi's favoritism toward Sasuke was obvious.
And Kakashi had once partnered with Uchiha Itachi in ANBU for a long time.
Given Kakashi's personality, perhaps it was precisely because of Obito—
Because of his lingering guilt toward the Uchiha.
What?
Obito wasn't dead?
Did that matter?
Not at all.
As long as Kakashi believed he was.
"...Kakashi."
Guy stared at his friend's back in silence.
Even he knew—
Now was not the time to chase after him.
The ramen shop grew quiet.
Yusuke and Guy finished their bowls in silence.
Guy ate quickly—faster than Yusuke, despite arriving later.
And the moment he put down his chopsticks—
He locked eyes with Yusuke.
"…?"
Yusuke felt a headache coming on.
Surely not.
Surely this wasn't happening.
He had barely finished eating.
And as expected—
"Yusuke! Let's have a youthful duel!"
Guy clenched his fists, eyes blazing with passion.
Ever since Yusuke became famous, Guy had wanted to test himself against him.
Now that the opportunity had presented itself—
There was no way he would let it slip.
Yusuke fell silent for a moment.
If he refused now, it would only become more troublesome later.
"…Fine."
"But on one condition."
"This duel happens once. No repeat matches."
His tone grew serious.
As Uchiha clan head, he couldn't lose.
But winning carried risks too.
If Guy latched onto him like he did Kakashi—
He'd become a permanent sparring partner.
Absolutely not.
Throwing the match wouldn't work either.
Guy would see through it.
And if Guy's pride were wounded—
What if he opened the Eight Gates in frustration?
Rock Lee could open five gates at thirteen.
Guy was around twenty now.
Opening seven gates was highly probable.
The Seventh Gate Might Guy—
Might not kick gods.
But he could absolutely kick a Kage-level shinobi.
And that…
It would be very troublesome.
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