Meanwhile, sensing it was approaching lunchtime, Kakashi prepared to escort Feng Bai home.
Observing Feng Bai following behind empty-handed, Kakashi gestured toward the scattered Danzō ice sculptures littering the ground and inquired curiously: "Aren't you taking these with you?"
"What would I need those for?" Feng Bai responded with characteristic bluntness.
They weren't adorable collectible figurines—just crude creations he'd made casually. Better to leave them here to melt naturally.
Wait, there was actually one item among them that could help strengthen his relationship with Kakashi.
With this realization, Feng Bai turned around, bent down, and retrieved the Kakashi ice sculpture he'd crafted earlier, extending it toward him: "This is for you. Thanks for wanting to protect me back there."
Receiving the gift along with Feng Bai's unguarded gratitude, Kakashi experienced a rare moment of embarrassment, his cheeks flushing slightly. Noticing this reaction, he quickly averted his gaze: "Just throw it away. It's hideous."
"What? No way. Hey, are you actually blushing? Let me see." Recognizing an opportunity to forge closer bonds with Kakashi, Feng Bai seized the moment, darting to Kakashi's side while attempting to force the admittedly unattractive ice sculpture into his hands.
"No, get away!"
"Come on, let me see!"
"Absolutely not!"
The two figures gradually receded into the distance, leaving behind a ground covered with slowly melting Danzō sculptures.
At noon, Feng Bai finally tasted cuisine beyond soldier pills and Kirigakure's monotonous all-fish banquets.
Sakumo's culinary skills proved exceptional, producing dishes that perfectly complemented his image while wearing that pink apron. This represented the finest meal Feng Bai had enjoyed since his rebirth, second only to his mother's cooking.
Following lunch, at Sakumo's suggestion, Feng Bai indulged in a hot bath at their home.
Sensing their relationship had grown considerably closer, Sakumo completely disregarded Kakashi's protests while laying fresh bedding beside Kakashi's bed.
"Dad, you should know—that kid possesses Ice Release Kekkei Genkai," Kakashi said, abandoning resistance and seizing the opportunity to share his day's observations.
"Ice Release?" Sakumo frowned momentarily before his expression relaxed: "How did you discover this?"
Kakashi directed his gaze toward his desk, where an almost completely melted ice sculpture bearing his likeness sat.
"It does resemble you quite well," Sakumo concluded after carefully examining the sculpture's contours.
"Resemble what exactly?" Kakashi thought with exasperation. How did Dad possibly recognize me in that misshapen ice sculpture?
Observing his father's relatively calm reaction, Kakashi also recounted their ANBU encounter: "Three ANBU operatives approached him during my training session and extracted his blood using a syringe."
Three ANBU?
"Those likely weren't ANBU," Sakumo stated. As ANBU Captain, he had detected surveillance tails ever since departing the Hokage's office.
"Not ANBU?" Kakashi appeared puzzled.
Sakumo smoothed the final wrinkle from the bedding before standing: "They represent an existence even more profound than ANBU."
He had no intention of exposing his son to the village's hidden darkness so prematurely, thus maintaining deliberately vague explanations.
"Um..." Feng Bai, wrapped in a towel following his bath, suddenly materialized in the doorway: "Have either of you seen my clothes?"
"Ah, finished already, Feng Bai," Sakumo hurried forward, using a towel to dry Feng Bai's damp hair: "I sent your clothes for washing. Since you're slightly slimmer than Kakashi, you can borrow his clothing temporarily."
"Huh?" Kakashi expressed annoyance: "Why mine specifically?"
"Kakashi, friends must learn to share," Sakumo declared, retrieving a set of Kakashi's everyday attire.
"Who's friends with him?" Kakashi attempted correction but received no acknowledgment.
"Kakashi, you haven't worn these underwear before, right?" Feng Bai chose this moment to deliver a strategic jab.
"If you don't want them, forget it!" For the first time in his training-focused existence, Kakashi experienced what could only be described as complete emotional breakdown.
"Ah, that response... so you have worn them," Feng Bai observed the underwear with obvious distaste.
Well, I'm just a child—going commando should be acceptable, right?
However—
"Why do all your clothes feature attached masks?" Feng Bai lifted one shirt, indicating the mask component.
"Dad, may I eliminate him?" Kakashi's frustration levels reached critical mass.
Witnessing his son display such pronounced emotional volatility, Sakumo beamed with delight: "Kakashi, you're being petulant again."
Although the Third Hokage had likely already learned of Feng Bai's Ice Release capabilities, professional duty—and avoiding suspicion of withholding information—compelled Sakumo to visit the Hokage's office personally.
Quietly departing Kakashi's room with intentions of leaving, Sakumo suddenly halted, directing his attention toward the window.
"Captain." Outside, an ANBU operative stood waiting: "The Third Hokage instructed me to inform you that he's aware of the Ice Release matter. Please treasure your hard-earned vacation and spend quality time with family."
So the Third Hokage already knows?
Sakumo ceased his door-opening motion, smiled, and nodded toward the operative: "Please convey to the Third Hokage that I understand. Express my gratitude for his consideration."
Spend quality time with family...
In that case—
"Kakashi, Feng Bai, shall we go fishing together?" Sakumo enthusiastically retrieved comprehensive fishing equipment from a storage cabinet.
Having finally located clothing without attached masks, Feng Bai found himself once again astonished by Sakumo's behavior.
Who would have imagined that Uncle Sakumo, with those thick eyebrows, was actually a fishing enthusiast?
Wonder if he ever returns home empty-handed.
"Absolutely not, I refuse," Kakashi declared verbally, though his body betrayed him by gravitating toward Sakumo.
Looks like my moment has arrived.
Feng Bai thought, seizing Kakashi and forcibly dragging him before Sakumo: "Kakashi says he wants to go, Uncle Sakumo."
"Feng Bai, when exactly did I express willingness to go?" Kakashi attempted escape from Feng Bai's grasp.
"Hmph. If you genuinely opposed going, there's no way I could physically drag you," Feng Bai snorted, intensifying his grip.
"Excellent! Let's all proceed to the pond behind our house!" Seeing Kakashi's "agreement," Sakumo retrieved fishing nets and a small red bucket, flanking Kakashi alongside Feng Bai as they headed toward the pond.
...
"How fascinating."
Within his secret laboratory, Orochimaru examined the comparative results with considerable interest.
These represented two samples delivered by Danzō's operatives. Following analysis, Orochimaru's conclusion confirmed that both subjects shared blood relations.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW? 💎
Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running... 👉
[Join on Patreon -patreon.com/GoldenLong]