Touching his left eye solemnly, Kakashi said, "This is the gift Obito left for me. I'll never let it be taken by someone like *that*!"
Hearing this, everyone was filled with righteous fury.
"This is the only legacy Obito left behind. Who dares lay eyes on it—there's no way in hell we're letting that slide!"
"That's right! We can't forgive scum like that!"
"A rogue ninja actually dares to go after us!"
"Now that's what I call perfect timing—we've got nothing better to do before heading back to the Eastern Front anyway!"
With everything that had happened involving Obito, they were all feeling pent-up frustration without any outlet.
Himiko showing up at just this moment made her the perfect outlet for their anger.
Seeing how much everyone cared about his situation, Kakashi—who had been growing emotionally colder since Obito's "death"—felt a faint thawing in his frozen heart.
However, as always quiet and reserved, he couldn't bring himself to say anything emotional or touching. He simply muttered, "Thank you."
Fortunately, everyone understood his personality well and didn't take offense, quickly turning serious in discussion.
"The current problem is—how to find Hiruko."
"With the vast shinobi world out there, tracking down one person isn't easy."
"It really is troublesome. I heard Jiraiya-sama tried capturing him at the beginning of the war, but ultimately failed—he managed to escape."
"Reki, could your Inuzuka clan temporarily loan us some ninja hounds?"
Inuzuka Reki hesitated slightly before replying, "If Seiki asks, our clan head will likely agree to lend out several hounds—but I can't guarantee exactly how many…"
The usually silent Kakashi suddenly spoke up, "I have ninja hounds. Will eight be enough?"
Inuzuka Reki stared at him in surprise. "How come you have...? Oh, I see—you've contracted Summoned Beasts from the dog lineage?"
Kakashi silently nodded.
Rin asked puzzledly, "When did you contract them? How come even I didn't know about this?"
Kakashi stayed quiet for a moment before saying, "It was on the day I went together with Minato-sensei to search for Obito's body. After returning, I immediately formed the contract with the ninja hounds, hoping to use their sense of smell to locate Obito. Unfortunately, it still ended in failure."
Hearing this, everyone felt deeply regretful.
For ordinary people, just being able to form a contract with Summoned Beasts would already be extremely fortunate, so naturally they wouldn't dare to pick and choose.
But Kakashi himself was an extraordinary genius who had far surpassed ordinary humans. His teacher had also established a contract with Mount Myoboku. Under such circumstances, choosing a relatively weaker bloodline like the ninja hound was indeed very regrettable.
Seiki wore a strange look on his face—maybe this was why Kakashi later started carving dog heads into his earth-release walls?
As payment for forming the contract, advertising for the ninja hound lineage? Using ninjutsu to carve dog heads as advertisement?
After all, he and Kakashi had fought many times, but Kakashi's earth-style techniques had always been plain and unadorned, just like most others'.
"The number shouldn't be an issue anymore," Reki pondered thoughtfully. "Still, considering so many days have passed, traces of Hiruko's scent might no longer exist there."
Kakashi's expression remained unchanged. "I know, but regardless, we should give it a try first."
"That's true," Inuzuka Reki nodded in agreement.
"I'll go with you. It's too dangerous for you alone," Seiki added from the side.
"I'm just following a trail. It's nothing serious..."
"Still, I should be the one to accompany Kakashi!" A gentle, apologetic voice came from behind the group.
They all turned around. Kakashi and Rin exclaimed in surprise, "Teacher Minato! Why are you back too?"
"After the official ceasefire on the Western Front, things have calmed down considerably over here," Minato sighed. "Besides, after something like this happened, I should personally apologize to the elder."
Rin blinked her eyes. "Have you been following us all the way?"
Minato chuckled awkwardly. "Not yet. I just happened to pass by and couldn't help but stop when I overheard your conversation."
With that, Minato gazed at Kakashi with deep guilt in his eyes. "Sorry... I've been such an irresponsible teacher. If it weren't for Seiki reminding me, I might still be completely unaware of what's going on with you."
Kakashi shook his head. "It's not your fault. I never spoke up about it myself."
"A teacher must always look after his students," Minato said, his voice heavy with regret. "Let me go with you. Consider it my punishment as a negligent teacher."
Since Teacher Minato had put it that way, Kakashi could only accept. "In that case, thank you for your trouble."
"Seiki, you haven't returned to the village for quite some time either. Take these days off and rest well. As for that Hiruko..." The usually calm and gentle Minato rarely displayed a trace of killing intent in his expression, "Daring to do this to my student, he absolutely won't get away with it!"
Seiki replied solemnly, "Count me in for dealing with him. A traitor who betrayed the village and even attacked fellow ninja deserves appropriate punishment!"
Witnessing this exchange, everyone couldn't help but feel sorry for poor Hiruko.
Being targeted by both Senior Minato and Captain Seiki was treatment normally reserved only for the village's Kage!
...
On the third day, early morning.
Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
"Honestly, I don't even know how to live now that I'm back from battle," Asuma complained, resting his elbows on the table. "If this keeps up, old man Hiruzen will drag me to another blind date for sure."
"How about joining me for a youthful, high-energy race?" Seeing Asuma looking so dejected, Guy enthusiastically invited.
Asuma's eye twitched slightly. "Absolutely not."
Guy still tried to persuade him, "Then how about a handstand circuit around the entire village? Or 500 squat-jumps? If that's not good enough, ten thousand push-ups would work too..."
But before he could finish, Guy was pushed aside by Kurenai who entered right after him.
Kurenai confidently took a seat next to Seiki. "Teuchi, I'll have a medium bowl of miso ramen with char siu pork, and keep the noodles firm."
Guy whined unhappily, "I was here first!"
Asuma burst into laughter. "That's what happens when you're getting in the way... Huh?"
Seeing Asuma being dragged aside by Shizune just like he was, Guy couldn't help raising his thumb. "Still got self-awareness, huh Asuma!"
"Heh... heheh..."
Just then, cheerful laughter came from the entrance. "Hi! Good day, seniors!"
Everyone turned their heads. Mizuki walked in with a reluctant look on his face, pushed forward by a girl who clearly wouldn't let him stay outside any longer.
"Anko, what's going on?"
"Heh, I ran into Mizuki-senpai on the road, so I just followed him over."
Everyone stared at her in confusion. That's *following* Mizuki? You basically dragged him here yourself!
But soon, Asuma noticed something strange. "Wait a second, did you just call him Mizuki-senpai?"
Anko grinned broadly as she planted her hands on her hips. "That's because I've also become a disciple under Orochimaru-sama!"
Kurenai couldn't help but sweat nervously. "Your energetic personality doesn't quite seem to match with being a disciple of Orochimaru-sama."
"Really? I think it's perfect!" Anko nudged Mizuki in the chest playfully. "The one who doesn't fit is actually Mizuki-senpai. He's so cold and emotionless like an ice cube."
She then let out an exasperated sigh, "No girl is gonna fall for that icy vibe if you keep it up!"
Mizuki managed a stiff, forced smile. "I don't need—"
He hadn't finished speaking when he saw Anko's face suddenly filled with horror. "You're not seriously telling me, Mizuki-senpai, you like guys?! Now that I think about it, the way you look at Seiki-senpai *does* seem kind of suspicious!"
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