Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The Hatake clan was small, and their large house felt especially empty and quiet. The furniture was simple and unadorned, all kept spotless. The house was similar in size to Orochimaru's estate, with a spacious courtyard, a large, flourishing tree, and flower beds near the walls.

Kakashi stood in the courtyard, holding a short blade resembling the White Fang's. He studied the sharp edge, reflecting his face, with an intensity that contrasted with his usual lazy demeanor.

Sakumo had taught Kakashi everything he knew, the strength and qualities a shinobi should have.

Kakashi looked at the blade, deeply focused, pondering how to improve his skills, correct his weaknesses, and get stronger. One reason for his desire to grow was to protect; he couldn't let something like the encounter with Ye Zi happen again.

Unbeknownst to him, however, a painful truth was approaching, like an unseen hand reaching for him.

Obito shouted several times from the front door, but Kakashi, absorbed in his thoughts, didn't hear. Left with no choice, Obito and Rin slipped inside.

They had been to Kakashi's home many times, moving comfortably through the house. Obito loudly called for Kakashi, showing no sign of acting like a guest.

Hearing Obito's voice growing closer, Kakashi snapped out of his thoughts. His focused gaze softened back to its usual lazy look. In public, he often appeared this way, but influenced by Guy and Obito, he trained diligently when no one was watching.

With a flick of his arm, he smoothly sheathed the short blade on his back and turned his relaxed gaze toward the voices.

"Is he not at home?" Obito sounded slightly irritated.

"This is a bit rude," Rin murmured quietly.

"It's fine! It's not like we're strangers. Kakashi won't mind," Obito said, stepping onto the porch. He saw Kakashi standing in the courtyard, arms crossed, looking at him with a familiar expression.

Why familiar? It was the look that always came with a two-word description… "Idiot!"

Surprisingly, Obito didn't explode in anger. He looked at Kakashi and said, "You must have heard me calling but didn't bother to answer, huh?"

Rin appeared behind Obito, giving Kakashi an apologetic smile. "Sorry for intruding, Kakashi," she said softly.

Then, recalling the sad news they'd come to share, her usually cheerful expression turned somber.

Kakashi immediately sensed their change in demeanor and raised an eyebrow, asking lazily, "What's going on?"

Obito and Rin exchanged glances. Obito's face twisted, signaling for Rin to speak, but she lowered her head, suddenly finding it difficult to break the painful news she had been so sure about sharing.

Seeing her turn away, Obito sighed and, after a moment, looked at Kakashi, struggling to find the words.

"What's going on with you two?" Kakashi asked.

Obito took a deep breath, then said, "We came here to tell you something important."

"What is it? Let's go inside and sit down," Kakashi said, stepping toward them.

"No, stay there and listen to me," Obito replied, his voice slightly raised.

Kakashi stopped, confused, looking at Obito.

"Uncle Sakumo's team returned from their mission a short while ago," Obito said, his voice serious.

Kakashi's usually lazy eyes grew sharp, and he instinctively sensed something was wrong. His brow furrowed as he asked, "And?"

"Uncle Sakumo… didn't come back," Obito said, looking at Kakashi with sadness. He remembered how Shakumo always greeted him and Rin warmly, offering snacks whenever they visited.

The team returned, but his father was missing. The implication was clear; those who didn't come back had likely died on the mission. But there was still a faint hope for another possibility.

Kakashi's body tensed, his usual composure vanishing as he stared at Obito in silence, clinging to that slim hope. He needed confirmation, he had to find the Hokage.

"Wait here," he said quickly before disappearing, leaping over the wall and heading toward the Hokage's office.

"Kakashi!" Obito shouted, but he only saw Kakashi's retreating figure.

"What should we do?" Obito asked, looking at Rin.

Rin, her face filled with concern, took a deep breath. "No matter what, having someone by his side will make things a little better."

Indeed, having someone nearby in times of sadness, failure, and despair made a difference.

"Let's go!"

Obito took off in the direction Kakashi had gone, and Rin followed close behind.

They crossed the wall and headed toward the Hokage's office under the mountain's monument, stopping after a short distance.

Kakashi stood on the path ahead, facing their teacher, Kushina.

The two hurried over to join Kakashi.

Kakashi had his head bowed, his whole body trembling, fists clenched tightly, showing the turmoil he was struggling to contain.

Kushina, her lips pressed together, looked at him with deep worry. Behind her clear eyes was an unspeakable sadness.

Kakashi was in this state because she had confirmed the tragic truth to him, stopping him from going to the Hokage's office.

She was there because, having learned the news from a friend, she wanted to support Kakashi.

Sakumo was dead, killed by Ye Zi. That image of his father, once so strong, was fading, seemingly disappearing forever.

Such a powerful father, gone.

Though the news was confirmed, Kakashi still found it hard to accept. The visible part of his face, unmasked, showed his struggle as sadness surged within him, shaking his whole body.

It was the first time Obito had seen Kakashi like this. After a brief pause, he placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder, saying firmly, "If you want to cry, then cry. Don't hold it in. Don't worry—I promise I won't laugh at you, even if you cry your heart out."

Rin looked at Obito with a smile, then placed a hand on Kakashi's other shoulder, adding warmly, "That's because Obito is the real crybaby."

"What? Rin, you can't say that!" Obito exclaimed, mouth agape in surprise.

"…Idiot…" Kakashi whispered, his tightly held tears finally breaking free, streaming silently down his face and onto the ground.

A silent, overwhelming grief. Without a sound, he cried, wetting the ground in front of him.

Seeing Kakashi's tears, Obito and Rin pressed their hands a little more firmly on his shoulders.

No words were needed—their actions were enough to show their support.

Kushina looked at the scene, then slowly tilted her head back to gaze at the blue sky and white clouds. In times of sorrow, having someone by your side truly meant everything.

Suddenly, a loud, enthusiastic shout interrupted their thoughts, as a familiar figure dressed in green raced toward them from afar.

"Kakashi, my rival!"

Guy came running, moving at full speed rather than on his hands, cutting through the wind as he reached Kakashi's side in seconds.

Kakashi remained silent, head down, lost in his grief.

But Guy gently lifted Kakashi's head, forcing him to look up.

"…" Kushina.

"…" Rin.

"…" Obito.

"…" Kakashi.

With tears streaming down his face, Guy shouted, "Leave the sadness behind and face tomorrow with your head held high! Come, Kakashi, let's have a match to vent your sadness!"

"…" Kushina.

"…" Rin.

"…" Obito.

"…" Kakashi.

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Currently on Chapter 385 - Monstrous Strength