Kakashi Masters All Elements, Rewrites the Ninja World for Rin!

A few days later, at Minato's house.

The Namikaze couple had invited their three students and the Fugaku couple over for dinner. Since Shisui had a close relationship with Kakashi, he tagged along as well.

At the dining table, Kakashi and the other two stared at the spread for a long time. Despite how good it looked, none of them dared to lift their chopsticks.

Just as the innocent Shisui reached for a piece of meat, Kakashi subtly grabbed his wrist under the table.

Confused, Shisui looked at him, brows furrowed and ready to ask—

"Uh, Minato-sensei… just checking... who cooked tonight? You or Kushina-senpai?"

Kakashi asked, tilting his head with an exaggeratedly polite smile.

"o(´^｀)o Huh?!"

Kushina's expression darkened instantly. Her hands flew to her hips, and her long crimson hair defied gravity, rising ominously.

Minato casually pushed her hair back down with a smile. "Relax, I made it. Everyone, dig in."

Rin patted her chest, visibly relieved.

Kakashi let go of Shisui's wrist and nodded slightly. The kid was safe... for now.

Shisui, catching on, shot Kakashi a grateful look, as if he had just saved his life.

Even Obito, who'd been quiet and distracted all day, managed to clasp his hands together in silent thanks.

"Thank you, Minato-sensei. I'm eating now!"

Minato's cooking was, unsurprisingly, amazing.

Four meat dishes and four vegetables, plus a soup and fruit plate—ten dishes total, all beautifully arranged and mouth-wateringly fragrant.

Perfect... if you ignored the fact that all ten dishes were variations of "Tenfold Spiraling Love Scrambled Eggs."

After dinner, Mikoto offered to help Kushina with the dishes. The two best friends disappeared into the kitchen, taking the opportunity to catch up on their own.

Baby Itachi, meanwhile, was left in Rin's care.

"Little brother, what's your name? How old are you?"

Rin asked, leaning down with a smile.

"Sister, my name is Uchiha Itachi. I'm almost two years old!"

Little Itachi, still in his open-crotch pants and wearing a cat-ear headband, beamed at her with baby-toothed pride.

"Wow! Itachi is such a smart boy!"

Rin cooed, patting his head. Her heart nearly melted from the cuteness overload.

Kakashi wandered over curiously.

So this was the legendary Uchiha Itachi in his 'I drool and toddle' phase... Amazing.

With a smirk, Kakashi bent down and gave Itachi's little forehead a flick.

Itachi froze, wide-eyed. "Big brother… why did you do that?"

"Kakashi, stop it," Rin said softly, giving him a small tap on the shoulder, a faint trace of amusement flickering in her eyes.

"Oh, nothing. Just... nostalgic mischief."

Kakashi walked away, hands behind his head, grinning.

That was for the future monthly therapy bills you're definitely going to cause, you little Tsukuyomi machine.

Still, Kakashi's mood lightened as he looked around.

The way Minato-sensei chatted easily with Fugaku over drinks... It gave him hope.

Maybe this time around, the Uchiha wouldn't be forced into a corner. Maybe Itachi wouldn't have to choose between family and duty. Maybe he wouldn't end up a tragic martyr.

Maybe—just maybe—this generation could actually live.

Kakashi would make sure of it.

Outside, later that night...

"Kakashi, come here. I've got something to say."

Obito stood outside the house, arms folded.

Kakashi raised a brow but followed without complaint.

"Even if I don't want to admit it," Obito began, turning his back, "Rin... likes you."

"So treat her well. Or I'll make sure you don't forget it."

His voice trembled, but he kept his back turned.

Kakashi's usual smirk faded. "I understand. As long as I'm breathing, Rin will never be hurt."

A pause. "So... we're still friends, right?"

Obito said nothing. He just raised his right hand slightly and wiped something from his face.

"Hmph. Don't flatter yourself. I never said we weren't friends, you bastard Kakashi!"

Kakashi stepped forward, hands on Obito's shoulders. Then—hugged him tightly.

"Ugh—what the hell?!"

Obito flailed, but couldn't escape. Finally, he gave in and hugged back... then broke down.

"You bastard Kakashi... Do you know how long... I've—!?"

"I liked Rin the most...! But why... why is it YOU?!"

Tears streamed down Obito's face. Kakashi said nothing, just let him cry, holding on until the storm passed.

He knew.

Everyone remembers the first time they fall in love. The helpless, aching kind.

But unrequited love... that was a wound only time could numb.

It was still love.

Still beautiful.

Still a piece of youth worth remembering.

Eventually, the sobs slowed. Obito wiped his nose with a tissue Kakashi handed him.

"Don't you dare tell Rin about this."

"Of course," Kakashi replied, hand on heart. "Secret between bros."

At last, a small, lopsided smile formed on Obito's face.

He was healing.

Kakashi was genuinely relieved. The tension in their team could finally start to fade.

Rin had even started checking Obito for fevers recently, convinced he was ill due to climate changes.

"Oi! Kakashi, Obito!"

Rin's voice called from nearby. "We're leaving!"

"Coming!" Obito called back. He shot Kakashi a mock glare, then jogged off toward her.

Kakashi followed, hands in his pockets.

"I already said goodbye to Minato-sensei," Rin explained. "Oh! You missed it—Itachi gave a singing performance! He was adorable!"

"Singing?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me it was 'I Am the Lone Hero'?"

"Huh? What's that?"

"Oh... just a lullaby. Super obscure. Definitely nothing traumatizing."

"I wanna hear it! Sing it for us!"

"Pass."

Back at Minato's house...

Shisui walked out of the bathroom, towel in hand.

"...Huh?"

The living room was empty.

"Kakashi-senpai?"

Silence.

"Did... Did you all leave without me?!"