Hatake Sakumo only glanced once at the girl who was pinning Kyusei to the ground while crying her eyes out, then said nothing more.
His intuition told him clearly—
that girl had absolutely no intention of hurting Kyusei.
He turned his head toward the silver-haired man beside him and smiled.
"Kakashi… I didn't expect to see what you'd look like all grown up so early."
Kakashi looked at the man before him with an extremely complicated expression.
To him, this person was the man who had influenced his entire life more than anyone else.
He was both his gentle, loving father—
and his strict, responsible teacher.
"Father…"
Being able to see his father again, even just once, made this entire trip worth it.
"Heh… In your world, I'm probably already gone, aren't I?"
Hatake Sakumo smiled calmly as he looked at the man who was now faintly taller than himself.
"Y-you…?"
"How did you—"
Kakashi stared at him in disbelief, unable to understand how this man could speak so lightly about his own life and death.
"Your eyes already tell me everything."
Sakumo looked into Kakashi's exposed eye, a trace of emotion surfacing in his expression.
"These years… you've had it rough, haven't you?"
"Father…"
Seeing Kakashi hesitate, Sakumo immediately understood.
He reached out and patted Kakashi on the shoulder.
"All hardship will eventually pass."
"Those who endure countless trials will only grow stronger."
"No matter what happens, nothing will break a real man."
"Kakashi…"
"You're my son."
Kakashi stared at the man he hadn't seen for sixteen years.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
In the end, he only lowered his head and let out a quiet—
"…Mm."
—
"Come back early."
Kyusei watched as Hatake Sakumo took Kakashi toward the Hokage Tower, then turned to look at the girl beside him.
Uzumaki Naruko was standing there awkwardly, twisting her fingers together.
Her face was still stained with tears, cheeks red, eyes darting everywhere except toward him.
Yet she kept sneaking glances at her so-called "father."
"Naruko?"
Kyusei called her name.
"W-what…?"
The blonde twin-tailed girl pouted, face flushed, deliberately turning her head away.
"Let's go home."
Naruko froze.
Home…
That word had only ever existed in her dreams.
She had dreamed before—
of having a father, a mother, and even a younger sibling.
But in those dreams, their faces were always blurry.
Every time she tried to get closer, to see them clearly…
she would wake up.
And now—
This twelve-year-old "father" was telling her he'd take her home?
Even though she already understood that the boy in front of her wasn't truly her father in the strictest sense—
She could still feel it.
His chakra.
Warm. Lively. Familiar.
Just like hers.
Their blood, their chakra, even their similar features—
Everything was telling her the same thing.
This person was her father.
"…Huh? Why are you just standing there?"
Seeing Naruko frozen in place, Kyusei reached out, grabbed her hand, and started pulling her along toward his house.
Naruko stared blankly at the boy holding her hand.
For some reason, her chest felt tight.
"Um… fa— fa…"
She tried to say father, but the word just wouldn't come out.
Kyusei glanced back at her and grinned oddly.
"Whoa, hold on."
"Suddenly having such a big daughter— I don't really mind, but…"
"Don't you think that's kinda weird?"
"Just call me Kyusei."
"Of course…"
He suddenly leaned in close, pinched her cheek, and laughed mischievously.
"If you really insist on calling me Dad, I wouldn't be totally against it either."
"H-hey! What are you doing?!"
Naruko shoved him away, face bright red, rubbing her cheek angrily.
What kind of person was this?!
One second he looked genuinely worried about her—
the next he was teasing her like this!
Watching her flustered expression, Kyusei couldn't help but smile.
"Come on."
"Let's go see my place."
"And yeah—"
"That's your home too."
Looking at the boy with a bit of baby fat still on his face, Naruko felt herself relax just a little.
Tch… weird guy.
But somehow… impossible to hate.
Soon, they arrived at Kyusei's house.
As he opened the door, everything inside was laid bare before Naruko's blue eyes—eyes just like Kaoru's.
Brown wooden floors in the living room.
Green potted plants by the window.
Plush toys on the warm-colored sofa.
An opened tissue box on the coffee table.
Neatly arranged tableware in the kitchen.
Every detail radiated the feeling of life.
Naruko's blue eyes trembled slightly.
She was afraid to step inside.
Kyusei had just said…
That this place belonged to her too.
Could she really have a home like this?
A home full of warmth and everyday life?
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up."
"Kaoru will probably be here soon."
"Let's prepare a surprise for her."
Kyusei grinned widely at the blonde twin-tailed girl.
Kaoru…
That name sounded strangely familiar.
Naruko thought hard, trying to remember where she'd heard it.
Then suddenly—
Her gaze shifted to the Hokage Rock outside the window.
In her world, there was a fourth face carved there.
The Fourth Hokage.
Namikaze Kaoru.
…Wait.
Why would the Fourth Hokage be with her "father"?
Don't tell me—
Naruko's heart trembled.
No.
That couldn't be…
But if it was true…
Then why?
Why would they—
Why would they do that to me?
Did I… do something wrong?
Seeing Naruko still standing there in a daze, Kyusei pulled her inside.
He took out a pair of slippers at the entrance, helped her change, then smiled.
"So, Naruko— what do you want to eat?"
"My cooking is actually really good, you know~"
Looking at the boy's expectant expression, Naruko opened her mouth.
Her voice came out low and muffled.
"…Anything is fine."
"Huh?"
"'Anything' and 'whatever' are the hardest answers, you know~~"
"But that's only for other people."
"That won't stump me."
Kyusei smiled knowingly.
Sharp as he was, he understood exactly what Naruko was feeling.
She was a girl who wore her heart on her face.
It made his chest ache for her.
But there was only so much he could do.
He couldn't keep Naruko here forever.
All he could do was take care of her while he could.
If Obito had eaten Kushina's cooking—
Then Naruko could eat his.
He wasn't any worse than Kushina.
"Naruko— come help me out~~"
Hearing the boy's casual call, Naruko gave a quiet response and walked into the kitchen, bathed in warm light.
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